The Rift Valley and the Southern Cross-Island Highway
Post date: 2025-06-24
494
Day 2 Days
Category Nanhen Mountain Line、East Rift Valley、Taitung City Suburb
Transport Drive
Highlight
Itinerary
Anchor
The Beinan River, an offshoot of the Xinwulu River, flows through seven townships in Taitung County before emptying into the sea just north of Taitung City. As the city’s defining waterway, it affords an opportunity to pass through diverse geographical regions along its course.
This tour starts in Taitung City then heads to the Luye Highlands, where visitors can sample a cup of locally grown red oolong tea. From there, follow the Southern Cross-Island Highway into the mountains through the indigenous villages of Wulu and Lidao, which offer scenic views of the upper river valley and an introduction to indigenous Bunun culture. Then, follow the river back downstream and can witness how the river’s life-giving waters nurture the farmland around the Guanshan Rice County School before they wind through the dramatically eroded moonscape near Shanli Station and the Liji Badlands Geological Park. The tour concludes at the Taitung Forest Park, where the Beinan River empties into the sea, thus marking the end of this compelling river adventure.
Suggested Itinerary:
Taitung City → Luye Highland → Bunun Cultural Museum → Aisaka (Fengban) Anti-Japan Monument → Wu-Lu Ancient Fort → Wulu Accommodation → Tianlong Suspension Bridge → Lidao Tribal Village → Liukou Hot Springs → Wulu Gorge → Xinwulu Gorge → Chulai Bridge → Guanshan Rice County School → Shanli Station → Liji Badlands Geological Park → Taitung Forest Park
Stop 1: Luye Highland
Luye Highland offers panoramic views of the Beinan River valley and surrounding farmlands. It is also one of Taitung County’s major tea-producing areas, renowned for unique local varieties including Fulu tea and red oolong tea.
Plantations here offer tea-farming experiences and local tea ceremonies. In summer, don't miss the Taiwan International Balloon Festival, a major annual highlight that fills the sky with large hot air balloons of all shapes and colors.
【Luye Highland】
Address: No. 46, Gaotai Rd, Yong’an Village, Luye Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Transportation: Take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle (East Rift Valley Luye Line) to the "Luye Highland" stop.
Stop 2: Bunun Cultural Museum
At Degao Tribal Village, Provincial Highway 20 becomes the Southern Cross-Island Highway and enters into the upper reaches of the Beinan-Xinwulu River System. The Bunun Cultural Museum, located near the entrance to the Southern Cross-Island Highway, features a visitor service center where visitors may learn about local natural ecology and recreational areas along the route.
The center also plays a key role in preserving and promoting Bunun culture. Its third-floor exhibition hall showcases traditional Bunun household items and handicrafts, making it an excellent starting point for visitors to gain an understanding of the Bunun people.
【Bunun Cultural Museum】
Address: No. 56, Shanping, Neighborhood 2, Haiduan Village, Haiduan Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 9:00 AM–04:30 PM (Closed Mondays)
Official Website: Bunun Cultural Museum of Haiduan Township
Photo source: Taitung Tourism Website
Stop 3: Aisaka (Fengban) Anti-Japan Monument
Along the Southern Cross-Island Highway, a stone pillar approximately 1.5 meters in height commemorates a 1933 attack on the Fongsaka Police Station by ethnic Bunun, who rose up in resistance to Japanese rule. The incident was one of three major anti-Japanese uprisings by the Bunun. The memorial is located in the scenic Xinwulu River Gorge and also offers a great chance to pause and appreciate the dramatic scenery.
【Aisaka (Fengban) Anti-Japan Monument】
Address: 201.5 km marker, Provincial Highway 20, Haiduan Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Photo source: Taitung Tourism Website
Stop 4: Wu-Lu Ancient Fort
Sections of the Southern Cross-Island Highway were constructed along the Guanshan Mountain Pass, a route that dates to the Japanese colonial period. The Wu-Lu Ancient Fort is a military relic of that era, built by the Japanese to intimidate and deter attacks from local indigenous peoples.
