Taitung County is located in southeastern Taiwan, bordering the Pacific Ocean (Philippine Sea) to the east. It is separated from Pingtung County and Kaohsiung City by the Central Mountain Range to the south and west and borders Hualien County to the north. Most of the county lies south of the Tropic of Cancer, with only its northernmost tip intersecting this latitude. Taitung County is the third largest county in Taiwan (after Hualien and Nantou), covering an area of 3,515 square kilometers and boasting Taiwan’s longest coastline, stretching 176 kilometers. The county seat and largest city is Taitung City. The county is administratively divided into one city, two towns, and 13 townships, including five indigenous townships.
Geography and Natural Environment
Taitung County features a diverse topography, which can be categorized into several regions: the Central Mountain Range, the Huadong Valley Plain, the Beinan River Delta, the Coastal Mountain Range, and the Taiyuan Basin. The Central Mountain Range runs north to south, isolating Taitung from the western regions of Taiwan. Parallel to the Central Mountain Range on the east is the Coastal Mountain Range, forming the Huadong Valley, which serves as the county’s primary settlement and agricultural zone.
Several important rivers flow through Taitung, with the Beinan River being the largest. Originating from the eastern slopes of Mount Beinan in the Central Mountain Range, it has a total length of approximately 84.35 kilometers and a drainage area of 1,603 square kilometers, making it a crucial water source for irrigation. Other notable rivers include Zhiben River, Lijia River, Jinlun River, Taimali River, and Mawuku River.
Indigenous Culture and Ethnic Diversity
Due to its relatively late development during the Qing Dynasty, Taitung County has preserved a rich indigenous cultural heritage. It has the highest number of prehistoric archaeological sites in Taiwan, with the most representative being the Beinan Cultural Site. The indigenous population includes the Amis, Beinan, Paiwan, Rukai, Tao (Yami), Bunun, and Sakizaya peoples, who make up about one-third of the county’s population.
Han Chinese settlers mainly originated from the Minnan (Hokkien) ethnic group. Following the August 7th Flood in 1959, some disaster victims from western Taiwan relocated to Taitung. Additionally, the county is home to Hakka settlers from the Liudui area and mainland Chinese immigrants who arrived with the Republic of China government after 1949, contributing to the county’s diverse ethnic composition.
Economy and Industry
Taitung County primarily relies on agriculture and fisheries, with industrial development lagging behind other regions. It has long been one of Taiwan’s counties with the lowest household disposable income and life expectancy. Key local products include dried bonito, sugar apples, tea, pineapples, daylilies, and roselle. Among them, Taitung sugar apples are a significant export, highly favored in both domestic and international markets.
In recent years, the government has invested heavily in infrastructure to promote tourism, aiming to establish Taitung as a "slow living travel city," attracting an increasing number of visitors from both Taiwan and abroad.
With its breathtaking landscapes, rich indigenous culture, and diverse natural ecology, Taitung County stands out as a prime tourist destination despite its slower economic growth. From the stunning ocean views of Green Island and Orchid Island to the golden daylily fields of Taimali and the annual hot air balloon festival in Luye Highland, Taitung embodies a unique blend of slow-paced charm and deep cultural heritage, making it one of Taiwan’s most naturally captivating regions.
