Hualien–Taitung Rift Valley Highway (Hualien–Taitung)

The Hualien–Taitung Rift Valley Highway follows Highway 9 south from Hualien between the Central Mountain Range and Coastal Mountain Range. It passes Shoufeng, Fenglin, Guangfu, Ruisui, Yuli, Fuli, Chishang, Guanshan, and Luye before reaching Taitung. The route is about 171 km by road markers (roughly 164 km measured along its actual line). The Highway Bureau describes the wider Hualien–Taitung corridor as about 186 km because its endpoints differ. Highway 9 through the valley and Highway 11 along the coast are the two main routes toward Taitung.

The appeal here is long-distance cruising through fields, river valleys, and towns, rather than successive mountain hairpins. It works as a half-day to full-day trip or as part of a ride around Taiwan. Twelve Highway Bureau cameras cover the road, although a roughly 24-km stretch between Guangfu and Ruisui has none, so use weather and cameras at either end.

Highlights & Attractions

The main highway follows the valley; sites marked as detours require leaving Highway 9:

• Shoufeng: Liyu Lake and Li Chuan Aquafarm (detours).
• Fenglin/Guangfu: Lintianshan Forestry Culture Garden (detour) and Guangfu Sugar Factory in town.
• Ruisui/Yuli: Ruisui Hot Springs, Ruisui Ranch (detour), and local food in Yuli.
• Fuli/Chishang/Guanshan: Liushishi Mountain (detour), Dapo Pond, Brown Boulevard in Chishang (detour), and Guanshan Water Park.
• Luye/Taitung: Luye Highland (detour), with onward connections to Taitung City or the South-Link Highway.

Highway 11 and Highway 30 (Yuchang Highway) can be combined for a valley-out/coast-back loop.

Typical Weather

Although the valley is relatively low, open farmland has little shade. Summer sun and localized afternoon mountain thunderstorms are common; one town may be dry while another is wet. Northeast monsoons tend to bring more wind and rain to the northern valley, while the south is relatively drier. After rain, watch for puddles, bridge joints, and mud tracked onto the road from farm entrances. Open bridges and fields may have crosswinds.

Riding Tips

Wide, straight roads can encourage speeding. Watch speed limits, turning vehicles, farm equipment, and trucks in towns, especially during holidays and harvests. Do not stop on bridges, shoulders, or curves to photograph fields. Plan fuel and rest stops town by town, starting with a full tank in Hualien. Shops near attractions may have limited hours.