QIXTAN RANGE
Read moreThis huge pebble beach is one of Hualien's main tourist attractions. The locals don't swim there, however, the waters are rough and the currents unpredictable: only good swimmers in perfect physical condition could risk it, and even then... But the exceptional panorama of the foothills of the mountains flowing into the Pacific is well worth the detour. There's also a small, friendly museum of Aboriginal crafts, a tourist information office, and some not-so-good seafood restaurants
PAIGU SOURCES
Read moreOn the beautiful Provincial Road 7, which connects the northeast coast to Taoyuan through the imposing Dongyanshan Mountains, there is a little-known spring, but it provides a good example of Taiwanese spa culture before the Japanese occupation. Just follow a forest trail that leads to a small river. All along the river, hot springs spring up naturally: they are identified by the steam that escapes from them. The locals arrange stones to build natural bathtubs. All that's left to do is to submerge.