About a 30-minute train ride north of Taitung, you’ll find one of Taiwan’s best-hidden gems – Chishang.
Chishang is a small rural town in Taitung County and forms part of Taiwan’s scenic East Rift Valley. Locally known for producing among the best rice in Taiwan, this little town also boasts incredible natural scenery of dreamy rice fields and stunning mountain backdrops.
While you’ve probably never even heard of this little town, you’ve probably seen pictures of its famous Mr. Brown Avenue and perhaps even bought a packet of ready-to-eat Chishang rice at Family Mart.
If you’re looking for a fun add-on to your list of things to do in Taitung, Chishang is a must! It’s a fun place to spend a day cycling through rice fields, sampling the famous Chishang rice, and learning a little more about the town and its history.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Chishang Township in Taiwan. Let’s go!
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Tips for Visiting Chishang
- Most people only visit Chishang on a day trip from Taitung, but if you’d like to experience Chishang’s true charm at a slower pace, it’s worth spending a night here. How Has B&B and HaoHer B&B are great options if you want to be right amid the rice fields. For those that want to be right in the bustle of town, check out Original About B&B or Gift Box Hostel. And if you prefer something a bit more upscale, Papago International Resort is the perfect base for you.
- The best way to explore Chishang and see all its sights is by bike. Plenty of bike shops are scattered around town, and loads more are near the entrance of Brown Avenue. However, the easiest thing to do is rent a bike next to the train station. (See details below).
- You can easily explore a large chunk of the rice paddies in about 3 hours, but I suggest taking things a bit slower. Chishang is really beautiful, and there are tons of photo ops!
- While some people can speak a little English, it’s always a good idea to have Google Translate downloaded on your phone when traveling to the countryside in Taiwan. Make sure it’s set to Traditional Chinese and not Simplified.
- Make sure you pin all the places you want to visit in Chishang on Google Maps to get around easily. You can also grab a cycling route map next to the train station at the TR9 store, but it’s only available in Chinese.
- The best time to visit Chishang is in spring or autumn. For golden rice paddy scenery, visit between late May to early June or late October to early November.
- Prefer not to plan a thing? Then this guided day tour to Brown Boulevard is for you.
How to get to Chishang
Chishang lies roughly 48km north of Taitung. If you’ve rented a car or a scooter in Taitung you can access the town via Route 9 in about an hour.
However, the fastest way to get to Chishang is by train. Make sure you take one of the fast trains (Taroko, Puyuma, TZE-Chiang), which only takes about 30 minutes. A single journey ticket costs TWD 96. Note that you can’t use your Easy Card and these trains. Tickets can be bought in advance online on the TRA website or directly at the train station.
While most people access Chishang via Taitung, you can also catch a train from Taipei, Yilan, Hualien, and even Kaohsiung to get there. Easily check schedules, prices, and delays by downloading the Taiwan Railways app on your phone.
What to do in Chishang
Rent a bike
Since Chishang’s rice paddies cannot be accessed via car or scooter, the best thing to do in Chishang is to rent a bike and cycle through its gorgeous rice fields. It’s a fun way to spend your day and a great way to experience Chishang’s beauty and see its dreamy rice fields up close.
There are tons of bike rental shops scattered all around town and near the entrance of Brown Boulevard. Bike rentals range from regular and electric bikes to tandem bikes, family-style bikes, and even cute little electric vehicles that resemble Thomas the Tank Engine.
Prices vary per shop, with some being a bit more pricy. You could shop around a bit if you have time and energy. If not, your best bet is to grab a bike at the TR9-Chishangzu Station shop. It’s right next to the train station (near the bathrooms), so you can’t miss it! I rented an electric bike, which cost TWD 300 for the day and had to be returned by 4 pm.
It’s best to arrive around 10 am. That way, you’ll have enough time to see all the spots, chill at a coffee shop, and grab a bite.
Relax at Dapo Pond
Dapo Pond is a beautiful eco-park and a must-visit pitstop on your list of things to do in Chishang.
The shining star here is obviously the huge freshwater marsh. All kinds of trees surround the pond, and it’s a great place for bird-watching if you’re into that. The best part about visiting Dapo Pond is that you can cycle all around it on a well-paved bike route allowing you to see the pond from all angles.
Along the way, you can chill under the trees, admire the natural scenery from various pavilions, enjoy a stroll along the shores, or snap pictures of the cool sculptures by local artists scattered around the lake. If you visit on a sunny day, you can also rent a kayak or SUP from this small shack to enjoy the views from a different angle.
Drop by the Jinyuen Laundry Pavilion
The next notable stop on the Chishang cycling route is Jinyuen Laundry Pavillion.
