How can innovation play a big role in gaming? With "The Game Just Got Real," MSI strives for remarkable innovation and a life-like gameplay experience for gamers worldwide. MSI has announced its new gaming laptops were launched with the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20 series graphics.Experience new gaming realism with Nvidia GeForce RTX seriesWith real-time ray tracing and AI-enhanced gaming experience, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20 series graphics pushes the boundaries of laptop graphics. This powerful graphics takes the gaming out the frame, enabling an experience of realism. Aside from the performance boost, the new GeForce RTX 20 series goes beyond the traditional rendering techniques to present better in-game lighting with detailed reflections, shadows, and shaders. To take full advantage of the new graphics, MSI has also enhanced its exclusive Cooler Boost design, effectively reducing operating temperatures.GS75 Stealth - World's 1st thin & light gaming laptop with GeForce RTX 2080 graphicsA roaring beast is living in this compact 4-sided thin bezel chassis. A direct descendent of the ultra-thin and ultra-light gaming laptop, the GS75 continues the legacy with more powerful performance in a sleek, trim body. Equipped with up to the latest GeForce RTX 2080 graphics, this beast offers stunningly realistic graphics in a surprisingly small 2.2 kg, 18.95 mm size, with dimensions up to 60% smaller than regular 17-inch laptops. In addition, the GS75 has an immersive 17.3-inch 144Hz IPS-level display, providing gamers a panoramic view of the playing field. The golden hinge accent and aluminum alloy add to both rigidity and aesthetics. Another impressive feature is the extra-large touchpad with a silky smooth glass surface, which highly improves responsiveness and pinpoint accuracy. With the 1st passive radiator design on laptop speakers, the GS75 is able to deliver stunning audio bass and "extra oomph", providing more powerful sound effects than ever in a small chassis.GS75 Stealth product overview: https://www.msi.com/Laptop/GS75-Stealth-8SXGS75 Stealth

Biwin will show customers a full range of storage solutions for mobile smart devices at the 2019 Embedded World conference, including eMMC, eMCP, nMCP, BGA SSD, SPI, LPDDR3/4/4X.It will also showcase a full range of PC embedded storage and memory solutions, the representative products being: 2.5-inch SSD, mSATA SSD, Half Slim SSD, M. 2 SSD, U. 2 SSD, DOM series, SO-DIMMs, UDIMMs, etc., BIWIN provides you with higher performance and more cost-effective embedded storage solutions from consumer grade to industrial grade, which is suitable for diversified storage product solutions and can help customers to seize the market.Innovative storage, professional choiceBiwin focuses on the development of storage technology applications and has rich experience in the application of FLASH products. It has two major hardware and software R&D bases in Shenzhen and Taiwan, and has mastered the latest technology and ensure that customers 'final product production is synchronized with the latest processes. Biwin has it's own complete IC package factory with international professional standards for packaging, testing, and production workshops. It can provide customers with "one-stop" customization services such as IC design, packaging, testing, and assembly. The full integrated upstream and downstream resources and full range of storage support services make Biwin 's products and services more cost-effective.Biwin adheres to its own advantages and is committed to provide high-quality storage products and services for the majority of system builders, brand vendors, industrial and consumer markets and also provide customers with a full range of storage application solutions including game entertainment, transportation, video monitoring, automation equipment, mobile phone, tablets, and Netcom products. BIWIN continuously optimizes the brand concept of "Bi-Win" and continuously explores the mode of storage cooperation with customers through brand licensing or agency, OEM, and investment cooperation. For example, Biwin and Hewlett-Packard have reached a strategic cooperation and gets HP's global brand license. Biwin is responsible for the global sales, manufacturing, brand operation and after-sales service of HP SSD, which has quickly created a strong high-end storage brand for HP.Biwin spread its business all over the world, spanning more than 50 countries and regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Africa. It also has multinational and regional offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Taiwan, the United States, and Europe. With a view to the future, Biwin will continue to innovate and customize best products and services as well as the "one-stop" solutions that are best suited to market needs.For more information, please visit�Gwww.biwin.com.cn/enBiwin at Embedded World 2019

