Hualien–Taitung Coastal Highway (Route 11) Road Trip: Pick Up in Hualien, Drop Off in Taitung — Shitiping, Changhong Bridge, Baxian Caves and Sanxiantai

Hualien–Taitung Coastal Highway (Route 11) Road Trip: Pick Up in Hualien, Drop Off in Taitung — Shitiping, Changhong Bridge, Baxian Caves and Sanxiantai

Provincial Highway 11 (台11線, also called the Hualien–Taitung Coastal Highway 花東海岸公路) runs between the Pacific Ocean and the Coastal Mountain Range on Taiwan's east coast. Its best-known stops — Shitiping (石梯坪), Changhong Bridge (長虹橋), the Tropic of Cancer Marker (北回歸線標誌), the Baxian Caves (八仙洞) and Sanxiantai (三仙台) — have no train station, and buses along the coast are infrequent. A rental car is the easiest way to see them at your own pace. This guide covers the coastal Route 11 only: picking up a car at GoodCars' Hualien Station branch, driving south and dropping it off at Taitung Station (or the other way round), with drive times between stops, parking tips, what is closed for works in 2026 and how fuel works when petrol stations are few and far between. For the inland Route 9 through the East Rift Valley, see our East Rift Valley self-drive guide; Taroko Gorge and the Qingshui Cliffs lie north of Hualien and are covered in our Taroko National Park self-drive guide.

Sanxiantai's eight-arch footbridge in Chenggong, Taitung. The bridge is closed for repairs from 4 May 2026 (Mon) until the end of 2027; the shore-side park stays open (Unsplash; photographer's caption: Sanxiantai, Taitung)

Route 11 (coast) vs Route 9 (East Rift Valley)

Two north–south highways connect Hualien and Taitung: Route 11 along the coast and Route 9 through the valley between the mountain ranges. The distance is similar; the scenery is completely different. This guide sticks to Route 11.

Drive times from Google Maps (checked twice on 27 September 2026, Sunday, around midday and in the afternoon); actual times depend on traffic.

East–west roads link the two highways, so you can drive down the coast and come back up the valley — see the two-day section below, and our East Rift Valley guide for the valley half.

Where to pick up and return: Hualien Station and Taitung Station

GoodCars has a branch at each end of Route 11, both at the railway station — so you can take a Taiwan Railway (TRA) train from Taipei or elsewhere and start driving as soon as you arrive. Both branches can be booked online for 09:00–21:00:

Payment is completed online as part of the booking, and you upload your documents and sign the e-contract before you arrive; the exact parking lot and bay are in your booking confirmation. Before your trip, check that you have the right licence: most visitors need an International Driving Permit together with their home licence (Japanese licence holders use an official Chinese translation instead) — see our IDP guide for Taiwan. New to self-service pickup? Read the self-service pickup and return guide. More about each end: Hualien car rental and Taitung car rental guide.

Route 11 stops and drive times (Hualien → Taitung)

Listed north to south. Kilometre markers are from the East Coast National Scenic Area website; drive times are Google Maps estimates from the previous stop (checked on 27 September 2026), so allow extra time on busy days. Opening, parking charges and works can change — follow the scenic area administration's latest notices.

If you stopped at every place above, the driving alone would add up to nearly 4 hours — too much for one day once you add time at each stop. For a day trip, pick 4–5 stops and save the rest for an overnight trip. Parking fees depend on vehicle type and weekday/holiday; follow the signs on site.

The Hualien half: from Qixingtan to the Tropic of Cancer

Optional warm-up: Qixingtan (七星潭), about 13–18 min from Hualien Station

Qixingtan is a crescent-shaped bay — also called Crescent Bay (月牙灣) — with views towards the Qingshui Cliffs on a clear day (Taiwan Tourism Administration). It isn't on Route 11: it lies north of Hualien Airport in Xincheng, so after visiting you drive back south through the city and cross the Hualien Bridge (花蓮大橋) over the Hualien River to join Route 11.

The grassy seafront at Qixingtan, Hualien (Unsplash; photographer's location: Qixingtan Beach, Hualien)

Hualien Bridge: check road notices in typhoon weather

The Hualien Bridge carries Route 11 over the Hualien River. When typhoons and heavy rain raise the river, the Highway Bureau has closed it as a precaution — for example on 23 September 2025 (Tue), when overflow from the Mataian River barrier lake (馬太鞍溪堰塞湖) pushed the water level up fast, it was closed at 17:00 and reopened at 20:00 once the level dropped. If a typhoon is around, check the Highway Bureau's live notices before heading south.

