Cradled between Taiwan’s emerald mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Taitung is a serene escape where time seems to slow. This laid-back coastal city on the island’s southeast edge is known less for glittering skylines than for its raw, unspoiled beauty. Rolling rice paddies meet misty peaks, while ocean breezes carry the scent of salt and rain. Travellers come for the East Rift Valley’s hot springs, the wild beaches of Dulan, and the chance to cycle or drift quietly along country roads lined with betel palms. Indigenous Amis traditions, vibrant night markets, and the rhythmic beats of the Taiwan International Balloon Festival add cultural colour. Taitung invites travellers seeking natural beauty, cultural richness, and a slower pace far from Taiwan’s bustling cities.