10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Taitung

Black Rock Bay is a natural port with excellent geographical features and was a harbour that supported trading ships during the Qing dynasty. At that time, a group of Qing soldiers from Guangdong was stationed here and the name was then changed to "Chengguangao" from the former "Pan Guangao", heralding the beginning of Chenggong Township. The remains of the first and largest shop on the east coast at the time, the Guanghengfa Company, still stand next to Black Rock Bay today.

The hustle and bustle and wealth of the past are long gone from Black Rock Bay. No more large fishing boats, no more business activity; just a small, quiet and clean fishing port that's an ideal spot for fishing. The fishing spots here are divided into two zones, within and outside the port. The former offers a more comfortable environment while there are more reefs outside the port. If you want to fish at Black Rock Bay but avoid the glaring sun, you can try night fishing and enjoy the sea breeze and the softness of the moonlight reflected on the sea.

Taitung Seashore Park, on the outskirts of Taitung City, used to have a feature named Baosang Pavilion, a lookout shaped like a Roman arena and the perfect spot to look out to sea. It was a place filled with local stories and memories. After falling into disrepair and developing other problems such as peeling surfaces, the pavilion was demolished during the centenary of the founding of the Republic of China and replaced by the International Landmark. The International Landmark integrates public art into the local landscape. The undulating design of the roof symbolises the endless waves and mountains and extends into the wooden weave design of the walkways on both sides, like arms hugging the land of Taitung, while a large tree named the "Xiangyang Tree" (literally, "tree facing the sun") sits in the middle.

The highlights of the park are the nightly light shows and music performances based on two different themes. The symphony theme begins at 8 pm while the aboriginal theme begins at 9 pm. The beautiful music and colourful lights provide the ideal setting for a romantic evening. A variety of arts and cultural events take place here during the holiday season. Whether you come to look at the ocean, cycle and visit Green Island during the day, or enjoy the light and music performances and the sky full of stars at night, Taitung Seashore Park is a great place for a casual outing.

As you travel along Highway 11 to Donghe Township, in the distance you'll see the towering chimney of Sintung Sugar Factory in Dulan Village, an important local landmark. Built during the Japanese occupation, the Sintung Sugar Factory was an important privately owned sugar refinery in the east. It had the largest brown sugar output in Taiwan. However, with changing times and as the industry evolved, the factory had to cease operations in 1991.

The Taitung County government worked actively to transform the area and the "Dulan Brown Sugar Culture Park" is today a place filled with art and culture. Painted walls, offices, dormitories, revamped cafes and bed and breakfasts packed with nostalgia are everywhere, while former guardhouses are now eateries decorated in tribal motifs serving Japanese cuisine. The television musical "Kara-Orchestra", which was broadcast in 2010, was also filmed here. One of the best times to visit is on Saturday night, when the mottled factory building is dotted with bright lights accompanied by music performed by local musicians. You can listen to the music, chat with local artists and embrace Dulan's enthusiasm. Sintung Sugar Factory is an attraction that's well worth a visit.

Xiaoyeliu, located north of Fugang Fishing Port, has two rock formations, each with varying degrees of hardness. After years of erosion by the sea, various strange shapes began to emerge, inspiring names such as honeycomb rock, tortoise rock, tofu rock and mushroom rock. The name Xiaoyeliu ("Little Yeliu") comes from its similarity to Yeliu in the north. During the day, you can take a relaxing stroll on the path, admire the beautiful rocks, gaze out to sea and listen to the sound of the waves.

Every year from May to October, you can also take part in the nighttime activities at Xiaoyeliu organised by the Tourism Bureau of the East Coast National Scenic Area. The tours take place after nightfall, led by professional guides who'll help you learn about the diversity of the local flora. You'll also get the chance to observe nocturnal animals like land crabs and hermit crabs in action and engage in a spot of stargazing. One of the most popular activities involves the gathering of empty shells to be used as homes for hermit crabs. You can bring along your own shells and put them in places where the hermit crabs are located, so that hermit crabs in need can find a new, larger home to move into. It's a meaningful and educational activity that's definitely worth your time.

On Highway 9, opposite the famous Rainbow Street, you'll find Dawu Coast Park. Despite occupying only a small area, the park offers expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. As you look out to sea with the towering Central Mountain Range behind you and green pasture all around you, you can't help but be inspired by this breathtaking space. There are also several pavilions and a paved stone circle, and the aboriginal totems add to the park's distinctive character. The "Wings" on the grassland are hard to miss. This is an artwork left behind after an exhibition in 2018. The artist, Siki Sufin, felt that there was a gradual demise of the traditional culture among the aboriginal people and he hoped that the feathers of the mountain hawk-eagle, a symbol of nobility, would encourage his tribe to reflect and remember their values.

While many come to Dawu Coast Park to see the sea, it's also a great place for stargazers. The panoramic view with no light pollution means that the stars in the night sky are clearly visible whenever you look up. The statue of the goddess Guanyin sitting on her side adds to the magnificence of this starry view, making it a trip well worth taking.