Niushan Huting (牛山呼庭, 27K)

"Huting" is an Amis word for a place where cattle and goats graze. The Niushan coast is a protected nature area; the Huting leisure area itself is privately run, with driftwood art on the grass, a restaurant and accommodation. There is an entry ticket that can be used towards a drink; opening hours are set by the operator. A narrow path beside the viewing pavilion leads into dense coastal forest.

Baqi Lookout (芭崎眺望台, 31.5K) and Xinshe Rice Terraces (新社梯田, 43.5K)

Baqi Lookout has a small car park, toilets and a kiosk — the administration calls it the most beautiful "turning point" on this road, and it is a good place to stretch your legs and look over Jiqi Bay. About 15–20 minutes further on, the Xinshe rice terraces step down towards the sea and are busiest when the rice is ripening. They are working farms: stay out of the fields and take your litter with you.

Shimen (石門, 60K) → Shitiping (石梯坪, 64K)

At the Shimen recreation area, a sea cave about 5 m high and 18 m wide was used as a location for the Hollywood film Silence; there is a free car park and toilets. The administration advises staying away from the rocks when the weather or sea is rough.

A few kilometres south is Shitiping, a broad coastal terrace of wave-cut platforms, raised coral reef and sea gullies, famous for its potholes. For tide pools, go around midday on the days near the new and full moon (the 1st and 15th of the lunar month), wear non-slip shoes and leave live shells where they are. There is no shade, so bring a hat and water. The nearby Shiti fishing harbour (石梯漁港) is a whale-watching port; the administration suggests April to October as the season — check boat operators for schedules.

Dolphins are a common sight on east coast whale-watching trips (Unsplash, illustrative; location not stated)

Changhong Bridge (長虹橋, 67K) and the Tropic of Cancer Marker (北回歸線標誌, 70.5K)

Changhong Bridge crosses the mouth of the Xiuguluan River (秀姑巒溪), linking the Jingpu and Gangkou villages, and is the finishing point for river rafting. The newer orange-red bridge has a walkway and viewing decks, with a view of Xibulan Islet (奚卜蘭島) in the river mouth — a protected area you can't land on.

Two or three minutes south is the Tropic of Cancer Marker at Jingpu, the easternmost of Taiwan's three Tropic of Cancer markers; at noon on the summer solstice, sunlight shines straight through the slit in the white tower. Entry is free, with a car park and toilets. Beyond it you cross into Changbin Township in Taitung County.

The Taitung half: Baxian Caves, Sanxiantai and Xiaoyeliu

Baxian Caves (八仙洞, 77K, Changbin)

The Baxian Caves are a cluster of sea caves left high on a cliff as the coast rose, and the site where Taiwan's oldest known prehistoric culture, the Palaeolithic "Changbin Culture", was found — it is a national archaeological site. Start at the visitor centre's exhibition (open daily 08:30–17:00, closed on Lunar New Year's Eve), then follow the boardwalk between the caves; there are plenty of steps, and they are slippery in the rain.

Changbin → Sanxiantai (about 35–40 min)

The run from the Baxian Caves to Sanxiantai in Chenggong is the longest gap between stops. If you plan a coast-and-valley loop, Route 30 (the Yuchang Highway 玉長公路) crosses the Coastal Mountain Range from Changbin to Yuli — about 35–40 minutes from Changbin Township Office to Yuli Railway Station, depending on traffic.

Sanxiantai (三仙台, 110.5K, Chenggong): bridge under repair

Sanxiantai is an offshore islet and coral coast linked to the shore by an eight-arch footbridge nearly 400 m long — the east coast's best-known landmark and a famous sunrise spot.

Important: the administration announced that the eight-arch bridge is under repair from 4 May 2026 (Mon), with the bridge closed and no access to the islet, and completion expected at the end of 2027. The shore-side recreation area remains open, so you can still walk the pebble beach and see the bridge and rock formations. There is a parking fee; on long weekends the administration runs traffic control (during the 2026 Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays, for example, the three access roads used a two-in, one-out system) — follow staff directions.

Duli Visitor Center and "Water Running Up"

The Duli Visitor Center (都歷遊客中心) is the East Coast National Scenic Area headquarters — a good stop for maps and toilets. According to the administration, the shallows of nearby Duli Beach reflect the sky like a mirror for about an hour either side of low tide; when Duli Beach traffic is controlled on long weekends (as during the 2026 Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays), visitors can park at the visitor centre.

About 25–30 minutes south in Donghe is Water Running Up (水往上流): an irrigation channel runs beside a downhill road, and because the channel tilts more steeply than the ground you stand on, the water appears to flow uphill. When it is busy (long weekends or peak times), cars follow a one-way system — follow staff directions.