Memxpro, a leading DRAM module and SSD solution provider for defense, industrial, in-vehicle, and enterprise markets, announces the release of a new industrial TLC SSD series at the Embedded World 2019 tradeshow in Germany. The new 3D TLC SSD series includes PT30 (with DRAM) and ET30 (without DRAM), and use SMI controllers and Micron original industrial B17A 3D TLC flash with 10K P/E cycles and a 4-year warranty. In addition, the exhibition highlights Memxpro's latest high-speed U.2 PCIe and M.2 2280 PCIe PT33 series with industrial 3D TLC, huge-capacity 4TB SSDs, and wide temperature DDR4 2666 DRAM modules. There is also a live demo of their mSMART storage monitoring toolbox for information retrieval and device management.A new venture in industrial 3D TLC with 10K P/E cyclesMemxpro launched their new NVMe PCIe PT33 and SATA 3 PT30/ET30 SSDs paired with Micron's original 3D TLC with 10K endurance to meet the industrial demands of AIoT. The new product series provides comprehensive data protection and enhances the endurance and retention performance of 3D TLC NAND, delivering better durability for 3D TLC SSD products. They are the ideal choice for embedded applications, industrial equipment, and edge devices operating in challenging environments.A new era of industrial-grade multi-terabyte storageAs flash technology advances, high-capacity SSDs are becoming standard in industrial data applications. Plus with industry advancements, manufacturers are bringing new form factors and speeds to the market. Memxpro's high-capacity E231 series offers storage capacity of up to 4TB for its 2.5" SSD series, up to 1TB for its mSATA and Half Slim series, and CF cards of up to 256GB. This product family complies with JEDEC standards, combining eMMC flash arrays with proven quality and stability, 3,000 P/E cycles of MLC, original extended temperature (-25 degree C~+85 degree C) ICs, and additional industrial wide temperature support (-40 degree C~+85 degree C).Industrial high-speed DDR4 2666 hits the roadIn the era of high-speed memory and storage, DDR4 has become the new standard for industrial memory in 2019. Memxpro's high-speed DRAM DDR4-2666 modules comply with the JEDEC standard to achieve 2666 MHz without overclocking RAM. The original high-quality branded memory ICs and industrial spec design makes for a low operating voltage of 1.2 V for energy-conscious power consumption and thermal efficiency. Wide temperature memory modules (-40 degree C to +85 degree C) are ideal for applications that must ensure high performance and product stability in extreme climates or industrial environments.Click-to-use mSMART 4.0 powers intelligent storage monitoringEasy to use and intuitive, Memxpro mSMART 4.0 storage device monitoring software tool is available free for download. Enabling the predictive power of big data analytics, mSMART detects problems and provides alerts to reduce routine inspection tasks and operational costs. Integrated with an enterprise database, the system will record SSD status and store data logs to benefit big data analytics that help make better informed decisions.Visit Memxpro at booth No. 2-407, Hall 2, Exhibition Centre Nuremberg, Embedded World 2019New Memxpro 3D TLC SSD debuts at Embedded World 2019

Rotating equipment including motors, pumps, air and other types of compressors, decelerators, and blowers definitely plays an essential role driving economic growth in a wide variety of industrial applications. Failure of or damage to such vital equipment can result in considerable financial loss.To prevent equipment failure from impacting production, factories that rely heavily on rotating equipment have long implemented measures such as having technicians conduct regular inspections or situating spare parts close to critical equipment for quick replacement when failure occurs. These measures are far from foolproof. For example, factory operators have no way of knowing machine conditions during operation unless an inspection is executed, resulting in frequent periods in the dark about machine conditions. In addition, when an unexpected interruption occurs on a continuous processing line, a complete run of material may have to be scrapped.In view of this, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) combines its own Prognosis Monitoring System (PMS) with sensors and computers (ADLINK MCM-100 machine condition monitoring systems) to form a complete system for machine health assessment, life prediction, and fault diagnosis. Fully supporting production equipment in semiconductor, optoelectronics, mechanics, petrochemical, steel, food processing, and other industries, ITRI's system can monitor and observe machine conditions at all times and issue warnings in the case of event, ensuring operations are sustained.Diagnosing problems while minimizing machine downtimeChun-Chieh Wang, ITRI's Manager for System Monitoring & Control Technology, points out the importance of rotating equipment as being the very heart of the manufacturing industry. Without effective assurances of equipment health, failures of critical components require operators to rely on experienced technicians with expertise and knowhow for troubleshooting chores. However, different technicians may have different opinions and identifying the problem can take some time, resulting in costly production downtime."Machines should be able to speak for themselves," said Wang. "All that's required is to simply install vibration sensors close to the equipment and PMS software on the MCM-100 