Taitung｜Seaside Park—The heart-shaking blue gravel beach and wind embrace the Pacific Ocean into a walking path 🌊💙

#September2025 Starting from Taitung Seaside Park, walk along gravel beaches, tide pools, and grasslands to where the sea meets the sky. Witness the changing colors of the Pacific Ocean and the clouds in the most relaxing way. Listen to the waves during the day, watch the light bands at dusk, and gaze at the stars at night. This is where Taitung's slow pace comes into play. ⸻ Background | The "Buffer Zone" Between Sea and City Seaside Park is located on the east coast of Taitung City, between the city and the Pacific Ocean. Gravel and sand deposited by the Beinan and Zhiben Rivers over the years have formed wide gravel beaches, tide pools, and low grassy plains. The sea breezes cool off the summer heat, making it a popular spot for locals to run, relax, and gaze at the stars. In recent years, with the East Coast Art Festival, the interconnected urban trails, and bike paths, this area has become a corridor where the pace slows down: you can do nothing but watch the sky turn from blue to gold and then to the deep blue of the night. ⸻ How to Enjoy | Walk the Route ① Watching the Sea from a Grassy Slope: Warming Up with the Simplest Images Walking up the grassy slope from the parking area, the first thing you see is the vast expanse of blue that fills the frame. Push the horizon down to the lower third, letting the sky and clouds take center stage. If there's an art installation or sculpture (seasonal exhibit), let it occupy that same third for a clean photo. Feeling: The wind dries away your sweat, leaving only the white noise of the ocean in your ears, and your travel mood is instantly reset. ② Tide Pools and Gravel Beaches: Time Breathes Slowly in the Ocean Walking toward the shore, you'll see tide pools enclosed by gravel. At low tide, they resemble mirrors, and at high tide, they resemble streams. Here, you can peer down at barnacles, algae, and small fish, but don't grab them or turn over rocks—the intertidal zone is their home. Photography Tips: Use a 45° angled framing angle and an EV setting of -0.3 to create a more three-dimensional effect between the sea and the gravel. Place one or two large white boulders in the foreground as anchor points to naturally draw your gaze toward the distant sea. ③ Grassland Walks and Cycling: Reduce City Noise The trails at Seaside Park are flat and easy to walk. Cycle along the bike path to Taitung Forest Park/Living Water Lake (open for swimming in the summer; ticket prices and hours are subject to on-site announcements). The afternoon light slants down, creating a soft, filtered vibe for the grass, perfect for a picnic or an afternoon nap. ④ Dusk and Blues: Load Light Strips onto a Memory Card The setting sun casts a golden streak along the edge of the clouds, and the crest of the waves illuminates the gravel beach. Just after sunset, the sky enters a 15-30 minute blue period. Slowing down your shutter speed (or using your phone's Night Mode) will allow you to capture a clean, tranquil blue. ⸻ Why I Recommend Seaside Park (8 Reasons) 1. Easy-to-understand scenery: Free admission, easy parking, and a flat, easy-to-walk path, perfect for all ages. 2. Minimalist yet endearing colors: The blue, gray, and green create a rich texture, and any photo will look fresh. 3. An intimate nature classroom: Tide pools, organisms, and sea erosion formations can be observed on site. 4. Excellent photography: The expanse of sky and horizon create clean compositions; even stargazing is possible at night. 5. Connected to the city: Tiehua Village, Taitung Forest Park, and Huoshui Lake are a 10-minute drive away. 6. Perfect year-round: Watch the clouds in summer, the clear skies in autumn and winter, and even after typhoons, you can see spectacular cloud formations (please be careful). 7. Perfect for relaxing: No need to fill your schedule; a stroll will give you the feeling of "being out and about." 8. Family-friendly and slow-travel-friendly: Suitable for cycling, picnics, taking children for a walk, or strolling with the elderly. ⸻ Practical Information • Admission/Fee: The park is free; parking, bicycle rentals, and swimming in the lake are subject to on-site announcements. • Transportation: 5-10 minutes by car from downtown Taitung; take the bus to the "Seaside Park" stop. • Recommended Time: 1-2.5 hours (perfect for a stroll, sunset viewing, and photo opportunities). ⸻ Safety and Environmental Reminders (Must-See) ⚠️ • Gravel and Tide Pools: Wear non-slip shoes and avoid crossing the cordoned-off area. Hold children on the inside. • Long Waves at the Beach: Avoid facing away from the sea for too long when taking photos; avoid entering the waves. • Sunscreen and Hydration: Taitung's sunlight is strong, so a hat, sunscreen, and hydration are essential. Even in winter, strong sea breezes can make bringing a light jacket a must. • No Traces of the Coast: Light items (invoices, plastic bags) can be easily blown away by the wind, so please take all trash with you. ⸻ Review (with address!) Blue Dragonfly Fast Food Address: No. 214, Zhongzheng Road, Taitung City I ordered: Fried chicken drumstick and nuggets platter, cola. The skin was crispy, the gravy was well-retained, and the saltiness was just right; it was a guilt-free treat to eat while watching the ocean breeze. Seating inside rotates quickly, so please be patient in line. For local snacks, head to the Zhengqi Road Tourist Night Market (Zhengqi Road, Taitung City, near the intersection of Zhongshan Road). The stalls are concentrated, and you can sample both savory and sweet flavors in one stroll. ⸻ Photography Tips (You can also take great photos with your phone) 📸 • Full Blue Sky: Lower the horizon so that 2/3 of the image is sky; place the person at 1/3 for scale. • Gravel Foreground: A single white gravel and the distant ocean line create a minimalist composition that is most captivating. • Reflection Tide Pools: Stand low to allow clouds to be reflected in the pool surface; EV -0.3 adds depth. • Portraits: Stand sideways with your back to the sea, your hair lifted by the breeze – the picture will tell a story. ⸻ Half-Day/Full-Day Itinerary Half-Day Easy Version Walk in Seaside Park → Tide Pool Observation/Picnic → Photographing Blues at Dusk → Dinner in the City or Listening to Music at Tiehua Village One-Day Slow Trip Morning: Bike in Taitung Forest Park → Lunch → Ocean Viewing in Seaside Park in the Afternoon → Evening: Tiehua Village/Zhengqi Road Night Market → Overnight in Taitung City ⸻ My True Feelings Taitung that day was an unreserved blue: Standing on the gravel beach, the wind blew in from the sea, and the waves gently tossed the rocks, making a "crackling" sound. I did nothing but watch the clouds, the light, and listen to the sea, and the distractions in my mind washed away. Taitung Seaside Park doesn't have any elaborate rides, but it does a perfect job of slowing down time. 👏🏻 ⸻ Taitung Seaside Park | Taitung Forest Park | Living Water Lake | Tiehua Village | Blue Dragonfly Fast Food (No. 214, Zhongzheng Road, Taitung City) | Zhengqi Road Tourist Night Market (Zhengqi Road, Taitung City) #Taitung #SeasidePark #Taitung #WatchTheSea #GravelBeach #TidePool #TaitungForestPark #LivingWaterLake #Tiehua Village #ZhengqiRoadNightMarket #BlueDragonfly 🐚