Jialulan (加路蘭, 155K): closed until the end of 2026

Jialulan, a popular grassy rest area with driftwood art, is fully closed for facility improvements from 23 February to 31 December 2026, according to the administration. Skip it for 2026 and check notices after that.

Fugang Geopark (Xiaoyeliu 小野柳, 156K) → return at Taitung Station

Xiaoyeliu is the southernmost scenic spot on the east coast, where layers of sandstone and mudstone have been carved into "tofu rocks" and mushroom rocks; on a clear day you can see Green Island. There is a parking fee; during the 2026 Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays, stopping at the side of Route 11 here was banned, with towing — check the administration's notices for other long weekends. Taitung Station is about 18–21 minutes away — leave a buffer before your return time.

Sample itineraries

One day: Hualien pickup, Taitung return (5 highlights)

1. Pick up at Hualien Station in the morning and drive south on Route 11 to Baqi Lookout.
2. Reach Shitiping before lunch (about 1 h 25–30 min directly from Hualien Station); lunch around Shiti fishing harbour.
3. Afternoon: Changhong Bridge and the Tropic of Cancer Marker (2–3 minutes apart), then the Baxian Caves.
4. Drive about 35–40 minutes to Sanxiantai and explore the shore-side park.
5. Sanxiantai to Taitung Station takes about 1 h 10–15 min; return by your booked time (online return times run until 21:00).

One day: same pickup and return branch

• Hualien Station round trip: out to Shitiping (about 1 h 25–30 min each way), stopping at Niushan, Baqi and Xinshe; add Changhong Bridge if time allows.
• Taitung Station round trip: out to Sanxiantai (about 1 h 10–15 min each way), with Duli, Water Running Up and Xiaoyeliu on the way back.

Two days, one night: stay in Changbin or Chenggong

• Day 1: Hualien Station → (Qixingtan) → Niushan Huting → Baqi Lookout → Xinshe → Shimen → Shitiping → Changhong Bridge → Tropic of Cancer Marker → Baxian Caves; overnight in Changbin or Chenggong.
• Day 2: sunrise at Sanxiantai (from the shore while the bridge is closed) → Duli Visitor Center → Water Running Up → Xiaoyeliu → return at Taitung Station and leave by train.

Loop: down the coast, back up the valley (Hualien pickup and return)

• Route 30, Yuchang Highway: Changbin to Yuli in about 35–40 minutes — handy after Shitiping and the Baxian Caves on day 1.
• Route 11A, Guangfeng Highway (台11甲線): Fengbin to Guangfu (光復) in about 34–36 minutes — the crossing closest to Hualien. The Highway Bureau has warned of possible precautionary closures here (3.6K–16K) during typhoon rain, so choose another road in bad weather.
• All the way to Taitung, then back on Route 9: Taitung Station and Hualien Railway Station are about 165 km apart via Route 9, roughly 3 h 25–35 min non-stop depending on traffic. For the valley sights see the East Rift Valley guide; for a longer trip, see how many days to drive around Taiwan.

Few petrol stations? How the fuel card works

The scenic area administration's driving guide says petrol stations along Route 11 are "very few" and recommends sorting out fuel in Hualien or Taitung city before you set off. Here's how fuel works with GoodCars:

• A dedicated fuel card comes with the car: pay at the pump with the fuel card — you don't pay for fuel yourself, because fuel is included in the mileage fee.
• Check the gauge before joining Route 11: if it looks low, top up with the fuel card in town so you don't need to hunt for a station on the coast.
• No need to refill before you return: just bring the car back to the return branch at the booked time.
• No limit on distance: 171 km one way, plus a detour through the valley, is no problem.
• Forgot the card? If you paid for fuel yourself, keep the receipt — it can be credited against the mileage fee.

A seaside road in Taitung on a windy, overcast day — slow down at roadwork barriers (Unsplash; photographer's location: Taitung City)

What it costs: rental + mileage fee + fuel card

• Rental: varies by car and date — see live prices for both branches on the booking page.
• Mileage fee: charged by the kilometres you actually drive, with no limit on distance.
• Fuel card: fuel is included in the mileage fee, so you don't pay for fuel yourself and there's no need to refill before returning the car.
• Tolls: Route 11 is a provincial highway with no freeway tolls. Every car has an eTag; if the rest of your trip uses a freeway, tolls are settled when you return the car — see our Taiwan ETC toll guide.
• One-way rental: whether a Hualien-to-Taitung rental carries an extra charge, and how much, is shown on the booking page.
• GO Worry-Free Protection Plan: with plenty of bends and holiday traffic on the coast, you can add the GO Worry-Free Protection Plan when booking to reduce the amount you'd be liable for if the car is damaged; see the website for what it does and doesn't cover.

