Hualien

Highway 8 runs only in timed convoy windows. Open: the arch, visitor centre, Dekalun Trail and Tianxiang. Check the park site first.

Cliffs falling straight into the sea for 800m. The Chongde viewing platform reopened in July 2025; Huide stays closed.

Boats leave Hualien harbour April to October. Spinner dolphins are near-certain; 29 cetacean species use this stretch of coast.

Crescent of grey pebbles with mountains behind, 20 minutes from town. Currents are strong, so walk and cycle rather than swim.

Four markets in one, with an Amis Indigenous section doing wild boar sausage, millet wine and stone-grilled meats. Nightly.

The fastest Puyuma and Taroko expresses take about two hours down the coast. Book 28 days out; they sell out constantly.

Short domestic hop to Hualien Airport, but once check-in and transfers are counted the train is rarely slower.

Around two hours up the East Rift Valley from Taitung, one of the prettiest rail journeys in the country.

April to June and October: warm seas, whale season, lower typhoon risk.

December to February. Cool, often wet on the coast, and very quiet.

July and August school holidays, plus every long weekend.

Take an early convoy window into Taroko for the Dekalun Trail and the gorge drive up as far as Tianxiang.

Out to the Chongde platform for the Qingshui Cliffs, then Xincheng and its Japanese shrine turned church.

Xincheng Old Street: scallion pancakes, then the famous Jiaxing ice cream mochi across the road.

Cycle the coastal path to Qixingtan, or kayak beneath the Qingshui Cliffs if the sea is calm enough.

Dongdamen Night Market for Amis grilled meats and millet wine, then a walk along the harbour front.

Highway 9 south past rice terraces, Ruisui hot springs and Fuyuan forest. Liyu Lake is 20 minutes out for cycling and SUP.

Guided scramble up a marble-bedded river of turquoise pools and jump spots. Neighbouring Mukumugi Valley stays closed.