What to do in Hualien? — 10 must, best things to do in Hualien

Hualien, “where the sun rises after the mountain” is one of the most majestic nature places in Taiwan, amidst mountains of mountains, underground streams connecting the sea with the extremely majestic and pristine nature. But because it is located geographically isolated, the way to getting here is not as popular and easy as going to other provinces. Hualien, Taiwan was surely favored by the God with both of the romantic scenery and the beauty of specific cultures. Please list this place in the newer travel guides! So, what to do in Hualien Taiwan? Let’s check out our suggested 10 must do in Hualien, best things to do in Hualien and top things to do in Hualien to find out the answer!

Where is Hualien?

Being surrounded by the towering mountains and endless fields scattering around the island, Hualien’s natural beauty is popular in over Taiwan, attracted local and foreign travelers to visit and visually gaze at the unforgettable majestic views of such beautiful land.

Being located on the east coast, faced to the vast blue Pacific Ocean and almost covered the entire mountains, Hualien looks as a beautiful scenery which is from a postcard.

By natural beauty, cultural wonders and friendly local residents in combination, Hualien is not only worthy of your visit, but also makes you to leave in difficulty.

How to get to Hualien from Taipei?

Plane: Domestic airlines operate the flight path between Taipei and Hualien with a price from 1633 TWD/one-way.

Train: The simplest way is to arrive by train due to around 2-2.5 hours only by train. However, you should book online ticket early about 2 weeks in cases of tickets sold out.

Bus and train: If the train tickets are sold out, your option is to travel by bus and then come to Hualien by train. The time to go by bus shall be longer than by train, you shall spend from 4-5 hours.

Shared City Transfers Between Taipei (Nangang) and Hualien by Ubus

Private car rental: If you travel Hualien with a team at least 3 persons and would like to visit in one day, you can choose a private car rental service at Klook in order to design the schedule by yourself and be free your travel time.

Hualien Day Tour from Taipei

So what to do in Hualien Taiwan? Below are 10 top things to do in Hualien, best things to do in Hualien, must do in Hualien that you cannot omit when traveling to Hualien self-sufficiently.

Best things to do in Hualien: Explore the Taroko Gorge

The top list “what to do – where to go” for all tourists in Hualien is to explore the Taroko Gorge; it was known as one of seven wonders of Asia. You shall be attracted by the background pictures of flat marble-walled canyons and the bottomless deep tunnels of Liwu river.

Walking along the river to the Tunnel of Nine Turns, or hiking the mountains of the Eternal Spring Shrine to arrive at an old temple, which looks towards the waterfalls.

The word “Taroko”, based on the language of the indigenous Truku tribe, means that wonderful and magnificent. You shall early realize that there is not any better name than Taroko name for this spectacular gorge.

Taroko Gorge Day Trips from Hualien

Top things to do in Hualien: Whale and dolphin watching

Dolphin watching is a popular activity in Hualien; you can get in the boat to the sea to watch the playful dolphins (and one or two dolphins….if you are lucky).

Hualien Whale Watching

You also can enjoy a coastline itinerary by a bicycle; with the fresh green mountains and splendid floral fields on one side, and the vast Pacific Ocean at another side.

These entire beautiful scenes shall make your cycling in Hualien to be an extremely thrilling experience.

What to do in Hualien Taiwan? Experiences of the Aboriginal’s original culture

A reason for people loving Taiwan in craze is from the aboriginal tribes; with the attractive history and colorful customs, the aboriginal tribes are proud of keeping their cultural heritage, especially Hualien.

This is also a reason you are invited to visit some spots such as the Amis cultural village, Amis tribe’s house, and where you can watch the tribe’s traditional dances.

Best things to do in Hualien: Visit Xiangde Temple

Xiangde Tepmple revered by local residents is another address that you shouldn’t eliminate; including one pagoda with seven confusing stories, this landscape which insides the mountains, makes you a tranquil feeling.

Tips for you that when you travel to the religious spots such as Xiangde temple, you should wear elaborate and discreet outfits to express the local cultural respect.

Must do in Hualien: Rafting on Hsiukuluan river

Hsiukuluan river is the most favorite spot by adventurers in Hualien. Inside of the green jungle is Hsiukuluan river which possesses a lot of rapids having various challenges. Although you are an amateur or a connoisseur of rafting, you shall find the best experiences.

