2025 Hualien City Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

Hualien in the afternoon, with its gentle sunlight, is the perfect time for a nostalgic walk. I planned a half-day trip that feels like traveling back in time, starting at Songyuan Villa and slowly immersing myself in the Japanese historical charm of Hualien. The first stop is Songyuan Villa, perched on a small hill. Once a resting place for Japanese military officers, it is surrounded by old pine trees and features elegant architecture. From the second-floor platform, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and Hualien Port, making it an ideal spot for relaxation. Next, I visited the Hualien Port Broadcasting Station, a building constructed in 1944 during the Japanese occupation. Now transformed into an art exhibition space, its simple exterior and retro recording studio seem to echo the broadcasts of the past. The final stop is the Hualien General's Residence, often referred to as "Little Kyoto of Hualien." The wooden old house and tatami rooms exude a Showa-era ambiance. Today, it combines cultural creativity with dining, making it the perfect place to sit down and enjoy a bowl of Japanese-style dessert as a delightful conclusion. This small trip is not just about visiting attractions; it feels more like a quiet dialogue with the past. --- Location Check-ins: Songyuan Villa｜No. 65, Songyuan Street, Hualien City Hualien Port Broadcasting Station｜No. 69, Songyuan Street, Hualien City Hualien General's Residence｜No. 12, Minquan 9th Street, Hualien City

#bar #100 ways to travel #谷慕滋 A local Cozy Style bar in Hualien, the building decoration is a mixture of metal iron, wooden furniture and green plants, creating a warm and comfortable feeling of relaxation, just like the atmosphere that the name of the store Good Moids wants to give people, warm and chill. Gumuz's cocktails are rough and emphasize simple elements, just like the simple and natural feeling of Hualien. Whether it is craft beer or fruit special, the flavor is very pure. Barbeque appetizers are also GUMUSZ’s strong point, and the short ribs dishes are as good as those in Western restaurants, with a fresh and tender taste. The glutinous rice and pepper rolls are highly recommended, with a salty, slightly spicy taste, which is very appealing! #gumuzi 🕰️Business hours: 2000-0200 📍Address: No. 108, Boai Street, Hualien City, Hualien County #HualienTravel #Bar #100TravelWays

#bar #100 ways to travel I didn't expect there is such a high-end #bar in Hualien, it's like I found a treasure! Hidden near the Hualien Old Railway Pedestrian Area, I was attracted by the minimalist facade with a slightly hipster style and unexpectedly came across this #和島Bar Bar Peace. Upon entering, I was immediately struck by the bar's elegant décor. The elegant landscape stone bar counter was filled with bottles of all shapes and sizes, looking as exquisite as works of art. I never expected that the bars in Hualien would be so tasteful and classy, ​​not inferior to the fashionable lounges in the urban areas. Heyu Bar only provides cocktails and drinks, and no food or drinks are available. This will test the bartender's skills and how to make a cocktail that is good in appearance, aroma and taste. I can only say that the bartender at Heyu is very good at livening up the atmosphere. The handsome bartender can chat with the customers in no time, and the cocktails are naturally not sloppy. Each drink has a unique flavor and is prepared according to the customer's taste preferences. Before I knew it, my friend and I had drunk 4 or 5 drinks! Because we had so much fun drinking, we came back the next night after visiting Dongdaemun Night Market! However, it is best to make a reservation in advance and fill your stomach first, as there may not be a seat every time you suddenly want to drink. #和島Barpeace 🕰️Opening hours: 1900-0100 📍Address: 1F, No. 80, Guangfu Street, Hualien City, Hualien County #HualienTravel #Bar #100TravelWays

A very secret white restaurant. The pink and blue iron door looks great in photos. You can feel the strong Nordic decoration as soon as you enter the room. There are plenty of seats on the first floor and a small outdoor garden for taking photos. The second floor is also a seating area. Although it is not large, the atmosphere is very good. It is really comfortable and leisurely to enjoy a meal here. I heard that his meals are also delicious, but I came here for his Shu Lei. I really fell in love with it as soon as I ate it. It is unforgettable. #100 Ways to Travel #Food #Afternoon Tea #Dessert #Shu Fulei #Lunch