device. The system can then collect and analyze sensor data in one shot, turning raw data into useful information. It can further send the results to the back-end supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. Factory operators need no longer depend on experienced technicians, with indicators on the PMS allowing them to stay on top of all machine conditions in real time. A yellow indicator constitutes a prediction of the device's remaining operating life, apprising operators of deteriorating equipment health and prompting preventive maintenance if necessary. A red indicator light directs the PMS to perform fault diagnostics via characteristics check to identify failed parts, and effect prompt repairs.As is known, rotating equipment can fail for a multitude of reasons, such as ball bearing misalignment, imbalance, bending and loosening, gear breakage and wear, and center offset. If speedy identification of the failure cause is available, the problem can be resolved immediately, saving tremendous amounts of time and cost over having to dismantle the entire system for inspection and repair.The MCM-100 consolidates data collection, analysis, and upload in a single systemAccording to Wang, in the past, practical application of ITRI's PMS solution as a complete system required integration with data acquisition (DAQ) modules, industrial PCs, and a variety of other components, a process requiring considerable time and effort. The system was also bulky with an imposing footprint. In 2017, however, ITRI was introduced to the ADLINK MCM-100, an all-in-one monitoring system with built-in DAQ module and computation processing unit. Upon evaluation, ITRI decided to base its PMS solution on the MCM-100 due to its multiple advantages, including minimal footprint, low cost, support for a wide variety of I/O interfaces and wireless communication modules, high reliability, 24-bit resolution and 128kS/s sampling rate. Moreover, as a Taiwan-based vendor, ADLINK is able to provide prompt technical support and customized development for the MCM-100.The rise of the Industry 4.0 standard has spurred widespread availability of preventive maintenance solutions considerably different from ITRI's PMS, emphasized Wang. For example, IoT products only collect data but have no analytical capability to perform health assessment, life prediction, and fault diagnostics. Artificial intelligence (AI) solutions lack domain knowhow and with no equipment failure patterns, can only analyze failure modes using their massive computation resources, like looking for a needle in a haystack. ITRI's PMS solution, on the other hand, provides in-depth knowledge of vibration data analytics, equipment prognosis, and failure characteristics specific to rotating machinery. Using simple neural networks to train models and then apply the model-based reasoning to quickly pinpoint problem causes, ITRI's PMS helps factory operators across virtually all manufacturing sectors troubleshoot much faster and effectively maximize machine uptime.

Two major tech events held annually during the first quarter are the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and Mobile World Congress (MWC). ThroughTek started the year off showcasing the world's first 4G LTE-M network camera, a product developed through a collaboration with module maker, Sierra Wireless, and video solution provider, LOCT. Following CES in the United States, ThroughTek will be exhibiting at MWC in Spain starting on February 25 with the aim to attract telecom industry providers' looking for opportunities to collaborate.The device supports LTE-M standards for data transmission, using P2P connection and cloud platform services to transmit real-time videos without relying on Wi-Fi connection, enabling further expansion of video monitoring applications. It is expected to revolutionize a new wave of products in the security, connected car, smart industry, and smart agriculture industry.The emergence of the LTE-M camera means that low power wide area network (LPWAN) technology can be deployed beyond sensing devicesIn the past few years, telecom operators have invested in the construction of LPWAN IoT infrastructure. However, video surveillance devices have been constrained by high cost of modules and network bandwidth. The market has yet to offer a low-cost product with the ability to monitor and provide seamless transmission of videos in outdoor environments.LTE-M is a standard proposed by 3GPP to support machine-to-machine (M2M) communications. Covering a wide area, LTE-M boasts low-power consumption and low latency at a low-cost. During the MWC in 2017, several telecom operators jointly announced their support for global LTE-M deployment. This year, ThroughTek will be exhibiting the world's first LTE-M IP camera, embedded with a chipset that enables video compression and processing to deliver low-latency video streaming with greater efficiency. The device is battery-powered, designed for low-power operation to extend its battery life. Furthermore, the device is not restricted to indoor environments as it meets the IP-65 rating requirement, which means it is both water and dust-proof, and can be complemented by a solar charging panel that is available for