Taiwan is such an awesome country to spend some time exploring. It’s one of those places that was never really on the top of my bucket list, but I am so glad that I received the opportunity to visit! Thanks to the Taiwan Tourism Board, I hopped on a plane and headed to Taiwan for two weeks to check out some different places. I explored several cities throughout my stay and they were all completely different and one of a kind compared to any place I have ever traveled to. It was kind of remarkable to be able to experience so many different places in one country and in one trip. And one of my favorite stops in the country consisted of 48 hours in Hualien.
When I first found out I was going to be visiting Taiwan, one of the first places I knew I wanted to visit out of Taipei City was Hualien. I had heard that it was one of the most beautiful places on the island, so it was a no brainer for me! The city of Hualien is located on the western coast of the island of Taiwan. It’s known for its stunning, jaw dropping coastlines, and of course Taroko Gorge. I was blown away by the natural beauty of this place. It’s really something special and you need to spend some time exploring both the downtown area and the gorge.
So if you find yourself planning a trip to Taiwan, make sure that you spend at least 48 hours in Hualien because there is so much to see (like Toroko Gorge), do (go bike riding on the coast), and eat (dumplings, dim sum, sushi, and more). And if you can be there for even more time, I highly suggest it because there was still a ton of things I could have spent my days doing! I guess I will just have to plan a trip back!
*I also spent a ton of of my time in Taiwan exploring Taipei and wandering around Taichung.*
48 Hours In Hualien
What To Do In Hualien
Two Days in Hualien – Day 1 AM
Spend 48 Hours in Hualien
The number one thing that you have to do during your 48 hours in Hualien is explore Taroko Gorge! It’s by far the can’t miss experience in the area.
I highly suggest that you book onto a tour with MyTaiwanTour. I don’t think that our time there would have been anywhere as special without them.
Our excellent guide, Vincent, picked us up from our hotel at 9 AM to begin the day. He provided us with an introductory tour to Taroko Gorge. This is perfect if you only have one day to explore the national park. There are a number of other tours to choose from, but if you only have two days in Hualien, then I suggest only spending one day exploring the Gorge so you have time to see other things in the city.
So, when you begin the tour, your day will start with a stop at the Quishingtan Scenic Area. You’ll check out a breathtaking view of the coast (as seen above). We were very lucky as people were kayaking around the area that morning, so it made for an even better view! If I had been there longer I definitely would have looked into a kayak trip in the area! I imagine it would be great to see the cliffs from the ocean.
Next, you’ll head into the national park. Your guide will take you to Shakadang Trail, where you can take a leisurely stroll (I say this because it’s not a hike…anyone can do this walk — I came in full work out clothes which was completely unnecessary…just make sure you have sturdy walking shoes or trainers/sneakers). Choose to complete the enter thing which is 5 kilometers or do what we did and just walk 1.5 km in and 1.5 km out! If we had had more time, I definitely would have done the 5 kilometers. Stop for a fresh juice or snack along the way at one of the many stands that the local people set up for hikers.
Day 1 PM
You probably worked up an appetite during that hike/walk! So why not head to the visitor center for lunch? There aren’t a ton of food options near the park, and while the selection is a bit basic, it still tastes pretty good and will leave you feeling satisfied after a long morning. I enjoyed some chicken, vegetables, and fruit.
After lunch, it’s time to walk along Swallow Grotto. You’ll have to put on a helmet as you walk along the highway to protect your head from falling rocks, but it’s really just a precaution. During this walk you’ll see beautiful drop offs and really interesting rock formations. You can choose to bypass this by sitting in the car with your guide, but it’s a really great walk that you won’t want to miss out on!
If you’re interested in more of a hike, make sure you take some time out to explore the Lushui Trail. There are several routes you can take, but we opted for the 2-kilometer hike as we were on a time constraint. It was a fairly easy hike, but my favorite part was that most of it was shaded so we had a break from the hot sun.
If you like to learn about the history of an area than you’ll love the visit to Buluowan. This is where you can learn all about the aborigines who live in the Taroko area. There are several exhibits documenting them in the past and the present.
If you’re looking for more things to do in Hualien, then end your day at the Dongdamen Night Market in town. I suggest trying a Gua Bao which is a steamed pork bun filled with stewed meat. It is so tasty! (And maybe you’ll see a sunset like this one). There a ton of food options like fresh BBQ, corn on the Cobb, and more to choose from.
More Things To Do In Hualien
Two Days In Hualien – Day 2 AM
Use day 2 of your 48 hours in Hualien to explore the city. Or, use the day to eat like I did! Taiwan is known for its food after all!
But before you get eating, work up an appetite by renting a bicycle and riding along the ocean. A lot of hotels offer you a free bike rental with your stay, but there are also shops on the main road where you can find one. It’s really not expensive to rent for the afternoon and makes getting around a lot easier (especially in the hot sun).
And if you’re wondering what to do in Hualien, there’s a great boardwalk near Hualien Pacific Landscape Park that makes it perfect to explore the city. Hualien Pacific Landscape Park is an area in the city that is split into a North and South section. There are often vendors around and it’s easily accessible from the city. You’ll come across some pretty cool art deco buildings, some stunning temples, and of course experience beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. I could have spent the entire day riding up and down that boardwalk, but food…
Day 2 PM
After you go on your bike ride, you’re going to be starving. Trust me…
So that means it’s time for a delicious meal (or four–seriously my time eating in Taiwan was the best…I honestly didn’t have a bad meal the entire two weeks I was there). *And you can see how much food I ate in my vlog from Hualien above!!*
If you want to keep things cheap, head to Gong Zheng Bao Zi for the most epically delicious dim sum or Xiao Long Baos (soup dumplings). I got an order of five and a whole tray of pork dumplings for less than two dollars! (No. 199-2, Zhongshan Road, Hualien County 970, Taiwan). I ate most of them there, and took away the rest to munch on throughout the day.
If you’re interested in a sit-down meal in air conditioning, I suggest grabbing some sushi at Lai Sang Sushi House. Keep in mind that the menu is in Chinese, but with a little help from Siri, you’ll be able to order something delicious and fresh! I definitely recommend the tuna sushi! It was super fresh and tasty! (No. 90, Linsen Road, Hualien 970, Taiwan).
I suggest choosing one of these for lunch and the other for dinner as they are both can’t miss spots!
And, if you’re in need of a snack in between, then you must get a scallion pancake at Lao Pai Scallion Pancakes. They are so tasty. The scallion pancake I had may be the best thing I ate in Hualien! The yolk was so ooey and gooey and basically perfect. There’s nothing better than a yolk that pops perfectly in your mouth when you bite into it. (No. 2, Lane 110, Fuxing Street, Hualien City, Taiwan).
If you need any more food suggestions, check out this blog post from kkday–it’s what I used to find these places! And I didn’t have a chance to check them all out, so you’ll have to do it for me!
Tell me, have you been to Hualien before? If so, I’d love for you to tell me some of your favorite things that you did in the comments section below! Let other readers know your favorite spots, places to eat, and more!
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