Address: No. 11, Jianzhong Street, Hualien City Atmosphere/Facilities: Nestled in an alley, this shop is built with driftwood and greenery. The tables are made from old sewing machines with driftwood tops, creating a very relaxed space. There are two shop cats that are not afraid of people and can be seen lounging or sleeping casually. Features: The coffee and drinks are of good quality. The main attraction is the tarts, with seasonal specials and different flavors available daily. Average Price: 200-400 TWD Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 A great place for a chill afternoon tea.

Hualien's popular online restaurant #小巷茉莉 is located on Sanmin Street behind Lao Shiguang BBQ. Pushing open the elegant door and walking through the hidden red brick alley, you will feel like you have finally found a bright future. The space inside the store is quite warm and the elegant atmosphere is well created. It is very comfortable and relaxing, which is very suitable for afternoon tea. I ordered the super dreamy #HoneyVanillaIceCreamSouffléWaffle, which looks very similar to the fluffy and chewy Kyushu waffles, and is garnished with a few balls of cantaloupe. The freshly baked soufflé is soft and fluffy, and paired with the texture of ice cream and sweet honey, it tastes wonderful. Alley Jasmine actually serves full meals, not only Thai private dishes, but also homely Chinese cuisine. They also emphasize using high-quality organic fragrant rice grown in Hualien #photosynthesisfarm to cook fresh, delicious and heart-warming dishes. #Hualien Food #Alley Jasmine #molicafé Opening hours: 1200-1930 Address: No. 62, Sanmin Street, Hualien City, Hualien County Average spending per person: $200-400

#WinHongKongTicket I want to go to Lantau Island in Hong Kong The icy fried dumplings are so beautiful and amazing! It’s the first time I’ve seen fried dumplings cooked so gorgeously. The icy texture is crispy, while the inside of the dumplings retains the soft texture that fried dumplings should have. The taste is very memorable, but it’s a pity that the taste is a bit ordinary. The store style is simple and compact, full of Japanese elegant atmosphere. Some exquisite small decorations are placed to make the whole space look more warm. #Hualien #Hualien Food #Hualien Travel #Food Tour #Food Diary #Record Food on the Journey #Record Life #Record Daily Eating and Drinking #Record Daily Eating and Drinking

#Hualien Accommodation #Hualien Jessie's Le Meridien Resort The hotel design was designed by LAYAN, a design team from Melbourne, Australia, with the inspiration of "opening your mind and welcoming challenges", combining local culture and natural scenery. The installation art at the lobby reception desk was designed by artist Lu Yanhua, who drew inspiration from the Taroko Gorge. The aboriginals wrapped more than 3,000 dyed hemp ropes around cotton ropes to weave colors from dark to light, using the changes in light and shadow to experience the day and night of Taroko. It has 252 rooms, with a basic room rate starting at NT$13,000. It has introduced sodium bicarbonate springs in the public hot springs to create a hot spring certified hotel (this stay was 42,000 points for two consecutive nights on 2023/12/31) We stayed in a 46-square-meter deluxe sea view room 1106 with one large bed. Although it was a bit far from the sea, we were lucky enough to be able to see the lights of the Dongdaemun New Year's Eve concert and the New Year's Eve fireworks (it is said that the room of the daughter of Henan Wang is next door, 1102). The room has a nice space design. The wardrobe and tea cabinet have a good texture. The bathroom has a square bathtub like the Four Points Sheraton in Bali. Two glass kettles are provided for drinking water, which can be filled with hot and cold water or sparkling water. My friend stayed in the Deluxe Mountain View Room 1703, which has a nice design, with double sinks facing each other and a Japanese-style hot spring bath, which feels like traveling in Japan (if you like the magnificent mountain view, you should choose the room type 01 next door) There is no hot spring water in the room. I wanted to enjoy the male and female nude bath after exercising in the morning, but I was told that I needed to bring a bath towel from the room, so I gave up! The outdoor swimming pool has room temperature water, and the outdoor spa pool is about 38 degrees. It was very windy these two days and I didn't go into the water! I am quite satisfied with the brand new gym equipment. The aerobic facilities even have internet and wireless charging functions! The restaurant was not open, but fortunately breakfast was changed from in-room dining to exploring the kitchen. Currently there are only Chinese/Western set meals and a simple buffet bar (fruits, salads, bread, etc.) The Chinese congee was not tasty, and the Western set meal changed from steak on 12/31 to bacon and eggs (the service staff did not explain the contents of the meal), but fortunately the croissant was excellent Also, a good friend asked us not to choose breakfast as the welcome gift 😂😂😂 (we chose millet wine) Overall, the room and hardware are satisfactory.