purchase.A wide range of devices will emerge as IoT applications continue to expand. The LTE-M camera is a video monitoring device advanced from a sensing device that can be support large-scale deployment and data transmission. The device is suitable for use in outdoor environments such as farms, fish farms, or remote areas, as it uses 4G connection to provide seamless live streaming videos. Additionally, the LTE-M camera can effectively help operators reduce the cost of network connectivity and power line construction. Moreover, its camera module can further expand video applications to other areas and forms, such as sporting camera, dashcam recorders, police camera systems, and more.Seamless integration of security devices and sensors with enhanced data streaming privacy and securityMore recently, smart home devices have gradually integrated into entire family systems. In the past, manufacturers would need to work with individual cloud platform and video analytics providers to integrate motion sensors, monitoring devices, and gateways to achieve remote control, monitoring, and automation through custom settings and more features. This type of collaboration leads to a significant increase in time and labor costs. ThroughTek, originally focused on providing wide bandwidth data transmission and video streaming solutions, has since changed course to provide narrowband data solutions to meet market demands. Another one of ThroughTek's main focus at this year's exhibition will be to demonstrate its latest narrow-band data transmission technology. With data security as a primary concern, ThroughTek uses a decentralized design for its solution, using end-to-end encryption to enhance privacy protection for users. It also supports IFTTT (short for IF This Then That) for automating tasks and smart voice assistants such as Amazon's Alexa to enable users to easily manage their devices and create custom scenarios.ThroughTek will once again participate in the Taiwan Pavilion supported by the Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs at MWC's four-day event, showcasing its advanced video streaming technology along with a number of IoT applications and products. Come and visit us at our booth in Hall 5, #5A61.ThroughTek's LTE-M IP camera catches attention from telecom providers at MWC

Leading semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest Corporation has announced that it has closed its previously announced acquisition of the commercial Semiconductor System Level Test business (Test Systems) from Astronics Corporation. The terms of the transaction were renegotiated due to a recent change in business conditions related to the semiconductor industry and Test Systems business.The new terms include an upfront purchase price of US$100 million, plus an earn-out payment of up to US$35 million based on certain performance milestones. This compares to the previously announced US$185 million purchase price, plus an earn-out payment of up to US$30 million based on certain performance milestones.Test Systems is highly complementary to Advantest's existing suite of leading-edge automated test equipment (ATE) solutions and broadens Advantest's position in system level test, an increasingly critical test modality to large consumer electronics manufacturers. Regardless of the changes of Test Systems' near term business performance forecast affected by recent semiconductor industry business condition, we still believe that Test Systems business is strategically important and the expectation for the growth in mid-long term remains unchanged. The transaction further demonstrates the Company's commitment to expanding test and measurement solutions throughout the semiconductor value chain and represents an important milestone in Advantest's Objectives of Grand Design and the Company's Mid-Term Plan disclosed on April 26, 2018."We will be able to offer stronger solutions to our diversified customer base and continue to add significant customer value in an evolving semiconductor value chain by further enriching and expanding our suite of test and measurement solutions," said Yoshiaki Yoshida, Advantest president and CEO. "With this acquisition, Advantest will benefit greatly from Test Systems' technology development capabilities, technical talent and recent customer successes in this emerging segment of test. The acquisition will allow us to better and more timely respond to the growing needs of our semiconductor customers, and we believe Test Systems will benefit greatly from Advantest's global footprint, customer base and resources. We look forward to making significant advances in developing new solutions with Test Systems to deliver significant value to customers, employees and shareholders."Based in Irvine, California, Test Systems is now a fully owned subsidiary of Advantest's US subsidiary, Advantest America, Inc, and is now operating under a newly created entity, Advantest Test Solutions, Inc.GCA Advisors, LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Advantest. Stoel Rives LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher & Flom LLP are acting as Advantest's legal counsel. More information about Advantest Corporation is available at www.advantest.com.

