This cluster of small fishing towns on Taiwan’s southeast coast is a nature lover’s — and surfer’s — vacation paradise. From secluded point breaks and open beaches to mountainous jungles and winding bike paths, there’s something for every adventurer. At night, if you listen closely you may even hear the local deer barking in the mountains.
With its bustling arts scene, Dulan is not your average surf town. In a former sugar refinery, the Sintung Sugar Factory Culture Park is a thriving hub of music, Indigenous art, and fun cafes. However, if you’re here to surf, board rentals and lessons are easy to arrange en route to the breaks, which are rarely crowded. Taiwan’s biking culture is ever present with bike shops, rest stops, and clearly marked paths, should you prefer traveling on two wheels.
With a vibrant local fishing industry, it’s all about sampling seafood here. Meet Marlin in nearby Chenggong, is an unmissable treat for a multicourse meal. The restaurant sources its fish sustainably and will share stories and information around the local fishing culture. Another must-try is Donghe Baozi for straight-out-of-the-oven, squishy bao buns, filled with a staggering array of sweet or savory flavors. This place is so popular that folks will travel down from Taipei just to grab a steaming hot bun on the weekend.
Getting to this region does require planning. A high-speed train from Taipei is one option, a flight down to Taitung, then a 30-minute drive up the coast, is another. Or, drive down from Taipei for six hours and simply relish the gorgeous vistas of Taiwan’s so-called wild coast.
— Alexandra Talty is a Southampton-raised ocean journalist, part of the Pulitzer Center Ocean Reporting Network