Hualien is hemmed in on every side by something extraordinary — the Central Mountain Range to the west, the open Pacific to the east. Taroko National Park is the headline act: a marble gorge the Liwu River has been cutting for over 2 million years, with walls so sheer and pale they look almost architectural. But there is more than Taroko here. Sea cliffs that plunge straight into the ocean, a lake ringed by green hills, and cobalt pebble beaches that stretch for kilometers are all within an hour or two of the city.
#1 Taroko National Park
The Liwu River has been carving through marble here for more than 2 million years, and the result is a 20-kilometre corridor of pale walls, narrow passes, and hanging road tunnels. The two standout sections on foot are Swallow Grotto — a tight ledge path above the river — and the Tunnel of Nine Turns, a former road tunnel converted into a walking trail through nine marble bends. Parts of the park have reopened in phases after ongoing repairs; check the current status before you go.
- Check trail open/closed status at www.taroko.gov.tw every time before you visit.
- Highway 8 through the gorge is open 06:30–17:30 only.
- Wear a hard hat on tunnel sections and cliff-edge paths — rockfall is real.
#2 Qingshui Cliff
Taiwan's tallest coastal cliff runs for 21 kilometres along the Suhua Highway. Mount Qingshui rises to 2,408 metres above sea level and falls almost vertically into the Pacific — a mix of marble, gneiss, and schist that forms one of the more striking geological formations you will see anywhere on the coast. The Chongde Recreation Area, a dedicated viewing platform built into the cliff face, reopened in July 2025.
- Drive or take a tour bus along the Suhua Highway for panoramic views the whole way.
- Stop at Chongde Recreation Area — the viewing platform juts directly over the cliff.
- Early morning gives the best light; the sea runs deep blue before 9 a.m.
#3 Qixingtan Beach
Qixingtan is one of Taiwan's most photogenic pebble beaches — a long arc of blue-grey stones smoothed by Pacific swells over millions of years. It sits just north of Hualien City. Swimming is off-limits because of strong currents, but watching the sun rise over the ocean from this beach, or cycling the coastal path alongside it, is the kind of thing that stays with you.
- Get here early for the sunrise over the Pacific — the light on the stones is striking.
- Hire a bike at the beach and ride the coastal path.
- Do not swim here. The currents are genuinely dangerous.
#4 Liyu Lake
Liyu Lake — literally Carp Lake — is Hualien's largest freshwater lake at around 104 hectares. Green hills wrap it on all sides so the water reflects the ridgeline like a mirror. A 5-kilometre cycling path circles the lake and takes roughly an hour at a comfortable pace. You can also rent a stand-up paddleboard or take a boat out on the water.
- Rent a bike at the lakeside and do the full loop — about 1 hour.
- The nearby Chinan National Forest Recreation Area is worth combining in the same outing.
- Early morning brings a light mist over the water; the atmosphere is very calm.
#5 Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail
The Tunnel of Nine Turns is a former highway tunnel inside Taroko that has been converted into a 700-metre walking path (out and back). The route passes through nine bends cut through white marble, with the Liwu River audible below. The full reopening is scheduled for 2026 — check status before visiting.
- Hard hats are mandatory. Rentals are available at the entrance.
- The 700-metre route takes around 30–40 minutes including stops for photos.
- Arrive before 8 a.m. to beat the crowds.
#6 Jici Beach
A 3-kilometre sandy beach is a rarity on Taiwan's predominantly pebbly east coast, which makes Jici worth the drive. It sits about 40 kilometres south of Hualien City. Winter swells bring reasonable surf; summer is calm enough for swimming. The Dashibishan Trail next to the beach climbs a headland for 360-degree views of the bay in about 30 minutes.
- Come in winter (November–February) for the best surf conditions.
- Walk the Dashibishan Trail for the bay overlook — about 30 minutes up.
- There are restaurants and small resort stays near the beach.
#7 Shitiping Stone Steps
Shitiping means "stone steps" in Chinese, and the name makes sense the moment you see it. Ancient coral and volcanic rock have been pushed up by tectonic movement and then worn down by the sea over millions of years into a series of stepped platforms — otherworldly enough to feel like a different planet. Walk the rock formations, listen to the waves break against the ledges, and stay for the sunset.
- Wear thick-soled, non-slip shoes — the rocks are extremely slippery when wet.
- Check the tide table before going; low tide exposes the most interesting rock features.
- A popular fishing spot for locals — the ledges give direct access to the water.
#8 Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area
Fuyuan is known as the Butterfly Valley — in spring and summer, thousands of butterflies move through Taiwan's largest camphor forest. A riverside trail leads to two suspension bridges and a waterfall, and the whole mood is a world apart from Taroko's tourist flow. If you want quiet forest and no crowds, this is where to come.
- Visit April–June for the butterfly migration — thousands at once in the canopy.
- The riverside trail to the waterfall is about 3 kilometres, around 2 hours return.
- Entry is approximately NT$100 per person; a shuttle runs inside the park.
Where to stay in Hualien for this trip
A well-located hotel means less commuting and more sightseeing. Here are real, top-rated stays in Hualien — compare Agoda · Booking · Trip.com in one click.
Le Méridien Hualien Resort
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Taroko Mountain View B&B
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The Moment Hotel Hualien
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Lakeshore Hotel Hualien Taroko
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Tours, tickets & activities in Hualien
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Hualien — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Before You Pack
Hualien rewards a 3- to 4-day trip if you want to do it properly. Most of the best sites are spread along the coast and inside the national park, so renting a car or booking a day tour makes a real difference. Plan it well and you will come away with scenery that is genuinely unlike anything else in Taiwan.