Hualien
The usual base for Taroko Gorge, with marble cliffs, Pacific coastline and Rift Valley hot springs within reach.
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Hualien is a city on Taiwan's east coast, facing the Pacific. Most people use it as a base for Taroko Gorge, where the Liwu River has cut a deep canyon through marble cliffs inside Taroko National Park. The gorge is the main draw here, with hiking trails along the river and cliffs. Hualien city has the hotels, food and bus links.
Qingshui Cliff lies to the north, and the hot springs and farmland of the Rift Valley are to the south. Hualien suits travelers who want outdoor days and a quieter base than Taipei. Plan at least two full days for the gorge and one for the coast. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for hiking, and typhoons can disrupt travel from summer into early autumn, so check conditions before booking. Without a car, buses and taxis from the city reach the park.
Hualien in five
- Check which Taroko sites are openThe park's scenic spot list, updated 2026-10-04, marks sites such as Swallow Grotto and Zhuilu Cliffs as temporarily closed after the 3 April 2024 earthquake. Check it before you fix a day.Taroko Gorge from Hualien
- Use buses 310 and 302 without a carBus 310 runs from Hualien through Qixingtan, Xincheng Station and Chongde to the Taroko Visitor Center in about 1 hour 40 minutes. Bus 302 links Xincheng Station and the visitor center in about 8 minutes.
- Fly from Taipei, Taichung or KaohsiungHualien Airport lists domestic flights from all three, and a Hualien Bus runs to the city center. The Tourism Administration notes flights are often fully booked on weekends and holidays.
- Look past the gorge to the coast and valleyThe East Coast National Scenic Area runs 170 km south from the Hualien River mouth. Qingshui Cliff drops more than 1,000 m to the sea, and Ruisui's hot spring emerges at 48 degrees.Hualien or Taitung
- Keep a spare day for typhoons and quakesGOV.UK says typhoon season normally runs from May to November and earthquakes are a risk. Check the park and Highway 8 announcements, and avoid a tight flight or train connection the day after a bad storm.
Things to do in Hualien
See all attractions in Hualien
Need to know
- Airport
- Hualien (HUN) in Xincheng; domestic flights from Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung
- Getting there
- Taiwan Railways along the east coast, or a domestic flight
- Getting around
- Buses 310 and 302 to Taroko; taxi, car or scooter for the coast
- Best base
- Hualien city for trains, Xincheng for the gorge gate
- Time needed
- 2 days with Taroko; 3 with the coast and Rift Valley
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryCool, damp
- FebruaryCool
- MarchMild
- AprilMild
- MayRainy season
- JuneHot
- JulyHot, typhoon risk
- AugustTyphoon risk
- SeptemberTyphoon risk
- OctoberClear
- NovemberMild
- DecemberCool
Right now in Hualien
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 27°
- Humidity
- 93%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Hualien
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today25°23°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 25°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed25°22°100%Wednesday: Fog. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu27°22°4%Thursday: Fog. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Fri26°23°100%Friday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sat25°23°99%Saturday: Rain. High 25°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Sun27°22°90%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Mon25°22°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 04:01 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 32.64 TWD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Taroko National Parkbus 310 about 1 hr 40 min from HualienThe marble gorge, with reopened sites near the visitor center.Read the guide
- Shitiping and the East Coastby Hualien Bus 1140 or 1145 from Hualien StationStepped volcanic-tuff shoreline with a visitor center on the coast highway.
- Ruisui and the Rift Valleyby Taiwan Railways; check timetablesHot springs, rafting on the Xiuguluan River, busiest May to October, and a camphor forest.
Before you go to Hualien
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Rules for Hualien, checked
- Bus service between Taroko Visitor Center and Tianxiang remains suspended; buses 310 and 302 serve the visitor center side, per the park FAQ.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Shakadang Trail remains closed after the 3 April 2024 earthquake. The park asks visitors not to enter it from Dali or Datong villages.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Plan around Hualien
Hualien FAQ
How many days do you need in Hualien?
Two days cover Taroko's open sites and a half day on the coast. Add a third day for Qingshui Cliff, Shitiping or the Rift Valley hot springs, which sit in different directions from the city.
Is Hualien worth visiting after the earthquake?
Yes, if you accept fewer gorge trails. The park lists reopened sites near the visitor center, and the coast and valley are unaffected by the gorge closures. Check the park's scenic spot list before you plan.
How do you get from Taipei to Hualien?
By Taiwan Railways along the east coast, or by domestic flight from Taipei Songshan Airport. The high-speed rail line runs only on the west side, so check the Taiwan Railways timetable and book early for weekends.
Do you need a car in Hualien?
Not for Taroko's open sites, since bus 310 and bus 302 reach the visitor center. A car, taxi or scooter helps for the coast and Rift Valley. UK license holders need a validated 1949 IDP to drive, per GOV.UK.
When is the best time to visit Hualien?
March, April, October and November are the mild months. Typhoon season normally runs from May to November, per GOV.UK, and road blockages are a risk, so build a spare day into a summer or autumn visit.