Explore Hualien (Taiwan) in a relaxing manner (2 Days/1 Night)

If you want to relax and take in the sights at your own leisure in Hualien, read on . . . . When it comes to exploring Hualien, there are 3 basic type of tour itinerary namely:

1) Taroko National Park  (Recommended to go)

2) Pacific Ocean coastline ( East Coast and East Rift Valley national scenic areas)

3) Three forest recreation areas (Chinan, Fuyuan, and Zhiben)

And if you are into more adventurous activities,  you can try white-water rafting,  whale- and dolphin-watching (Season usually from May to Oct because the sea wave is smaller) in Hualien County.

Taroko National Park: 

Beautiful and magnificent cliffs formed the Taroko National Park.

However, it takes normally more than 3 days if one want to take in all the sights. As such, if you have only 2 Days to spare at Hualien, why not consider visit the most famous attraction which is touring the majestic Taroko Gorge National Park and perhaps include the famous scenic spot that is facing Pacific Ocean: Chingshui Cliff 清水斷崖. It was famous because the water consisted of different minerals and thus forming a 3 layers shade.  It is along the Su-Hua Expressway.

七星潭 Cliff:

Like touring other many area in Taiwan, all you need is contact of a local tour guide who will act as your taxi driver at the same time. Meet Mr Lee, who is friendly and engage his service for 1 entire day (9am- 7pm).

He will pick customer up from the hotel you stay in and drop you off all for a cost of around NT$2,800 per car which can takes up to 4 passengers.

He is informative and easy going guy. He keep offering us water during the drive and offers to take photos while accompany you the hike up at times. During the trip, I was feeling unwell and he ask from the other drivers for medicine. Truly impressed.

Going from Taipei to Hualien

There’s two types of trains going between Hualien and Taipei, Tze-Chiang Limited Express and Chu-Kuang Express departing from Taipei Main station.

I would recommend you to take the train departing Taipei Main Station at 10.30am because it gives you ample of time to have breakfast in Taipei and make your way to the train station. You will reach Hualien at 12.48pm.

Taking the Tze Chiang train to Hualien from Taipei, a good tip would be to sit on the left side if you want to have ocean view during the train ride. Buy the odd seat number (e.g. 21,23,25). When you book the tickets online from the official Taiwan Railways Administration website, look for the Taroko Express (太魯閣號)  as it is the fastest way to go from Taipei to Hualien.  On the online train schedule, you won’t see “Taroko Express”, but you will see “Tze Chiang Limited Express”.

Purchase it online 2 weeks before your travel date to enjoy 20% discounts and guarantee you a seat during peak period. Key in your passport number when doing online booking via credit card. Bring along your passport and credit card to show at the counter when you redeem your train ticket at the station. (Note: Train was quite full when I took it)

Accommodation 

When it comes to accommodation, I could only recommend Hualien B&B Stay.

Rooms:

Relax & Chill Corner:

The owner, Andy was very warm and offered to pick us up from the train station when we arrive into Hualien. And when he know I had vomited the night before, he offers to do gua sha (massage) whole body at no extra cost. The breakfast we had the next day was all prepared by his family from the jam which was made by themselves to the soya bean drink.  He could even offered to packet the food for you if you are going to Taroko Gorge as food in National Park are often expensive and limited.

The location of the accommodation is within walking distance to Pacific Ocean. When we arrive in the afternoon, we pick our bicycles among 10 of it at his garage and we cycle leisurely along the ocean coast. Truly a relax atmosphere.

Categories: Asia Region

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