Taitung’s Chishang: Where Pure Oxygen Meets Golden Rice Fields (And Epic Eats!)

│Taitung. Chishang Rice│

Let’s kick things off with Taitung’s Chishang Township, famously known for its super plump and chewy rice. This place is the biggest rice-growing region in Taitung, and trust me, it shows! With zero factory pollution and tons of natural rainfall, the rice here is seriously fragrant and perfectly al dente. That’s why “Chishang Rice” and “Chishang Bento” are practically synonymous with this incredible area.

➔ Taiwan Travel Spots

Day 1. Taitung Trip Suggested Itinerary

Taiwan Railways: Chishang Station → Chishang Bento Museum → Brown Boulevard → Dapo Pond Scenic Area → Head to Taitung City → Check into your Guesthouse → Grab a Rental Car → (Dinner) → Lin Family Stinky Tofu │ Shennong Herbal Tea │ Chili Hsiang Pan-Fried Buns

│Wutao. Chishang Bento Cultural Story Museum│

The “Chishang Bento” is *the* famous specialty from Taitung’s Chishang Township. This museum does an awesome job chronicling the 60+ year history of how the local Chishang Bento came to be. Inside, you’ll find exhibits showcasing early Taiwanese farming tools and the historical development of the Taitung region. It’s a super cool spot for everyone to learn and explore.

The Wutao Chishang Bento Museum basically explains how the Chishang Bento came to be. Back in the day, when the Hualien railway was still just a light rail, the journey between Hualien and Taitung took an entire day! Trains would typically pass through Taitung’s Chishang Station around lunchtime. During the Japanese colonial era, people used to wrap various rice balls in bamboo leaves to carry with them. Eventually, this evolved into the wooden box bento that’s so famous today.

Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Address: No. 259, Zhongxiao Rd., Fuyuan Village, Chishang Township, Taitung County

Phone: (089)862-326

【By Train】Hop off at Chishang Station, then walk straight down Zhongzheng Road until you hit Zhongxiao Road. You can’t miss it!

【By Car】Drive along Provincial Highway 9 into Chishang Township, then turn onto Zhongxiao Road and drive straight ahead.

│Chishang. Brown Boulevard & the Takeshi Kaneshiro Tree│

Just picture this: looking out over Chishang Township in Taitung, you’re greeted with vast, open fields of vibrant green or golden rice paddies, depending on the season. They sway gracefully in the breeze, creating a breathtaking, ever-changing landscape. It’s the kind of peaceful scene that just fills your soul and makes you want to breathe it all in.

This straight, wide road, originally called Jin Hsin 3rd Road, earned its new name, “Brown Boulevard,” because the famous Mr. Brown Coffee brand filmed several commercials here. They showcased this stunning scenery to audiences, and through word-of-mouth, everyone just started calling it Brown Boulevard!

Standing proudly on Brown Boulevard is what used to be just an ordinary keteleeria tree, a simple shady spot where farmers would take a break. But then, a famous Taiwanese airline featured the incredibly handsome superstar Takeshi Kaneshiro in an advertisement, filming him sipping tea right under *this* tree! It caused a huge stir, and now, this iconic keteleeria tree is affectionately known as the “Takeshi Kaneshiro Tree,” bringing even more buzz to Taitung’s Chishang Township.

Thanks to that famous commercial, Brown Boulevard has seen a surge in visitors. Now, there’s traffic control in place, meaning cars and scooters aren’t allowed to freely enter. My advice for fellow travelers? Either stroll through on foot or rent a bike from one of the nearby shops to really soak in the stunning views at your own pace. You won’t regret it!

Hours: 24/7

Address: Jin Hsin 3rd Road, Chishang Township, Taitung County

Phone: (089)86-2041

【By Plane + Taxi】Fly from Taipei International Airport to Taitung Airport, then grab a taxi.

【By Train + Bus】Take the train to Chishang Station, then transfer to a Dingdong Bus (heading towards Chishang) and get off at the Chishang stop.

【By Car】Take National Freeway 5 to the Su’ao Interchange, then connect to Provincial Highway 9, and finally take County Highway 197.

│Chishang. Dapo Pond Scenic Area│

The Dapo Pond Scenic Area is located on the eastern side of Taitung’s Chishang Township, right up against the Coastal Mountain Range. This expansive 53-hectare fault pond was actually formed by tectonic activity – pretty cool, right? Thanks to its pristine natural environment, the area boasts incredibly rich ecological resources. It’s also been thoughtfully developed, making it a fantastic spot for birdwatching, hiking, observing plants and animals, or simply enjoying a leisurely bike ride. Nature lovers, this one’s for you!

Hours: 24/7

Address: No. 1, Zhongyi Rd., Chishang Township, Taitung County

Phone: (089)862041

【By Train】Take the train to Taitung’s Chishang Station. Once you exit, just walk along Zhongzheng Road for about 4-5 minutes, and you’re there!

│Taitung. Lin Family Stinky Tofu│

Alright, foodies, listen up! This delicious stinky tofu joint on Zhengqi Road in Taitung City is a must-try for loads of tourists visiting Taitung. What makes it special compared to other stinky tofu spots? They add basil shreds! It gives it this amazing extra fragrance. One bite, and you get that perfect crispy outside with a soft, tender inside – seriously good stuff!

Hours: 3:30 PM – 11:00 PM

Address: No. 130, Zhengqi Rd., Taitung City, Taitung County

Phone: (089)334-637

│Taitung. Shennong Herbal Tea│

Also located on Zhengqi Road in Taitung City is Shennong Herbal Tea! Their Herbal Tea (Qing Cao Cha) and Liver-Cleansing Tea (Qing Gan Cha) are the absolute must-tries here. And get this – the drinks are super affordable and you get a generous serving. A quick online search will show you this place is highly recommended by tons of people. Perfect for a refreshing pick-me-up!

Hours: 7:30 AM – 11:00 PM

Address: No. 161, Zhengqi Rd., Taitung City, Taitung County

Phone: (089)335-822

│Taitung. Chili Hsiang Pan-Fried Buns ~ Braised Snacks│

Hidden down an alley on Zhengqi Road in Taitung City, you’ll find Chili Hsiang Pan-Fried Buns – a true local and tourist favorite! These buns are packed with generous fillings and have a thick, delightfully chewy wrapper. And get this: each bun is about the size of your fist and only costs NT$20 (that’s like, less than a dollar!). Talk about satisfying your cravings without breaking the bank!

Hours: 3:30 PM – 1:00 AM

Address: No. 7, Lane 385, Zhengqi Rd., Taitung City

Phone: (089)334-615

▲ Just a heads-up: I’m not offering specific recommendations for accommodations or car rentals in this post.