Hualien tourist attractions are not only attractive with their wonderful natural scenery but also preserve the unique historical and cultural values of Taiwan. So, what to do in Hualien? Let’s check out where to go in Hualien: 13 must-see & best places to visit in Hualien in this post!
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Hualien is always on the list of must-see destinations when traveling to Taiwan, not only because of the majestic mountain scenery or peaceful beaches, but also because of the unique cultural and historical depth that this land preserves. Every step to explore this place is a journey to blend into the vast nature, listen to the slow pace of life and feel each story, each heritage told through architecture, festivals and daily life.
Come with Living Nomads to travel to Hualien with famous tourist destinations to find a place of memories rich in identity!
Where to go in Hualien: Taroko Gorge – The Magnificent Picture of Creation
In the heart of Hualien, Taroko Gorge appears as a majestic cut of nature, where marble rocks wind for nearly 19km, creating a canyon that is both fierce and enchanting. Without noise or ostentation, Taroko attracts people with the raw beauty of rocks, water, and patches of forest hidden in the morning mist.
Hualien: Taroko Gorge One-Day Tour from Taipei
To understand the soul of this place, there is nothing better than wandering on the trails on a beautiful day. If the Eternal Spring Shrine trail is nestled next to the cliff, where the white water flows down like a silk strip flowing through time, Shakadang has a lush green color, like a lake floating in the middle of the deep forest. An equally impressive trail is Swallow Grotto – a maze of rocks and light, where the sound of the wind echoes like a whisper of the mountains and forests.
Taroko National Park, Hsinchu Old Street & Chihsingtan Day Tour
If you really want to try, let your footsteps lead you to Zhuilu Trail. The narrow path perched precariously in the air, once explored by people during the harsh years of colonial rule, is now a place where adventurous souls find a different perspective.
Farm Dream Estates
Farm Dream Estates Ticket in Hualien
Spreading over an area of up to 726 hectares between the land between Hualien and Taitung, this tourist farm is like a miniature world filled with green and laughter. 6 main areas are harmoniously designed, including the Landscape Area, the Area dedicated to parents and children with fun activities, the Bird Area with bustling chirping, the Animal Area, the Xinguang Zoo and the bustling Dairy Area.
Visitors come here not only to visit but also to slow down in the middle of nature. Lazily lying pandas, rabbits, sheep, or calves looking bewildered when being fed by visitors… all contribute to creating a vivid and close picture. For those who want to explore more without spending too much energy, the electric car is the ideal choice to roam around the farm, stopping at flower fields, open grasslands or Jurassic Park – where children can freely imagine and run around without limits.
Zipline at Wild Monkey Adventure Jungle
If you are looking for a unique experience that combines adventure and nature exploration in Taiwan, Wild Monkey Adventure Jungle is definitely an option not to be missed. The zipline activity through the tropical forest here allows you to fly through the lush green canopy of the jungle, enjoy the fresh air and admire the majestic natural scenery from above.
Hualien | Wild Monkey Adventure Forest | Treetop Adventure Experience
With the guidance of professional trainers, you will be fully equipped with safety equipment and detailed instructions before starting the journey. The adventure lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours, including introduction, instructions on how to use the equipment and actual time on the zipline. The feeling of flying in the air with a view of the cool green jungle, especially very safe, will definitely bring you a day of great entertainment.
Farglory Ocean Park
Explore Farglory Ocean Park, a place that takes you to a unique marine world with a scale of up to more than 50 hectares. This park promises to bring you great experiences with 8 marine-themed areas, 10 attractions, and 5 special performances.
Farglory Ocean Park Ticket in Hualien
In particular, Farglory Ocean owns an extremely impressive underwater tunnel inside the aquarium. This is not only an opportunity to admire the magical beauty of the ocean but also a journey to learn and explore marine life. With a combination of education and entertainment, buy Farglory Ocean Park tickets now to experience this fascinating place.
