Rice fields
To the mountains.
大雄 汪 — CC BY-SA 2.0 · lumoplank — CC0 · lumoplank — CC0 · Bevis Chen — CC BY-SA 2.0
A narrow country lane cutting through broad green rice fields in the Huadong Valley between two mountain ranges, with no power poles or wires to break the view. It became one of Taiwan's best-known rural scenes after appearing in a famous television advert, along with a lone roadside tree that turned into a photo star. Chishang is known for rice counted among Taiwan's finest, and the fields change colour with the seasons: bright green in spring and early summer, gold before the harvest in June and July, and again in October and November, with blue mountains behind. The best way to explore is by bike, hired at the town's train station, on flat paths between fields and canals. The town's small eateries serve rice meals in traditional wooden boxes. The site is free, and cars are barred from parts of the lane. Respect the fields and keep out of them. Taiwan's typhoon season runs from June to October, peaking July to September, so check forecasts before heading to mountains and coasts, per UK travel advice.
To the mountains.
Between canals.
The local meal.
Chishang Township, Huadong Valley, northern Taitung County
Green in spring, and golden before the harvests in June-July and again in October-November.