TW · Hualien County · 23.97°N 121.61°E

hualien

Pacific coast town with Qixingtan beach, a big night market and Taroko next door.

Best time
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable. July to September brings heat and typhoons, which can close mountain roads, and winters are often wet.
How long
2–3 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Taipei (about 4.5 hours). Then take the train from Taipei Main Station, about 2 to 2.5 hours on the express services.
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TW · Hualien Countyhualien23.97°N 121.61°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Pacific coast town with Qixingtan beach, a big night market and Taroko next door.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingHualienTW, Hualien County
KLhualien
≈ 3,153 km from KL, as the crow flies
​遠眺改建後花蓮車站。

Photo: Mfpan9389115 · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A laid-back city on Taiwan's Pacific coast, squeezed between the sea and the Central Mountain Range. It's the gateway to Taroko Gorge, and has a pebble beach, a big night market and plenty of Indigenous culture.

Makan

  1. Bian shiHualien-style wontons in a light soup, a local favourite.Map ↗
  2. Hualien mochiSoft rice cakes with all sorts of fillings, the classic souvenir.Map ↗
  3. Indigenous foodTry millet wine, grilled meats and wild greens at the night market's Indigenous stalls.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Taroko GorgeA deep marble gorge with rivers, tunnels and cliffside trails. Parts were damaged in the April 2024 earthquake, so check what's open.Map ↗
  2. Qixingtan BeachA long curve of pebbles facing the Pacific, good for sunrise and evening walks.Map ↗
  3. Dongdamen Night MarketA big night market with a section of Indigenous food stalls, plus seafood and grilled snacks.Map ↗
  4. Qingshui CliffsSheer cliffs dropping straight into a blue sea, seen from viewpoints north of the city.Map ↗
  5. Whale watchingBoats head out from the harbour in the warmer months to look for dolphins and whales.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Check Taroko National Park's latest updates before you go. Some roads and trails have been closed since the 2024 earthquake, and rockfalls can close others after heavy rain.
  • Don't swim at Qixingtan. The beach drops off steeply and the currents are strong.
  • Book train tickets ahead for weekends and holidays. They sell out.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.