Jinyuan Laundry Pavilion originally served as a laundry washing pavilion where locals brought their laundry to wash in the stream. Today, the pavilion mainly serves as a pitstop en route to Brown Boulevard. However, it’s a great place to catch a glimpse into the bygone days and dip your feet in the cool water. Afterward, climb up the stairs to the top of the pavilion, where you can enjoy endless rice field views.
Cycle Brown Boulevard
Brown Boulevard (named after a famous local coffee brand, Mr. Brown Coffee) is the most renowned attraction (and the most crowded) in Chishang.
While Brown Boulevard is basically just a long stretch of road, what really makes it such a must-see spot is that it is surrounded by gorgeous rice paddies no matter which way you turn. Added to that, epic mountain views dominate the background.
Since Brown Boulevard is a pedestrian-only area, one can really slow down here. Opt to cycle with the wind blowing through your hair or get a closer view of the scenery on a relaxing stroll. At the entrance of Brown boulevard, snap a selfie under the famous Brown Boulevard picture frame. Just know that you might have to wait quite some time because this spot is always packed with tourists wanting to snap a pic under the iconic structure. There is also a small tuckshop where you can buy cold drinks and ice cream.
Explore Paradise Road
About halfway down Brown Boulevard, you’ll spot a winding path through the picturesque rice fields. This is Paradise Road—another must-cycle route in Chishang.
While the scenery is undeniably stunning, Paradise Road is also where the Chishang Autumn Rice Harvest Arts Festival is hosted annually. The festival has been running since 2009 and is usually held toward the end of October. If you visit Chishang during this celebration, you can enjoy live music shows right among the rice paddies. Keep an eye on the Chishang Arts & Culture’s FB page for more deets.
Take a Photo Under the Takeshi Kaneshiro Tree
Just past the turnoff to Paradise Road, you’re likely to spot a bunch of local tourists gathered around what might seem like another lonely tree scattered along Brown Boulevard. But don’t be fooled, because peculiar as it may sound, the Takeshi Kaneshiro Tree is probably the most famous tree in eastern Taiwan.
The tree shot to fame after a local airline, EVA Airways, shot a TV commercial here featuring the famous Japanese-Taiwanese superstar Takeshi Kaneshiro sipping a cup of tea under the tree’s shade. Today it is one of the most popular landmarks in Chishang and an iconic photo spot. If you also want to snap a pic under it, it’s best to arrive early. Otherwise, get ready to join the scrum!
Soak up the Views at Great View Pavilion
After you’ve seen all there is to see along Brown Boulevard, the next notable stop is the Great View Pavilion – an elevated wooden walking platform connecting several lookout decks. There are a few stairs to climb, but once you reach the top, you’ll be greeted with incredible views over the rice fields and Central Mountain Range. The best part? There are tons of little benches scattered along the walkway where you can take a breather or simply soak up the views.
Afterward, also pop by the giant waterwheel – a 6m tall waterwheel decorated with three monkeys and a rooster. You can spot the waterwheel from the pavilion, but it’s worth a quick pitstop to see it up close.
Relax at the Coffee Shops
With its slow-paced culture, Chishang is home to a bunch of quirky cafes. They are all unique and feature cool interiors, interesting menus, and laid-back vibes.
If you’re a fan of all things mulberry, check out the cozy Buda Banai Coffee. It’s a bit away from the bustle of town, but it’s an easy cycle to get there. The menu is simple, but the shining stars are their signature mulberry tea and tasty rice cake. Try the mulberry ice cream, too!
For epic rice field views, you’ll want to get yourself to No.9 Gourmet Coffee. It’s only a few minutes from the train station and en route to Dapo Pond. It’s not the cheapest coffee shop in Chishang, but the views make up for it. Note that you’ll need to scan a QR code to view the menu and order via the app. The menu is only available in Chinese, but it comes with pictures and the owners are helpful.
If you’re into rustic vibes and bagels, then Bike De Koffie is another coffee shop you need to check out. They offer a unique selection of rice bagels in all kinds of interesting flavors like sweet potato, Oreo, red oolong tea, Hakka lei cha, and more!
Gobble up a Chishang Lunchbox
If you’ve spent some time in Taiwan, you’ll know that railway bento boxes are quite a thing here. And Chishang is no exception.
When touring the little town, be sure to stop by the Chishang Lunchbox Museum, where you can learn a little more about the rich history of Chishang’s famous bento boxes. Even if you’re not into history, ordering a delicious lunch box is a must. It consists of a selection of meat, tofu, veg, a braised egg, and of course, the famous Chishang rice – a bigger grain rice that’s extra bouncy.
Chishang, Taitung in Conclusion
Whether you’re visiting Chishang to cycle Brown Boulevard, sample the famous rice, or soak up some countryside vibes, Chishang is a great day trip from Taitung!
Well, that’s all I have on visiting Chishang in Taitung County! I’d love to hear your take on the best things to do in Chishang, whether on this list or if it’s one I missed. Feel free to drop your comments below!
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