Hualien get out · How to get out Hualien
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How to get out Hualien
How to get out Hualien
To Taroko Gorge, frequent buses from Hualien train station (about 170NTD). Be aware that the last buses from Hualien depart early (about 1.50pm). The distance to Taraoko Gorge is not very large, but buses usually take 2 hours at least to Tianhsiang, due to frequent stops and low speed inside the gorge.
RueiSuei Hot Springs and the Siouguluan River Basin - Rueisuei's pristine natural beauty is a must to experience during a trip to Hualien. Rueisuei Hot Springs originated from the upper stream of Hongye Stream. The water from Rueisuei Hot Springs is alkaline sodium carbonate, perfect for osmosis detox and cleansing, with a pH ranging between 6 and 7. The high altitude of Rueisuei Hot Springs offers a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains and plains. Rueisuei Hot Springs have helped boosted tourism in Rueisuei, and Rueisuei Organic Farms, especially the dairy products, is loved by all who visit. Rueisuei is of course the most famous for its hot springs; however, there are tons other things to do as well. Soak in the Hot springs for an evening, then wake up in the morning and River Raft down the incredibly beautiful Siouguluan River basin down to Big Harbor, where you can then hop on a yaght at #96 Shi Ti Bay and head out whale and dolphin watching. The seafood in Shi Ti Harbor is the freshest in Taiwan, caught twice a day by local (mostly aborigines) fishermen and delivered fresh to your plate!
Hehuan Mountain - About a four hour drive fron Hualien City, it is a fantastic journey through the wonders of Taroko Gorge and past, ending in a treeless, absolutely different ecosystem. Hiking available ranges from easy to hard, and can be hiked on one day or multiple days, depending on the route you choose. English literature is available but very basic. It is possible to just set out on a trail and see where it takes you. Being a (mostly) treeless environment, it is difficult to get lost, but beware of the dangers of high altitude hiking - most peaks are above 3000 meters.
River Valleys - The might of typhoons and heavy rains have, over millions of years, carved out of the soft bedrock magnificent river valleys. If you find a river valley (Mugua RIver, for example) and follow it and hike along some tributaries, you are in for a wonderful adventure. No gift shops or 7-11's here, just the wonders of Taiwan.
Tongmen - south of Hualien City, between Jian and Liyu Lake, lies Taroko's little brother. It is a village along the Mugua River, and boasts a 'scaled down' version of Taroko, but with scaled down geology also comes scaled down tourists and people. It is a very pleasant way to spend a day or weekend, and there are excellent swimming opportunities not available in Taroko. A lot of it is paved, or cement, so it is drivable. Stop at the entrance where there is a police guard (friendly and happy to see foreigners enter the pride of their village) show your passport and pay a fee (at this time it was about $150) no matter how big or small the group, and they wil direct you on your way. The road forks - one takes you to the Tongman hydro plant, the other takes you to a scenic and more rustic river valley where swimming and adventure await. Both are, however, well worth your time.
Highway 11 - Rent a scooter and hit the road. The beauty of the coastline in Hualien can be enjoyed from this gorgeous stretch of highway. Although many buses and cars are also drawn here and many cite this as a cause for safety concerns, this is by most accounts false. Take care, drive responsibly, and always be careful when around traffic, but do not let anyone deter you from this drive. Pack a lunch and picnic on the coast with the turquoise ocean lapping at the coastline below. Buses and Taxis will take you along this road also. Taxis are more personalble (they will stop when yousay 'stop') but buses are much cheaper. However, both pale in comparrison to the experience of driving yourself.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Hualien
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Hualien - updated Apr 2024
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WHERE TO TRAVEL NEXT IN 2020
Hualien Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.