5 Awesome Hualien Beach Spots! Your Hualien Beach Guide Here at Island Life Taiwan, we love showing people around the Hualien area. From the mountains to the sea, Hualien is a spectacularly beautiful region with plenty to explore. Looking for a place gaze out at the ocean or maybe take a dip? Here are the 5 best Hualien Beaches! All of this and SO MUCH more can be found in our 2018 Hualien Visitors Guide. We hope you enjoy! 1. Qixingtan Beach The most stunning beach area in the immediate Hualien City area, Qixingtan Beach is a sprawling stone covered beach with sweeping views galore. A common stop at the end of Taroko Gorge tours, Qixingtan Recreation Area can have a small crowd in the late afternoon/evening. Thankfully, the beach and adjoining parks are so massive that it's easy to get away and find your own quiet place to relax. Swimming is NOT ALLOWED at Qixingtan, as the current is very strong here, but many people dip their feet in the cool, clean waters. This is also a great place to ride a bicycle as there are many bicycle rental shops and paths throughout the abutting grassy park and bluffs. In addition, there are bathroom facilities, food vendors (think street snacks) and even showers to rinse the saltwater off your feet. 2. Jici Beach There is a reason Coastal Highway 11 is so often listed as a one of the best stretches of road in all of Taiwan. About 30 minutes south of Hualien City is the best swimming beach in the Hualien Area. Jici Beach! Great for swimming in the summer time and surfing in the winter, Jici is one of only a handful of sand beaches along the central East Coast. Bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, snacks
5 Awesome Hualien Beach Spots!
Your Hualien Beach Guide
Here at Island Life Taiwan, we love showing people around the Hualien area. From the mountains to the sea, Hualien is a spectacularly beautiful region with plenty to explore. Looking for a place gaze out at the ocean or maybe take a dip? Here are the 5 best Hualien Beaches!
The most stunning beach area in the immediate Hualien City area, Qixingtan Beach is a sprawling stone covered beach with sweeping views galore. A common stop at the end of Taroko Gorge tours, Qixingtan Recreation Area can have a small crowd in the late afternoon/evening. Thankfully, the beach and adjoining parks are so massive that it’s easy to get away and find your own quiet place to relax.
Swimming is NOT ALLOWED at Qixingtan, as the current is very strong here, but many people dip their feet in the cool, clean waters. This is also a great place to ride a bicycle as there are many bicycle rental shops and paths throughout the abutting grassy park and bluffs. In addition, there are bathroom facilities, food vendors (think street snacks) and even showers to rinse the saltwater off your feet.
20 Delicious Hualien Restaurants Your Hualien Food Guide It's difficult coming to a new city and not knowing where to get a good bite to eat. Guide books can be outdated, and review sites can be rigged. So here at Island Life, we've made a list of all of our favorite restaurants from our time living here in Hualien. You can find it below! All of this and SO MUCH more can be found in our 2018 Hualien Visitors Guide. We hope you enjoy! Western Fare Salt Lick Restaurant – American style BBQ. Our favorites include the slow cooked Pulled Pork (sandwich or plate), the Seasonal Salad (best in town), the Cajun Chicken Sandwich and the Smoked Ribs. Three Koalas Restaurant – Very reasonably priced American & Italian fare. Paninis, Personal Pizzas, Burgers and more. Our favorite is the steak sandwich with goat cheese and balsamic onion jam. A popular place for families. Country Mothers – American/ European brunch restaurant. Our favorites include the European Omelet with Dijon Sauce and the Eggs benedict. Farmers Kitchen – Vegetarian Restaurant. Our favorites include the spinach calzone, the Caprese salad, the Mexican veggie burger and the chick pea cottage pie. Oh La La –French Crepery near the train station. 611 Zhongshan Rd. Many tasty crepes and small French dishes to choose from. We like the banana Nutella crepe and the Beef Bourguignon. Dos Tacos – Tex Mex cuisine such as tacos, enchiladas and burritos. Our favorites include the giant nachos and the sizzling fajitas. Not quite authentic Mexican food but hey, it's Asia! Boom Burger – Affordable and tasty burgers and more. Near-ish the train station. Louisa Coffee - Probably the best coffee shop in Hualien. Inexpensive coffee drinks (Fair Trade available), tasty breakfast sandwiches and comfy coffee house ambiance. Download Your Free 2018 Hualien
20 Delicious Hualien Restaurants
Your Hualien Food Guide
It’s difficult coming to a new city and not knowing where to get a good bite to eat. Guide books can be outdated, and review sites can be rigged. So here at Island Life, we’ve made a list of all of our favorite restaurants from our time living here in Hualien. You can find it below! All of this and SO MUCH more can be found in our 2018 Hualien Visitors Guide. We hope you enjoy!
