Dawu Coastal Park is a seaside park in Dawu Township, Taitung, adjacent to Dawu Fishing Harbor. Also known as the 9420 Coastal Park after its location at kilometer 420 of Provincial Highway 9, it features a wooden boardwalk and viewing platform facing the southern Bashi Channel. Dawu Fishing Harbor was originally built by the government to resettle fishermen relocated from Dachen Island; due to sedimentation it can only accommodate small vessels. The park is one of the few coastal stops along the South-Link Highway where visitors can pull over and take in the sea.
Dawu Coastal Park is also known as the 9420 Coastal Park, named for its location at kilometer 420 of Provincial Highway 9 (9420 sounds like 'just love you' in Mandarin). The adjacent Dawu Fishing Harbor was built by the government to resettle fishermen relocated from Dachen Island in the 1950s; due to sedimentation for roughly a third of the year, it can only accommodate small fishing boats, not larger vessels.
Highlights of Dawu Coastal Park
Dawu Township is located along the South-Link Highway at the southernmost tip of Taitung County, and is an important settlement where Provincial Highway 9 meets the South-Link Highway. Dawu Coastal Park sits next to Dawu Fishing Harbor. The shoreline is mainly protected by tetrapods, and a wooden boardwalk extends along the coast inside the park, providing a space for a seaside walk. From the viewing platform you can look out toward the southern mouth of the Bashi Channel; the view is wide on clear days.
Dawu Fishing Harbor is one of the main fishing communities along the South-Link Line. The harbor is home to a variety of fishing vessels, and early morning and dusk are the most active times for boats coming and going. At the harborside you can observe catches of swordfish, mahi-mahi, and other species from the southern waters, as well as the daily routines of local fishermen. Though the Dawu township center is small, basic supply shops are available, making it one of the few settlements along the South-Link Highway where visitors can rest.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there & time
- Located beside the township center of Dawu along Provincial Highway 9, about 1 hour south of Taitung City by car; from the Pingdong direction on the South-Link Highway, it is about 30 minutes to Fenggang.
- The park is open at all times. Sun protection is essential in summer; northeast monsoon winds are strong in winter and waves can be high — do not approach the edge of the tetrapod breakwater.
Nearby connections
- Heading north you can connect to Duoliang Station and the Taimali coastline; heading south over the South-Link pass leads to Fenggang and Sichongxi Hot Spring in Pingtung.
- The Dawu gas station is one of the last fueling points on the South-Link section; it is advisable to fill up before a long journey.
Sources: Dawu Township Office; Directorate General of Highways, Ministry of Transportation, South-Link Highway information. Photos pending Dio's on-site photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Dawu Coastal Park also called 9420 Coastal Park?
It is named for its location at kilometer 420 of Provincial Highway 9, where '9420' sounds like 'just love you' in Mandarin.
How was Dawu Fishing Harbor established?
It was built by the government to resettle fishermen relocated from Dachen Island in the 1950s.
Can large vessels dock at Dawu Fishing Harbor?
No — due to sedimentation for about a third of the year, it can only accommodate small fishing boats.
Sources
- 大武風情～旅遊景點介紹｜大武鄉公所 — 9420濱海公園命名由來
- 大武漁港｜台東觀光旅遊網 — 漁港歷史與淤沙問題