The Hunter School
Tucked away in the beautiful nature of Hualien, the indigenous school is where you can slow down and truly immerse yourself in the life of the Amis – one of the largest aboriginal groups in Taiwan. More than just a sightseeing spot, this place is like a trip back in time, as you get to make your own bamboo rice using fresh bamboo tubes and fragrant local rice.
Hualien: Hunter School Unique Experience
The experience journey also takes you to the challenge of becoming a real “hunter”: learn how to use a bow, slingshot and pass a traditional skill test used to survive in the deep forest. You will learn how to make a fire with natural materials, fish by hand and cook seasonal wild vegetable soup. These are vegetables that the Amis consider the quintessence of heaven and earth. Book your local school experience tour at Klook now!
Taroko National Park
Also known as Taroko National Park, Taroko National Park covers an area of up to 920 square kilometers. When you step into this land, you will discover an extremely diverse world, from day-trip hiking routes to exciting trekking journeys and even overnight camping experiences.
Taroko National Park attracts you with the beauty of its majestic mountain ranges, majestic waterfalls and lush green forests. Every step is an adventure, opening up magical discoveries from strange limestone ranges to winding trails amidst majestic nature.
Qixingtan Beach
Located in the north of Hualien City, Qixingtan Beach is not a place for feet looking for a beach with long stretches of fine white sand, but a paradise for those who love pristine beauty and tranquility. Along the gracefully curved crescent coast are smooth, cool round pebbles underfoot, mixed with the gentle sound of waves like a lullaby to the soul.
Hualien Qixingtan Coast Culture One-Day Private Tour
This is the ideal place to start the day with a moment of watching the brilliant sunrise over the Pacific Ocean, or end an afternoon with a coastal bike ride with the wind blowing in your face, your eyes watching the majestic mountains and the endless blue sea. The quiet space at night in Qixingtan is also a favorite destination for astronomy lovers, where the city lights do not overshadow the magic of the starry sky.
Shitiping Port – The Start of the Dolphin Watching Journey
Shitiping Harbor, located in Fengping County, Hualien, is an ideal destination for those who love wild nature and want to explore the majestic beauty of the ocean. Featuring natural stone steps and impressive sea cliffs, this area is also an ideal place to experience outdoor activities such as scuba diving, bottom fishing and coral viewing.
Hualien Whale Watching | Whale World Whale Watching Eco Tour
Not only is it an ideal place to relax, Shitiping is also the starting point for whale and dolphin watching trips. With tours organized by professional fleets, visitors have the opportunity to meet giant marine animals such as sperm whales, pilot whales and dolphins, bringing an intimate and impressive experience. When night falls, Shitiping becomes an ideal space for camping, stargazing and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of wild nature.
Live Virtually Burning Your Phone At Sky Mirror – Hualien Sky Mirror
“Sky Mirror” – Sky Mirror is not a normal check-in spot, but a moment of silence amidst the surreal beauty of Hualien nature. Nestled between the mountains and the sea, this place is a mirror-like water surface, reflecting every streak of drifting clouds, every mountain range in the distance, creating an almost unimaginable scene. With just a light step, your shadow and the sky seem to blend into one, making everything quiet, shimmering, and almost surreally beautiful.
Hualien: Mambo Star Sand Dune Buggy: Sky Mirror Sand Dune Buggy Experience
This is also a place where photography is no longer a complicated art. You just need to stand still, and the professional photographer accompanying you will know how to “capture” the right moment, the right angle of light to create a photo that you cannot help but save. Whether it is a portrait, a couple photo or a family photo, every frame at Sky Mirror makes people stop, admire and envy.
Chihsing Tan Katsuo Museum
If you like destinations with a retro, peaceful and a bit “sea smell”, Xincheng Township is definitely on the list not to be missed. This is a traditional fishing village located near the Qixingtan coast, where ancient residents specialized in making dried fish Katsuo, a type of fish considered the soul of many Taiwanese dishes.
