3-Day Hualien Itinerary | Outdoor Adventures & Lick-Smacking Scenery
Even though Hualien is a smaller area in Taiwan, the region is not lacking in things to do. A 3-day Hualien itinerary can cover the top spots in the county, and travelers looking to stay longer certainly will never be searching for activities! Line up a trip that includes trekking in Taroko National Park and touring the many, many cultural and historic landmarks in the city.
Day 1 Hualien Itinerary | Explore Taroko National Park
Taroko National Park is worth dedicating a full day to exploring. The park covers a majority of Hualien County and contains views of a gorge that will knock your socks off! Visitors have a choice of 27 peaks to explore, not to mention the wildlife and plant life that live along the banks of the Liwu River.
Scenic Spots in Taroko National Park
- Changchun (Eternal Spring) Shrine – honoring 226 military veterans who died building the Central Cross-Island Highway, Changchun Shrine is one of the main attractions in Taroko National Park. The site also is known as Eternal Spring Shrine due to its position above a waterfall. Visitors will find hiking trails, history and out-of-this-world scenic views.
- Ning’an Old Bridge – this steel suspension bridge takes visitors over the green mountains of Taroko National Park and holds historic charm as well. Ning’an Bridge was one of the first structures to accompany the building of the Central Cross-Island Highway and was the longest single-arch bridge in the country at that time.
- Qingshui Cliffs (Ch’ing-shui Cliff) – Overlooking the Pacific Ocean like a fierce wall, Qingshui Cliffs were designated in 1953 as one of the country’s “Eight Wonders.” The massive rock wall is made of gneiss and marble, and the route along the cliffside is the only coastal road in Taroko National Park. The longest cliff is more than two miles (5 kilometers) long and offers views that can’t be missed during a trip to Hualien.
FIND & BOOK A HOTEL IN HUALIEN TODAY
Day 2 Hualien Itinerary | Scenic Attractions
While every region in Taiwan contains awesome scenic attractions, Hualien contains some of the best. The region’s mountainous position along the east coast offers stunning and contrasting scenery, and visitors will want to soak up as much beauty and outdoor air as a 3-day itinerary will allow.
- Qixingtan Beach – Just outside Hualien Airport, visitors will find an outstanding strip of beach surrounded by mountain peaks. The area is a popular swimming and chilling spot for Hualien locals, and during the day, after the sea of mists lifts from the mountains, Qingshui Cliffs are visible. Some travel junkies swear that Qixingtan Beach is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the entire world!
- Four-Eight Highland – Located at the southern end of Qixingtan Beach, Four-Eight Highland is named after its elevation, which is 48 meters above the sea. Walking trails feature expansive views and tranquil surroundings.
- Liyu Lake – Guests looking for a peaceful retreat will want to book a stay around Liyu Lake. The area offers camping, trekking, sailing and biking at the foot of Liyu Mountain.
- Pine Garden – designated as the Museum of Poetry, this former military site contains a museum and a haunted forest. The garden’s pine trees and historic presence serve as the site for Taiwan’s annual Pacific Poetry Festival.
FIND & BOOK A HOTEL IN HUALIEN TODAY
Day 3 Hualien Itinerary | Shopping & Food
Hualien is a treasure chest of food and culture, so it’s a no-brainer that visitors should hit some markets, sample some local cuisine and pick up some souvenirs. Many of the city’s most historic spots are now modern-day shopping and eating venues.
- Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park (A-Zone) – known as A-Zone to locals, this hopping area was formed from a former winery and contains 26 restored warehouses that now serve as cafés, art galleries, office buildings, restaurants and shops. The former administration building is the oldest structure in the park and is noted for its European and Japanese architecture.
- Old Railroad Pedestrian Zone (Old Railway Walkways) – Taiwan’s railway system is one of the fastest and most efficient in the world, but it took some time for the country to establish its top transportation reputation. The Old Railroad Pedestrian Zone showcases what the country’s rail system was like before its modern-day collaboration took place, and visitors will find an abundance of historical landmarks, street food, local performers and artists while strolling through the neighborhood.
- Dongdamen Night Market – wandering through Dongdamen Night Market is like exploring a culinary wonderland. The market actually is a mash-up of several smaller markets that have been around for decades. Now, visitors can explore everything at once and shouldn’t pass on sampling famous foods like stinky tofu, Taiwanese pancakes and a bowl of steaming noodles.
