Popular Photo Spots－East Longitudinal Valley National Scenic Area

Popular Photo Spots

Secret spots only experts know about

Want to know the locations of the viral East Longitudinal Valley photos on Instagram? We will share with you the secret photo spots that only experts would know about so that you can make great memories during your trip to the East Longitudinal Valley!

Secret Spots
Blossom Viewing
Amazing Highways
Fairytale-style Cafes

Secret Spots

Let's Head to the Most Secluded Secret Spots Now!

In this article, we have included three station/sentinel(s) with beautiful scenery in the mountains. They are recommended to railway photography fans and those who enjoy the tranquility of small mountain towns!

Zhongxin Sentinel

Located in the Maybalay Tribe of Luye, Zhongxing Sentinel offers an excellent view overlooking the passing trains. Railway fans visit this place to film their favorite trains.

The renovated Zhongxing Sentinel has a scenic seating area suitable for filming trains. There is a small shop on the first floor and an open-air bar on the second floor which has also become a rest stop for cyclists.

To take pictures of the trains, check the train timetable in advance and position yourself about 5 minutes after departure, so as not to miss any good shots.

Where to：Zhongxin Sentinel

Dongli Railway Station

Known as "the most beautiful station on the Mountain Line," as soon as you step on the platform, you can see the endless green rice fields. The small Dongli Station is sitting in the middle of the fields.

When the sun rises and shines on the rice fields, you can't help but immerse yourself in this scenery. As the seasons change, the rice fields turn from green to yellow. The golden rice waves swaying in the wind is yet another stunning sight.

Season：View the green rice fields in spring and summer, and the sea of flowers in the spring plowing period. Find golden rice waves from late May to June; and from late October to December.

Where to：Dongli Railway Station

Shanli Railway Station

This is a small station hidden deep in Beinan Mountain. You can take a local train from Luye or drive there.

Shanli Station is surrounded by mountains and offers charming railway scenery. Occasionally, you will find cats wandering around. On a clear day, standing on the viewing platform next to the station, you can see the Amis Holy Mountain—Dulan Mountain, Liji Badland, and Beinan River across the station. By checking the train timetable in advance, you can spot a train whizzing past. Those who enjoy exploring secluded spots would like this little pretty station.

Where to：Shanli Railway Station

Blossom Viewing

Seasonal Blossom Viewing in the East Longitudinal Valley

East Longitudinal Valley has four distinct seasons so there are blossoms to view in every season. To find out about the most popular flower viewing locations and the best viewing time, check out the following blossom viewing tips!

Golden Trumpet Tree

Season：Spring, early to mid March

Hualien's popular golden trumpet tree viewing spot is right next to Fuyuan Junior High School on Provincial Highway 9.

Nearly 300 meters of roadside golden trumpet trees are in full bloom in March. The reflection of the golden yellow flowers can be seen in the ditch, making it a beautiful sight. This location has become a recent social media hotspot.

Where to：Xingchuan Canal (You can get to the place from Fuxing Village or take the access road next to Fu Yuan Junior High School.)

Pink shower trees

Season：In spring from late March to the end of April

Also known as "Thai cherry blossom" and "cherry blossom in March," pink shower trees have been in the spotlight lately and a social media favorite.

The viewing period is longer than that of cherry blossoms, and the flowers are larger. The flowers are pink-white when they first bloom before turning pink. From a distance, they look like a whole tree in full bloom, which is very eye-catching.

Where to： Beinan River、A small park in front of Luminous Hot Spring Resort & Spa

Yuli Golden Shower Flower

Season：Summer, in June and July

From June to July in summer, along the section between Lehe Village to Dongfeng Village of Yuli Township of County Highway 193, the golden shower trees are in full bloom, making this two-kilometer stretch a golden avenue.

The golden flowers are tiny and adorable. With the wind blowing, they sprinkle like golden rain, making the passing tourists marvel at the beauty.

Where to：County Road 193, from Lehe to Dongfeng

Kecheng Bridge

Season：Sea of flowers: Spring plowing season. Golden rice paddies: Late May to June, Late October to December.

There is a well-known attraction in Yuli Township, Hualien: the bright red iron arch bridge, Kecheng Bridge.

In spring, there are sea of colorful flowers; in summer, there are green rice fields; in autumn, there are golden rice waves; and after harvest, you can see the reflection of Kecheng Bridge in the fields.

Kecheng Bridge has versatile looks as the seasons change and with the trains passing by, making it a must-visit photo spot for photographers and railway fans.

Where to：Kecheng Bridge (Add: No.294, Sec. 1, Renai Rd., Yuli Township, Hualien County)

Ercengping Sea of Flowers

Season：Spring, a sea of cosmos flowers

Due to the terrain, the water flow cannot be directed downstream to irrigate the farmland, so a unique water bridge (elevated ditch) is built, giving the illusion that the water is flowing upward.

The arch bridge of red and white bricks with the sea of cosmos flowers on both sides has become a popular blossom viewing and social media spot in Taitung.

Where to：Ercengping of Luye Township, Taitung

Jinyuan Laundry Pavilion in Chishang

Season：Sea of blossoms can be viewed in the spring sowing period; while golden rice waves can be seen from late May to June, and from late October to December.

