Located on Taiwan's scenic east coast, Hualien is an excellent introduction to the country, combining natural wonders with local culture. With its dramatic landscapes—including the iconic Taroko Gorge and Huadong Valley—the city is also an uncrowded adventure destination. From exploring ancient temples to exploring the coast on a hiking or whale-watching tour, there's no shortage of things to do in Hualien. Whether you're drawn to its rugged beauty or its vibrant cultural tapestry, you won't soon forget your experiences in this Pacific coast stunner.
For the best conditions for exploring Hualien’s natural wonders, visit during the dry months of October, November, and December. The scenery will be lush and green after a few months of heavy rainfall, and temperatures will be cool—ideal for embarking on long hikes through Taroko National Park (Taroko Gorge). Hualien City’s most famous festival is the Hualien Summer Festival, which takes place at the start of July and marks the start of the hot season with performances from Taiwanese pop superstars.
The city center of Hualien is small enough to explore on foot, with the busiest area being Zhongshan Road, but there are plenty of taxis around if you’d prefer not to walk. The convenient and cost-effective Taroko Tourist Shuttle Bus (1133A) departs hourly from the city center and stops at different parts of the national park. You can buy a 1- or 2-day pass, but bear in mind the bus stops running relatively early in the late afternoon. From the Hualien railway station, you can reach the capital city of Taipei in just a couple of hours.
In Taroko National Park, the short-and-sweet Swallow Grotto (Yanzihkou) Trail and Shakadang Trail draw the most crowds—the spectacular scenery is one of the reasons the Taroko Gorge is hailed as one of Asia’s most beautiful national parks. But if you’re looking to take the less-traveled route, embark on the Zhuilu Old Trail, which towers 2,300 feet (700 meters) above the bottom of the canyon. You ’ll need to apply for a permit a month in advance to hike this route, but it’s well worth it—from the mist-shrouded highest point, you can see the Toroko Gorge in its entirety.
