Suao Hualien Highway
Hualien Coastline

All Hualien travel guide and tips will be shown below. Remember to follow to avoid missing precious information. Hualien is not a big city. The economy here is growing slowly, so it still has much original and unique natural beauty. Located behind the central mountains in the west and east of the Pacific, Hualien is called “the place where the sun rises behind the mountains” by local people. Let discover Hualien travel guide: How to get to Hualien, best time to visit Hualien, Hualien city taiwan points of interest, must go places in Hualien with Living Nomads below.

Zhongshan Road
GuishanWhaleWatching
Guishan Whale Watching
Bomb Cake, must eat in Hualien
Hualien Yuli Bridge
Hualien Yuli Bridge
Ruisui Township, Hualien County
Ruisui Township, Hualien County

1. How to get to Hualien?

Getting Hualien-hualien station hualien travel guide must go places in hualien hualien travel blog 2017

Getting Hualien, you have a lot of choice on transportation. But the most convenient way is to take a train or plane. Often, the train routes from Taipei to Hualien are popular. Each train route can last from 3-5 hours depending on the type of train. Ticket prices are also very cheap. You should take the Taroko Express train from Taipei to Hualien. In addition, domestic airlines also offer flights connecting Hualien to major cities in Taiwan. It only takes 30 minutes to fly from Taipei.

taroko train-hualien

When you come to Hualien, you can take a scenic by strolling or rent a motorbike to go around.

Train station in Hualien
Train station in Hualien

The most suitable and most convenient way is to book a day tour from Klook, a shuttle service to take place. Link book tour: Hualien Day Tour from Taipei.

2. What is the best time to visit Hualien?

best time to visit Hualien-Taroko-East-Coast

The climate in Hualien is quite similar to other areas in Taiwan. It is a subtropical climate. Summer is often hot and humid with an average temperature of about 29 degrees Celsius. Spring is the time when plants like flowers bloom; the average temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius, sometimes rain. Autumn is the best time to travel to Hualien at temperatures just about 23 degrees Celsius.

best time to visit Hualien-Taroko-East-Coast1 hualien travel guide must go places in hualien hualien travel blog 2017
Image by: Hualien travel guide blog.

3. Must go places in Hualien: What are the best places to visit in Hualien?

Taroko National Park hualien travel guide must go places in hualien hualien travel blog 2017
Taroko National Park

Taroko National Park

Taroko National Park1 Image by: Hualien travel guide blog.
Image by: Hualien travel guide blog.

This garden is located in East Taiwan. It is best known for its beautiful landscapes running from east to west. The majestic canyons are as majestic as a mural painting. In particular, the famous mountains are Paiyang and Tsingshui cliffs. There are two most wonderful wonders of the natural wonders of Taroko National Park.

Taroko National Park2 hualien travel guide must go places in hualien hualien travel blog 2017

In Taroko National Park, there are many species of plants and animals. Besides, Taroko also has a variety of plants and animals. Here has up to 90% of bird species and 50% of butterflies in Taiwan are concentrated here. You can easily find half of the mammal species in the world and the plants are concentrated in large forests, mixed forests and coniferous forests.

Entrance of Taroko National Park
Entrance of Taroko National Park
A romantic scenery of Taroko National Park
A romantic scenery of Taroko National Park

taroko gorge

Taroko Gorge National Park travel to China

Paiyang Fall and Tsingshui Cliff taroko gorge (1)

Taroko Gorge National Park travel to China

Taroko Gorge National Park travel to China

Paiyang Fall and Tsingshui Cliff taroko gorge (1)

Taroko Gorge National Park travel to China

Hualien Park

Hualien park Image: must go places in Hualien blog.
Image: must go places in Hualien blog.

Traveling to Hualien, do not miss this park. The 20ha Hualien Park is located right next to the Pacific Ocean with a 920m coastline. In the park, there is a bridge over a small stream with grass growing around the two banks. There are statues of many marine animals are also displayed in this area, contributing to the beautiful scenery of the park. The plants, flowers, and grass will make you like a  dream with brilliant nature. Hunting, fishing or walking takes place on the beach.

Hualien park1 Picture: Hualien city taiwan points of interest blog.
Picture: Hualien city taiwan points of interest blog.

Hualien park2 hualien travel guide must go places in hualien hualien travel blog 2017

Rueisuei Hot Spring

Rueisuei Hot Spring hualien Image by: Hualien travel guide blog.
Image by: Hualien travel guide blog.

This hot spring is located in the town of Rueisuei, which is originated from the top of the Hongye Stream which is the destination of many domestic and foreign tourists. The water here has a high quality to ensure the health of people. The temperature of this hot spring is 48 degrees Celsius which is good for skin and arthritis. Surrounding the hot springs area, there are other tourist sites such as meadows, fruit trees or farms, rivers and more.

Rueisuei Hot Spring hualien1 hualien travel guide must go places in hualien hualien travel blog 2017
Photo by: Hualien travel blog 2017.

Liyu Lake

Liyu Lake hualien1 Image: must go places in Hualien blog.
Image: must go places in Hualien blog.

Lake Liyu is the largest lake in Hualien. Lake is located in the village of Shoufung not far from the city, about 18km. The lake is surrounded by mountains creating a reflection of the water surface is very sparkling. This is an ideal place for visitors to take a bicycle and take a relaxing walk to admire the natural view.

Liyu lake

A peaceful beauty of Liyu lake
A peaceful beauty of Liyu lake
Liyu Lake hualien Picture: Hualien city taiwan points of interest blog.
Picture: Hualien city guide
Liyu Lake hualien2 hualien travel guide must go places in hualien hualien travel blog 2017
Image: must go places in Hualien blog.

4. Where to stay in Hualien?

You can refer to the following addresses:

The Amigos Guesthouse

amigos hostel hualien

The Amigos Hostel provides dormitory rooms for 15 dollars. Rooms are very clean, free wireless internet, near the train station with friendly staffs.

The Formosa Backpackers (Agoda.com, Booking.com)

Formosa Backpackers hotstel hualien hualien travel guide must go places in hualien hualien travel blog 2017
Photo by: Hualien travel blog 2020

Formosa Backpackers accommodation is quite nice, with tropical gardens, you only take a short walk from the train station. The price is 13 dollars (student is about 12 dollars).

The Police Hostel

Police hostel hualien Image by: Hualien travel guide blog.
Image by: Hualien travel guide blog.

The Police hostel area has cost for 33 dollars for a twin room, plus 43 dollars for an extra bed.

The Ching Yeh Hotel

The Ching Yeh Hotel is very close to the train station which the cost is 43 dollars

The King Hotel

King Hotel offers midweek rates of 49 dollars excluding breakfast. This is a very comfortable place for you.

You Worth Inn

Highly recommend you should stay in this guesthouse. You can check rates, reviews and book this hostel on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

The above is the specific Hualien travel guide, experience and details for you. If you have the plan to visit this place, do not forget to save it for using immediately!

Link book tour: Hualien Day Tour from Taipei.

Liyu Lake hualien
Liyu Lake

Hualien accommodation

In addition, you can refer to one of the best Airbnb in Hualien: Downtown Double Room, Custom-Made Big Bed at $30/night or 海邊舒適2-4人房cozy studio near beach at $61/night.

–> Airbnb link discount up to $35 for the first booking here: https://www.airbnb.com/c/anht5185

You can find, check rates, reviews & availability for Hualien hotels on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Hualien you can refer to

Taroko Gorge National Park travel to China

Are you finding more top things to do in Taipei: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Hualien travel blog — How to spend 2 days in Hualien (Hualien 2 days itinerary) perfectly?