It is impossible not to mention the majestic mountains and forests at both riversides along the itinerary and the end point is at the vast Pacific Ocean coast. What is the most wonderful thing? That’s you can book your rafting tour on Hsiukuluan river at Klook with the super-low price.

Hsiukuluan River Rafting

Top things to do in Hualien: Check-in at the East Rift Valley

There are two focal spots in the schedule of the East Rift Valley day tour. At first, you shall be visited Hualien’s logging operation heritage at Lintian Mountain Forestry Center.

This locality was ever a hot place of logging due to its abundant natural forest area; it had been in a state of waste for many years.

When coming here, visitors shall find the unique virtual living corner beside remnant of the lumber industry, for example, the abandoned railways, rusted machineries and tools as well as many architectural buildings remained from the Japanese’s occupation.

The second stop of the schedule is butterfly valley – home for over 30 varieties of colorful butterflies to live, basically on the camphor trees.

Beside butterfly, this area also gathers several natural waterfalls, hills and picturesque scenery. What are you hesitating to explore yet, Living Nomads Team?

East Rift Valley Day Tour

Best things to do in Hualien: Farglory Ocean Park

Hualien Farglory Ocean Park is an ideal destination for travelers to Hualien with children. This is an ecological tourism area combined with the first amusement park in Taiwan.

Almost of all experiences here focus on the marine ecosystem extraction. Therefore, aquarium, dolphin and sea lion shows are the activities that you absolutely cannot omit.

You may play roller coaster, skateboarding, merry-go-round riding or cable-way sky pass to satisfy “adrenaline addition” as well as watch all views of the sparkling Pacific Ocean.

A small suggestion for Living Nomads Team: It is usually overloaded travelers in this park at the weekend. To avoid awaiting, please book ticket in advance at Klook!

Farglory Ocean Park

Top things to do in Hualien: Shout in scream with Paragliding

Paragliding is seemed to be scary, but it’s really scary. However, all worries shall be left while flying at the 680m height from the seawater level, to show a magnificent landscape of Hualien in a closely vision.

Although you’d never used paragliding, you should not worry. With the paragliding experience in Hualien at Klook, you shall be flown with a professional trainer. Don’t forget to rent a dash camera to record the most memorable moments.

Paragliding Experience in Hualien

What to do in Hualien Taiwan? Zhuilu Old Trail

When talking about Taiwan, people often think about Taipei’s bustle with a bustling night market and festival happening all the year.

However, the hiking journey along Zhuilu old trail shall open up a perfectly new aspect about this country. Zhuilu old trail was believed to be built by the local aborigines during the Japanese’s occupation period, and is presently under Taroko National Park.

Hiking on this trail, travelers can watch the wild nature, passed the craggy suspension bridge and gazed the splendid landscapes at many stops. Don’t wait more to discover immediately.

Zhuilu Old Trail Hiking Experience in Taroko National Park

Best things to do in Hualien: Eat all in Hualien

To try the local delicacies of Hualien, you should visit one of some night markets in Hualien. Zi Qiang night market, where has extremely various foods, at the first BBQ stall, you can try a bit strange but very delicious snacks, such as grilled chicken offal (hearts and livers). Da Chang Bao Xiao Chang, where is located in the night market as well, serves the beloved Taiwanese sausage dishes.

Inside of the golden triangle’s business area of Hualien City is Gong Zheng Bao Zi, a well-known restaurant with steamed dumplings, you can enjoy Hualien city’s noise and dynamic from this place.

Tips for Hualien tourism in this article were surely brought to your full view to this multifaceted city.

However, in order to have more attractive experiences of Hualien, Taiwan, don’t forget to refer the attractive tourism suggestions and tips in availability at Klook.

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

• Hualien Day Tour from Taipei
• Taroko Gorge Day Trips from Hualien
• Hualien Taroko National Park Private Car Charter
• Taroko Gorge, Swallow Grotto, & Seven Star Lake Day Tour
• [10% Off + 1 Extra Free Day] 4G SIM Card (TW Airport Pick Up) for Taiwan from Chunghwa Telecom
• 4G SIM Card (TPE Airport Pick Up) for Taiwan from Far EasTone Telecom
• [Sale – Taiwan Food Promo] Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Discounted Ticket from Taipei
• Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Discounted Ticket from Taoyuan
• THSR Exclusive Discount One Way Ticket from Taoyuan (Two Tickets for the Price of One)

If you have only 2 days in Hualien, check out our suggested Hualien itinerary 2 days here. And are you looking for more top things to do in Hualien: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Check out here.