A Refreshing Desktop Journey: One-Day Tour of the Huadong Valley

Speaking of Hualien, I recommend the Huadong Valley route over Taroko. From Hualien to Taitung, you can see Japanese gardens, open ranches, and indigenous tribes, which are really fun! 📆Itinerary: Yunshan Shui - Qingxiu Yuan - Lintianshan - Liyu Lake - Ruisui Ranch - Guangfu Sugar Factory - Indigenous Tribe 🚗Transportation Tips: Self-driving or taking a taxi is recommended, and it's better to charter a car for larger groups. 🌟Highlights of the trip: 💕Yunshan Shui: A local private ecological farm, possibly the only place in Taiwan where you can see a gem-green lake. The sparkling waves are so beautiful that you can't take your eyes off them. 💕Qingxiu Yuan: The most well-preserved Japanese garden in Taiwan, not far from Hualien city. Coming here is like traveling back to an ancient shrine in Japan, great for taking photos. 💕Lintianshan: One of the largest forestry operations in Taiwan, open to the public for 🆓. Not only can you see the antique buildings and abandoned railways, but you can also appreciate the exquisite wood carvings. 💕Liyu Lake: An outdoor sports paradise, with the side mountains shaped like a carp, hence the name. On a good day, you can cycle around the island, go boating, or play on water pedal boats here. 💕Ruisui Ranch: A ranch that's perfect for taking wide shots, it's open style. The main attraction here is to get up close and personal with the cows and sheep, and you can also feed them. Plus, there are energetic ostrich chicks. 📌Little Tips: ✅The Makao sausage opposite Qingxiu Yuan is quite popular, even variety shows have reported on it, worth a try. ✅Every April, fireflies appear around Liyu Lake, and you can follow the locals to chase the fireflies. ✅The ice cream at Guangfu Sugar Factory is very famous, with various flavors available. The fresh milk flavor is creamy and rich, making you want more. ✅The fresh milk souvenirs and surroundings at Ruisui Ranch are worth buying, and the cow-shaped mugs are too cute! ✅Most of the indigenous people in Taiwan are located in Hualien and Taitung, and you can visit the local tribes to experience a different culture.