Taitung｜Jialulan Coast Recreation Area—The best spot to embrace the Pacific Ocean sunset 🌅🌊

#September2025

Jialulan is a secret spot for Taitung residents to go to the beach after work. Grassy slopes, gravel beaches, art installations, and the boundless Pacific Ocean create a minimalist yet deeply moving spectacle of sunset and blues.

• Name: Jialulan Recreation Area
• Location: Northern suburbs of Taitung City, around Kilometer 157 of Provincial Highway 11 (north of Xiaoyeliu and south of Fugang Fishing Port)
• Admission: Free in outdoor open spaces; parking for cars and motorcycles is subject to on-site announcements.
• Hours: Open all day; best views in the evening and early morning in summer.
• Transportation: 10–15 minutes by car from Taitung City; or take the bus (East Coast Line) to the Jialulan stop.
• Suitable for: Sunset viewing, picnics, strolls, photography / Suitable for families and adults

Background and Story | From an earthwork dump to the East Coast's living room

Originally, Jialulan was an earthwork dump and wasteland along the coastline. The East Coast National Scenic Area renovated the area, preserving its original gravel and grassy terrain, creating trails and viewing platforms. It now serves as one of the main performance venues for the East Coast Land Art Festival. Every summer, artists create large-scale installations here, allowing the sea breeze, cloud shadows, and tides to interplay with the artwork. During the day, the grasslands are perfect for relaxing and picnicking, while after dusk, they become the perfect front-row seat for watching the sunset and the vibrant blues.

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My Evening Walk Route (Step-by-Step Guide, Follow the Photos)

① Start on the Grassy Slope | Tune Your Mind to the Sea

After parking your car, head up the grassy slope. The view immediately opens up: the sea is a vast blue plate, the sky a veiled curtain. Lower the horizon, leaving more sky, and the clouds will imbue the sunset's colors into the frame.

② Waiting for Light Next to the Installation

The artworks vary each year, but they all possess lines and textures that resonate with the surroundings. I like to stand behind the artwork, allowing it to occupy one-third of the frame, and wait for the sun to penetrate between the clouds, where the edge light will outline the artwork—super photogenic.

③ Listen to the Waves Up Close on the Gravel Beach

Walking down to the gravel beach, the waves gently toss the rocks, creating a soft, "crackling" sound. As the sun sets, a golden band appears on the ocean surface. Simply lowering the exposure slightly (EV -0.3) creates a stunningly beautiful gradation of reflections.

④ The Blue Finish
The magical moment occurs 10–20 minutes after sunset. The sky turns a deep blue, and the green and black of the shore are silhouetted, leaving the image clean and clear, with only colors and lines remaining. Find a spot on the grass and let the breeze wash away the day's fatigue. 💙

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Why I Recommend Jialulan (8 points are enough)

1. Free and Easy to Get to: Close to the city center and with convenient parking, it's a great choice for a flexible evening itinerary.

2. Amazing Views: From the coastal mountains to the east, to the Pacific Ocean to the west, the sunset and the blues are all captured.

3. Comfortable Environment: The grass is flat, the trails are well-defined, and it's friendly to both families and the elderly.

4. Dance with Art: The Land Art Festival installations make photos "memorable in an instant." 5. Good Photography: The gravel beach, grassy slopes, tree shadows, and artwork can all serve as foreground anchors.
6. Visit in all seasons: Summer clouds are dramatic, autumn and winter are transparent, and even cloudy days offer layers of depth.
7. Convenient Tours: It can be easily accessed from Fugang Fishing Port, Xiaoyeliu, and Seaside Park.
8. Local Lifestyle: At dusk, you'll encounter locals jogging, picnicking, and watching the sunset—a genuine and relaxed experience.

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Super Practical Tips (Avoidance List)⚠️
• Don't underestimate the long waves: The gravel beach is loose and has large drop-offs, so stay only on the designated trails and within the safety lines; avoid wading.
• Strong winds: Light items (invoices/plastic bags) can be easily blown away, so please take all trash home.
• Sun Protection and Warmth: In summer, the sun is strong, so bring a hat, sunscreen, and water. At night, the sea breeze is cool, so bring a light jacket. • Photography Tips: Arrive early in the evening to establish a location; sunset comes quickly, so don't try to find a spot while walking.

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Photography Cheat Sheet (You Can Take Great Photos Even with Your Phone) 📸
• Full Blue Sky: Lower the horizon line 1/3 to let the sky take center stage; EV -0.3 preserves cloud patterns.
• Foreground Anchor Point: Tuck the installation art/gravel curve into the corner of the frame for a more stable composition.
• Silhouette Portrait: Five minutes after sunset, position the subject at the edge of a grassy slope; a single turn creates a story.
• Reflective Light Catcher: Move parallel to the ocean surface, finding the brightest golden band before pressing the shutter.

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Half-Day/Full-Day Suggested Itineraries

Half-Day Evening Tour
Taitung City → Outing at Xiaoyeliu → Sunset and Blues at Jialulan → Dinner in City (Zhengqi Road Night Market)

Day Coast Tour
Morning Bike Ride at Seaside Park → Lunch → Stroll at Fugang Fishing Harbor → Sunset at Jialulan → Overnight in Taitung City/Tiehua Village Listening to Music

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My Real Experience

That day, the clouds seemed to have been combed into a long tail by the wind, and golden light painted a thin streak of light across the sea. Nearby, people were picnicking and chasing children. I leaned on the railing and watched the sky slowly fade from gold to blue. Time seemed to slow down. Jialulan lacks complex facilities, yet it embodies the ultimate in "the bliss of witnessing the changing light." 👏🏻

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Conclusion

If you're looking for a no-brainer, pure, and superbly photographed sunset spot in Taitung, Jialulan is the answer: close to the city, with expansive views and a captivating art installation. Remember to bring water, sunscreen, and a light jacket, and arrive 20 minutes early to secure a spot. Let the Pacific Ocean and sunset bring your trip to a beautiful end.

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Jialulan Coastal Recreation Area | Xiaoyeliu | Fugang Fishing Port | Taitung Seaside Park | Blue Dragonfly Fast Food (No. 214, Zhongzheng Road, Taitung City) | Tiehua Village
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