Hualien travel blog. The ultimate Hualien guide for all kinds of travelers

Hualien is blessed with beautiful scenery and unique culture. Where is Hualien? What to what to do in Hualien Taiwan, where to go in Hualien? Let’s check out our Hualien travel blog (Hualien Taiwan blog) with the ultimate Hualien travel guide (Hualien Taiwan guide) and best things to do in Hualien in this article!

Are you looking for a destination that offers both adventure and majestic natural beauty? Hualien, the jewel of eastern Taiwan, is the perfect answer for you. Let Hualien lead you on a journey to discover the amazing nature, where the marble canyons of Taroko National Park tower in the clouds, blend with the poetic beauty of long beaches, and immerse yourself in unique indigenous cultures. Come with us traveling to this magical land!

Hualien guide: Where is Hualien?

Located on the east coast, Hualien is like a charming muse, reflecting in the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. The overlapping mountain ranges are like solid walls surrounding this land, creating a majestic and poetic scene. Walking on the winding roads, you will admire the colorful flower fields, the green terraced fields and the gentle winding rivers.

Hualien: Taroko Gorge One-Day Tour from Taipei

Hualien County is surrounded by towering mountains, so it has a wild and romantic appearance that “captivates” many tourists. From the majestic marble canyons of Taroko National Park, to the peaceful beaches with clear blue water, Hualien is definitely an interesting tourist destination in Taiwan.

How to Get to Hualien County from Taipei?

• Airplane: Domestic airlines operate flights between Taipei and Hualien, prices from 1633 TWD/way.
• Train: The simplest way is to take the train because the train only takes about 2-2.5 hours. However, you should book tickets online about 2 weeks in advance in case they are sold out.
• Bus and train: If you can’t buy a train ticket, you have another option: take a bus and then take a train to Hualien. The time will be longer than the train, usually taking you 4-5 hours.
• Private car rental: If you travel to Hualien with a group of 3 or more people and want to visit during the day, you can choose to design your own schedule and take the initiative in your travel time.

4G SIM Card for Taiwan (Airport / Senao Telecom Pick Up)

How long should you travel to Hualien?

Hualien, with countless attractive destinations, must make you wonder about the time needed to fully explore this land. Don’t worry, Klook will help you make the most suitable choice!

If you want to explore the highlights of Hualien, combined with a day of immersing yourself in the majestic beauty of Taroko Gorge or Qingshui Cliff, then a two-night stay here is the ideal choice. This time will allow you to leisurely enjoy the main destinations, while fully feeling the atmosphere and pace of the city.

However, if Hualien is just a stop on your journey, one night here is enough for you to visit famous places. However, with this schedule, you will have to move quite quickly and may miss some other interesting experiences.

When is the best time to visit Hualien?

Hualien attracts tourists all year round with its beauty that changes with each season. Depending on your preferences and the purpose of your trip, you can choose the most suitable time to explore Hualien.

Klook Pass Hualien and Taitung

• Spring (March – May): See cherry blossoms in full bloom, cool climate, ideal for outdoor activities.
• Summer (June – August): Many vibrant festivals, suitable for water activities, but the weather is quite hot and humid.
• Autumn (September – November): Ideal weather, poetic scenery, is the peak tourist season.
• Winter (December – February): The air is chilly, suitable for soaking in hot springs and enjoying typical cuisine.

If you want to avoid the rain and enjoy the most pleasant weather, come to Hualien in spring or autumn.

What to do in Hualien? Famous Hualien Tourist Destinations

Are you ready to explore the natural wonders combined with unique cultural identity when traveling to Hualien? This list reveals 10 experiences designed specifically for independent explorers, turning your Hualien trip into a one-of-a-kind adventure.

Explore Taroko Gorge

At the top of every traveler’s “to-do – where to go” list in Hualien is exploring Taroko Gorge; known as one of the seven wonders of Asia. You will be captivated by the backdrop of smooth marble cliffs and deep tunnels of the Liwu River.

Follow the river to the Tunnel of Nine Turns, or hike up to the Eternal Spring Shrine to reach an ancient temple overlooking the waterfalls. The word “Taroko” means “great and splendid” in the language of the indigenous Truku tribe. You’ll soon realize that there’s no better name for this spectacular gorge than “Taroko.”

Whale and dolphin watching in Hualien

Whale Watching Experience in Hualien by Turumoan

Whale watching is a popular activity in Hualien; you can take a boat out to sea to see playful dolphins (and a whale or two… if you’re lucky). You can also enjoy a coastal ride on a bicycle; with lush green mountains and beautiful flower fields on one side, and the vast Pacific Ocean on the other. All of these beautiful scenes will make your Hualien cycling experience a thrilling one.

Unique Aboriginal Culture Experience

The aboriginal tribes are one reason why many people are “crazy in love” with Taiwan; with fascinating histories and colorful customs, the aboriginal tribes are proud to still preserve their cultural heritage, especially in Hualien. This is also the reason you are invited to visit places like the Ami Cultural Village, home to the Ami tribe, and where you can watch traditional tribal dances.

