An Ocean Paradise:Green Island
By Conrad Oust, Photos by Sung Chih-hsiung
Paradise comes to mind whenever Green Island is mentioned.
Surrounded by clear blue water, Green Island, or Lutao , is a pristine volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean, 33 kilo-meters east of the city of Taitung. The old name for Green Island is Huoshautao, literally meaning "fire-burning island," because the islanders used to set up bonfires at night to direct their fishermen home or, as another legend tells, that a forest fire burned most of the island's vegetation in the early Ching dynasty. Although the total length of the coastline of the island is only 20 kilometers and the tallest mountain is only 281 meters high, this 15-square-kilometer island is attracting a growing number of tourists. The central government has inaugurated an ambitious development plan to exploit its potential.
The most attractive part of Green Island is its surrounding seas, which are replete with 203 different species of colorful coral and over 300 varieties of fish. The seawater here is among the cleanest and most transparent in the world, ideal for diving.
The ROC's long-term plans for Green Island include balancing
preservation of the environment and sustainable tourism
development.
An extermely rare saltwater hot spring blesses Green Island.
"Sleeping Beauty"
Another attraction of Green Island is its green hills and odd rocks. To view them, one can join a two-hour round-the-island tour which covers "Sleeping Beauty" and "Pekinese Dog," the two most prominent oddly shaped rocks, and other scenic spots; or one can rent a scooter or bike and coast along the perimeter highway. The green hills, blue sea, clear sky, and ocean breezes constitute a paradise.
A modern lighthouse has replaced the huge bonfires that once helped
sailors naviagte the seas around the island.
There are no night clubs or karaoke lounges on the island, but there is a very rare saltwater hot spring. After nightfall, dipping in the spring to watch a sea of stars above and listen to the sounds of the waves is true luxury.
The visitor can take a ride on a submarine or a glass-bottom boat to view the world of the deep, and the wildlife lover can bring a pair of binoculars or a camera to appreciate many species of birds and animals; there are deer, goats, chameleons, giant bats, and coconut crabs as well as indigenous and migratory birds.
Food and Lodging
Delicious fresh seafood and cold beer await your appetite! The newly opened seaside Kai-hsing Hotel brings an ocean view right into your room.
How to Get There
First, fly or take a train to Taitung; from there, take a 10-minute small-plane flight or an hour-long ferry trip to Green Island. The flight from Taipei to Taitung takes about 50 minutes.
Copyright 1995 Vision International Publishing Co.