Hualien City travel guide

Hualien City Tourism | Hualien City Guide

You're Going to Love Hualien City

The most attractive city in eastern Taiwan, Hualien is the kind of place where you can dine on local delicacies at seafront night markets, stroll in riverside parks, and reflect in tranquil temples. With the Taroko Gorge on its doorstep, there are plenty of reasons to love Hualien.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Hualien City

1. It's a Great Jumping-Off Point to Visit the Taroko Gorge

Around 15 miles long, Taroko Gorge is absolutely breathtaking. Hike past scenic waterfalls, through cloud forests and rocky outcrops, cross dramatic rope bridges, and visit impressive religious shrines. It's a must-see attraction.

2. There's Plenty to Eat and Drink

From gooey muaji sweets to delicately prepared wonton soup, the cuisine of Hualien should suit everyone's palate, and venues like the Dongdaemun Night Market are the perfect place to enjoy it.

3. It's Easy to Chill Out

With serene Buddhist shrines like the Abode of Still Thoughts and elegantly manicured parks like Meilunshan, Hualien offers an endless array of places to zone out and simply relax.

4. It's an Artistic Hotbed

Hualien has a thriving arts scene. For instance, Fogstand is one of Taiwan's premier contemporary art spaces; the Art Zone fuses high-quality accommodation with regular art exhibits; while the Cultural Creative Industries Park is a great place to pick up artistic souvenirs.

5. Hualien Farglory Ocean Park

Families will fall in love with the Ocean Park, a huge amusement complex complete with cable cars and Ferris wheels as well as exhibits on the wildlife of eastern Taiwan.

1. It's a Great Jumping-Off Point to Visit the Taroko Gorge

Around 15 miles long, Taroko Gorge is absolutely breathtaking. Hike past scenic waterfalls, through cloud forests and rocky outcrops, cross dramatic rope bridges, and visit impressive religious shrines. It's a must-see attraction.

2. There's Plenty to Eat and Drink

From gooey muaji sweets to delicately prepared wonton soup, the cuisine of Hualien should suit everyone's palate, and venues like the Dongdaemun Night Market are the perfect place to enjoy it.

3. It's Easy to Chill Out

With serene Buddhist shrines like the Abode of Still Thoughts and elegantly manicured parks like Meilunshan, Hualien offers an endless array of places to zone out and simply relax.

4. It's an Artistic Hotbed

Hualien has a thriving arts scene. For instance, Fogstand is one of Taiwan's premier contemporary art spaces; the Art Zone fuses high-quality accommodation with regular art exhibits; while the Cultural Creative Industries Park is a great place to pick up artistic souvenirs.

5. Hualien Farglory Ocean Park

Families will fall in love with the Ocean Park, a huge amusement complex complete with cable cars and Ferris wheels as well as exhibits on the wildlife of eastern Taiwan.

What to do in Hualien City

1. A Humble House That's Filled With History

Heaven for history fans, the Pine Garden is much more interesting than it sounds. Located on Songyuan Street next to the river in downtown Hualien, the Pine Garden was once the headquarters for the Japanese colonial authorities, who ruled Taipei between 1895 and 1945. Well, it was only in use for two years at the end of the war, but it's now become a fascinating testimony to the colonial era and the years of conflict, as well as being an elegant mid-century building in its own right.

2. A Fantastic Food Thoroughfare

The busiest street in Hualien is a magnet for fun-seekers and foodies alike. Head over there at dinner or lunch time, and you'll be presented with a massive array of dining options. Whether you go for goose cooked in ginger, piles of Taiwanese dumplings, or light and sweet mochi cakes, there's something for everyone to devour along the street's length. And with Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Japanese and western cuisine available, it's also one of Taiwan's most cosmopolitan entertainment neighborhoods.

3. Sunset Shopping Done Right

Down towards the shore at the southern end of Zhongshan Road, you'll come to the Dongdamen Night Market. Retail fans and foodies be warned though - you might not want to to leave. Dongdamen opened relatively recently (in 2015) but it's become established as the place to be when the sun sets. Set over 9 hectares and featuring some 400 vendors, you can't try every morsel or peruse every clothes stall in one night, so repeat visits are recommended. For a bit of a kick, try the millet wine (a local specialty), and try your luck at the entertainment stands as well.

4. Simply Gorgeous Scenery

A short drive north of Hualien City, you'll come to Taroko National Park, which is certainly up there with Taiwan's most visually appealing scenic spots. Famous for its gleaming marble gorges and dramatic mountain scenery, photo opportunities abound in Taroko. The whole place covers a whopping 460 square miles, so seeing everything is unlikely, but you can get a great feel for the place by concentrating on the visitor center by the coast, and taking the bus to the sublime Taroko Gorge - which is clearly the park's standout sight.

5. An Ocean Of Marine Attractions

For a complete change of scene during your stay in Hualien, head over to Shoufeng Township and the charms of Farglory Ocean Park. One one hand, this is a specialist marine attraction, offering dazzling dolphin shows and critters like sea lions across its 51 hectares of pools and tanks. On the other, it's also a family amusement spectacular, with thrills like the "Fly Across the Ocean" and the "Pirate of El Dorado". When the Taiwanese weather heats up, as it is prone to do, there's no better place to splash around and cool off. And the ocean views are pretty special, too.

