Play Recommendations
Bamboo forest whispers, castle ruin cherry blossoms, chance encounters under neon lights — every spot becomes a memory.
Featured
Illustrative Ta-Na-Yi-Valley Nature and Ecology Park sits in Shan-Mei Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County, inside the Shan-Mei tribal lands, and is one of Alishans newer cooling destinations. The stream runs clear and the canopy is thick, perfect for slow walks and ecology watching; uniquely for Taiwan, a water-borne restaurant serves Indigenous Tsou dishes so guests dine surrounded by nature. Bamboo-cup DIY workshops, Tsou cultural tours, a fish-viewing zone, and traditional song-and-dance performances let visitors sink into both tribal culture and alpine-valley ecology. A drive up Route 18 lands you here, an ideal escape from the heat for anyone wanting to get close to nature.
Illustrative Yunlingzhi Hill (Cloud Ridge Hill) sits in the Caoling Shibi Scenic Area of Gukeng Township, Yunlin County, at about 1,650 metres altitude, a high-altitude summer retreat that crosses the borders of Yunlin, Chiayi and Nantou. The observation deck delivers a 360-degree panorama, taking in the sea of clouds, sunrise and sunset, tea gardens and surrounding ranges, with broad views frequently wreathed in mist. Summer temperatures are cool, making it ideal for photography, cloud-watching and high-altitude hiking. The site is free to enter, with parking, public restrooms and simple tea-and-snack stalls, and the trails are gentle enough for whole-family visits.
-
Illustrative →Tongliang Ancient Banyan
Tong-Liang Ancient Banyan stands before the Bao-An Temple in Tong-Liang Village, Bai-Sha, Penghu, a giant banyan more than three hundred years old. Its canopy and aerial roots weave into a natural pavilion, casting green shade over more than a hundred ping of ground - Penghu's largest green-shaded spot. Visitors can rest and snap photos under the tree, then visit the neighboring Cross-Sea Bridge and Bao-An Temple. Free parking and walking paths make it a great choice for families and pets alike - a summer escape and a taste of local culture in one spot.
70 -
Illustrative →Giocare Italian Hand-drip Coffee
Giocare is a courtyard-style café in Hualien reborn from a vintage house, blending Japanese pour-over coffee, hand-made ceramics and a cat-friendly atmosphere. The leafy old courtyard and large shade trees let customers sip espresso and light meals in dappled daylight, with handmade pottery on display and for sale. Cats roam freely thanks to the pet-friendly policy, drawing a faithful following of creatives and cat lovers. It is one of Hualien's most atmospheric spots for slow-living afternoons.
71 -
Illustrative →Mr. & Mrs. Yuan's Time
Mr. and Mrs. Yuan's Kitchen at 106 Wan, Feng-Bin Township, is a pet-friendly seafood restaurant near Shi-Ti fishing harbour. The menu leans on fresh catch of the day at mid-range prices (about NT$200 to NT$1,000), and the dining room is comfortable with on-site parking. Some reviews note the seasoning runs mild and the music loud, but the spacious, air-conditioned interior and reservation service make it a reliable shelter for a meal — particularly handy for families travelling with dogs.
64 -
Illustrative →Houdian Sweet Coffee
Hou-Dian-Tian Café hides in an alley between Cheng-Gong and Fu-Jian streets in Hualien City. The plain white façade opens into a wood-and-warm-light interior with a literary, laid-back feel. The concise menu covers pour-over coffee, tea and a rotating dessert case (canelés are the signature), and a small seat count means reservations are wise for an unhurried afternoon. As a pet-friendly café that keeps two dachshunds and a resident cat, it welcomes visitors with their own pets and is a favourite among the city's animal lovers.
74 -
Illustrative →Original Ranch
Yuan-Ye Pasture sits on the Seven Star Lake shoreline in Xin-Cheng Township and is a pet-friendly sea-view café with a working-goat twist. Fresh goat-milk drinks headline the menu, joined by international mains, cheesecake and the signature goat-milk latte, while floor-to-ceiling windows turn the Pacific into a moving backdrop. Open through the afternoon until 6 p.m., it suits brunch, lunch or afternoon tea with an average spend of about NT$400. Dogs and cats are welcome indoors, and the tidy, comfortable seating has made it a hit with pet owners near Seven Star Lake.
39 -
Illustrative →Coffee Petit Store
Ka-Bi Xiao-Mai-Suo occupies Hualien's Japanese-era chief-prosecutor dormitory, a county-listed heritage building. Inside, Shōwa-period antiques and tatami-mat seating recreate an old Kyoto-style townhouse, while the menu covers coffee, desserts and light meals. The shop is fully pet-friendly, and its two resident Shiba Inus — Dou-Zhai and Xi-Mei — are the unofficial mascots. Guests remove their shoes and slip on socks (the café sells its own branded pairs) before settling in, and the roomy seats and garden courtyard invite lingering over afternoon tea. A must-visit for Shiba fans and lovers of retro atmosphere.
56