Hualien
Discover Hualien
Located on a strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Central Mountain Range, Hualien is considered one of the most pleasant cities in Taiwan. Many tourists visit the city to enjoy the scenery and fresh air and also to tour the famous Taroko Gorge, which is a few kilometers north of the city. It has a large population (12,500 in 2022) of indigenous people. Due to this large indigenous population, Hualien has traditionally been a KMT stronghold, though the DPP has made inroads among the younger generation.
What to Experience in Hualien
Taste of Hualien...
Hualien has an abundance of tea houses, cafes and bars, and also many stores specializing in locally produced tea.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Hualien.
The Hualien region was the main source of jade for the Maritime jade route (circa 2000 BCE to circa 500 CE), the stone is still mined there, and many shops in the city sell jade products. Hualien has an abundance of tea houses, cafes and bars, and also many stores specializing in locally produced tea.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsTraveling by (or renting) a car or scooter is recommended to get around locally and to surrounding townships and rural areas as public transportation is limited. In the surrounding township and rural areas taxis are further apart which will require calling and waiting for pick up. Rental cars and motor scooters are available for rent in the areas surrounding the main station and the airport. The following describe the main roads through Hualien: Provincial Highway 9 (台9線) (Hwy 9) serves as the main north-south highway through Hualien County and much of the east coast from Taipei in the north and Taitung in the south. It goes through Xicheng Township as Jixeng Rd (府前路); through Hualien City as Fuqian Rd (府前路) and Zhong Zhen Rd (中正路); and through Jian Township as Sections 1 and 2 of Jifeng Rd (吉豐路一段, 二段). All are busy thoroughfares through Hualien City....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The city center is small and easy to navigate on foot, although scooters are available for rent several places around town for about NT$400 a day. Pony rental near chin yen hotel (across from the train station) is the only rental agency that will rent scooters to foreigners. Getting around by scooter is the best way to see the gorge. Hualien is a small city without an extensive public transport system, and so it is worth considering taking taxis to areas outside the city center. Hualien station is at least a 30-minute walk from the center of town. The activities in and around Hualien include mountain hiking, beaches, hot springs, river tracing, whale and dolphin watching and a lot of other wild places. Ask around with the local travel companies. The Hualien region was the main source of jade for the Maritime jade route (circa 2000 BCE to circa 500 CE), the stone is still mined there, and many shops in the city sell jade products.
Money & Budget
The Hualien region was the main source of jade for the Maritime jade route (circa 2000 BCE to circa 500 CE), the stone is still mined there, and many shops in the city sell jade products. Hualien has an abundance of tea houses, cafes and bars, and also many stores specializing in locally produced tea.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Hualien
Qingshui Cliff in Hualien, Taiwan
green grass field near mountain during daytime
seashore scenery during daytime
train rail near green mountain during daytime
2 women sitting on beach shore during daytime
A sandy beach with waves coming in to shore
Fore of the boat.
a building that is lit up at night
Rainy day on the hiking rails in Hualien, Taiwan
red and white lighthouse on the sea during daytime
Qingshui Cliff in Hualien, Taiwan
green grass field near mountain during daytime
seashore scenery during daytime