Hualien County

Hualien County is in located on the east-coast of Taiwan.

Cities

• 🌍 Hualien – Touristic centre of the Hualien County and base for exploring the nearby Taroko Gorge.
• 🌍 Guangfu (光復)
• 🌍 Ruisui (Rueisuei) – Ruisui is most famous for its hot springs; however, there are tons other things to do as well, see below.
• 🌍 Fengbin
• 🌍 Yuli – Mostly a farming area, with a historic hiking trail nearby, the Walami trail, once used by the Japanese to keep on eye on aboriginal villages in the mountains. Many sections have been wiped out, but you can do the first part as a day trip.

Other destinations

• 🌍 Taroko Gorge – An impressive canyon, 19 km (12 mi) long. The name, Taroko, means the "magnificent and splendid" in the language of Truku, the aboriginal tribe residing in the area.
• 🌍 Yushan – The highest mountain of Taiwan, actually located in Nantou County, but also the name of the related National Park that also lies in Hualien County.

Get in

Go to the Taipei Train Station (not to be confused with Taipei Main Station, the MRT station). Take the Ziqiang Train to Hualien, which is about a 3 hour trip from Taipei.

Get around

By bus

The bus station heading south to Taitung is to the left as you come out of the Hualien Train Station. Buses travel down the scenic Highway 11, and usually transfer in Jing Pu, near Big Harbor and the famous Big Red Bridge. Try the homemade dumplings at the noodle shop in Jing Pu while you're waiting.

By train

Trains travel down the East Rift Valley National Scenic Area and are perhaps the most convenient way to travel from Taitung to Hualien. Spend a few days slowly making your way down this area. The sightseeing is the best in Taiwan for those that love nature and beauty.

See

• 🌍 Qingshui Cliff (清水斷崖 / Qīngshuǐ Duànyá). An impressive 21 km long coastal cliffs with 800 m above sea level on average. Its tallest peak, the Qingshui Mountain, rises 2408 m above sea level directly from the sea. (updated Nov 2017)
• 🌍 Liyu Lake (Take bus 303, 100 m right from the Tourist Information in Hualien. Does not go by the lake on certain days but directly to Shoufeng – align with the driver.). A scenic lake good for a stroll or lunch, with boats for rent. There is also a mountain trail around the lake. Bus NT$54 one-way. (updated Nov 2017)

Do

• 🌍 Ruisui Hot Springs (Jui-Sui Hot Springs). Ruisui's pristine natural beauty is a must to experience during a trip to Hualien. Ruisui Hot Springs originated from the upper stream of Hongye Stream. The water from Ruisui Hot Springs is alkaline sodium carbonate, perfect for osmosis detox and cleansing, with a pH ranging between 6 and 7. The high altitude of Ruisui Hot Springs offers a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains and plains. Ruisui Hot Springs have helped boosted tourism in Ruisui, and Ruisui Organic Farms, especially the dairy products, is loved by all who visit. 
• Siouguluan River Basin. Soak in the RueiSuei Hot Springs for an evening, then wake up in the morning and River Raft down the incredibly beautiful Siouguluan River basin down to Big Harbor, where you can then hop on a yacht at #96 Shi Ti Bay and head out whale and dolphin watching. The seafood in Shi Ti Harbor is the freshest in Taiwan, caught twice a day by local (mostly aborigines) fishermen and delivered fresh to your plate! 
• 🌍 Hehuan Mountain (Hehuanshan) (About a four hour drive from Hualien City.). It is a fantastic journey through the wonders of Taroko Gorge and past, ending in a treeless, absolutely different ecosystem. Hiking available ranges from easy to hard, and can be hiked on one day or multiple days, depending on the route you choose. English literature is available but very basic. It is possible to just set out on a trail and see where it takes you. Being a (mostly) treeless environment, it is difficult to get lost, but beware of the dangers of high altitude hiking - most peaks are above 3000 m. (updated Nov 2017)
• Mugua River Gorge (About 20-30 minutes from Hualien City). This collection of rivers, waterfalls and lakes are an excellent place to swim and see the rich diversity of ecosystems in Hualien County. Most easily accessed by organized tour, the Mugua river gorge is home to Liyu Lake, Emerald Valley, Zimu Waterfall, Rainbow Waterfall, the Miyawan river and more! (updated Sep 2018)
• Rent a scooter and hit the road on Highway 11. The beauty of the coastline in Hualien County can be enjoyed from this gorgeous stretch of highway. Although many buses and cars are also drawn here and many cite this as a cause for safety concerns, this is by most accounts false. Take care, drive responsibly, and always be careful when around traffic, but do not let anyone deter you from this drive. Pack a lunch and picnic on the coast with the turquoise ocean lapping at the coastline below. Buses and taxis will take you along this road also. Taxis are more personable (they will stop when you say 'stop') but buses are much cheaper. However, both pale in comparison to the experience of driving yourself.

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

• 🌍 Kuan Yun Youth Activity Center (救國團觀雲山莊), Guanyuan (near Hehuan Mountain), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Great for a stopover when coming from Taroko Gorge or Hehuan Mountain. It is an old building with a large dinning hall. The dorm rooms, however, are very pleasant with TV and Shower (and warm in the winter). They officially only host people under 40, but this does not seem to apply in off-season. They also serve optional dinner for NT$200 per person. NT$500/bed (incl. breakfast). (updated Nov 2017)

Go next

• Sun Moon Lake – A beautiful lake nestled among tall mountains, just a few kilometres south of Puli and the main reason why many people come to Puli, a picturesque and relaxed town in Nantou County. This lake is one of Taiwan's most popular resorts.
• Hehuan Mountain – A beautiful mountain range and decent hiking spot half way towards Taroko Gorge.