Taitung Luye Highland｜Hot Air Balloon Meadow and Paragliding Field: See the Wind, Clouds, and Blue of the Rift Valley All at Once 🎈🪂

#September2025 Standing atop Luye Plateau, you'll find the Central Mountain Range on one side and the Coastal Mountain Range on the other, with the Longtian Plain and the Beinan River steps below. In the early mornings of summer, hot air balloons slowly ascend from the grasslands, while during the day, paragliders drift across the sky like colorful boats—this place condenses the vastness and romance of Taitung into a 180-degree green slope. • Name | Luye Highland • Location | Gaotai Road, Luye Township, Taitung County, in the heart of the East Rift Valley (approximately 35–45 minutes’ drive from Taitung City) • Admission/Price | Free admission during normal times; parking, shuttle services, and access restrictions may apply during hot air balloon activities, subject to county government announcements. • Experience Prices (for reference only, subject to official and operator announcements) • Hot air balloon tethered flight for approximately 5–7 minutes: NT$500–800 per person • Paragliding for two (with instructor): NT$2,500–3,500 per person • Best Time to Visit | • 5:00–7:00 AM: Steady winds and changing cloud cover make this the prime time for hot air balloon takeoff and watching the sun illuminate the valley. • Afternoon: Strong winds, suitable for paragliding. • Transportation | Take the train to Luye Station, then transfer to a taxi/book a transfer; or drive along Provincial Highway 9 and follow the signs up the mountain (the road is winding, so drive slowly). ⸻ Background Story | From Tea Plantation Terrace to Taiwan's "Hot Air Balloon Capital" Located at an altitude of over 300 meters, Luye Plateau is a river terrace carved by the Beinan River. Originally dominated by tea plantations, pineapples, and papayas, the area gradually became a base for paragliding training and competitions due to its open terrain and stable winds. Since 2011, the Taitung County Government has hosted the Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival, which has brought Luye's reputation to international attention with its early morning launches, nighttime light sculptures, and touring performances. Due to its strict adherence to weather and safety standards, travelers have come to believe that "flying is possible only if you're destined to." ⸻ My Real Walking Route ① Facing the Valley Wind: Open Your Heart First from the Grassy Slopes Upon reaching the plateau, I was immediately captivated by the vast expanse of cloud walls. Vast clouds blanketed the mountains, and sunlight streamed through gaps in the clouds onto the Longtian Plain, like someone painting the earth with a brush. I lowered the horizon, leaving two-thirds to the sky—the clouds were the star of the show here. ② Hot Air Balloon Meadow: Waiting is the most romantic verb. During the event season, colorful balloons "slowly grow" on the grass. Ground staff repeatedly checked the ropes and wind direction, and only those whose numbers were called out over the announcement could enter the queue area. Delays and cancellations were inevitable due to waiting for the right wind, clouds, and visibility. But the moment you saw the first balloon, illuminated by the morning glow and slowly rising at 5:30 a.m., the wait was all worth it. Tip: If you're aiming for a tethered experience, checking in online the night before and lining up early on site increases your chances of success. If you're just looking to watch the balloons, arrive at 5 a.m. for the best photos. ③ Paragliding Field: Let your heart beat in the Taitung wind. After noon, the wind settled, and the instructor practiced paragliding on the grassy slope. Listening to the countdown, I took two steps forward, and the wind gently lifted me up, transforming the green slope into a canvas. Standing outside the safety line, I watched the trainees take off and land. It felt like watching countless love letters to the sky. Experience Tips: Wear long pants and sneakers, and keep your phone and camera tethered. Follow the instructor's command to start running, don't sit down early, and keep running when you land. ④ Touring the Observation Deck: A Curve Draws the Valley A 5-10 minute walk to the observation deck opens up the view. The Beinan River bed stretches like a silver ribbon beneath your feet, and the yellow pillars and S-shaped mountain trails along the roadside are perfectly captured. Looking back at the platform, the paragliders line the sky like a colorful comma between the mountains and the sea. ⸻ Recommendations (9 Selected Points) 1. High Density of Scenic Spots: The Central Mountain Range, the Coastal Mountain Range, the River Terraces, and the Plains are all gathered in one place. 