Indium Corporation has released a new halogen-free, no-clean ROL0 flux specifically developed for PCB assembly hand soldering and rework applications.TACFlux 020B-RC passes SIR testing in the unreflowed state. Oftentimes during hand soldering and rework, the flux may not be heated properly due to spot heating methods, thus the flux is not adequately activated. TACFlux 020B-RC is designed to solve this problem and avoid reliability concerns such as dendritic growth over time.TACFlux 020B-RC joins Indium Corporation's versatile offering of specialty fluxes designed to provide solutions for current and evolving industry challenges. Benefits of TACFlux 020B-RC include:- Passes J-STD-004B SIR testing in the unreflowed state- Halogen-free per IEC 61249-2-21 test method EN14582- Outstanding wetting performance on difficult to solder metallizations- Designed for no-clean applications, but flux can be removed using a commercially-available flux-cleanerFor more information about TACFlux 020B-RC, visit https://www.indium.com/flux-and-epoxy/tacky-flux.Indium Corporation is a premier materials manufacturer and supplier to the global electronics, semiconductor, thin-film, and thermal management markets. Products include solders and fluxes; brazes; thermal interface materials; sputtering targets; indium, gallium, germanium, and tin metals and inorganic compounds; and NanoFoil. Founded in 1934, the company has global technical support and factories located in China, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the USA.For more information about Indium Corporation, visit www.indium.com.Indium launches new no-clean flux for reflow, hand soldering

Clientron Corp, a world-leading supplier of thin client and embedded systems, will present its embedded computing solutions for smart parking, food industry and factory automation solutions at Embedded World 2019, taking place at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg (No. 2-645, Hall 2) from Feb 26 to 28, 2019.Clientron will demonstrate industrial embedded solutions at the event:- 3.5" Single Board Computer (Saber-AL-3500) - equipped with Intel Atom E39xx processor family, offering triple displays and three RS-232/422/485 COM ports for easy automation system integration.- Fanless Embedded System (IT900) - powered by high performance Intel Core i processors and featuring the flexible e-Door concept for I/O expansion options to fulfill customized demands.- Fanless Embedded Box PC (Mace-AL-200) - DIN rail design supporting rich I/O ports, wide temperature and wide voltage for various industrial applications.- Industrial Panel PC (Pike-AL-1500SP) - 15" panel PC with fully IP65/IP69K rated protection, fanless & stainless steel enclosure design for the most demanding industrial applications such as food and beverage industries.- Industrial Panel PC (Pike-AL-1700SP) - 17" panel PC with IP65 front panel protection, fanless and robust aluminum/SGCC enclosure design for critical environment.The advantages of Clientron's embedded computing systems are designed for high quality, durability, flexibility and maximum compatibility to facilitate the business transformation towards IIoT solutions. To know more about its custom design, manufacturing capabilities and services, please visit Clientron at booth No. 2-645, Hall 2, Exhibition Centre Nuremberg, Embedded World 2019 or visit its website: www.clientron.com.Clientron at Embedded World 2019

Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS), a motherboards, mini PCs, notebooks, mobile devices, IoT, IoV and smart solutions provider, will make its debut of Mobile World Congress 2019, the world's largest exhibition for the mobile industry in Barcelona, Spain from February 25-28 (Booth no. 1A22). ECS will showcase its latest AI applications and IoV solutions for smart living and transportation.AI virtual assistant productsHeading toward AI smart living, ECS will present the new series of AI Virtual Assistant Products across multiple platforms such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistance or Windows Cortana to help people accomplish daily tasks, entertainment, home devices control and more via simple voice control.ECS Whirlwind is an AI built-in device combining a portable 10-inch display and a 2.1 channel of sound dock with DTS sound certification to provide high quality sound for audio and video. The portable 10-inch display of Whirlwind is designed with intuitive interface for people to easily manage and monitor many home devices such as thermostats, door locks and lights. ECS Sirocco is the battery-powered voice access point to wirelessly extend voice in entire house. Connecting with ECS Whirlwind or Cortana-enabled PC, Sirocco will response to you soon wherever you are at home. ECS Bora is a portable Bluetooth speaker supporting Amazon Alexa voice control via mobile phone APP. For better sound experience, Bora is built in the full