For how the mileage fee works, see the mileage fee page and our mileage fee explainer.

Driving tips for Route 11: typhoons, rockfall, the winter monsoon and parking

• Typhoons and heavy rain: during typhoons the Highway Bureau may close bridges and mountain roads as a precaution (in 2025, for example, the Hualien Bridge on Route 11 was closed for a few hours and a possible closure of the Guangfeng Highway on Route 11A was announced) and advises people to avoid coastal and mountain roads. Check the Highway Bureau's live road information site (168.thb.gov.tw) before you go.
• Rockfall: the Highway Bureau warns that mountain roads are prone to landslides and rockfall during and after heavy rain. Many stretches of Route 11 run beneath the slopes of the Coastal Mountain Range — slow down after rain and don't park under a slope.
• Winter northeast monsoon: the administration warns that the northeast monsoon is strong in winter — hold your car door firmly so the wind doesn't slam it into the next car. On rough days, keep away from rocks, tide pools and sea caves.
• Parking: Shitiping, the Baxian Caves, Sanxiantai and Xiaoyeliu have car parks with a parking fee; the Tropic of Cancer Marker and Shimen are free. On long weekends the administration manages traffic at busy spots — during the 2026 Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays, for example, there was no stopping at the side of Route 11 near Xiaoyeliu (towing enforced) and red no-parking lines on the northbound side of Route 11 at Duli Beach; measures are announced for each holiday. Don't stop on the hard shoulder for photos; use the car parks. General rules: parking in Taiwan.
• Sun and water: coastal stops like Shitiping have almost no shade; keep water in the car.
• Don't start too late: the Baxian Caves visitor centre is open 08:30–17:00, and most scenic area services run in daytime. If you stay for sunset, allow time to drive back to the return branch. Traffic rules for foreign drivers are in our guide to driving in Taiwan.

Wave-cut platforms and tetrapods on Taiwan's east coast — keep back when the sea is rough (Unsplash; photographer's location: Lanyu, Taitung, after a typhoon; illustrative, not on Route 11)

FAQ

Q1. How long does it take to drive Route 11 from Hualien to Taitung?

Hualien Railway Station to Taitung Station via Route 11 is about 171 km — roughly 3 hours 20–30 minutes without stops according to Google Maps (traffic permitting). With sightseeing, a day trip only fits 4–5 stops; for Shitiping, the Baxian Caves and Sanxiantai at a relaxed pace, plan two days.

Q2. Can I pick up in Hualien and return in Taitung?

GoodCars has branches at both Hualien Station and Taitung Station. On the booking page, tick "Drop car off at different location" (pickup Hualien Station, return Taitung Station); availability and any extra charge are shown there. More in our one-way rental guide.

Q3. Can I walk across the Sanxiantai bridge now?

No. The eight-arch bridge is closed for repairs from 4 May 2026, with completion expected at the end of 2027, so the islet can't be reached. The shore-side park remains open and you can still see and photograph the bridge.

Q4. Petrol stations are rare — do I pay for fuel myself?

No. GoodCars cars come with a dedicated fuel card and fuel is included in the mileage fee, so there's no need to refill before you return. Because stations are rare on Route 11, check the gauge in Hualien or Taitung city and top up with the fuel card if needed.

Q5. Can I drive Route 11 in a typhoon or during the winter monsoon?

During typhoons and heavy rain the Highway Bureau may close roads and advises avoiding coastal and mountain roads — postpone or stay in town, and check 168.thb.gov.tw. In the winter monsoon the road stays open, but waves are big: hold car doors firmly and keep away from rocks and tide pools.

Q6. Will staff speak English, and can I pick up late at night?

Staff use translation apps, and some branches can assist in English; you can book on the English version of our website. Both branches can be booked online for 09:00–21:00; for pickup or return outside business hours, call the branch in advance and we'll arrange it (Hualien Station +886 3-956-0505).

Q7. What car should I rent for Route 11?

Route 11 is a paved two-way provincial highway, so a five-seater is fine. For 2–4 people choose a five-seater (the website lists New Vios, New Yaris, Yaris Cross and New Colt Plus); for 5 or more, or lots of luggage, a seven- to nine-seater (Wish, M7 Turbo ECO Hyper, Staria, Starex, Touran). The cars actually available at each branch are shown on the booking page; see the five-seater and seven- to nine-seater pages. First time renting in Taiwan? Start with our car rental guide for foreign visitors.