One of the cannons now on display was captured by Japanese forces during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5 and later installed at this site. The battery offers excellent viewpoints from which to view the Wulu Gorge, making it a perfect stop for photographers, sightseers and history buffs alike.
【Wu-Lu Ancient Fort】
Address: No. 957, Liaison Rd, Wulu Village, Haiduan Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Stop 5: Tianlong Suspension Bridge
Located behind the Tianlong Hotel, the Tianlong Suspension Bridge spans the Wulu Gorge along the Xinwulu River. The bridge has existed in various forms for over a century and is one of eight designated scenic spots along the Southern Cross-Island Highway. Visitors can walk across the bridge and take in breathtaking views of the gorge
【Tianlong Suspension Bridge】
Address: Behind the Tianlong Hotel, Wulu Village, Haiduan Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Note: Please observe the bridge’s maximum load capacity.
Stop 6: Lidao Tribal Village
Lidao Tribal Village, the most important Bunun settlement along the eastern section of the Southern Cross-Island Highway, is known for its cool, clean air and evokes the image of a hidden paradise.
Situated over 1,000 meters above sea level on a river terrace surrounded by mountains, the village is located in an area of mountain farmland. Local produce, including cabbage, highland aiyu jelly, and mushrooms, is highly popular with visitors.
【Lidao Tribal Village】
Address: Lidao Village, Haiduan Township, Taitung County
Stop 7: Liukou Hot Springs
Heading back towards Taitung City from Lidao Tribal Village, the Liukou Hot Springs are located along Provincial Highway 20.
During construction of the highway, Engineers discovered the hot springs when they noticed waters seeping through rock walls. The area has since been developed with comfortable bathing pools. Water directly from the spring can exceed 70°C, and the spring is classified as a sodium hydrogen carbonate spring, which is clear and odorless. Signs indicate the temperature of each pool. Some are hot enough for boiling eggs, while others are are mixed with cooler water and suitable for bathing.
【Liukou Hot Springs】
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Note: Some pools are very hot. Please exercise caution when entering.
Stop 8: Wulu Gorge and Xinwulu Gorge
The Xinwulu River has carved its way over millennia through the mountains, forming steep cliffs amidst dense forests. Wulu Gorge and Xinwulu Gorge are two of the top scenic spots along the Southern Cross-Island Highway, with Wulu Gorge stretching for nearly nine kilometers in length.
Mineral-rich spring water seeping from sheer rock cliffs has stained these gorges with striking hues of yellow, brown, black, and deep green.
【Wulu Gorge and Xinwulu Gorge】
Address: Along the Xinwulu River, Provincial Highway 20, Haiduan Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Stop 9: Chulai Bridge
Spanning the Xinwulu River, the Chulai Bridge is a vital link between the Southern Cross-Island Highway and Chishang Township. The bridge design is intended to harmonize with the surrounding natural scenery and incorporates Bunun cultural motifs.
The bridge has also become something of an internet meme, as its name, Chulai, sounds like a popular Mandarin phrase: chūlái qiáo (出來喬), which means "to come out and negotiate a deal." This has made for some clever puns online.
【Chulai Bridge】
Address: Near Chulai Village, Haiduan Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Stop 10: Guanshan Rice County School
After Chulai Bridge, the Xinwulu River leaves the upper gorge and enters the broad, spreading terrain of the Taitung Valley. Here, the river becomes an important irrigation source for agriculture in the Beinan River Basin. Famous local rice varieties like as Chishang Rice and Guanshan Rice owe their rich harvests to this water source.
Guanshan Rice County School offers hands-on rice farming experiences and is an excellent place to learn about Guanshan Rice.
【Guanshan Rice County School】
Address: No. 24-1, Changlin Rd, Guanshan Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: Monday–Sunday, 08:00 AM–05:00 PM
Tel: +886-89-814903
Tip: For rice farming experiences, it is recommended to book in advance.