10 Tips When Visiting Taroko Gorge National Park All of this and SO MUCH more can be found in our 2018 Hualien Visitors Guide. We hope you enjoy! 1. Go Early By 10am, most of the walking paths throughout Taroko Gorge National Park begin to fill with large tour groups. Many of their guides even bring megaphones to yell information to their groups. So when trying to enjoy the serene grandiosity of Taroko and the sounds of nature, this can be quite distracting. Also, who likes having to wait in line to get to that perfect photo location and then having twenty people in your shot! For these and many other reasons we suggest getting to Taroko as early as possible. One great option is hitching a ride with Island Life Taiwan Adventures & Experiences who offer a fun filled, and affordable, Taroko Gorge Tour that leaves Hualien at 7:30am making their guests among the first few people in the park. Thus having many trails all to themselves to start the day and having a much better chance of seeing wildlife in the park. 2. Bring an Umbrella Some days the sun can be blindingly hot… other days a cloud can roll through the gorge and dump rain unexpectedly. Having a small umbrella with you can protect against both! Like our parents always said, it’s better to have and not need, than need and not have! 3. Avoid the Large Tour Bus Companies While the low prices of the large tour bus companies visiting Taroko Gorge each day can make them tempting, take a look at what you’re actually getting for the money. Most of the busses don’t have an English speaking guide to explain anything to you or give you any history or geology of the region. They typically
By 10am, most of the walking paths throughout Taroko Gorge National Park begin to fill with large tour groups. Many of their guides even bring megaphones to yell information to their groups. So when trying to enjoy the serene grandiosity of Taroko and the sounds of nature, this can be quite distracting. Also, who likes having to wait in line to get to that perfect photo location and then having twenty people in your shot! For these and many other reasons we suggest getting to Taroko as early as possible. One great option is hitching a ride with Island Life Taiwan Adventures & Experiences who offer a fun filled, and affordable, Taroko Gorge Tour that leaves Hualien at 7:30am making their guests among the first few people in the park. Thus having many trails all to themselves to start the day and having a much better chance of seeing wildlife in the park.
High in the mountains above Taroko Gorge National Park near Hualien, Taiwan lies a trail unlike any most people ever see or experience in their lives.
The Zhuilu Old Trail
On the Edge of Insanity
The Zhuilu Old Trail (aka Jhuilu Old Trail)
High in the mountains above Taroko Gorge National Park near Hualien, Taiwan lies a trail unlike any most people ever see or experience in their lives. Carved into the flat face of a massive cliff of solid marble, the Zhuilu Old Trail sits perilously more than 700 meters above the canyon floor below.
With limited (often no) guardrail or fencing along the trails edge, one can stare down past their toes at the great Liwu river winding like a little creek over half a mile down. As if that wasn’t enough, the 500-meter-long cliffside portion at the top is only 90cm wide!
Here at Island Life Taiwan, we love showing people around the Hualien area.
The 10 Best Things To Do In Hualien
Our Favorite Hualien Attractions!
Here at Island Life Taiwan, we love showing people around the Hualien area. One of the most scenic and naturally beautiful areas in Taiwan, Hualien County sits like a green jewel nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the grandiose Central Mountain Range. Home to some of the most stunning locations in Taiwan with a rich, unique combination of traditional cultures, Hualien has become a must see region for travelers looking to get away from the urban centers while in Taiwan. From dramatic marble gorges and towering green mountains, to idyllic sandy beaches and turquoise waterfalls and swimming holes, there are countless Hualien attractions worth exploring. It’s sure to take your breath away… likely more than once. Searching for what to do in Hualien? Here are the 10 best things to do in Hualien, Taiwan.