1. A Humble House That's Filled With History

Heaven for history fans, the Pine Garden is much more interesting than it sounds. Located on Songyuan Street next to the river in downtown Hualien, the Pine Garden was once the headquarters for the Japanese colonial authorities, who ruled Taipei between 1895 and 1945. Well, it was only in use for two years at the end of the war, but it's now become a fascinating testimony to the colonial era and the years of conflict, as well as being an elegant mid-century building in its own right.

2. A Fantastic Food Thoroughfare

The busiest street in Hualien is a magnet for fun-seekers and foodies alike. Head over there at dinner or lunch time, and you'll be presented with a massive array of dining options. Whether you go for goose cooked in ginger, piles of Taiwanese dumplings, or light and sweet mochi cakes, there's something for everyone to devour along the street's length. And with Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Japanese and western cuisine available, it's also one of Taiwan's most cosmopolitan entertainment neighborhoods.

3. Sunset Shopping Done Right

Down towards the shore at the southern end of Zhongshan Road, you'll come to the Dongdamen Night Market. Retail fans and foodies be warned though - you might not want to to leave. Dongdamen opened relatively recently (in 2015) but it's become established as the place to be when the sun sets. Set over 9 hectares and featuring some 400 vendors, you can't try every morsel or peruse every clothes stall in one night, so repeat visits are recommended. For a bit of a kick, try the millet wine (a local specialty), and try your luck at the entertainment stands as well.

4. Simply Gorgeous Scenery

A short drive north of Hualien City, you'll come to Taroko National Park, which is certainly up there with Taiwan's most visually appealing scenic spots. Famous for its gleaming marble gorges and dramatic mountain scenery, photo opportunities abound in Taroko. The whole place covers a whopping 460 square miles, so seeing everything is unlikely, but you can get a great feel for the place by concentrating on the visitor center by the coast, and taking the bus to the sublime Taroko Gorge - which is clearly the park's standout sight.

5. An Ocean Of Marine Attractions

For a complete change of scene during your stay in Hualien, head over to Shoufeng Township and the charms of Farglory Ocean Park. One one hand, this is a specialist marine attraction, offering dazzling dolphin shows and critters like sea lions across its 51 hectares of pools and tanks. On the other, it's also a family amusement spectacular, with thrills like the "Fly Across the Ocean" and the "Pirate of El Dorado". When the Taiwanese weather heats up, as it is prone to do, there's no better place to splash around and cool off. And the ocean views are pretty special, too.

1. A Humble House That's Filled With History

Heaven for history fans, the Pine Garden is much more interesting than it sounds. Located on Songyuan Street next to the river in downtown Hualien, the Pine Garden was once the headquarters for the Japanese colonial authorities, who ruled Taipei between 1895 and 1945. Well, it was only in use for two years at the end of the war, but it's now become a fascinating testimony to the colonial era and the years of conflict, as well as being an elegant mid-century building in its own right.

2. A Fantastic Food Thoroughfare

The busiest street in Hualien is a magnet for fun-seekers and foodies alike. Head over there at dinner or lunch time, and you'll be presented with a massive array of dining options. Whether you go for goose cooked in ginger, piles of Taiwanese dumplings, or light and sweet mochi cakes, there's something for everyone to devour along the street's length. And with Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Japanese and western cuisine available, it's also one of Taiwan's most cosmopolitan entertainment neighborhoods.

3. Sunset Shopping Done Right

Down towards the shore at the southern end of Zhongshan Road, you'll come to the Dongdamen Night Market. Retail fans and foodies be warned though - you might not want to to leave. Dongdamen opened relatively recently (in 2015) but it's become established as the place to be when the sun sets. Set over 9 hectares and featuring some 400 vendors, you can't try every morsel or peruse every clothes stall in one night, so repeat visits are recommended. For a bit of a kick, try the millet wine (a local specialty), and try your luck at the entertainment stands as well.

4. Simply Gorgeous Scenery

A short drive north of Hualien City, you'll come to Taroko National Park, which is certainly up there with Taiwan's most visually appealing scenic spots. Famous for its gleaming marble gorges and dramatic mountain scenery, photo opportunities abound in Taroko. The whole place covers a whopping 460 square miles, so seeing everything is unlikely, but you can get a great feel for the place by concentrating on the visitor center by the coast, and taking the bus to the sublime Taroko Gorge - which is clearly the park's standout sight.

5. An Ocean Of Marine Attractions

For a complete change of scene during your stay in Hualien, head over to Shoufeng Township and the charms of Farglory Ocean Park. One one hand, this is a specialist marine attraction, offering dazzling dolphin shows and critters like sea lions across its 51 hectares of pools and tanks. On the other, it's also a family amusement spectacular, with thrills like the "Fly Across the Ocean" and the "Pirate of El Dorado". When the Taiwanese weather heats up, as it is prone to do, there's no better place to splash around and cool off. And the ocean views are pretty special, too.