range driver to deliver high quality of sounds. With high-efficient battery built-in, ECS Bora Bluetooth Speaker can keep working at least 12 hours without charging.New-featured LIVA mini PC launchedECS will showcase the complete LIVA Mini PC Family including mini-size Q series, cost-efficient X series, energy saving Z series, AI built-in M series and high-performance One series for different applications like home entertainment, smart office, retail, schools, digital signage and more. ECS will launch two featured mini PCs, the world's first Amazon Alexa built-in Mini PC and SF110-A320 Mini PC with AMD RYZEN platform. Moreover, LIVA M520, the new generation of LIVA PC with Intel AI engine built-in, features low power consumption design, 802.11ac Wi-Fi connectivity, RS232 headers extension to provide the powerful live-streaming analytics solution through real-time artificial intelligence.New series of 2-in-1 mobile devicesECS has announced a sturdy 2-in-1 Windows tablet, TH10GM2 which supports a 10-inch FHD display, backed up by a Celeron N4000 Gemini Lake CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 32GB eMMC storage. It does have a microSD slot with a 32GB card supported to augment that storage capacity. Its variety of optional features are designed to facilitate mobile working, TH10GM2 includes connectivity via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 4G, fingerprint sensor and data retrieval via embedded NFC scanner.TH10GM2 is performed IP54 certified, 76cm drop resistance in accordance with Military Standard. Its robust durability and resistance to conditions is ideal for use in field applications from warehouse, logistics, retail to hospitality.Smart IoV solutions for the future of drivingECS devoted to develop Smart IoV Solutions in automobile energy saving, intelligent connectivity and high-speed integration system including Smart Cockpit, connected mobility, ADAS Peripheral to provide a complete smart automotive electronic system for the future of transportation.Designed with 40 Amp and 80 Amp options for simplicity and scalability, LIVA Smart AC Charger can be deployed as a standalone unit or in a cluster of many chargers sharing the same power source with intelligent load management. LIVA Smart AC Charger features plug-n-Charge, automatic and secure payment via multiple methods, Optimized load management for parking lot, fleet charging, and energy mix optimization to maximize the use of renewable energy sources and storage.ECS Smart Cockpit Solution integrates the advanced technologies and driver oriented human machine interface to create a seamless connection between human, vehicle and the road. ECS will also present our latest Smart Parking system, with 360 degree camera and ADAS peripheral products, which combine with ECS blind area detection system to create a safer environment. ECS Smart IoV Solutions will build the best connected mobility terminal products which suitable for automobiles in the era of the connected vehicle and providing the best platform for the entire telematics era. More information about ECS, please visit www.ecs.com.tw.ECS at MWC 2019

The southern reaches of Taitung County on the East Coast is a region of high-mountain backdrops, flatlands carpeted with paddy fields, Pacific Ocean views, palm trees, and gently curving highways that are much quieter than those in the island's more heavily populated areas. Here you can experience the cultures of indigenous peoples (including a visit to harvest festival celebrations, indigenous singing and dancing, an educational forest walk on a "sacred" mountain, and feasting on native cuisine), cycling through farmers' fields, the local live-music scene, surfing, distinctive arts and crafts, hot-air balloon flights and much more.Taitung CitySmall Taitung City is the county's only city and its main transportation hub (rail service, domestic air service, intersection point for the region's two major highways, and launch point for ferries to Green Island and Orchid Island). It is also the starting point for this Travel in Taiwan expedition.Its alluring natural surroundings and unique blend of laid-back people, who primarily come from Han Chinese groups and the various regional native peoples, have led to comparisons with multiracial Hawaii. One in five denizens is a member of one of Taiwan's indigenous Austronesian tribes.Taitung's wonderful National Museum of Prehistory was built to showcase important local archeological finds. You can visit a protected section of the actual digs nearby, at the Beinan Cultural Park. The museum is one of Taiwan's premier locations to learn about the ways and means of the island's original peoples, from prehistoric into historic times. Highlights include a mock-up of a dig site that you descend into along glass-floor walkways, dioramas depicting prehistoric life, and a full-scale oceangoing canoe specially created by