Facebook Page: Rice County School
Stop 11: Shanli Station
The roadways around Shanli Station offer stunning views of the rice terraces on the near flank of the Beinan River, whose greenery contrasts sharply with the barren, moon-like landscapes across the river in the Liji Badlands.
Shanli Station is a small stop on Taiwan Railways’ Taitung Line. Owing to its remote location, it is known for its tranquil atmosphere, picturesque scenery, and a sense of peaceful isolation.
【Shanli Station】
Address: No. 108, Shanli Rd, Jiafeng Village, Beinan Township, Taitung County
Tel: +886-89-572-370
Stop 12: Liji Badlands Geological Park
Crossing the Liji Bridge brings visitors to the left bank of the Beinan River for the first time on this route. At the Liji Badlands Geological Park, hiking trails allow visitors to explore the unique terrain up close and learn about its geological features.
The view looking back across the Beinan River towards the rugged Beinan Mountains has earned the area the nickname “Little Huangshan” for its resemblance to a mountainous area of China that has inspired poets and painters for centuries.
【Liji Badlands Geological Park】
Address: Liji Village, Beinan Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Tip: The terrain can be loose and unstable, so exercise caution while hiking.
Stop 13: Taitung Forest Park
Taitung Forest Park is located along the Beinan River’s south bank near the river mouth. In winter, winds from the northeast monsoon blow sand from the coastal areas of the river mouth into Taitung City. Formerly, the area was nicknamed “Sand City.” Planting wind-resistant Casuarina trees along the south bank has however reduced the impact of winter sandstorms.
Visitors to the park can explore Egret Lake, Flowing Lake, and the wetlands near the river mouth, all of which offer scenic views of this vibrant ecological zone where the river meets the sea.
【Taitung Forest Park】
Address: No. 300, Huatai Rd, Taitung City, Taitung County
Opening Hours: Monday–Sunday, 08:00 AM–05:00 PM
Tip: The park is extensive, with multiple scenic spots. It is ideal for cycling, walking, and other leisure activities.
Facebook Page: Taitung Forest Park
This tour starts in Taitung City then heads to the Luye Highlands, where visitors can sample a cup of locally grown red oolong tea. From there, follow the Southern Cross-Island Highway into the mountains through the indigenous villages of Wulu and Lidao, which offer scenic views of the upper river valley and an introduction to indigenous Bunun culture. Then, follow the river back downstream and can witness how the river’s life-giving waters nurture the farmland around the Guanshan Rice County School before they wind through the dramatically eroded moonscape near Shanli Station and the Liji Badlands Geological Park. The tour concludes at the Taitung Forest Park, where the Beinan River empties into the sea, thus marking the end of this compelling river adventure.
Suggested Itinerary:
Taitung City → Luye Highland → Bunun Cultural Museum → Aisaka (Fengban) Anti-Japan Monument → Wu-Lu Ancient Fort → Wulu Accommodation → Tianlong Suspension Bridge → Lidao Tribal Village → Liukou Hot Springs → Wulu Gorge → Xinwulu Gorge → Chulai Bridge → Guanshan Rice County School → Shanli Station → Liji Badlands Geological Park → Taitung Forest Park
Stop 1: Luye Highland
Luye Highland offers panoramic views of the Beinan River valley and surrounding farmlands. It is also one of Taitung County’s major tea-producing areas, renowned for unique local varieties including Fulu tea and red oolong tea.
Plantations here offer tea-farming experiences and local tea ceremonies. In summer, don't miss the Taiwan International Balloon Festival, a major annual highlight that fills the sky with large hot air balloons of all shapes and colors.
【Luye Highland】
Address: No. 46, Gaotai Rd, Yong’an Village, Luye Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Transportation: Take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle (East Rift Valley Luye Line) to the "Luye Highland" stop.