2. Diverse Experiences: Perfect for watching hot air balloons, paragliding, picnicking, and strolling. 3. A dramatic play of light and shadow: golden in the early morning, blue in the morning, and stratus clouds in the afternoon—each with its own distinct character. 4. Family- and elder-friendly: The main lawn is flat, with clear circulation, and stroller-friendly. 5. Excellent for photography: Grand vistas + a simple foreground (railings, white lines, runway). 6. Weather lessons: You'll understand firsthand how wind direction and visibility determine takeoff. 7. Local connections: You can visit the Longtian Green Tunnel, Chulu Ranch, and Luye Shrine. 8. No shortage of food: Small shops at the foot of the mountain, tea, and dried fruit are just the right amount of energy. 9. Festive atmosphere: There are many activities during the carnival, but order and environmental protection are also important. ⸻ Super useful reminder (I'll clear up the pitfalls all at once)⚠️ • Changes are common: Both hot air balloons and paragliders are affected by wind direction, speed, and visibility; "not necessarily flying" is a sign of professionalism. • Strong Sunshine: Even in the early morning, the sun can be intense, so a hat, sunscreen, a light jacket, and 500-1000ml of water are essential. • Parking and Shuttle Services: Parking is limited during the event. Please use shuttle services or make reservations according to this year's announcement. • Safety Lines: Do not cross near ropes or wind vents; drones require a license. • Environmentally Friendly: Strong winds can easily blow light objects away; please bring your own bags for trash. ⸻ Food Review | Back to the City for Calories (Address Included) Blue Dragonfly Fast Food Restaurant Address: No. 214, Zhongzheng Road, Taitung City Order: Fried Chicken Leg + Chicken Nuggets Platter + Coke Review: I was hungry after the wind at the takeoff field, so I had Blue Dragonfly back in the city for the perfect meal. The skin was crispy, the meat retained its juiciness beautifully, and the saltiness was just right. It was a great way to fuel up after enjoying the view from the top. If you're lining up on a weekend, the tables are actually quite quick. For a more comfortable stay in downtown Taitung, consider the Sheraton Taitung Hotel or the Century Chihpen Jinlian Hotel. If you're looking to stay in the Longitudinal Valley, you can also find B&Bs in Luye and Guanshan, making early morning departures easier. ⸻ Photography Cheat Sheet (You Can Take Great Photos with Your Phone)📸 • Clouds Are the Stars: Keep the horizon in the lower third to allow the layers of clouds to dominate. Use an EV of -0.3 to preserve detail. • Scale: Use the white grass line or guardrail as the foreground for a more "space-like" image. • Hot Air Balloon: Use a 2× telephoto zoom to compress the image for a fuller sphere; or zoom out to include the grass and the crowd for a festive feel. • Paragliding: Stand at a 45° angle to the wind and take continuous shots to capture the moment of takeoff. Take photos of the instructor running as he lands for a more dynamic shot. ⸻ Suggested Itinerary (Both Versions Apply Directly) Half-Day Morning Version 4:30 Departure → 5:00 Arrive at the Grassland to Wait for the Hot Air Balloons → 7:00 Stroll along the Observation Deck → 8:30 Descend the Mountain for Breakfast/Tea → 10:00 Longtian Green Tunnel Full-Day Version Morning: Luye Plateau (Watching Balloons or Paragliding) → Luye Tea/Football Snacks at Luye Noon → Chulu Ranch/Guanshan Water Park Afternoon → Return to Taitung City to Visit Tiehua Village in the Evening ⸻ My Real Experience It was a cloudy day, with a gentle breeze. I sat on the grass, listening to the children next to me counting the colorful paragliders in the sky, the sound of the announcement and the wind filling my ears. The most captivating aspect of Luye Plateau isn't the promise of flying, but the way waiting becomes part of the journey: you learn to watch the clouds, read the wind, and accept the changes. Then, at some point, the hot air balloon or paraglider truly takes off—and your heart is lifted off the ground with it. 👏🏻 ⸻ Luye Plateau | Hot Air Balloon Meadow | Paragliding Launch Site | Longtian Green Tunnel | Luye Station | Chulu Ranch | Tiehua Village | Blue Dragonfly Fast Food (No. 214, Zhongzheng Road, Taitung City) #Taitung #Luye Plateau #Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta #Hot Air Balloon #Paragliding #Huadong Rift Valley #Longtian Plain #Eastern Travel #Watching the Clouds and Reading the Wind #Taitung #Luye