Highway 11: A Road That Runs With the Pacific
The Hualien Taitung east coast is spellbinding because Provincial Highway 11 hugs the Pacific for almost its entire length. A 2-day charter turns the finest stretch — from Shitiping to Sanxiantai — into two unhurried days: day one heads south from Hualien past sea-carved cliffs; day two dives into the Taitung coast to reach Sanxiantai and Duoliang Station. Unlike a bus that manages one or two stops a day, a private east coast charter lets you halt at any ocean viewpoint you like and keep the rhythm your own.
Day 1 | From Hualien: Shitiping to the Tropic of Cancer
Day one runs south along the sea, focused on sea-eroded landforms and tribal terraces.
- 08:30 Depart Hualien City | Pickup at your hotel or Hualien Station onto Highway 11.
- 09:30 Baqi Lookout | A high view over the crescent bay of Jiqi, the first must-stop.
- 10:30 Shitiping | Cuesta rock and pothole sea-erosion terrain; a rich tidal zone popular for snorkeling and wading.
- 12:00 Fengbin lunch | Amis wild greens and fixed-net-fishery seafood.
- 14:00 Xinshe Terraces | Kavalan seaside rice terraces framed against the Pacific.
- 15:30 Tropic of Cancer Marker | The white landmark on Highway 11 where you step across the tropics line.
- 17:00 Overnight near Changbin/Chenggong | Check into an ocean-view guesthouse.
Day 2 | Baxian Caves, Sanxiantai and Duoliang Station
Day two continues south into Taitung, from prehistoric sea caves to Taiwan's most beautiful station.
- 08:30 Baxian Caves | A cluster of sea-eroded caves on the Changbin terrace, also a major prehistoric site.
- 10:00 Sanxiantai | Cross the eight-arch bridge to a rocky offshore islet; the jagged sea stacks are an east-coast icon.
- 12:00 Chenggong Harbor seafood lunch | Day-caught fish from the fixed-net fishery — an insider spot.
- 14:00 Dulan tribe | An Amis village with seaside cafés, made for slowing down.
- 16:00 Duoliang Station | A mountain-and-sea platform dubbed "Taiwan's most beautiful station," trains framed by the Pacific.
- 17:30 End in Taitung City or at Taitung Station | Stay on in Taitung or arrange a transfer back.
The View Along the Way: Freedom Only a Charter Gives
The treasure of Highway 11 is not one attraction but the whole road being the sea. A two-day charter makes the driving itself the scenery:
- Stop when you want | See a wave or a rock you love and the driver pulls over — freedom a bus or train can't offer.
- Best light | Mornings heading south are backlit-free, so ocean and reef colors photograph best; the plan puts sea stops in the morning.
- Flexible detours | Jingang Boulevard, Donghe Bridge, Jialulan can be added on the day, based on weather and energy.
Coastal Tribes and Local Flavors
The east coast is the homeland of the Amis and Kavalan peoples, so a coastal drive is also a cultural one. The trip weaves in:
- Indigenous cuisine | Wild greens, flying fish, wild boar and millet — the most local flavors.
- Fixed-net seafood | The day-caught fish of Chenggong Harbor, a freshness inland restaurants can't match.
- Tribal cafés and markets | Seaside cafés and weekend markets around Dulan and Xinshe make perfect rest stops.
Water and Road Safety
The east coast is magnificent, but the open Pacific has strong waves and currents — safety first:
- Swimming | Shitiping and some beaches have rip currents; enter only where lifeguards or clear safety signs exist, never wade deep alone, and keep children supervised.
- Driving | Highway 11 has many curves and cliff-edge sections; rockfall may close roads after rain, so a professional driver adds peace of mind.
- Taroko | If you are also weighing Taroko, note that many main-line trails have been closed long-term since the 2024 earthquake and access changes often — always follow the latest official announcements; this coastal itinerary is unaffected.
What It Costs: Transparent Quotes
Charters are priced per vehicle: a full-day charter is from NT$6,500 (8 hours, driver included), with overtime at NT$600 per extra hour; this trip overnights around Changbin/Chenggong, so as a multi-day trip it is quoted individually by our team based on your itinerary (driver's accommodation included). If you are picked up from Taipei or another distant city, the long drive may run past 8 hours into overtime, and the exact price depends on the route. Vehicles are a Mercedes-Benz Vito or similar (up to 8 passengers), all 3–5 years old or newer. Tell us your pickup points and the coastal spots you want, and send a fast enquiry through the website — we reply within 2 hours. To go deeper on single-day routes, read on:
- Taitung Rift Valley & Coast Day Tour
- Hualien Qixingtan City Day Tour
- Qingshui Cliff & Suhua Coast
- Taitung Balloon 2026 Charter
Get a Fast Quote Through the Website — Reply Within 2 Hours
A two-day Hualien Taitung east coast charter suits travelers who want the best of Highway 11 without rushing every day. Tell us your group size, pickup points and the coastal spots you want; send a fast enquiry through the website and hear back within 2 hours, and a driver who knows the east coast will pace every stretch of sea from Shitiping to Sanxiantai for you.