Stop 2: Bunun Cultural Museum
At Degao Tribal Village, Provincial Highway 20 becomes the Southern Cross-Island Highway and enters into the upper reaches of the Beinan-Xinwulu River System. The Bunun Cultural Museum, located near the entrance to the Southern Cross-Island Highway, features a visitor service center where visitors may learn about local natural ecology and recreational areas along the route.
The center also plays a key role in preserving and promoting Bunun culture. Its third-floor exhibition hall showcases traditional Bunun household items and handicrafts, making it an excellent starting point for visitors to gain an understanding of the Bunun people.
【Bunun Cultural Museum】
Address: No. 56, Shanping, Neighborhood 2, Haiduan Village, Haiduan Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 9:00 AM–04:30 PM (Closed Mondays)
Official Website: Bunun Cultural Museum of Haiduan Township
Photo source: Taitung Tourism WebsiteStop 3: Aisaka (Fengban) Anti-Japan Monument
Along the Southern Cross-Island Highway, a stone pillar approximately 1.5 meters in height commemorates a 1933 attack on the Fongsaka Police Station by ethnic Bunun, who rose up in resistance to Japanese rule. The incident was one of three major anti-Japanese uprisings by the Bunun. The memorial is located in the scenic Xinwulu River Gorge and also offers a great chance to pause and appreciate the dramatic scenery.
【Aisaka (Fengban) Anti-Japan Monument】
Address: 201.5 km marker, Provincial Highway 20, Haiduan Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Photo source: Taitung Tourism WebsiteStop 4: Wu-Lu Ancient Fort
Sections of the Southern Cross-Island Highway were constructed along the Guanshan Mountain Pass, a route that dates to the Japanese colonial period. The Wu-Lu Ancient Fort is a military relic of that era, built by the Japanese to intimidate and deter attacks from local indigenous peoples.
One of the cannons now on display was captured by Japanese forces during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5 and later installed at this site. The battery offers excellent viewpoints from which to view the Wulu Gorge, making it a perfect stop for photographers, sightseers and history buffs alike.
【Wu-Lu Ancient Fort】
Address: No. 957, Liaison Rd, Wulu Village, Haiduan Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Stop 5: Tianlong Suspension Bridge
Located behind the Tianlong Hotel, the Tianlong Suspension Bridge spans the Wulu Gorge along the Xinwulu River. The bridge has existed in various forms for over a century and is one of eight designated scenic spots along the Southern Cross-Island Highway. Visitors can walk across the bridge and take in breathtaking views of the gorge
【Tianlong Suspension Bridge】
Address: Behind the Tianlong Hotel, Wulu Village, Haiduan Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Note: Please observe the bridge’s maximum load capacity.
Stop 6: Lidao Tribal Village
Lidao Tribal Village, the most important Bunun settlement along the eastern section of the Southern Cross-Island Highway, is known for its cool, clean air and evokes the image of a hidden paradise.
Situated over 1,000 meters above sea level on a river terrace surrounded by mountains, the village is located in an area of mountain farmland. Local produce, including cabbage, highland aiyu jelly, and mushrooms, is highly popular with visitors.
【Lidao Tribal Village】
Address: Lidao Village, Haiduan Township, Taitung County
Stop 7: Liukou Hot Springs
Heading back towards Taitung City from Lidao Tribal Village, the Liukou Hot Springs are located along Provincial Highway 20.
During construction of the highway, Engineers discovered the hot springs when they noticed waters seeping through rock walls. The area has since been developed with comfortable bathing pools. Water directly from the spring can exceed 70°C, and the spring is classified as a sodium hydrogen carbonate spring, which is clear and odorless. Signs indicate the temperature of each pool. Some are hot enough for boiling eggs, while others are are mixed with cooler water and suitable for bathing.
【Liukou Hot Springs】
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Note: Some pools are very hot. Please exercise caution when entering.
