Aug 27–29 · 2nights

Hualien

Taroko Gorge and Pacific coastline

Overview

Hualien at a glance

Attractions, hotels and restaurants — all on one map.

Attractions Hotels Restaurants
Day by Day

The itinerary

Day 6 Aug 27 (Wed)

Taipei to Hualien & Taroko Gorge

  • Early morning TRA Puyuma Express from Taipei to Hualien (~2.5 hours) ↗
  • Check into hotel, drop bags
  • Afternoon Taroko Gorge visit — Shakadang Trail (easy, 2 hours round trip) Map
  • Visit Eternal Spring Shrine — waterfall cascading over a cliffside temple Map
  • Scenic drive through the gorge — marble canyon walls ↗
  • Evening at Dongdamen Night Market — BBQ, indigenous food, fresh fruit juices Map
Day 7 Aug 28 (Thu)

Qingshui Cliffs & Hualien Coast

  • Breakfast at Gongzheng Baozi — arrive early for fresh soup buns
  • Morning drive or tour to Qingshui Cliffs — dramatic sea cliffs on the Pacific coast Map
  • Visit Qixingtan Beach — a crescent-shaped pebble beach with mountain backdrop Map
  • Lunch at Dai Ji Wonton in town
  • Free afternoon — optional whale watching tour or cycling along the coast
  • Pack for morning departure to Sun Moon Lake / Taichung
🚆

Take the TRA train to Taichung (~3.5 hours), then bus to Sun Moon Lake

Where to Stay

Hotels in Hualien

Silks Place Taroko

↗
★ 4.5 (3,000+)
NT$$$ · ~NT$8,000/night LuxuryInside TarokoHot springs

The only luxury hotel inside Taroko National Park. Stunning gorge views, hot spring pools, and indigenous-inspired decor.

Book well in advance — it sells out in peak season.

Kadda Hotel

★ 4.3 (1,800+)
NT$$ · ~NT$3,500/night Ocean viewModernNear night market

Stylish hotel in downtown Hualien with ocean-view rooms. Walking distance to Dongdamen Night Market.

Request an ocean-view room — worth the small upgrade.

Lishiuan Hotel

★ 4.1 (2,200+)
NT$ · ~NT$2,500/night BudgetCentralFamily rooms

Reliable mid-range hotel in central Hualien. Clean rooms, friendly staff, good base for Taroko day trips.

They can help arrange Taroko Gorge tours and drivers.

Where to Eat

Restaurants in Hualien

Hualien Zhangjia BBQ

★ 4.2 (1,500+)
NT$ BBQNight marketLocal favourite

Famous BBQ stall at Dongdamen Night Market. Grilled corn, sausages, and squid are legendary.

Must try Grilled corn with special sauce and indigenous wild boar sausage

17:00–23:00 daily

Gongzheng Baozi

★ 4.3 (2,000+)
NT$ Steamed bunsBreakfastQueue-worthy

Hualien's most famous steamed bun shop. Lines form early but move quickly.

Must try Pork xiaolongbao (soup buns) — juicy and cheap at ~NT$5 each

06:00–sold out (usually by noon)

Dai Ji Wonton

★ 4.1 (800+)
NT$ WontonNoodlesSimple

No-frills wonton noodle shop beloved by locals. Big portions, low prices.

Must try Wonton noodle soup — handmade wontons in clear broth

08:00–20:00, closed Tuesdays