Top Things to do in Hualien
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Top 10 Things to do in Hualien, Hualien
Most people come to Hualien to visit the Taroko Gorge. And with good reason—it's simply beautiful. With rope bridges over rivers, hiking trails with astounding views, and temples cut into the mountainsides, it's an unforgettable place. Feel the full power of the ocean at Shihtiping, a two-hour drive from Hualien, where the waves crash into the rocky shore.
Restaurants in Hualien
1. Sixty Shi Shan - Wang You Ting
2. Taroko Gorge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,630 reviews
Reviewed By Worldofg
Having a full day to kill due to a long connection in Taipei my wife and I decided to rush down to Taroko Gorge rather than staying in the city. What a great decision!! We caught train 202 from the main station at 6am, arriving at Hualien at 08:15 ($400 TWD return- $22 AUD). Based on other trip advisor posts we booked a taxi driver ( Jason Huang) for a day for a very reasonable $3500 for the car rather than per person (Taiwan; about $160.00 Australian). I hate being carted around on coaches and in large groups, you tend to see very little and it can be quite rushed, so a private hire was a perfect option considering tours were charging around $3500 pp. Our driver, Jason met us at the station as arranged, waving my name on his board, (note head towards West exit of the station and not the east). Jason is a happy chap with excellent English, as it turned out Jason was the perfect guide with very informative commentary on rock formation, the national park and wildlife so I started to feel quite smug about my choice. Our first stop was the Qingshui cliffs, absolutely beautiful known for its plunging cliffs and rugged seascapes, certainly a worthwhile stop. Look carefully in the trees on the walk up to the viewing platform and you will probably see the Formosan rock monkey, which are endemic to Taiwan. There were a number of them feeding in the trees, it was surprising that other visitors walked right passed without noticing them. Our day continued with drive up the mountain range with its spectacular marble walls arising from the Gorge’s base. Our tour stretched from the entrance Taroko National Park up to the incredible Baiyang waterfall trail, taking in the Changchun Shrine, Swallow Grotto, Shakadang Trail and Taroko Archway along the way . Jason was very good at hoping in front of the bus groups so we saw most of the main sites in peace and open to changing the itinerary to meet our requirements, rather than just following the tourist trail, as such we saw what we wanted to see and stayed at a particular spot for as long as we wished. The Shakadang Trail is a road one way shared with pedestrians and traffic but very well managed. The walk is around 2 km from one end to the other but is flat and easy with plenty of places to stop for a breather. Jason dropped us off at one end of the trail and met us at the opposite end. This is a must, there are so many impressive panoramas following the winding Gorge on foot that it’s impossible to stop taking photos- the marble cliff walls are a breathtaking sight and that’s an understatement. Probably second only the Grand Canyon, without question this was the highlight of our holiday. At the entrance to the trail stop and pick up a helmet, which are provided free by the Nation Park Authority, just in case of falling rocks or stones Our next stop was the Baiyang waterfall trail. The trial is a 4.2k round trip, and characterised by a number of tunnels, so take a small touch (Jason provided ours). The hike is very easy and for the mostly flat, the path is well maintained with informative signage on the way. The marble here has incredible the layers and patterns in the gorge walls, there is also large 5-10 metre wide marble boulders sitting in the blue river, sensational. There are great views of waterfalls, plunging cliff faces in the background, along with some colourful bird life, look out for a red tail wagtail, I’m not sure of its name but there we plenty of them and they are very pretty. At the end of the trail you can have an exceedingly cold shower if you wish to visit the Curtain Waterfall Cave (very refreshing I thought), I would highly recommend the cave, it can be a tight squeeze but worth it. My wife had a poncho and stayed dry as a bone. The walk back was as good taking in a different prospective of the scenery. The Taroko National Park is a wonder and should not be missed if you visit Taiwan. The scenery is unparalleled with captivating sights and relaxing sounds of the gorge. It is one trail that you must not missed when at the gorge . We had a fantastic day we were so happy we made the effort, Jason was brilliant and I would highly recommend him rather than a busy tour bus, which I may add looked crowded and very rushed. The ability to stop anywhere in your own time is certainly the way to go. Again, Jason was the perfect guide with very informative commentary on rock formation and wildlife. Jason's details are whatsapp 886963-800617 or [email protected]
3. Yanzihkou Trail (Swallow Grotto)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
Reviewed By PaulSiow - Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
This trail is included in most tour itineraries for Taroko Gorge. It is easy to walk along the road and you need to wear a helmet. You can see the caves in the cliffs where the swallows nest. Didn't see any swallow though. Very beautiful scenery with the river below, steep cliffs and caves.
4. Meiluen Mountain Park
5. Pine Garden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 237 reviews
Hualien Pine Garden is used to be the Hualien Harbor Military Command which was built in 1942 by the Japanese who chose the site for its height advantage. From the command, you can see both the mouth of the Meilun River to the north and Hualien Harbor and have a clear, unobstructed view out over the Pacific, making it both a strategic place of a military command center and, later on, a pleasant place for high-ranking officers to relax. It is said that the Kamikaze Special Attack Unit would gather here to partake in "Gentleman's Sake" before departing on missions. Although many creative spaces have been added to Hualien Pine Garden Park, it still remains the most complete example of Japanese military architecture in Hualien and was registered as a historical building in Hualien on the 23rd September 2002. Every corner has its story, welcome to explore more of here. 1 Log Cabin 2 Wishing Pond 3 Air Shelter 4 Oven 5 Taiwan Gift Hall 6 Okinawa Pine 7 Life in the wetlands 8Pine Cafe
Reviewed By 江子萱
If you want to take a forest trip, and enjoy the baptism of nature. “Pine Garden” is a good choice. It used to call “ Naval Administartion”. It built in late WWII. It was an important military command center of the japanese army in Hualien. There are many vestiges of history. For example the simulated air-raid shelter. There is playing the real recording in WWII. The wall posts about WWII’s document. The document introducing “Kamilcaze”. It is a group with a strong patriotism. They driving the fighter towards the enemy and suicide. The sound of fighters and explosion plus historical pictures make the air-raid shelter more realistic. In addition, there are many centennial pines. It also has ecological pool and cafe. Pine Garen in Meilun. It nearby Martyrs’Shrine. From the train station you can take a taxi or passenger traffic. Full ticket $60. Half ticket $30. Come and experience it in Hualien.
6. Fonglin Trail
7. Rueisuei Hot Spring
8. Xinshe Titian
9. Tai Kai Xin Farm
10. East Gate Night Market
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 350 reviews
Reviewed By Kelly_Liang_Jia_Yun
I really like this place, since it is really clean that you won't see any garbage on the floor even the trashcan never be full and dirty. Therefore, all the stores are neatly arranged and the roads are wide. However, the most impressive for me is the aboriginal street artists, whose voices make the night market atmosphere full of humanity and sentiment. I think that is the most different place with other night markets in Taiwan. By the way, I like the watermelon juice, papaya milk juice, giant strawberry tanghulu, and bubble milk tea in there. If you are interested in going to the Dong Da Men night market, you must try those.