Hualien Sago Trail ✝️ This is an entry-level trail for getting close to nature. It starts with a small wooden bridge Gravel and stone steps along the road The slope is gentle and easy to walk, with trees covering the entire route. Listen to the chirping of insects and birds while walking, and feel the smell of the forest The trail is designed as a loop The viewing platform at the midpoint of the trail allows you to see the Sagaer Waterfall up close. Small waterfall 💦 Easily complete and return to the starting point in one hour ✅ Address: No. 369, Sakura Street, Hualien City, next to the entrance

Address: No. 1-1, Linyuan, Hualien City, Hualien County 970 Atmosphere/Facilities: Relaxed/Local Hotel Features: The Royalton Hotel in Hualien is a long-established hotel brand. Its exterior has been renovated and looks quite new, clean and tidy. The guest rooms are spacious and comfortable, and some indirect lighting makes the overall space feel quite textured. The accommodation environment is very good! Price per person: 2000 Rating: 8 #Hualien #Royalton Hotel

🏞️ Hualien Qingshui Cliff: A magnificent masterpiece of nature 🌊 When you come to Hualien Qingshui Cliff, you will be surrounded by the magnificent masterpiece of nature. This is the most stunning natural wonder on the east coast of Taiwan. The place is characterized by its amazing geographical landscapes and wonders of nature. Qingshui Cliff gets its name from its vertical and steep cliffs that stand majestically on the seashore. Standing in this spectacular place, you can overlook the majestic Pacific Ocean, feel the sea breeze on your face, and feel like you are at the end of the world. Qingshui Cliffs not only displays the stunning beauty of nature, but also allows you to deeply appreciate the grandeur and infinite possibilities of the earth. It's a humbling place that makes you feel the majesty of nature. 🌊🧗‍♂️ #Qingshui Cliff #Natural Wonders #Magnificent Sea View #Good Place for Families #Local Tour

🌙 Dongdamen Night Market: Hualien’s local food paradise! 🍢🍧 Location: Hualien Features: Taiwanese local snacks, night market culture Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Transportation: Call a taxi directly Dongdamen Night Market is a classic night market in Hualien and one of the representatives of Hualien's local cuisine. There is a wide variety of Taiwanese snacks here. Whether you like fried stinky tofu, oyster omelette, fried chicken or other classic snacks, you can find them here. The hustle and bustle of the night market and the neon lights make you feel the passion and vitality of Taiwan's night market culture. You can roam around, taste delicious food, buy souvenirs and feel the unique charm of the local area. Dongdamen Night Market is a place you cannot miss when traveling to Hualien. It will take you on a food adventure and let you taste the diverse flavors and customs of Taiwan. 🌙🍢🍧 #Good place for family #Local travel #Dongdamen Night Market #Local food #Night market snacks #Hualien travel #Taiwan region

