Taiwan: East (2009, 2015, 2016, 2017)
(2009, 2016) Taroko
Gorge:
The Taroko gorge lies 15km northwest of the
town of Hualien. It is arguably the most spectacular destination in Taiwan
reachable by road.
Narrow sections.
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Alarming sign posted at the entry of the
Shakadang Trail (actually an easy side hike from the Taroko gorge) and a view of the clear water along this
trail.
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Hsiang-te Temple in the Taroko gorge.
First photo: Statue of Ksitigarbha, a Bodhisattva.
Second photo: Statue of Guanyin.
Tianfeng Pagoda.
Wall painting
illustrating the life of local aborigenal people
(seen in a restaurant at the entrance of the gorge).
(2016) Qingshui Cliffs:
These
plunging coastal cliffs lie about 30km north of Hualien on Highway 9.
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(2015, 2016,
2017) Taitung:
This is the
main city south of Taiwan‛s East Coast. I found its people to be
extremely friendly and more laidback than in the rest of Taiwan.
Photos taken
while landing at Taitung airport.
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Liyushan Park: people playing mahjong under a
banyan tree (left) and pagoda (right).
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Paper lanterns along the old railway
near Liyushan Park.
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In the
central market.
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Slate coffins
and re-enactment of teeth extraction at the archeological Peinan
site (between 5000 and 2000 BC?) near Taitung′s train station. This site
was discovered in the late 19th century, but most of the excavations were done
in 1945 and later. According to anthropologists, teeth extraction was a common
practice of the Peinan culture: every person entering
adulthood had canines and lateral incisors extracted from the upper jaw.
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Fugang fishing harbor.
(2015) North
of Taitung:
Sanxiantai (三仙台, which literally means ″Three
Immortals Support″) islets on the East Coast. The 8-arch footbridge leads to the largest islet. The
place‛s name comes from the presence of three main outcrops that are
likened to three legendary Taoist sages.
Buddha‛s head fruit, also known as
custard apple, a specialty of Taitung area. (The Buddha‛s head on the
right is only shown for comparison).
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In the pottery studio of aboriginal
artist Zudweyi Ruvaniyao (Paiwan tribe), located in a small narrow canyon at the end
of Xinbanjiu Road, Beinan
Township.
View over the East Rift Valley from the
Sixty Stone Mountain (六十石山, Liushidan
Shan).
Rice fields in Chishang
in the south-central part of the East Rift Valley.
(2016) Walami Trail:
Starting 15km
east of the small town of Yuli (located in the East Rift Valley), the Walami trail is one possible access to the inner part of
Yushan National Park and its extensive network of trails. The initial section
of the trail does not require a permit and offers a good hike round-trip.
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(2015) South
of Taitung:
View over Chihpen
from the top of Chihpen Forest Recreation Area.
Taiwan macaques in Chihpen
Forest.
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Banyan trees in Chihpen
Forest.
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