Hualien

Hualien is the largest city on Taiwan's east coast, set between the Central Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean. As the county seat of Hualien County, it serves as a relaxed coastal base and the main gateway to Taroko National Park and the dramatic Taroko Gorge.

Nature defines much of the city's appeal. Qixingtan Beach arcs along the northern shoreline, while Qingshui Cliff rises sharply above the Su-Hua Highway north of the city and Liyu Lake offers quieter scenery to the south. Cycling, hiking and river tracing make Hualien a practical starting point for outdoor travel.

Hualien also has a distinctive cultural character shaped by indigenous Amis and Truku communities, Japanese colonial-era buildings and a strong stone sculpture tradition. Landmarks such as Pine Garden, the Hualien County Stone Sculpture Museum and the Cultural Creative Industries Park reflect this layered history.

The compact city centre around Zhongshan and Zhongzheng roads is easy to explore, while Dongdamen Night Market brings together local snacks and street food after dark. Hualien is especially known for soft mochi and freshly fried scallion pancakes.

For travellers, Hualien works as both a destination and a stopover on an east coast itinerary, offering train links from Taipei, domestic flights through Hualien Airport, and convenient access to Taroko Gorge, the coast and the East Rift Valley.