Living in Taitung
Taitung City
Taitung City is located at the heart of Taitung County, surrounded by mountains and the sea. The climate is pleasant and comfortable, and the pace of life is much slower compared to major cities, making it neither overcrowded nor noisy. The city offers a variety of food options, natural attractions, cultural events, cinemas, and shopping malls. You can get around the city using local buses or riding a YouBike, but having a scooter would make transportation much more convenient.
Guanshan Township
Located in the northern part of Taitung, Guanshan lies between mountains and is renowned for its agriculture, particularly rice farming. The sight of vast rice fields during harvest season always evokes a sense of coziness and relaxation.
Guanshan has the second-largest population in Taitung County. It is a tightly-knit community where the kindness and spirit of mutual assistance are palpable. Whether in the market, small shops, or through daily interactions, the warmth and friendliness of the locals are always evident.
Taimali Township
Located in the southeastern part of Taitung, Taimali is famous for its stunning coastline and breathtaking sunrises. The atmosphere here is peaceful and laid-back, offering a slower pace of life.
Most of the residents are indigenous, as Taimali is home to the Tjavualji tribe, providing an opportunity to experience a rich and vibrant culture. Being a small town, the community is close-knit, and it's not uncommon to bump into your school colleagues or students while strolling down the road!
Transportation
Transportation in Taitung includes scooters, trains, buses and Ubike starting in 2025, with scooters being the most convenient mode of travel, exploring Taitung’s long and narrow landscape.
Ubike Map (Taitung): https://en.youbike.com.tw/region/taitung/stations/
For most ETAs, their future schools are 20-25 minutes scooter ride from their apartments, and scooters serve as their primary mode of daily transportation. After arrival in August, coordinators will work to help grantees sign up a local scooter training program and get a scooter license.
Weather
Annual average temperature is around 24°C to 26°C. Due to Taitung's diverse terrain, which includes both mountains and coastlines, the temperature difference between day and night can be significant. A jacket may be necessary in the early mornings and evenings to stay warm.
Summer (May to September): The daily average temperature ranges from 27°C to 30°C, with highs reaching over 32°C on hot days.
Winter (December to February): The daily average temperature ranges from 18°C to 22°C, with occasional lows dropping to 15°C. However, cold weather is short-lived, and overall, the climate remains warm.
The rainy season mainly occurs from March to May, and the typhoon season from July to September (with a peak from August to November in 2024).
Dietary Habits
Dining Out
Lunchboxes are a common choice throughout the city, with a typical buffet-style take-out ranging from NT$70 to NT$120 (USD $2-$4). You can choose from a variety of dishes, often including a mix of vegetables, fried foods, and meats. Popular convenience store chains like 7-Eleven and Family Mart offer tea eggs, hot dogs, packaged beverages, and snack foods. You can also find pre-packaged microwavable meals, including dumplings, spaghetti, and curry rice.
In addition to local restaurants and food stands offering reasonably priced meals, there are numerous coffee shops, bakeries, and even two McDonald's locations.
Night markets are a great place to sample cheap local street food, including stinky tofu, oyster omelets, red bean pancakes, and more. However, be sure to give your stomach some time to adjust before diving into all the fried treats. Most fruits at the night markets are safe to eat; just check the cleanliness of the vendor and the stand before enjoying. If they cut the fruit and hand it to you in a bag with sticks for eating, you're good to go.
Cooking for Yourself
You can purchase groceries at Chuan Lien (全聯) and Carrefour (家樂福). These stores offer a wide range of basic necessities, including meat, eggs, tofu, drinks, chips, and more. They also sell clothing, shoes, kitchen supplies, and nearly everything else you might need. While most food items are Taiwanese, you'll also find a decent selection of American snacks and candy. Take a look around to find what you like.
Traditional Markets
Traditional markets are found in neighborhoods throughout the area and sell fresh vegetables, meat, rice, beans, noodles, and more. These markets are excellent for buying fresh produce and meats, but you may need to know some Mandarin or Taiwanese to communicate with the vendors. There are also small fruit markets in Taitung, where the local seasonal fruit is especially fresh. Don’t miss the big afternoon market on Hanyang Road, which starts around 4 pm.
