Things to do in Hualien

Located in Xincheng Township, Hualien County, Taiwan Province, China, the Qingshui Cliff is a series of cliffs formed by the Qingshui Mountain range and the surrounding sea. Stretching for 21 kilometers, the cliffs, composed primarily of gneiss and marble, plunge almost vertically into the Pacific Ocean, reaching a height of over 800 meters. This majestic cliff is considered the second largest in the world and is listed as one of Taiwan's Eight Wonders.

Transportation | Take bus 310 from Taroko National Park to Qixingtan (Reminder: Remember to press the bell to get off! I accidentally missed my stop and ended up at Hualien Mambo Park, so I had to walk back a bit. Don't forget to swipe your EasyCard when getting on and off the bus!) 🌊 Experience | Step onto the pebble beach and listen to the waves of the Pacific Ocean lapping against the shore. The rhythm is soothing and calming, perfect for daydreaming and relaxing for a long time. 🌅 Attraction Highlights | A crescent-shaped azure coastline with clear water reflecting the distant mountains. The sun is shining but not hot, and the sea breeze is very pleasant (but remember to wear sunscreen).

Taroko National Park, located in eastern Taiwan, is a national treasure that combines magnificent mountain landscapes with rich natural ecology. The most famous Taroko Gorge in the park is breathtaking with its steep cliffs, rushing streams and lush vegetation. The white marble walls on both sides of the gorge are majestic, sometimes shrouded in mist, and sometimes the sun shines through the clouds, creating a variety of natural paintings. Taroko Park has many trails suitable for tourists of all levels to come for hiking and adventure. For example, the Shakadang Trail and the Changchun Temple Trail allow visitors to experience the majesty and tranquility of the gorge up close. There are waterfalls, clear streams and rich flora and fauna along the way, which brings people the ultimate spiritual relaxation. In addition, the transportation in the park is convenient, and tourists can choose to drive or take a bus to visit major attractions. Whether it is hiking or relaxing sightseeing, Taroko is a natural miracle that makes people linger, showing the power and beauty of nature. It is one of Taiwan's most representative tourist destinations.

Shitiping is located at the 67th kilometer of Huadong Coast Highway in Fengbin Township, at the end of the south side of Shiti Bay. It is a one-kilometer-long seashore covered with gray-white strange rocks. Strange rocks can be seen everywhere along the coast of Shitiping. There are many round holes on the raised coral reefs, which are the habitats of crabs and tropical fish. In addition, due to the impact of waves, there are many potholes on the sea erosion platform, with different sizes and depths, and smooth gravels often slide inside. Many coastal plants grow on the rock platforms in the Shitiping area, such as cacti and maanto, which are of great ornamental value.

There are two Tropic of Cancer memorial sites in Taiwan. The other one is in Chiayi. This site in Hualien did not originally exist. It was established relatively recently, but it has been almost ten years. Originally there was only a small monument. Later, there was a shaped monument with a promenade to shade the sun. There are public restrooms, and it’s nice to have mobile coffee on holidays.

The Hualien-Taitung Valley is a canyon between Hualien and Taitung, between the Central Mountain Range and the Coastal Mountain Range. It is about 5-10 kilometers wide. It has the most pristine scenery, produces the best rice and milk in Taiwan, and has many delicious fruits. I live in this paradise-like valley.

Hualien General's Mansion 1936 - Commonly known as "General's Mansion," the Japanese-style dormitory complex along Meilun Creek, was the core military dormitory complex along Hualien's harbor line during the Japanese colonial era. Built in 1936, it served as a military unit under the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Regiment, Taiwan Infantry (Hualien Port Detachment) during the Japanese colonial period. After World War II, it served as housing for military dependents. One of the buildings in the complex is a county-designated historic site, and the other seven surrounding buildings are historical structures. In 2020, the Hualien County Government received funding from the Ministry of Culture's Historical Site Reconstruction Program, investing NT$260 million. This represents the largest cultural heritage restoration project in Hualien's history. Following the restoration, the complex will retain its official name, while also being known as the "General's Mansion 1936 Park," a designation that reflects both the familiarity and timelessness of the site.

Liyu Lake is the largest lake in eastern Taiwan and one of the tourist attractions in Hualien. Take a stroll along the trail next to the lake and soak in the natural oxygen bar. Or take a cruise to see the picturesque scenery of the lake and mountains. It is really worth the trip.

I passed this attraction when I was carpooling on a one-day tour from Hualien to Kenting. You can get close to cows and ostriches in the ranch, they are all very cute. There is a cafe in the ranch that you can't miss, the dairy products in it taste great! Cheesecake, steamed buns, and fresh milk are all delicious, with a strong milky flavor. In addition, don't miss the nougat here, everyone says it's good!

Hualien County is located in the eastern part of Taiwan Island, bordering the Central Mountain Range to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Hualien County is long from north to south, about 137.5 kilometers long from north to south and about 43 kilometers wide from east to west.