🍳 Green Wave Breakfast: All-you-can-eat vegetarian food in a restaurant! 🌱🥣 Location: Hualien Features: Mainly vegetarian, delicious noodle soup Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Located in the Ritz Hotel, Green Wave Breakfast is a place that provides you with wonderful morning meals. What’s special is that they offer an all-you-can-eat service that mainly serves vegetarian food, so you can enjoy delicious meals to your heart’s content. You can enjoy a wide variety of vegetarian options, from peel-and-peel peppers to noodle soups, and each dish is carefully prepared to make your morning full of flavor and nutrition. Whether you are a vegetarian or want to try a different breakfast flavor, Green Wave Breakfast is a good choice. Come here to start your day off right and satisfy your taste buds! 🍳🌱🥣 #HualienTourism #Good Places for Families #LocalTourism

🏞️ Tianxiang Visitor Center: The starting point for the beautiful scenery of Taroko! 🐒 Location: Near Taroko National Park Features: Visitor center, spectacular natural landscape, wild monkeys Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Located near Taroko National Park, the Tien Hsiang Visitor Center is the perfect starting point for exploring this magnificent natural beauty. This visitor center not only provides tourist information and guided tours, but also boasts breathtaking natural scenery. Near the Tianxiang Visitor Center, you can enjoy the majestic mountains, strange rocks, and lush jungles of Taroko National Park. Particularly eye-catching are the wild monkeys nearby, which often roam freely in this natural environment, bringing fun and surprises to tourists. Whether you want to embark on a nature-filled hiking trip or explore the mysteries of Taroko, the Tianxiang Visitor Center is a place you cannot miss. When you come here, you will be able to feel the grandeur of nature and have an unforgettable experience of getting close to wild animals. 🏞️🐒 #Good place for families #Local travel #Taroko #Natural landscape #Wild monkeys

🥟 Hualien Gongzheng Baozi Shop: A paradise for delicious and affordable snacks! 🍲 Location: Hualien Features: Cheap food, steamed dumplings, hot and sour soup Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hualien Gongzheng Baozi Restaurant is a popular snack bar in Hualien, famous for its super affordable prices and delicious snacks. The xiao long bao here is an absolute must-order, with thick skin and rich fillings, every bite is full of happiness. Besides the xiao long bao, you can also try their signature hot and sour soup which is both appetizing and delicious and is definitely the perfect accompaniment. Whether you are a local resident or a tourist from afar, you can taste authentic Hualien snacks here. The affordable food at Hualien Gongzheng Baozi Restaurant attracts many diners. Here you can taste authentic Taiwanese snacks without having to worry about breaking the bank. If you want to taste delicious food in Hualien, this bun shop is definitely your best choice! 🥟🍲 #Good place for family #Local travel #Hualien food #Xiaolongbao #Affordable food

🍡 Zeng Ji Mochi: A classic delicacy in Hualien! 🌸 Location: Opposite Hualien Train Station Features: Traditional mochi, Hualien cuisine Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Zeng Ji Mochi is a classic old shop in Hualien, famous for its wonderful mochi. The mochi here is made in a very traditional way, allowing you to taste the delicious old-fashioned flavor. Every bite of Zeng Ji Mochi exudes a strong Hualien flavor. The mochi is chewy and full of the rich glutinous rice aroma. You can choose different flavors of mochi, whether it is red bean, peanut, or other flavors, it will bring you a surprising taste bud enjoyment. Whether you are a local or a tourist from afar, you cannot miss this culinary gem of Hualien. Zengji Mochi is a representative snack of Hualien. After taking a bite, you will be completely immersed in the taste of this beautiful city! 🍡🌸 #Good place for families #Local travel #Zeng Ji Mochi #Hualien food #Old-fashioned taste

🚂 Taiwan Railway Dream Factory: A dream destination for railway lovers! 🛤️ Location: Taiwan Features: Railway culture, peripheral products Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Taiwan Railway Dream Factory is a paradise for all railway lovers, a place dedicated to showcasing the rich culture and history of Taiwan's railways. When you step into the factory you will be immersed in the wonderful world of railways. In addition, Taiwan Railway Dream Factory also has many peripheral products, where you can find various souvenirs and gifts with railway elements as the theme. Whether you are a railway fan or just interested in Taiwan's railway culture, this place is a must-see attraction! 🚂🛤️ #Good Place for Parents and Children #Local Tour #Taiwan Railway Dream Factory #Railway Culture #Surrounding Goods