The undisputed king of Taiwan’s National Parks, Taroko Gorge is the quintessential must experience destination on Taiwan’s east coast. Towering marble valleys, thundering waterfalls, forest hikes and mountain to mountain suspension bridges are just a few of the spectacular features of this grand park. Carved by the Liwu river over millions of years, the spectacular Gorge is the largest marble canyon in the world and boasts a wide variety of trails, temples and landscapes. While it is “possible” to see everything in one day, we highly recommend spending two or three days exploring the gorge to really see it all.
For an epic day exploring the best of Taroko Gorge, we highly recommend our BETTER Taroko Gorge Tour. A small group tour with fun guides, lots of time on the trails and a really great value!
How to Get from Taipei to Hualien There are several options when making your way from Taipei to Hualien. Here is some info to help you along! How To Get From Taipei To Hualien Option 1: Take the Train This is the most popular and affordable method of getting to Hualien from Taipei. The express trains (Taroko or Puyuma) will get you to Hualien in about 2 hours, while the non-express trains can take 3-4 hours. It is important to book your train tickets ahead of time, especially on weekends and holidays, as the trains do sell out. A one way ticket will cost NT$440 per person. You can book train tickets online here. Option 2: Take a Plane This option can save you time and is easily booked online. The Uniair flights take around 50 minutes and typically cost around NT$900 per person. It should be noted that these flights depart from Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA), NOT Taoyuan International Airport. You can book plane tickets here. When travelling from Hualien to Taipei, just use the above resources as well. Where to Pickup Train Tickets Option 1: Any 7-11 convenience store in Taiwan This is the most popular and easiest way to pick up your tickets, as there are 7-11's practically everywhere in Taiwan! Simply go to the counter and tell them you want to pick up your train tickets. If they don't understand in English, you can say it in Chinese "Wo yao na huo che piao", then just show them your online booking code and your booking passport number and they will help you with it. Please note that there is a service fee of NT$8 per ticket when picking up tickets at a 7-11. Option 2: Any train station While this is also relatively easy, there can be lines
How to Get from Taipei to Hualien
There are several options when making your way from Taipei to Hualien. Here is some info to help you along!
How To Get From Taipei To Hualien
Option 1: Take the Train
This is the most popular and affordable method of getting to Hualien from Taipei. The express trains (Taroko or Puyuma) will get you to Hualien in about 2 hours, while the non-express trains can take 3-4 hours. It is important to book your train tickets ahead of time, especially on weekends and holidays, as the trains do sell out. A one way ticket will cost NT$440 per person.
Destination Adventure: Explore Taiwan's Wild East Coast! One hardly thinks of adventure tourism when hearing the name Taiwan. “Don’t you mean ThaiLAND?” people often tell us. And though Taiwan’s western neighbor continues to garner most of the hubbub, the wild East Coast of Taiwan has quietly been developing some seriously epic activity options to offer adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts, while offering little of the tourist crowds and accompanying annoyances. Towering 3,000+ meters mountains, check. Rivers, waterfalls and the world’s largest marble canyon, check. Epic wild and tamed coastline, check. Monkey filled jungles and wilderness hot springs, check. While one could spend weeks exploring the incredible adventures to be had in Hualien & Taitung counties, here are 7 of our favorite things to do in Taiwan to get you started. 1. Hiking There is an amazing variety of hiking and trekking locales for people of all skill levels throughout the East Coast. For the daring, take a walk along the cliffs edge on the infamous Zhuilu Old Trail, a narrow path perched high above the valley below. For nature lovers, take a long walk through the wilderness on the historic Walami Trail or the Lushui-Wenshan trail in Taroko Gorge National Park. For epic views, take a stroll above the clouds in the Hehuanshan mountains, one of Taiwan’s 100 peaks over 3,000 meters. There are dozens (maybe hundreds) of exotic trails throughout the area just waiting to be explored! Whether crossing a planked suspension bridge in the Taroko mountains, taking a dip below a waterfall in the Mugua River Gorge, or spotting monkeys in one of the numerous vine covered tropical jungles, hiking in Taiwan’s wild east coast is sure to get your heart racing. Just watch out for snakes! Local outfit Island Life Taiwan offers numerous guided hikes,
Destination Adventure: Explore Taiwan’s Wild East Coast!
