Taitung

Taitung draws travelers to Taiwan's east coast for hot springs, slow beach stops and boat trips to Green Island and Orchid Island.

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Taitung is a county on the southeast coast of Taiwan, facing the Pacific Ocean, with Taitung City as its seat. The Central Mountain Range separates it from the western cities, so most visitors arrive by train, bus or plane. Hot springs at Zhiben, west of the city, long beaches and tea fields bring people here. Amis, Paiwan and Bunun communities live in the county, and local museums are a starting point for learning about their history and crafts.

Choose Taitung for slow trips built around hot springs, beaches, food and coastal drives. Boats and flights run to Green Island and Orchid Island, but they can be canceled in bad weather. Spring and autumn are the easiest seasons for the coast. Typhoon season, roughly summer into early autumn, can disrupt ferries and flights, so keep a spare day in the plan. Plan at least three nights; four or five leaves room for an island trip.

Taitung in five

Choose the boat or the plane to Green IslandThe Tourism Administration lists a 50-minute boat from Fugang, and Taitung Airport also has flights to Green Island. Not all boat routes run every day because of weather, so keep a spare day.Hualien or Taitung
Sleep at Zhiben for the hot springsThe Tourism Administration calls Zhiben the greatest scene in eastern Taiwan. The inner hot spring area, developed later, holds the resorts, so it suits a soak-focused night.
Use the East Coast tourist shuttle from the airportFrom Taitung Airport the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle East Coast Line serves the sugar factory, the train station, Fugang Fishing Harbor and Xiaoyeliu. A Dingdong Bus runs to the city center.
Drive Highway 11 for the coast stopsStone Umbrella sits at the 105.8 km mark of Highway 11, and the East Coast scenic area lists Sanxiantai, Jinzun and Jialulan. UK license holders need a validated 1949 IDP to drive.International driving permit
Keep Mondays for the coastThe National Museum of Prehistory and Beinan Site Park is open Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 to 17:00, and closed on Mondays. Plan beaches and drives for a Monday.

Things to do in Taitung

See all attractions in Taitung

Sight · TaitungNational Museum of Prehistory

Sight · TaitungTaimali

Person sits on a swing in a scenic rural landscape

Sight · TaitungTaitung Railway Art Village

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to TaitungPut the places you like in Taitung on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Taitung Airport; flights from Taipei, plus Green Island and Orchid Island
Getting there: Taiwan Railways along the east coast, or a domestic flight
Getting around: East Coast tourist shuttle, Dingdong Bus; car or scooter for Highway 11
Best base: Taitung city for transport; Zhiben for hot springs
Time needed: 2 days; 3 or 4 with Green Island

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh21°Low16°Mild, damp
FebruaryCloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°Mild
MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Warm
AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°Warm
MayRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Rainy season
JuneRain19 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hot
JulyRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hot, typhoon risk
AugustRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Typhoon risk
SeptemberRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Typhoon risk
OctoberRain17 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Warm, clear
NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Warm
DecemberCloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low18°Mild

Average daily high and low in Taitung, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Taitung

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 14°
Humidity: 94%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Taitung

09:34 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today19°13°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed20°13°100%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu22°11°99%Thursday: Rain. High 22°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 99%.
Fri21°13°100%Friday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sat19°13°81%Saturday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 81%.
Sun21°12°75%Sunday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 75%.
Mon19°13°81%Monday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 81%.

Updated 06:12 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 32.64 TWD

Amount

Converted to

TWD · New Taiwan Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Green Islandabout 50 min by boat from FugangSnorkeling reefs, a 16.3 km round-island road and a saltwater hot spring.
Zhiben Hot Springsby bus or car; check local timetablesResort hot springs split into inner and outer areas by Zhiben Creek.
Orchid Island2 to 2.5 hours by boat from FugangA volcanic island with a rain-forest interior and coral reefs; better with a night.

Before you go to Taitung

Green Island and coast toursBoat or flight and transport sortedCompare tours

Car or scooter hireHighway 11 stops are far apartCompare cars

eSIM for the east coastMaps and boat updates on the roadRead the guide

Insurance for island tripsCancelled boats and storm delaysRead the guide

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Rules for Taitung, checked

Not all boat routes to Green Island and Orchid Island run every day because of weather; call the operator before fixing a schedule.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
UK license holders need a 1949 international driving permit and must have it validated at a Motor Vehicles Office in Taiwan, per GOV.UK.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source

Plan around Taitung

Hualien or Taitung

Which east coast base fits your trip.

Read the guide Hualien

The northern base, for Taroko and the coast.

Read the guide Eastern Taiwan and Taroko

The wider east coast and Rift Valley.

Read the guide Kenting National Park

The southern tip, around the cape from Taitung.

Read the guide International driving permit

What UK license holders need to drive.

Read the guide Getting around Taiwan

Rail, flights and buses explained.

Read the guide All of Taiwan

Rail, entry rules and when to go.

Read the guide

Taitung FAQ

How many days do you need in Taitung?

Two days cover the city, a hot spring and a stretch of Highway 11. Add one or two days for Green Island or Orchid Island, since both depend on boats or flights and the weather. A car or scooter changes how much fits in a day.

How do you get to Green Island from Taitung?

By boat from Fugang, about 50 minutes according to the Tourism Administration, or by flight from Taitung Airport. Not all boat routes run every day because of weather, so call the operator and keep a spare day.

Is Taitung worth visiting?

Yes, for hot springs, beaches, tea hills and a coast road with fewer crowds than the west. It suits slower travelers more than first-timers on a short rail trip, and it works best with a car or tour.

Can you get around Taitung without a car?

In part. The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle East Coast Line runs from Taitung Airport to the sugar factory, the train station, Fugang and Xiaoyeliu, and a Dingdong Bus serves the city center. The wider coast and valley are easier with a car or scooter.

Is Taitung or Hualien better?

Hualien for Taroko and Qingshui Cliff, Taitung for hot springs, beaches and islands. With four days or more, use both. The comparison page sets out flights, buses and who each base suits.