Meeting the ocean on one side and flanked by the Beinen River mouth on the other, beautiful Taitung is known as the ‘Garden of Taiwan’ for its gorgeous vegetation, which includes naturally growing lilies and hibiscus blooms. Popular activities include cycling along the area’s beautiful bike trails, or catching a live gig at the Tiehua Music Village; however the highlight of the town’s social calendar is the Lunar New Year Festival, when the town is illuminated with floating lanterns and vivid pyrotechnic displays. At Jhihben, a small satellite town just beyond Taitung’s borders, visitors can soak in steaming hot springs renowned for their restorative properties.