FIND & BOOK A HOTEL IN HUALIEN TODAY
Discover more hotels & places to stay in Hualien
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Even though Hualien is a smaller area in Taiwan, the region is not lacking in things to do. A 3-day Hualien itinerary can cover the top spots in the county, and travelers looking to stay longer certainly will never be searching for activities! Line up a trip that includes trekking in Taroko National Park and touring the many, many cultural and historic landmarks in the city.
Day 1 Hualien Itinerary | Explore Taroko National Park
Taroko National Park is worth dedicating a full day to exploring. The park covers a majority of Hualien County and contains views of a gorge that will knock your socks off! Visitors have a choice of 27 peaks to explore, not to mention the wildlife and plant life that live along the banks of the Liwu River.
Scenic Spots in Taroko National Park
- Changchun (Eternal Spring) Shrine – honoring 226 military veterans who died building the Central Cross-Island Highway, Changchun Shrine is one of the main attractions in Taroko National Park. The site also is known as Eternal Spring Shrine due to its position above a waterfall. Visitors will find hiking trails, history and out-of-this-world scenic views.
- Ning’an Old Bridge – this steel suspension bridge takes visitors over the green mountains of Taroko National Park and holds historic charm as well. Ning’an Bridge was one of the first structures to accompany the building of the Central Cross-Island Highway and was the longest single-arch bridge in the country at that time.
- Qingshui Cliffs (Ch’ing-shui Cliff) – Overlooking the Pacific Ocean like a fierce wall, Qingshui Cliffs were designated in 1953 as one of the country’s “Eight Wonders.” The massive rock wall is made of gneiss and marble, and the route along the cliffside is the only coastal road in Taroko National Park. The longest cliff is more than two miles (5 kilometers) long and offers views that can’t be missed during a trip to Hualien.
FIND & BOOK A HOTEL IN HUALIEN TODAY
Day 2 Hualien Itinerary | Scenic Attractions
While every region in Taiwan contains awesome scenic attractions, Hualien contains some of the best. The region’s mountainous position along the east coast offers stunning and contrasting scenery, and visitors will want to soak up as much beauty and outdoor air as a 3-day itinerary will allow.
- Qixingtan Beach – Just outside Hualien Airport, visitors will find an outstanding strip of beach surrounded by mountain peaks. The area is a popular swimming and chilling spot for Hualien locals, and during the day, after the sea of mists lifts from the mountains, Qingshui Cliffs are visible. Some travel junkies swear that Qixingtan Beach is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the entire world!
- Four-Eight Highland – Located at the southern end of Qixingtan Beach, Four-Eight Highland is named after its elevation, which is 48 meters above the sea. Walking trails feature expansive views and tranquil surroundings.
- Liyu Lake – Guests looking for a peaceful retreat will want to book a stay around Liyu Lake. The area offers camping, trekking, sailing and biking at the foot of Liyu Mountain.
- Pine Garden – designated as the Museum of Poetry, this former military site contains a museum and a haunted forest. The garden’s pine trees and historic presence serve as the site for Taiwan’s annual Pacific Poetry Festival.
FIND & BOOK A HOTEL IN HUALIEN TODAY
Day 3 Hualien Itinerary | Shopping & Food
Hualien is a treasure chest of food and culture, so it’s a no-brainer that visitors should hit some markets, sample some local cuisine and pick up some souvenirs. Many of the city’s most historic spots are now modern-day shopping and eating venues.
- Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park (A-Zone) – known as A-Zone to locals, this hopping area was formed from a former winery and contains 26 restored warehouses that now serve as cafés, art galleries, office buildings, restaurants and shops. The former administration building is the oldest structure in the park and is noted for its European and Japanese architecture.
- Old Railroad Pedestrian Zone (Old Railway Walkways) – Taiwan’s railway system is one of the fastest and most efficient in the world, but it took some time for the country to establish its top transportation reputation. The Old Railroad Pedestrian Zone showcases what the country’s rail system was like before its modern-day collaboration took place, and visitors will find an abundance of historical landmarks, street food, local performers and artists while strolling through the neighborhood.
- Dongdamen Night Market – wandering through Dongdamen Night Market is like exploring a culinary wonderland. The market actually is a mash-up of several smaller markets that have been around for decades. Now, visitors can explore everything at once and shouldn’t pass on sampling famous foods like stinky tofu, Taiwanese pancakes and a bowl of steaming noodles.
FIND & BOOK A HOTEL IN HUALIEN TODAY
Discover more hotels & places to stay in Hualien
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