Eastern Taiwan
Marble gorges, Pacific cliffs and the slow rhythm of the east coast.
Photo: Felix Filnkoessl · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Why go
Hualien is the gateway to Taroko Gorge, one of Asia’s great natural wonders: a marble canyon of sheer cliffs, turquoise water and hanging bridges, cut by the Liwu River over millions of years. The city itself is small and friendly, with a night market, a seafront and some of the best tea in Taiwan.
The east coast here is raw and beautiful, with pebble beaches, fishing villages and mountains that drop straight into the Pacific. Go slow, hire a driver or scooter, and leave time for the unexpected.
Hualien is the heart of a two- or three-day east coast leg. One day for Taroko, one for the coast, and one to slow down is a good rhythm.
The train journey from Taipei along the coast is one of the prettiest in Asia; sit on the left side for the ocean views.
Before you go
Hualien is 2 hours from Taipei by TRA express train along the coast, or 1 hour from Taipei by plane. Taroko is 30–40 minutes from the city by bus or taxi.
2 hours from Taipei on TRA trains along the coast; seats sell out quickly at weekends and around holidays, so book ahead.
About 1 hour from Taipei Songshan to Hualien Airport, 15 minutes from the centre. Useful when trains are full.
The Suhua Highway links Taipei in about 3 hours; a private driver is the easiest way to stop at Taroko and along the coast.
The essentials
The essentials, in roughly the order you might see them. Every pin appears on the map.
Select a pin for a short description, or open the place directly in Google Maps.
A dramatic marble gorge with trails for every level, from the easy Shakadang Trail along a turquoise river to the nerve-testing Zhuilu Old Trail. The scenery is unlike anywhere else in Taiwan.
Parts of the park have been closed since the 2024 earthquake. Check the official Taroko National Park alerts before travelling, and join a licensed tour if you are unsure.
A long crescent of smooth pebbles and big Pacific waves, with mountains behind and a paved path along the shore. Sunrise here is spectacular.
The stones are protected — do not take them home. The beach is best at dawn or late afternoon.
A towering wall of marble and green rock plunging into layered blue sea, one of the most photographed stretches of the Suhua Highway. The viewpoint is a short stop on the coastal road.
Park only in designated areas; the road is narrow and busy. Morning light is best.
A lively, locally focused night market with grilled seafood, indigenous-style barbecue, and stalls run by families rather than chains.
Try the grilled squid and the local mochi. It is busiest around 8pm.
A calm lake surrounded by forest and gentle cycling paths, popular with families and birdwatchers. It is a peaceful counterpoint to the drama of the gorge.
Rent a bike at the lake entrance and circle the shoreline in about an hour.
A vertiginous cliff-edge trail with a narrow path and chains, high above the gorge. The views are extraordinary, but it requires a permit and a head for heights.
Apply for a permit well in advance and check whether the trail is open. It is not suitable for young children.
Taste
Look for wild boar, mountain vegetables and grilled fish, seasoned simply and cooked over charcoal.
Hualien's chewy, slightly sweet mochi is a local speciality and a good travel snack.
The Pacific supplies excellent fish; try the small restaurants around the harbour and night market.
Neighbourhoods
The practical base: night market, railway station, restaurants and hot-spring hotels.
The small town closest to Taroko's entrance, useful for an early start.
A rural strip of tea farms and guesthouses between the city and the southern coast.
Before you go
On the road
Ready-made routes that pass through this part of the island.
1 week
Classic
Round island
The full loop: cities, gorge, coast and the tropical south.
3 days
Hiking
Hualien
Marble walls, river trails and a ridge above the gorge.
1 day
Classic
Hualien
Marble, river water and the open Pacific.
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