Orchid Island's Yami tribe (also called the Tao) for the museum.At the Seashore Park enjoy superlative views to the ocean horizon and southward along the mountain-backed coast, as well as a quiet spell in the Paposogan. This is a spacious rattan-domed viewing platform that is a fine place to take in the sun's daily rise and stage romantic photos as it sets.North of the city along the coastTraveling north of Taitung City along Provincial Highway 11, you'll soon arrive at Xiaoyeliu. This is a natural scenic area right on the coast where land meets ocean. Along the shore are extensive rock formations – honeycomb rock, mushroom rock, tofu rock, and cuestas. There is a visitor center with well-crafted scale models and rock samples introducing the geological features of both Xiaoyeliu and the Coastal Mountain Range, which runs along the coast from just north of Taitung City to just south of Hualien City.Jialulan is a seaside art park that is also an eco-engineering showcase. It's on a remediated waste-soil site created during construction of the adjoining air-force base. Artworks are spread out over the expansive grassland. Most are made of wood, notably driftwood, a favorite material with Taitung artists. Photographers love to take shots of the art pieces with Green Island in the background, the blue of the ocean and the green of the island creating a compelling contrast. The island, though about 33km from the mainland coast, is seen clearly on blue-sky days.Small Jiamuzi Bay is a place of stunning archetypal tropical scenery where the mountainside slopes dramatically right down to the surf. Coconut trees line the narrow beach, and the coral reefs just offshore pop into and out of sight as frothy waves arrive.The Water Running Upward attraction is just south of the village of Dulan. This is a long, narrow irrigation channel that runs the mountainside. Tourists view it in a small park just off the coastal highway. The gurgling waters do indeed seem to defy gravity and run uphill, the slope's tilt juxtaposed against that of the nearby road tricking the eye.Dulan village has established a reputation as a little bohemian paradise in the last decade or so. It is one of the East Coast's largest Amis-tribe settlements and attracts many artists and surfing enthusiasts from the "outside world." Locals say this means anywhere beyond the high central mountains that keep the East Coast so quiet, limiting the number of tourists.The coastal highway does double-duty as the main drag, home to a growing collection of small bars, cafés, eateries, and shops that cater to the surfer/artist crowd. Taiwan's biggest surfing event, the Taiwan Open of Surfing, is staged not far to the north, at Jinzun Fishing Harbor. It attracts top-tier talent from around the globe.The sprawling, big-shouldered old Dulan Sugar Factory, at Dulan's southern end, no longer makes sugar. This protected heritage complex is today a creative oasis for local and expatriate artists and craftspeople. There are artist workshops, a cultural-creative boutique, a café, a craft brewery, Taiwanese and Japanese restaurants, a snack-food kiosk, a driftwood stage, and other attractions. The big action happens Saturday night, with free live-music sessions featuring both local (indigenous and Han Chinese) and expatriate talent.The Amis people, Taiwan's largest tribe, are spread throughout Hualien and Taitung counties on the East Coast. Each year villages stage Amis Harvest Festival celebrations in mid/late summer, and Dulan's are among the most elaborate, spanning three days. Taiwan's tribal peoples have been inviting tourists to these gatherings only since the early 2000s. Visitors to Dulan are welcome on the first two days, but the proceedings are more solemn, and photography is discouraged. It is the third day that draws the big crowds, with photography welcome. The colorful three-hour extravaganza kicks off with a grand march into the village recreational ground by members in full traditional regalia, followed by exuberant ritual singing and dancing. The street in front is lined with snack stands, a number selling tribal treats.North of the city up the East Rift ValleyLuanshan is a Bunun-tribe village perched on the lower slopes of Mt. Dulan, a peak in the Coastal Mountain Range's southern reaches. It looks down over bluffs to the floor of the Beinan River, which flows out to sea at Taitung City, and looks across at the Luye Highland, venue for the annual Taiwan International Balloon Festival. Mt. Dulan is sacred to both the Bunun and the Amis; the west side is traditional Bunun land, and the east side, Dulan village at its base, is traditional Amis land.The Luanshan Bunun invite outsiders on guided ecology/culture experience tours (a fee is charged) on their lands, referred to as an "open-air forest museum." Travel in Taiwan chose the forest walk with traditional Bunun feast (9am~2pm; if no feast, the