Near Mr. Brown Avenue in Chishang, there is a secret spot sitting in the rice fields where you can dip your feet in the water and climb up to the second floor to overlook the boundless rice waves. This place is called Jinyuan Laundry Pavilion.

On the second floor of the pavilion, you can gaze at the mountains in the distance and overlook the pastoral scenery that changes with the seasons.

Where to：Chishang Township, Taitung

Danongdafu Bikeway (Southern Route)- Maple Leaves

Season：The best season of autumn leaves is around December and January.

If you are wondering where to see fall foliage in the flatlands, just come to Danongdafu Forest Park! The southern route of Danongdafu Bikeway is lined by rows of common elaeocarpus, sweetgum trees and green maple trees.

When autumn comes, leaves begin to change colors from lush green to bright yellow, and next to fiery red. The gorgeous fall foliage along the bikeway always attracts many fall-color tourists from near and far.

Where to：Go south from the visitor center of Danongdafu Forest Park. After crossing a "rainbow" bridge that looks like a fishing rod, make a turn and you can get to the southern route of Danongdafu Bikeway.

Yuzhan Nursery- Bald Cypress Trees

Season：Winter. The best time to visit is December and January.

Images of Yuzhan Nursery's bald cypress forest has gone viral on the Internet because its scenery is as beautiful as Yun Shan Shui Villa Home (The name literally means cloud, mountain and lake). When the time comes, the bald cypress forest in great autumn colors always attracts crowds of tourists to view the foliage.

In fall and winter, the leaves of bald cypress trees change from green to cinnamon. Reflections of the spectacular autumn colors in the water along with the koi carp swimming in the pond create a fantastic view that rejuvenates the landscape.

Where to：Yuzhan Nursery (Add: No. 131, Access road of Pinghe Tribe, Shoufeng Township, Hualien County) NT$50 per person

Amazing Highways

A Road Trip Along the Stunning Highways

East Longitudinal Valley is highly suitable for road trips. In addition to Provincial Highway 9, we also recommend two county highways with great scenery along the way. As the seasons change, you will drive past flower fields, rice waves, and rows of Madagascar almond trees.

County Highway 193

With a total length of 110.92 kilometers, County Highway 193 is the longest county highway in Taiwan. It is a popular cycling route.

The most classic section of County Highway 193 is Lede Highway between Ruisui Bridge and Yuli Bridge. Along the route, you will pass through the Madagascar almond green tunnel, Ceroh Tribe, and the childhood home of Yosifu the artist.

You can enjoy the flower fields in spring; and royal poinciana blossoms, golden shower flowers, and rice waves in summer. Sometimes you might be able to see the sea of clouds. Come enjoy the unique highway road trip experience in the East Longitudinal Valley.

Must-see：Churi Ceroh Luman Lake, (Summer) flame trees and golden shower trees, (Autumn) pomelo trees, Matadim Church mosaic mural

County Highway 197

County Highway 197 has a total length of 59.67 kilometers. Its beauty is said to be comparable to New Zealand's state highways.

Starting north from the endless fields at Mr. Brown Avenue in Chishang, to the forests along the road in Guanshan, then to the magnificent Liji Badland, this route has become a popular bicycle route.

The most challenging section is between the 23-km and 37-km markers. Along this 14-kilometer-long gravel road, primitive forest is preserved. Occasionally, you can overlook the East Longitudinal Valley from spots with a wide view. If you go south to the 56-km marker, you can overlook Liji Badland and downtown Taitung. On a clear day, you can even see Dulan Mountains and Fugang Fishery Harbor. This is an all-in-one route that offers the scenery of fields, mountains, and sea.

Must-see：Rice fields of Chishang, Himoti Tribe, Fuyuan Viewing Deck , Liji Badland , Dulan Mountains, and Fugang Fishery Harbor

Reminders：Part of the section between the 23-km and 37-km markers in Guanshan is a 14-kilometer-long gravel road in the forest. It is an off-road cycling route. Please be careful when passing through.

Fairytale-style Cafes

Fairytale-Style Cafes

Find the popular cafes on Instagram here! We recommend photogenic cafes that will take you to the fantasy world and European castles. They are great for social media photos and highly recommended to those eager to post or visit interesting architecture.

Mr. Sam

Located by Provincial Highway 9, Mr. Sam looks like a hobbit's house from The Lord of the Rings through which visitors can enter the fantasy world.

In addition to the hobbit house, there is a building that looks like something from the world of Howl's Moving Castle. This is an ice-cream shop composed of a truck, twisted streetlamps, and a strange castle. It is always the center of focus and a highlight for photos.

Where to：No. 20, Shuhu, Shoufeng Township, Hualien County

Business hours：11:00-16:45, mainly closed on Thursdays. Please check their Facebook page for details.

Reminders：

1. Admission is NT$50, which can be redeemed as store credit for any purchase.
2. There are many biting midges (Forcipomyia taiwana) in summer. You are recommended to carry specialized repellent with you.
3. You can enjoy the scenery of bald cypress here in winter.