One hardly thinks of adventure tourism when hearing the name Taiwan. “Don’t you mean ThaiLAND?” people often tell us. And though Taiwan’s western neighbor continues to garner most of the hubbub, the wild East Coast of Taiwan has quietly been developing some seriously epic activity options to offer adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts, while offering little of the tourist crowds and accompanying annoyances. Towering 3,000+ meters mountains, check. Rivers, waterfalls and the world’s largest marble canyon, check. Epic wild and tamed coastline, check. Monkey filled jungles and wilderness hot springs, check. While one could spend weeks exploring the incredible adventures to be had in Hualien & Taitung counties, here are 7 of our favorite things to do in Taiwan to get you started.
1. Hiking
There is an amazing variety of hiking and trekking locales for people of all skill levels throughout the East Coast. For the daring, take a walk along the cliffs edge on the infamous Zhuilu Old Trail, a narrow path perched high above the valley below. For nature lovers, take a long walk through the wilderness on the historic Walami Trail or the Lushui-Wenshan trail in Taroko Gorge National Park. For epic views, take a stroll above the clouds in the Hehuanshan mountains, one of Taiwan’s 100 peaks over 3,000 meters. There are dozens (maybe hundreds) of exotic trails throughout the area just waiting to be explored! Whether crossing a planked suspension bridge in the Taroko mountains, taking a dip below a waterfall in the Mugua River Gorge, or spotting monkeys in one of the numerous vine covered tropical jungles, hiking in Taiwan’s wild east coast is sure to get your heart racing. Just watch out for snakes! Local outfit Island Life Taiwan offers numerous guided hikes, info and other adventures.
Taiwan for Nature Lovers For lovers of nature, Taiwan offers a shocking wealth of unique natural beauty and landscapes. From soaring green mountains to sprawling beaches, spectacular rivers to bizarre geologic wonders, there are countless adventures to keep you busy in the great outdoors. Here are just a few of the must-see destinations for nature lovers in Taiwan. 1. Taroko Gorge: 1-3 days The number-one item on anyone’s Taiwan nature agenda has to be Taroko Gorge National Park. Easily visited from Hualien City on Taiwan’s green East Coast, here you will have your choice of beautiful nature hikes amidst the largest marble canyon in the world. Towering cliffs, gushing waterfalls, turquoise rivers, and hundreds of species of butterflies, birds, insects, reptiles and mammals make this one of the most abundant natural areas in Asia. While there you can add a day to hike the famed Zhuilu Old Trail, a, former tribal hunting path carved into a cliff 700 meters above the gorge, and/or drive up 3,000 spectacular meters to the Hehuanshan Mountains to see rolling hills of pygmy bamboo high above the tree line. The massive Taroko Gorge National Park can’t be missed! 2. Hot Springs: 1-2 days Taiwan sits along a geothermal hotbed and is home to countless rejuvenating natural hot springs. The Hualien-Taitung area alone boasts more than 20 different wild hot springs and hot spring resorts that you can visit! For the truly adventurous, be sure to take the long journey to the wild Lisong Hot Springs from Taitung. Nestled at the base of a river valley, the green mineral covered cliffs around Lisong are unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. The trip is not for the faint of heart, but well worth the effort! For the less adventurous amongst us, be sure to stop
Taiwan for Nature Lovers
For lovers of nature, Taiwan offers a shocking wealth of unique natural beauty and landscapes. From soaring green mountains to sprawling beaches, spectacular rivers to bizarre geologic wonders, there are countless adventures to keep you busy in the great outdoors. Here are just a few of the must-see destinations for nature lovers in Taiwan.
1. Taroko Gorge: 1-3 days
The number-one item on anyone’s Taiwan nature agenda has to be Taroko Gorge National Park. Easily visited from Hualien City on Taiwan’s green East Coast, here you will have your choice of beautiful nature hikes amidst the largest marble canyon in the world. Towering cliffs, gushing waterfalls, turquoise rivers, and hundreds of species of butterflies, birds, insects, reptiles and mammals make this one of the most abundant natural areas in Asia. While there you can add a day to hike the famed Zhuilu Old Trail, a, former tribal hunting path carved into a cliff 700 meters above the gorge, and/or drive up 3,000 spectacular meters to the Hehuanshan Mountains to see rolling hills of pygmy bamboo high above the tree line. The massive Taroko Gorge National Park can’t be missed!