activity ends at noon). On the walk, our guide, dressed in traditional warrior garb, explained the local tribal history, medicinal, dye, and other useful plants, the village's ongoing forest-protection efforts, and much more. We also visited a magnificent sacred grove of giant banyan trees, some 1,000-plus years young. Before sitting down to what was truly a chief's feast we were regaled with songs of greeting, plus harvest, hunting, and courting songs, and given an archery lesson using traditional-style bows.The East Rift Valley's flat terrain and painting-like scenery makes it a popular leisure-cycling destination, with many routes to choose from. Two of the most popular are at the towns of Chishang and Guanshan, located close to each other. The long loop routes, almost entirely free of vehicle traffic, bring you into picturesque paddy-field tapestries interlaced with networks of gurgling-water irrigation channels, and to many sites of historical and/or cultural interest. There are numerous bike-rental outlets around the starting points, located at the edge of each respective town. Most biking needs will be satisfied, up to pedal bikes for four people and e-carts for six.Just outside of Chishang town, on the cycling loop, is one of the rift valley's most photographed roads, Bolang Dadao ("Brown Avenue"), made famous in a Mr. Brown Coffee commercial and an EVA Air commercial starring Japanese-Taiwanese pop-idol heartthrob Takeshi Kaneshiro.The loop also takes you around small Dapo Lake, directly east/southeast of the town. "Chishang" literally means "on the lake." The tree-surrounded body of water is at the end of the suggested cycle route, and is a pleasant oasis at which to cool off after all your pedaling.This lake was over twice its present size in the 19th century. Early residents caught small fish and shrimp in this natural wetland, using them with the local rice to make tasty "Chishang rice dumplings" that were sold to passing travelers. Many of today's local biandang (see below) sellers include these treats in their offerings, though the fish and shrimp now come from elsewhere.You have two options for getting right out onto the lake, renting a pedal boat or a raft. With the rafts, which have sun-protection roofs, you do your own paddling. You're also provided with a long bamboo pole that will enable you to push the raft, gondolier-style, into the thick forest of lotus plants on the lake's east side. Dapo Lake was long used for lotus and water chestnut cultivation.Many Taiwanese swear that Chishang-area rice is Taiwan's best, and around the island you'll see signs above small eateries proclaiming Chishang Biandang. Biandang is the Mandarin Chinese rendering of the Japanese bento, or boxed lunch; the use of Chishang is a promise that Taiwan's best rice has been used as your boxed-lunch bed. Two main reasons are given for Chishang's rice quality: the pure, mineral-rich waters from the central mountains distributed by the local irrigation-channel system, and the region's superior soil, created via silting from two young mountain systems that have sprung up "fresh from the sea," in geological terms, on the east and west sides.Near the aforementioned bike-rental operations is the iconic Chishang Riceball Museum, which is in fact a restaurant-cum-museum. The old blue-painted railway cars outside the large two-story wood-façade facility make finding this spot a cinch. The museum/restaurant interior is stuffed with old-time farm-country memorabilia.Explanation for the passenger carriages parked out front: During Taiwan's period of Japanese rule, Chishang rice was sent to the Japanese emperor as tribute. Building on this quality, Chishang bento/biandang were developed, which were sold from the local train-station platform to passengers on passing trains - a practice followed around the island. Chishang biandang is the specialty at Chishang Riceball Museum, and the carriages are "outdoor" dining spaces. Each biandang typically contains, at a minimum, a chicken leg (or pork cutlet or fish), a sausage, a soy-stewed egg and beancurd, pickled cabbage, and rice.Explanation for "riceball" in the museum name: In days past, people would often bring what was called a "riceball" to work for lunch. This was rice, stuffed with such goodies as meat chunks and pickled vegetables, that was usually wrapped in a banana leaf.Getting to/around TaitungThere are numerous daily Taipei-Taitung flights (45 minutes one way), and regular rail service to/from Taipei, the fastest trains taking just 3.5 hours. Quality car-rental chain outlets are located outside the Taitung Railway Station, along with scooter-rental enterprises. For those not self-driving, note that the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle service will get you right to, or close to, almost all of the places we've introduced.Bolang DadaoDapo LakeTiehua Music VillageDulan villageJialulan