Visit Xiangde Temple in Hualien

Hualien: East Rift Valley Half Day Guided Tour

Xiangde Temple, revered by locals, is another must-see; home to a mysterious seven-story temple, this scenic spot is nestled in the mountains, giving you a sense of peace and serenity. Note that when visiting religious sites like Xiangde Temple, you should choose neat and discreet clothing to show respect for local culture!

Rafting on the Hsiukuluan River

Xiuguluan River Rafting Experience in Hualien

The Hsiukuluan River is the most popular destination for adventurers in Hualien. Nestled in the lush green jungle, the Hsiukuluan River has many rapids of varying difficulty. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rafter, you will find the best experience. Not to mention the majestic mountain scenery on both sides of the river along the journey and the end point right on the vast Pacific Ocean coast. The best part? That’s right, you can book a rafting tour on the Hsiukuluan River on Klook at a super-saving price.

Check-in at the Huadong Valley

The Huadong Valley is 180km long, stretching from Hualien to Taitung. This place has a rich, immense beauty with vast rice fields, green grass carpets and cows leisurely grazing. Standing at the highest point of the valley, you will feel the simplicity and hidden beauty of this captivating place.

The Huadong Valley is a place that has not yet developed much in terms of tourism services, so the rustic, wild nature has become the highlight of this famous place. This place is considered to be the area with the most diverse ethnic culture with 6 tribes still living through many generations. What are you waiting for to explore it now, right!?

Explore Farglory Ocean Park

Hualien Ocean Park is an ideal destination for those traveling to Hualien with children. This is the first eco-tourism area combined with an amusement park in Taiwan. Most of the experiences here focus on exploiting the marine ecosystem. Therefore, the aquarium, dolphin and sea lion shows are activities you absolutely cannot miss. You can play roller coasters, skateboards, take a Ferris wheel or cable car to satisfy your “adrenaline addiction” while admiring the panoramic view of the sparkling Pacific Ocean.

Farglory Ocean Park Ticket in Hualien

A little tip for you: this park is often “overloaded” on weekends. To avoid waiting, book your tickets in advance on Klook!

Experience a Cruise Around Liyu Lake in Hualien

Liyu Lake is surrounded by majestic mountains and poetic rivers, creating a beautiful landscape picture. Cruising on the lake, you will have the opportunity to admire the undulating mountain ranges, the rustling green trees reflecting on the calm water, and the peaceful villages nestled on the lake shore.

For the most complete experience, you can choose to rent a private boat for 6 or 10 people. On a luxury cruise, you can freely enjoy private space, admire the beautiful scenery with friends and family and capture memorable moments.

Trekking to Conquer Zhuilu Old Trail

Hiking Tour at Zhuilu Old Road, Taroko National Park

When talking about Taiwan, people often think of bustling Taipei with vibrant night markets and festivals throughout the year. However, hiking along Zhuilu Ancient Trail will open up a whole new aspect of this country. Zhuilu Ancient Trail is said to have been built by local aborigines during the Japanese occupation, and is now part of Taroko National Park. Following this path, you will see pristine nature, cross precarious suspension bridges and admire the beautiful scenery at many stops. Why not explore now?

Eating up Delicious Food in Hualien

To sample the local specialties of Hualien, you should visit one of the night markets in Hualien. Zi Qiang Night Market is a place with a wide variety of dishes, from the First BBQ Stall, where you can try strange but super delicious snacks, such as grilled chicken liver and heart skewers. Da Chang Bao Xiao Chang, also located in the night market, serves the extremely popular Taiwanese sausage.

Where to stay in Hualien?

Below we recommend more best cheap, budget, mid-range and upscale hotels from $20 with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Bulowan Hotel
• Ramada Encore By Wyndham Hualien
• Azure Hotel
• Fupin Hotel
• Kadda Hotel
• Hualien Charming City Hotel

Chateau de Chine Hotel Hualien, a 5-star hotel with room rates from $56/night (Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Li Shiuan International Hotel, a 4-star hotel with room rates from $34/night (Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Just Sleep Hualien Zhongzheng, a 4-star hotel with room rates from $62/night (Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Azure Hotel, a 4-star hotel with room rates from $69/night (Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Hualien FarGlory Hotel, a 5-star hotel with room rates from $118/night (Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Constellation Coast Bed and Breakfast, a B&B with room rates from $54/night (Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Check out more top and best hotels in Hualien on Agoda or Booking.

Hualien offers a relaxing break from the busy days in Taipei. Whether you come here as a foreigner or a tourist, Klook assures you that you will truly have moments of “slow living” in the true sense, but also feel excited by the breathtaking scenery here. The suggestions for traveling to Hualien in the article must have given you a fairly complete view of this multifaceted destination.

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 3 days in Hualien, let’s check out our suggested Hualien itinerary 3 days here. Are you finding more top things to do in Hualien: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Hualien travel guide — Top things to do & must go places in Hualien, Taiwan.