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Hualien

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City
—°15
Hualien (Taiwan)
ℹ️

Practical info — Hualien

▾

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Rent a scooter if you are comfortable riding, as it's the best way to explore the scenic coastal roads.
  • When visiting Taroko Gorge, bring a hard hat (often provided) and check for trail closures due to recent rains or seismic activity.
  • Avoid driving the Suhua Highway at night due to the potential hazard of rockfalls.
  • Try to catch the sunset from the Qixingtan beach area, a beautiful pebble shore.

🍽 Food

🍽
Muaji (Mochi)

Sweet sticky rice cakes; buy them fresh from specialty shops along Zhonghua Road.

🍽
Scallion Pancakes

Deep-fried and fluffy, optionally with an egg; a popular snack near the night market area.

🍽
Bamboo Tube Rice

Rice steamed inside a bamboo shoot; typical aboriginal food found in restaurants near Taroko.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Dongdamen Night Market

A huge, organized market area first-rate for tasting street food and buying small souvenirs.

🛍
Marble Products

Local stone craft shops sell beautifully polished marble coasters, vases, and ornaments.

🧘
Pine Garden

A historic Japanese-era building surrounded by old pine trees with great views of the Pacific Ocean.

🧘
Qixingtan Scenic Area

A beautiful pebble beach where you can sit and listen to the crashing waves.

Hualien City is the largest urban center on the eastern coast of Taiwan, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Central Mountain Range. The city serves as a vital gateway to the Taroko National Park, one of Taiwan's most significant geological wonders. Historically, the area was inhabited by the indigenous Sakizaya and Amis peoples before Chinese settlers arrived in the 19th century. During the Japanese colonial period, Hualien was developed as a port city and a center for resource extraction. Today, it is renowned for its stone industry, particularly marble and jade processing, which are exported globally. The city's geography is defined by its proximity to the Meilun Mountain and the frequent seismic activity due to its location on the edge of the Philippine Sea Plate. Its economy is a mix of tourism, shipping through its international port, and small-scale manufacturing.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Oct, Nov.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C111214172021222120181512
Rain mm75699911426129521032728713010673

Geography

Population
99,458 (2025)
Coordinates
23.97700, 121.60400

Facts

  • Population is approximately 100,000 residents as of 2024.
  • The city covers a total land area of 29.41 square kilometers.
  • Hualien Port was officially opened as an international port in 1963.
  • The city is located at an average elevation of 15 meters above sea level.
  • It is the seat of Hualien County government since 1946.
  • The distance from Taipei to Hualien by rail is approximately 190 kilometers.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Farglory Ocean ParkFarglory Ocean Park4 km · EExplore →
XiulinXiulin9 km · WExplore →
Liyu LakeLiyu Lake10 km · SExplore →
ChongdeChongde12 km · NWExplore →
Taroko GorgeTaroko Gorge14 km · SWExplore →
Qingshui CliffQingshui Cliff15 km · NWExplore →
Taroko National ParkTaroko National Park23 km · SWExplore →
NanhushanNanhushan29 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Hualien (15)

Taiwan national treasure art museum🏛 museum

This museum in Hualien preserves and displays a collection of Taiwanese national treasure artworks.

Aboriginal Dance Show🎭 culture

Visitors can experience traditional indigenous performances at this cultural theatre in Hualien.

🕒 Mo-Su 19:30-20:30

Liberty Square🏺 historical

This civic monument in Hualien commemorates Taiwan's journey to democracy.

Artopia🏛 museum

This contemporary gallery in Hualien showcases modern art exhibitions from local and international creators.

Masjid Al-falah Hualien⛪ religious

Serving the local Muslim community, this Hualien mosque stands as an important Islamic place of worship.

Meilunshan🌿 nature

Rising above Hualien, this scenic peak gives panoramic views over the city and the nearby Pacific coast.

Hualien Art Museum🎭 culture

This civic arts centre in Hualien hosts a variety of visual art exhibitions and cultural events.

Dongdamen Tourist Night Market🎭 culture

This sprawling night market in Hualien is renowned for its animated food stalls offering aboriginal delicacies and Taiwanese street food.

🕒 17:30-23:30

Karenko Broadcasting Station 1944🏛 museum

Housed in a level 4 heritage building from the Japanese colonial era, this former Hualien broadcasting station now serves as a historic museum.

