What to Do in Hualien | Tips for Taroko National Park & Cultural Landmarks
Looking for an escape from Taiwan’s busier cities and wondering what to do in Hualien? These top five attractions and activities will get any holiday rolling, and visitors are guaranteed to find more fun along the way!
Taroko National Park
Taroko National Park is one of the main attractions in Hualien. The park dominates more of Hualien County and offers miles and miles of hiking trails and scenic views over Taroko Gorge and the Liwu River. The park also contains numerous waterfalls, wildlife and natural foliage, as well as indigenous Taroko people. One of the main attractions in Taroko National Park is the Eternal Spring Shrine, or Changchun Shrine, which features views above a waterfall and honors citizens who died while building the nearby highway.
Must-see attractions in Taroko National Park
- Changchun Shrine
- Liufang Bridge
- Cimu Bridge (Motherly Devotion Bridge)
Entrance fee: it’s free to enter Taroko National Park except on Zhuilu Old Road, which requires a park permit and entrance fee.
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Photo credit: Mk2010, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hualien Railway Culture Park
Hualien Railway Culture Park is loved for its rich history and modern appeal. The park was established at the former railway depot, which was established in 1932 during the Japanese occupation of the island. Today, however, it is a popular hangout and a spectacular place to find local food and people after the sun goes down. The culture park features preserved relics from the former railroad, along with several landmarks, like the Old Hualien Construction Section, Police Section Martial Arts Hall (Budokan) and the Railway Shopping District.
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Mondays and national holidays)
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Hualien Martyrs’ Shrine
Most landmarks built by the Japanese during the 20th century were destroyed after diplomatic relations ended between Taiwan and Japan in 1972, and Hualien Martyrs’ Shrine is no exception. This historic landmark was all but stripped of its original structure and restored with a Chinese-style palace. One original sculpture remains, however, and that is a bronze statue of a horse. Hualien Martyrs’ Shrine honors fallen soldiers, particularly Zheng Cheng-gong, who is known by locals as Koxinga. Besides a look into Hualien’s past, the shrine offers mountain views and sweet, cool breezes from a delectable lookout point.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
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Pine Garden
Pine Garden can be a spooky place to those who know the history behind it. In fact, ghost hunters may want to put this Hualien attraction at the top of their list! Pine Garden is set in a former military site, which is said to be the location where kamikaze pilots received a ceremonial glass of wine from the emperor before taking their last flight during World War II. Today, a cultural center houses museum displays, regular exhibits and events. The pine forest surrounding the museum, though, is rumored to be haunted by the kamikaze pilots. Visitors who dare go for a stroll will want to listen for Japanese greetings, which have been reported to echo through the trees.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed every second and fourth Tuesday of each month)
Entry fees: 50 TWD (1.75 USD)
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Dongdamen Night Market (Tungtamen Night Market)
Street food! Live performances! Souvenirs! It’s all at Dongdamen Night Market. This buzzing evening attraction is one of the highlights of Hualien, and every evening, this market lights up! Visitors will want to sample everything from chicken chops to fried ice cream, and the local game booths add an extra touch of fun to this Hualien hot spot.
Hours: 6 p.m. to midnight daily
DISCOVER HUALIEN HOTELS & RESORTS
Find more hotels & resorts in Hualien
Just Sleep Hotel Hualien Zhongzheng
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Looking for an escape from Taiwan’s busier cities and wondering what to do in Hualien? These top five attractions and activities will get any holiday rolling, and visitors are guaranteed to find more fun along the way!
Taroko National Park
Taroko National Park is one of the main attractions in Hualien. The park dominates more of Hualien County and offers miles and miles of hiking trails and scenic views over Taroko Gorge and the Liwu River. The park also contains numerous waterfalls, wildlife and natural foliage, as well as indigenous Taroko people. One of the main attractions in Taroko National Park is the Eternal Spring Shrine, or Changchun Shrine, which features views above a waterfall and honors citizens who died while building the nearby highway.
Must-see attractions in Taroko National Park
- Changchun Shrine
- Liufang Bridge
- Cimu Bridge (Motherly Devotion Bridge)
Entrance fee: it’s free to enter Taroko National Park except on Zhuilu Old Road, which requires a park permit and entrance fee.
DISCOVER HUALIEN HOTELS & RESORTS
Photo credit: Mk2010, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hualien Railway Culture Park
Hualien Railway Culture Park is loved for its rich history and modern appeal. The park was established at the former railway depot, which was established in 1932 during the Japanese occupation of the island. Today, however, it is a popular hangout and a spectacular place to find local food and people after the sun goes down. The culture park features preserved relics from the former railroad, along with several landmarks, like the Old Hualien Construction Section, Police Section Martial Arts Hall (Budokan) and the Railway Shopping District.
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Mondays and national holidays)
DISCOVER HUALIEN HOTELS & RESORTS
Hualien Martyrs’ Shrine
Most landmarks built by the Japanese during the 20th century were destroyed after diplomatic relations ended between Taiwan and Japan in 1972, and Hualien Martyrs’ Shrine is no exception. This historic landmark was all but stripped of its original structure and restored with a Chinese-style palace. One original sculpture remains, however, and that is a bronze statue of a horse. Hualien Martyrs’ Shrine honors fallen soldiers, particularly Zheng Cheng-gong, who is known by locals as Koxinga. Besides a look into Hualien’s past, the shrine offers mountain views and sweet, cool breezes from a delectable lookout point.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
DISCOVER HUALIEN HOTELS & RESORTS
Pine Garden
Pine Garden can be a spooky place to those who know the history behind it. In fact, ghost hunters may want to put this Hualien attraction at the top of their list! Pine Garden is set in a former military site, which is said to be the location where kamikaze pilots received a ceremonial glass of wine from the emperor before taking their last flight during World War II. Today, a cultural center houses museum displays, regular exhibits and events. The pine forest surrounding the museum, though, is rumored to be haunted by the kamikaze pilots. Visitors who dare go for a stroll will want to listen for Japanese greetings, which have been reported to echo through the trees.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed every second and fourth Tuesday of each month)
Entry fees: 50 TWD (1.75 USD)
DISCOVER HUALIEN HOTELS & RESORTS
Dongdamen Night Market (Tungtamen Night Market)
Street food! Live performances! Souvenirs! It’s all at Dongdamen Night Market. This buzzing evening attraction is one of the highlights of Hualien, and every evening, this market lights up! Visitors will want to sample everything from chicken chops to fried ice cream, and the local game booths add an extra touch of fun to this Hualien hot spot.
Hours: 6 p.m. to midnight daily
DISCOVER HUALIEN HOTELS & RESORTS
Find more hotels & resorts in Hualien
Just Sleep Hotel Hualien Zhongzheng
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