Hualien
East Asia · Taiwan
Did you know?
- The region supplied stone and jade along the Maritime jade route from about 2000 BCE to 500 CE.
- The Stone Sculpture Museum charges NT$20 and opens daily from 09:00 to 17:00.
- Dongdamen Night Market's back lane features indigenous vendors, live music, and weekend dance.
See also
Taroko Gorge
Taiwan24.17°N 121.33°E
Sun Moon Lake
Taiwan23.87°N 120.92°E · 748 m
Overview
Hualien sits between the Pacific Ocean and the Central Mountain Range, serving as a base for Taroko Gorge. The city also rewards a stay with indigenous culture, night markets, stone sculpture art, and a relaxed east-coast atmosphere.
Languages: Chinese
Why Go
Hualien is a city of 100,000 people on Taiwan's east coast, wedged between the Pacific Ocean and the Central Mountain Range. Many travelers use it as a base for visiting Taroko Gorge, but the city itself offers indigenous culture, night markets, stone sculpture art, and a relaxed atmosphere distinct from Taiwan's western cities.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Understand
Hualien has a large indigenous population of about 12,500 (2022), making it traditionally a KMT stronghold though the DPP has gained ground among younger voters. The city serves as a major stone and jade source region, historically part of the Maritime jade route circa 2000 BCE to 500 CE.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting In
Express trains (Puyuma Express or Tze Chiang Limited Express) from Taipei take 2-3 hours and cost NT$583 (NT$292 for child/senior). Regular trains take up to 3.5 hours. There are also frequent trains to Kaohsiung (about 2 hours, NT$859) and Tainan (about 3 hours, NT$962). During peak season, book tickets early. Hualien Airport serves domestic flights. The Port of Hualien handles international cruise passengers.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get Around
The compact city center is walkable. Scooters rent for about NT$400/day; Pony rental near Chin Yen Hotel (across from the train station) is the only agency that rents to foreigners. Public transport is limited, so taxis are useful for destinations outside the center. Hualien Station is at least a 30-minute walk from downtown.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to Stay
Budget accommodation options near the train station include Mini Voyage Hostel (bunk beds from NT$890, family suites NT$1480), Sleeping Boot Hostel (single NT$650, dorms from NT$950), and Formosa Backpackers (double rooms NT$1500). Mid-range options include Chan Tai Hotel (doubles from NT$1300, quads NT$2000) and Romantic Time (doubles NT$900, quads NT$1400). The Hualien Student Hostel on Kungyuan Road offers dorms and twin rooms.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and Drink
Dongdamen Night Market (18:00-00:00) on Chongcing Road is the main culinary hub, with a back lane dedicated to indigenous vendors featuring live music and dance on weekends. Rui Ying Chinese Omelet on Guolian 2nd Rd serves breakfast (06:30-11:30). Tea houses and cafes are abundant, with Wang's Tea Lounge (10:30-22:30) and Cafe Jade (13:00-17:00, closed Sat-Sun) being popular spots.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to Do
Hualien offers outdoor activities including mountain hiking, beaches, hot springs, river tracing, and whale/dolphin watching. The Hualien County Stone Sculpture Museum (NT$20, daily 09:00-17:00) displays traditional and contemporary stone art. Pine Garden (09:00-18:00) features 63 pine trees around a historic Japanese military building. Qixingtan Beach north of the city has crescent bays, clear blue waters, and colorful agates, though swimming is dangerous due to steep drop-offs. Farglory Ocean Park costs NT$890 for adults and NT$790 for children.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buy
Hualien is excellent for hand-woven cloth with traditional aboriginal designs. The stone market near the old bus station on Mingyi Road sells jewelry, tea pots, and carvings. Jade products are widely available since the region was the main source of jade for the Maritime jade route.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to Go
The International Stone Sculpture Festival (annual) and Pacific Ocean International Festival of Rock Balancing and Arts are major events. Summer brings more tourists and higher prices; spring and fall offer milder weather for hiking Taroko Gorge.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day Trips
Taroko Gorge (19 km north) is the most famous day trip, with the name meaning "magnificent and splendid" in Truku aboriginal language. Ruisui is famous for hot springs and the Siouguluan River Basin. Hehuan Mountain offers a different ecosystem above the treeline. Highway 11 along the coast is spectacular for scootering or driving with views of the turquoise Pacific.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Safety
The Qixingtan Beach has dangerous tides and currents with steep drop-offs; stay near the shore. Highway 11 traffic concerns exist but are manageable with careful driving. The city is generally safe for travelers.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go Next
Taroko Gorge is the top destination, 19 km of dramatic canyon with hiking trails. Ruisui offers hot springs and river activities. Hehuan Mountain provides alpine scenery above the treeline. The coastline via Highway 11 offers scenic drives with turquoise ocean views.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Chan Tai Hotel
The more expensive rooms have a/c, TV, refrigerator ADSL and are double, with en-suite. They are very clean. Advertises with "as cheap as nearby hostel", which of course it is not, so do not fall for that. 24-hr reception.
Recorded price: Double room:NT$1,300, Quadruple room:NT$2000
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Formosa Backpackers Apartmant & Hostel
The first-floor common area of the B&B has a high-quality sound system where you can watch movies and sing karaoke.
Recorded price: Double room:NT$1500
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Fullon Hotel Hualien
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Hua Tong Hotel
A pleasant and centrally located hotel.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Hualien Student Hostel
Offers dorms and twin rooms.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Hualien Wow Youth Hostel
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Mini Voyage Hostel
Overall great ratings and even if they have a 16-bed dorm, it is far less scary than you think. New interior and great common area. One of the cheapest options in the city. Near the railway station.
Recorded price: Bunk bed:NT$890, Family Suite:NT$1480
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Parkview Hotel
One of Hualien's most luxurious hotels.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Accommodation
Budget hostels near the station offer dorm beds from NT$650-950. Double rooms range NT$900-1500. Most places are clean with free WiFi.
Food
Dongdamen Night Market (18:00-00:00) is the main culinary attraction with indigenous food vendors on weekends. Daytime eats include local omelet shops and tea houses.
Money
Taiwan Dollar (NT$) is the local currency. ATMs are plentiful near the train station. Most small vendors are cash-only.
Transport
Express trains from Taipei cost NT$583 and take 2-3 hours. Scooters rent for NT$400/day. Pony rental near the train station is the only agency that rents to foreigners.