🕒 We-Su 10:00-17:00

Shuguang📍 landmark

This coastal bridge in Hualien is a popular spot for pedestrians and cyclists to watch the sunrise over the ocean.

Hualien Martyrs' Shrine⛪ religious

Built in 1981, this traditional Chinese-style shrine in Hualien honors the fallen heroes of the Republic of China.

Zhongshan Park🌳 park

This central urban park in Hualien provides a green recreational space with mature trees and paved walking paths.

Hualien Cultural Creative Industries Park📍 landmark

Occupying a restored historic winery complex, this Hualien attraction now features artisan shops, galleries, and performance spaces.

Holy Temple📍 landmark

This peaceful Buddhist temple in Hualien has a serene atmosphere for meditation and traditional prayer rituals.

Ci Hui Temple⛪ religious

As a significant religious site in Hualien, this ornate temple serves as a focal point for traditional Taoist worship.

Frequently asked questions

Why travel to Hualien?
Hualien is the gateway to the famous Taroko National Park.
How do I get to the park?
Regular buses or a rental car are the best options for trips into the park.
What is the best season?
Spring or autumn are good, as it is less rainy and not too hot for hiking.
Is it family-friendly?
Yes, there are many easy hiking trails that are also well-suited for children.
Are there good restaurants?
In the city center, there is an excellent selection of fresh fish dishes.
Hualien: where is it located?
Hualien is located in Taiwan.
Hualien: what is there to see?
Highlights include Taiwan national treasure art museum, Aboriginal Dance Show, Liberty Square.
Hualien: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Oct, Nov.
Hualien: why is it worth visiting?
Hualien City is the largest urban center on the eastern coast of Taiwan, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Central Mountain Range.
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Nearby cities

Xiulin — Hualien (Taiwan)
Xiulin
Xiulin is the gateway to the majestic Taroko Gorge, offering pristine pebble beaches along the Pacific.
Chongde — Hualien (Taiwan)
Chongde
A spectacular village at the foot of the Qingshui Cliffs, ideal for kayakers and nature lovers.
Ruisui — Hualien (Taiwan)
Ruisui
A hub for adventure and wellness, famous for Xiuguluan River rafting and rare iron-rich 'golden' hot springs.
Qixingtan — Hualien (Taiwan)
Qixingtan
A scenic pebble bay near Hualien, famous for its deep blue waters and views of the Central Mountain Range.
Lushan Hot Spring — Hualien (Taiwan)
Lushan Hot Spring
A scenic mountain village in Nantou, famous for its healing alkaline hot springs and picturesque alpine setting.

History & landmarks

Taroko Gorge — Hualien (Taiwan)
Taroko Gorge
An impressive marble gorge carved by the Liwu River, offering spectacular hiking trails.

Nature

Liyu Lake — Hualien (Taiwan)
Liyu Lake
Liyu Lake is the largest inland lake in eastern Taiwan and is surrounded by lush green hills.
Qingshui Cliff — Hualien (Taiwan)
Qingshui Cliff
Spectacular cliffs that drop almost vertically into the Pacific Ocean.
Xiuguluan River — Hualien (Taiwan)
Xiuguluan River
The Xiuguluan River winds through the deep gorge of the eastern mountain range and is famous for rafting adventures.

More places

Farglory Ocean Park — Hualien (Taiwan)
Farglory Ocean Park
A theme park right on the Pacific coast, focusing on marine life, shows, and amusement rides.
Taroko National Park — Hualien (Taiwan)
Taroko National Park
Taroko National Park is famous for its massive marble gorges and the deep canyon of the Liwu River.
Qilaishan — Hualien (Taiwan)
Qilaishan
A rugged mountain known as the "Black Mountain" due to its extremely steep cliffs.
Ruisui Ranch — Hualien (Taiwan)
Ruisui Ranch
A well-known farm in the Hualien Valley, popular for its fresh dairy products and idyllic scenery.
East Rift Valley — Hualien (Taiwan)
East Rift Valley
A fertile valley located between the Central and Coastal mountain ranges.
Xiuguluanshan — Hualien (Taiwan)
Xiuguluanshan
The highest point of Yushan National Park outside of the main Yushan peak itself.