Stop 8: Wulu Gorge and Xinwulu Gorge
The Xinwulu River has carved its way over millennia through the mountains, forming steep cliffs amidst dense forests. Wulu Gorge and Xinwulu Gorge are two of the top scenic spots along the Southern Cross-Island Highway, with Wulu Gorge stretching for nearly nine kilometers in length.
Mineral-rich spring water seeping from sheer rock cliffs has stained these gorges with striking hues of yellow, brown, black, and deep green.
【Wulu Gorge and Xinwulu Gorge】
Address: Along the Xinwulu River, Provincial Highway 20, Haiduan Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Stop 9: Chulai Bridge
Spanning the Xinwulu River, the Chulai Bridge is a vital link between the Southern Cross-Island Highway and Chishang Township. The bridge design is intended to harmonize with the surrounding natural scenery and incorporates Bunun cultural motifs.
The bridge has also become something of an internet meme, as its name, Chulai, sounds like a popular Mandarin phrase: chūlái qiáo (出來喬), which means "to come out and negotiate a deal." This has made for some clever puns online.
【Chulai Bridge】
Address: Near Chulai Village, Haiduan Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Stop 10: Guanshan Rice County School
After Chulai Bridge, the Xinwulu River leaves the upper gorge and enters the broad, spreading terrain of the Taitung Valley. Here, the river becomes an important irrigation source for agriculture in the Beinan River Basin. Famous local rice varieties like as Chishang Rice and Guanshan Rice owe their rich harvests to this water source.
Guanshan Rice County School offers hands-on rice farming experiences and is an excellent place to learn about Guanshan Rice.
【Guanshan Rice County School】
Address: No. 24-1, Changlin Rd, Guanshan Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: Monday–Sunday, 08:00 AM–05:00 PM
Tel: +886-89-814903
Tip: For rice farming experiences, it is recommended to book in advance.
Facebook Page: Rice County School
Stop 11: Shanli Station
The roadways around Shanli Station offer stunning views of the rice terraces on the near flank of the Beinan River, whose greenery contrasts sharply with the barren, moon-like landscapes across the river in the Liji Badlands.
Shanli Station is a small stop on Taiwan Railways’ Taitung Line. Owing to its remote location, it is known for its tranquil atmosphere, picturesque scenery, and a sense of peaceful isolation.
【Shanli Station】
Address: No. 108, Shanli Rd, Jiafeng Village, Beinan Township, Taitung County
Tel: +886-89-572-370
Stop 12: Liji Badlands Geological Park
Crossing the Liji Bridge brings visitors to the left bank of the Beinan River for the first time on this route. At the Liji Badlands Geological Park, hiking trails allow visitors to explore the unique terrain up close and learn about its geological features.
The view looking back across the Beinan River towards the rugged Beinan Mountains has earned the area the nickname “Little Huangshan” for its resemblance to a mountainous area of China that has inspired poets and painters for centuries.
【Liji Badlands Geological Park】
Address: Liji Village, Beinan Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Tip: The terrain can be loose and unstable, so exercise caution while hiking.
Stop 13: Taitung Forest Park
Taitung Forest Park is located along the Beinan River’s south bank near the river mouth. In winter, winds from the northeast monsoon blow sand from the coastal areas of the river mouth into Taitung City. Formerly, the area was nicknamed “Sand City.” Planting wind-resistant Casuarina trees along the south bank has however reduced the impact of winter sandstorms.
Visitors to the park can explore Egret Lake, Flowing Lake, and the wetlands near the river mouth, all of which offer scenic views of this vibrant ecological zone where the river meets the sea.
【Taitung Forest Park】
Address: No. 300, Huatai Rd, Taitung City, Taitung County
Opening Hours: Monday–Sunday, 08:00 AM–05:00 PM
Tip: The park is extensive, with multiple scenic spots. It is ideal for cycling, walking, and other leisure activities.
Facebook Page: Taitung Forest Park
2 Days
