Day Tour
12–13 hours
Taroko Gorge Private Day Tour
Marble canyon and Pacific cliffs, routed only through what is open today.
From US$480per private group of 1–2, excl. train tickets
East Taiwan · Ocean Cliffs
Hualien
花蓮 · Huālián
Liyu Lake, Hualien · Photo: Mk2010, CC BY-SA 4.0
Why go
Taiwan’s Pacific coast city: black-pebble Qixingtan Bay, the lakes and rice fields of the East Rift Valley, and the gateway to Taroko Gorge.
Hualien sits between the Central Mountain Range and the Pacific, a relaxed city with a long Indigenous heritage and some of the island’s cleanest air.
Beyond Taroko, the coast and valleys south of the city are a world of their own: Qixingtan’s crescent of dark pebbles, Liyu Lake beneath the mountains, and the rice fields and hot springs of the East Rift Valley.
Highlights
- 一Qixingtan Beach
- 二Liyu Lake
- 三East Rift Valley
- 四Indigenous Amis culture
Top experiences
What to see and do in Hualien
Qixingtan Beach 七星潭
A wide bay of black stones facing the Pacific, known locally by its Amis name Malongayangay; beautiful at dawn and for stargazing.
Liyu Lake 鯉魚潭
Hualien’s largest inland lake, ringed by forested mountains, with a 5 km lakeside cycle path and boat rides.
East Rift Valley 花東縱谷
A long valley of rice fields, tea and hot springs between two mountain ranges, best explored slowly by private car.
Qingshui Cliffs 清水斷崖
The Pacific cliffs north of the city, one of Taiwan’s most dramatic views.
When to go
Autumn and spring are clear and comfortable. Summer is hot with afternoon storms; typhoons are most likely from August to September.
Getting there
- Express train from Taipei takes about 2–2.5 hours.
- Short flights connect Hualien with Taipei Songshan on some days.
Where to stay
- Hualien coast: Sea-view resorts close to Qixingtan.
- East Rift Valley: Hot-spring and farm stays for a slower pace.
Local tips
- Book express train seats early for weekends and holidays.
- Combine with Taroko and continue south along the coast to Taitung.
Private tours
Journeys including Hualien
Multi-Day Journey
10 days / 9 nights
10-Day Round the Island
The whole island by private car and train: Pacific cliffs, tropical south and cloud forests.
From US$9,800per person, based on 2 sharing, five-star / best-available hotels
Plan
A private trip to Hualien
Tell us your dates and pace. We will suggest how long to stay, where to sleep and when to arrive to avoid the crowds.
Hualien: frequently asked questions
Is Hualien worth visiting apart from Taroko?
Yes. The coast, lakes and valley are among Taiwan’s most beautiful and least crowded landscapes.