Hualien Hotels

Indeed, the gateway to the relatively quiet, castoff east coast and Pacific Ocean half of the island is a far cry from the maniacal congestion of the national capital. The emphasis in Hualien City is on scenic areas, from Cisingtan to Mei Lun Mountain Park, Taroko Gorge to the rest of the Central Mountains.

Hualien’s Top 10

Hualien Events

Day and weekend trips to the Central Mountain Range lure many to Hualien City. The city is the principal portal to the remarkable East Rift Valley section of Taiwan, one of the inimitable must-see areas of the island.

Hot springs in Hualien County lure international tourists and Taipei residents alike to soothe aches and cares away.

The International Stone Sculpture Arts Festival takes place every two years and serves as a tribute to Hualien County’s chief export.

The Summer Harvest Festival is a vital event for many aboriginal tribes in Taiwan.

When To Go

Hualien is a popular holiday spot for domestic tourists. With that, the best time to visit is outside of weekends and national civic holidays. If you prefer to explore notable scenic areas like Taroko and Yushan without crowds in the way, try to target a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

Like the rest of Taiwan, Hualien has a monsoon, humid subtropical climate. Rather predictably, air quality is superior to Taipei. Temperatures in the wet season from May to October run from 73°F (23°C) to 88°F (31°C) while the “dry” season sees a drop from 61°F (16°C) to 81°F (27°C). On the whole, it rains 20 days per month, minimum, in Hualien.

Spring, in the esteem of many observers, is the best season to experience many of the natural wonders that dot the east coast of Taiwan.

Getting Around

Most visitors to Hualien arrive via Taipei. Though not far distance-wise, the drive is approximately five hours. Hualien Airport is tiny and handles the odd domestic flight and international charter.

Express trains, however, can often navigate the journey in less than four hours. Grab a spot on the left side of the train for incomparable views of the coast.

Hualien City is small enough to explore on foot or via bicycle. Scooters, ever-popular in Taiwan, abound of course. For day trips to national parks and the like, rent a car, hire a taxi or book a tour bus.