The tea trees look nice in the story. Did you try eat them?
Was back along south of Taitung city coastal areas, nice as always and quiet and still clean (or cleaner)
The main highway (see the elevated motorway) is good to getting to Taitung City faster, but (or good) few people visit Jinlun Beach 金崙海灘 or Jinlun township except for the hot springs as the road is motorway like and most people do not even notice the town. Jinlun township itself seems be ok though, saw some nice homes, and some pleasant places to eat and lots of churches for a small town. It does have rail links that help.
Only downside is the undertow south of Taitung City. Those beaches are nice, but I’m a strong swimmer and I’d still be hesitant to get in the water. From what surfer friends in Taitung say I guess it’s also not an especially good stretch of coast for that either.
But yes, very quiet and very clean.
Not sure what tea trees you’re referring to.