The Walami Trail Take a Walk Through Central Taiwan Welcome to the Walami Trail Plunge into a beautiful tropical jungle and immerse yourself in the lush world of Taiwan’s great outdoors! Taiwan's famous Walami Trail winds deep into the heart of the jungle, where the air is filled with the perfume of warm greenery and the song of nature’s soundtrack. If you’re looking for something special to do in Taiwan, this is one of your best opportunities to get out and see all that Taiwan's natural world has to offer. History of the Walami Trail With a rich and sordid past that spans hundreds of years of Taiwanese history, the 14km Walami Trail (most people only hike the first 2-3 km) is in fact a preserved section of the much longer historic Batongguan Trail. Begun during the Qing Dynasty in 1875, the extraordinary Batongguan traversed 152 kilometers of rugged Taiwan backcountry from Yuli in Taitung County in the east, to Chushan in Nantou County in the west. Yet that isn't even the beginning. The Batongguan itself followed even older aboriginal paths that date back hundreds of years prior. In fact, it's entirely likely that the first trees felled to form today's Walami Trail, crashed to the ground during the time of Bach and Rembrandt! Later widened and rebuilt during the 50 year Japanese occupation of Taiwan between 1895 and 1945, the Walami Trail as it exists today cuts through the jungle and across the mountains of Central Taiwan in spectacular fashion. Though it was primarily used to connect the wild eastern section of Taiwan with the more settled northwest, it was also a way for Japanese authorities to keep a wary eye on resistant local tribes. The Walami Trail Today Today, of course, the Walami Trail is
The Walami Trail
Take a Walk Through Central Taiwan
Welcome to the Walami Trail
Plunge into a beautiful tropical jungle and immerse yourself in the lush world of Taiwan’s great outdoors! Taiwan’s famous Walami Trail winds deep into the heart of the jungle, where the air is filled with the perfume of warm greenery and the song of nature’s soundtrack.
If you’re looking for something special to do in Taiwan, this is one of your best opportunities to get out and see all that Taiwan’s natural world has to offer.
The East Rift Valley Taiwan's Green Countryside h Welcome to the East Rift Valley Nestled between the Chungyang (Central) Mountain Range and the Haian (Coastal) Mountain Range in Eastern Taiwan, the East Rift Valley is an emerald treasure in the heart of Taiwan’s most beautiful locale. Driving Highway 9 or Route 193 south through the valley, one can gaze out on the most verdant agricultural vistas in the country. The jutting mountains on either side give way to a green plane patch-worked with vegetable fields and rice paddies. Snaking curls of river cut through the earth, festooning the green landscape with ribbons of blue. Here, you will discover a Taiwan you hardly imagined could exist—a sleepy, rural world of delicious isolation and virgin beauty. Where is the East Rift Valley? The East Rift Valley, also known as Huatung Valley, is located between the Central and Coastal mountain ranges, and is a must-visit location for any tour of Taiwan. The long valley stretches 160km from Hualien City in the north to Taitung City in the south, making up a respectable slice of Eastern Taiwan. You’ll have plenty of space to enjoy yourself and countless activity options when you tour the East Rift Valley. Geology of the East Rift Valley The East Rift Valley was created as a result of complex tectonic plate movement known as the Philippine Mobile Belt. The Valley itself is located on the seam of the vast Philippine and Eurasian tectonic plates. Slowly, inch by inch, the mountains on either side of the valley have been ripped apart from one another. A process which continues to this day. In addition, ancient volcanic activity left behind extremely rich soil, making the East Rift Valley a prime producer of fruits, vegetables, rice and other crops. The result of
The East Rift Valley
Taiwan’s Green Countryside
h
Welcome to the East Rift Valley
Nestled between the Chungyang (Central) Mountain Range and the Haian (Coastal) Mountain Range in Eastern Taiwan, the East Rift Valley is an emerald treasure in the heart of Taiwan’s most beautiful locale. Driving Highway 9 or Route 193 south through the valley, one can gaze out on the most verdant agricultural vistas in the country.
The jutting mountains on either side give way to a green plane patch-worked with vegetable fields and rice paddies. Snaking curls of river cut through the earth, festooning the green landscape with ribbons of blue.
Here, you will discover a Taiwan you hardly imagined could exist—a sleepy, rural world of delicious isolation and virgin beauty.