Activities & attractions in Hualien City

Where to Eat in Hualien City

For top quality Taiwanese cuisine, head to Yuelu Restaurant (around four miles out of town, but it's worth the trip). More central options include Dou Sang and the Irrawaddy Myanmar Restaurant - a superb curry house. Prices vary, but expect to pay NT$200-300 for a good meal.

When to visit Hualien City

Hualien City in November
Estimated hotel price
$68
1 night at 3-star hotel
Hualien City in November
Estimated hotel price
$68
1 night at 3-star hotel

Between late June and September, Hualien is hot - averaging almost 90 degrees. However, the shoulder seasons (March to June and October to November) can be mild and ideal for hiking through the gorge.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Hualien City

Plane

Hualien Airport (HUN) offers connections to Taipei and, by extension, the rest of the world. From there, take bus 1123 to the city center.

Train

Trains run into Hualien from Taipei and are a great way to travel. Journey times vary from two to four hours and cost around NT$350.

Car

From Taipei, simply follow Highway 9 along the eastern coast of Taiwan.

Bus

Buses run into Hualien from Taipei, Tainan, and Taichung. It's around four hours from the capital to Hualien.

Plane

Hualien Airport (HUN) offers connections to Taipei and, by extension, the rest of the world. From there, take bus 1123 to the city center.

Train

Trains run into Hualien from Taipei and are a great way to travel. Journey times vary from two to four hours and cost around NT$350.

Car

From Taipei, simply follow Highway 9 along the eastern coast of Taiwan.

Bus

Buses run into Hualien from Taipei, Tainan, and Taichung. It's around four hours from the capital to Hualien.

Airlines serving Hualien City

Lufthansa
Good (4,490 reviews)
KLM
Good (824 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,612 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,253 reviews)
Air France
Good (972 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,845 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,108 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,460 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (889 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (693 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (466 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (171 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (437 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (754 reviews)
Air Europa
Good (312 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (923 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (42 reviews)
Avianca
Good (1,304 reviews)
Thai Airways
Good (208 reviews)
Air China
Good (21 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Hualien City

High-class accommodation options in downtown Hualien include the Fullon Hotel, with its rooftop pool, and the Lakeshore Hotel, which offers excellent views.

Popular Neighborhoods in Hualien

Zhongshan Road - the best place to hunt down gourmet eateries, Zhongshan Road cuts through the heart of town, and also hosts most of the city's major stores.

Dongdaemun - located near the sea, Dongdaemun was set up as a tourist market, showcasing local foods and world cuisine, and it's been a fantastic success. There's no better place to shop for picnic items or hot meals to enjoy by the shore.

Meilun - Meilun is hard to miss in Hualien: this hill rises above the city center and offers hiking trails, temples, playgrounds, and wonderful views.

Zhongshan Road - the best place to hunt down gourmet eateries, Zhongshan Road cuts through the heart of town, and also hosts most of the city's major stores.
Dongdaemun - located near the sea, Dongdaemun was set up as a tourist market, showcasing local foods and world cuisine, and it's been a fantastic success. There's no better place to shop for picnic items or hot meals to enjoy by the shore.
Meilun - Meilun is hard to miss in Hualien: this hill rises above the city center and offers hiking trails, temples, playgrounds, and wonderful views.

Where to stay in popular areas of Hualien City

Most booked hotels in Hualien City

White Palace B&B
3 stars
Excellent (9.6, 86 reviews)
$58+
Kindness Hotel Hualien
3 stars
Excellent (9, 4281 reviews)
$81+
Parkview Hotel Hualien
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 1867 reviews)
$110+
Lakeshore Hotel Hualien
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 4537 reviews)
$94+
Hualien Toongmao Resort
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 878 reviews)
$53+
Fullon Hotel Hualien
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 1751 reviews)
$87+

How to Get Around Hualien City

Public Transportation

Hualien's local transportation network isn't extensive, although there are bus routes into and out of the center. Local buses also head out to Taroko Gorge, and you can catch them at Hualien Train Station.

Taxi

Taxis in the city generally need to be booked ahead, and should charge around NT$200 for short journeys in the downtown area.

Car

Car rental companies in Hualien include IWS and Formosa Car Rental, and prices will be around NT$2,500 per day.

Public Transportation

Hualien's local transportation network isn't extensive, although there are bus routes into and out of the center. Local buses also head out to Taroko Gorge, and you can catch them at Hualien Train Station.

Taxi

Taxis in the city generally need to be booked ahead, and should charge around NT$200 for short journeys in the downtown area.

Car

Car rental companies in Hualien include IWS and Formosa Car Rental, and prices will be around NT$2,500 per day.

The Cost of Living in Hualien City

Shopping Streets

Zhongshan Road is the place to go to snap up locally made fabrics and designer apparel. Dick's Workshop on Hai'an Rd is another excellent place to find gifts, in this case artworks and accessories carved from driftwood.

Groceries and Other

Supermarkets include Pxmart and TK Mart. To get a feel for prices, 12 eggs will cost about NT$65.