Chishingtan Beach sits on a beautiful part of the Taiwanese coastline, a crescent bay to the north of Hualien City. The rocky and pebbly beach faces the Pacific and is flanked by green-covered mountains.
Chishingtan translates as Seven Stars Lake and is a reference to an area near Hualien Airport that used to feature seven small lakes. However, these were filled in by the Japanese during their occupation of the island. If you visit the beach on a starry night, you may see another reason for the appropriateness of its name. Look up and you should be able to spot the seven stars that make up the Big Dipper constellation.
When you come during the day, enjoy a stroll by the water’s edge and then sit and gaze out at the Pacific. Swimming is not recommended here because the current is quite powerful. If you haven’t brought a picnic with you, walk up to the parking area at the top of the stairs, where you’ll typically find a few street stalls selling Taiwanese snacks. At the southern end of the beach, find Beipu Village, which is dotted with traditional fishermen’s houses.
Explore farther afield by renting a bike and cycling along the gorgeous 13-mile (21-kilometre) long coastal trail that runs to Nanbin Park in Hualien City. The route is well marked and allows access to scenic areas that are off-limits to other vehicles. Stop for a break in Nanbin Park, where you may see locals flying their kites. View the many statues of marine animals that are dotted around the area.
To get to Chishingtan Beach, take a train to the nearby Beipu Railway Station and walk from there. If you are driving, there is parking close to the beach. For those who want to cycle while they are here, many hotels in the area offer free bike rentals to guests and there are also several bike shops along the coast.