The center of the village is the Katsuo Museum, a small but very well-made museum. Step inside, you will see how people dry fish, process dried fish and the katsuo making profession that has existed for many generations. What I like most is the architecture: old brick walls, wooden roofs, green windows in the old Taiwanese style. Every corner here is extremely beautiful, bringing a gentle retro vibe like stepping into a Taiwanese historical film of the 80s – 90s.
Nanbin Park
Park is not a “wow” spot, but it is a place that brings comfort and peace in the true Hualien style. This is a spacious and airy coastal park, located right facing the sea, very suitable for those who like to take a leisurely walk, watch the sea and enjoy the fresh air of Eastern Taiwan.
What I like most about Nanbin Park is the open space: on one side is the typical pebble beach of the area, on the other side are the brick walkways running along the coast. You can walk, cycle, or simply sit on the wooden benches to listen to the waves. The park also has many cute little corners: sea sculptures, a children’s play area, large lawns for picnics, and a few sections of the road are decorated with lights in the evening.
Dongdamen Night Market
Dongdamen is the largest night market in the area, spanning an entire block with three separate food courts, each with its own unique style and flavor. Not only is it crowded, but it is also very clean, spacious, and comfortable to walk around, with the right Taiwanese tourist vibe but much more pleasant than the night markets in Taipei.
Hualien Ideal Land A2 Waterfront Park Lake Tour Ticket
The most interesting thing about Dongdamen is the diversity of cuisine. You can start with “must-try” dishes such as grilled mochi, soft and chewy peanut mochi; then move on to Hualien-style beef noodles, or try the specialties of the Tai Ya (Amis) people. This ethnic culinary area is worth exploring, because many dishes have strange flavors, rich in tradition, not easy to find in big cities.
Chill Cycling at Liyu Lake
If you want to find a place to “take a deep breath” after conquering Taroko or strolling Qixingtan beach, Liyu Lake is the perfect choice. This is not the type of noisy or crowded destination; Liyu has the vibe of a small town by the lake. It is very gentle, quiet and very “healing”.
The lake is quite large, surrounded by green trees and small roads that are extremely suitable for relaxing cycling. The most impressive is the cycling around the lake: the road is flat, easy to ride and along the water’s edge, cycling while watching the calm lake surface reflecting the mountains in the distance. If you go in the afternoon, the sunlight pouring down on the water creates a beautiful golden effect that makes you want to stop for a few minutes to breathe and enjoy.
Hualien｜Garden of Hope Workshop｜Handmade DIY｜Glass Beads
The air here is cooler and clearer than the center of Hualien, so it is a great place to spend 1-2 hours at the end of the day: take a walk, rest on the wooden benches by the lake, or simply sit still and watch the wind blow across the water. In some sections, there are also wild ducks and fields of reeds rustling in the wind, evoking the feeling of a “real life” version of the scene in Taiwanese movies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling to Hualien in Taiwan
Where is Hualien and how to get there?
Hualien is located on the east coast of Taiwan, about 2-3 hours from Taipei by high-speed train or regular train (TRA). You can also take a domestic flight from Taipei to Hualien Airport.
When should you travel to Hualien?
The ideal time is from April to October, when the weather is dry, the sea is clear and suitable for outdoor activities.
What are the highlights of Hualien?
Taroko Gorge, Qixingtan Beach, Shitiping Harbor, Mysterious River, Farglory Farm, and Sky Mirror are places not to be missed.
Is Hualien suitable for families and children?
Very suitable! There are many activities such as farm tours, dolphin watching, amusement parks, and indigenous classes for the whole family.
Do you need to book a tour in advance?
It is recommended to book in advance to secure a spot, especially for popular tours such as river crossing, whale watching or aboriginal culture experience.
Where to stay in Hualien?
You can stay in the center of Hualien city for convenient travel, or choose areas near Taroko, Qixingtan Beach if you want to be close to nature.
Located on the East coast, possessing diverse nature of high mountains and vast Pacific Ocean, Hualien tourist destination is the perfect stop for you to enjoy the wonderful combination of nature and unique culture.
Are you ready to admire these famous Hualien tourist destinations?
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.