Moriyamasha was previously the dormitory of the Forestry Bureau. It retains the structure of the building and the terrazzo floor of the old house. The sun shines through the windows, and sitting on the chairs and tasting the food makes the atmosphere feel like being in Japan. Fried chicken curry rice with sunny-side-up egg $270 The sauce of the curry rice is thick and sweet Japanese curry. It smells fragrant and delicious, but it's a pity that the rice and vegetables are very small. Maybe the baked chicken disappointed me, but the fried chicken is much more delicious. Baked chicken with cheese and cream sauce $275 The cheese gratin sauce can be paired with European bread, but I personally prefer to eat bread alone. The cheese gratin tastes okay, and the chicken is marinated with Italian herbs, which tastes like rosemary, but I didn't particularly like it.

#Taiwan Local Tour Address: No. 101, Guolian 5th Road, Hualien City, Hualien County 970 I have been unable to book a room on holidays many times, and could only check in on weekdays. I parked my car and checked in smoothly. Maybe because it was not fully booked on weekdays, I was upgraded to a four-person room, so I could have a good rest. The midnight snacks included danzai noodles, cold noodles, meat buns, porridge, etc.! In addition, free laundry detergent is provided for the laundry and drying equipment, which was very thoughtful and the service was very considerate. The overall CP value of the hotel is very high on weekdays. I believe that it will be hard to find a room during the holidays. Note: Holiday housing must be booked in advance to avoid missing it.

As soon as I saw this cafe on the Internet, I felt that I had to go there. Just seeing the decoration outside the shop made me feel like I was in Europe. It was so photogenic. I also took photos like crazy here and the inside was also very nice. The atmosphere of the space is very comfortable. The highlight is that there are healing cats to drink coffee with you, and the super friendly cats will come over to let you pet and take pictures with you. The desserts in the store are arranged on the plate, which makes people happy to take photos. It is really worth coming here. Let's drink tea and take photos here #cafe #afternoon tea #a good place to go in hot summer

Yuelu Canteen: No. 71, Fengming 1st Road, Fenglin Township, Hualien County 975 I went there specially to take my elderly parents to taste Hualien’s famous plum chicken. I heard that it was closed for a while and then reopened. I finally had the chance to go there. Although the appearance is the same when you enter, the interior furnishings are different from many years ago. Instead, it has a more spacious and comfortable space, with transparent floor-to-ceiling windows, which makes it very convenient for everyone to feel quiet and comfortable. You must order plum chicken, and everyone's favorite bitter melon with plum juice, shrimp vermicelli pot, and golden sand tofu. Everyone can have one bowl after another, and you can vaguely see the night view outside the window (I don’t want to go out because there are mosquitoes), so just watch it quietly. Note: Reservations are required. There are many flowers and trees outside, so there will be mosquitoes. Plum chicken requires reservations.

Wang Kee Tea Shop in Hualien City First visit, very amazing As soon as you step into the store, it feels like you are walking through a time tunnel. Enter another old-time teahouse All the store decorations are amazing to me Such an antique You can even see the fat koi through the transparent glass. Swimming at ease under your feet The store has a full range of meals to meet the needs of different customers Tastes good

Dongdaemun Night Market (東大門夜市) is the biggest night market in Hualien City due to their combination of three different night markets into one! There are many stores in this night market which includes food stores such as dumplings, potato balls, scallion pancake and etc as well as game stations. You can easily find and get anything here! Dongdaemun night market consists of another street called Aboriginal Street (原住民一条街) where they sell aboriginal food! We tried one of the aboriginal food store - 阿妹煮which was recommended by the Hualien locals and turned out to be better than we expected! It is an awesome night market to spend your time at doing your shopping, snacking, eating as well as playing games here in Hualien! Address: Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan 970 #foodie #夜市 #taiwantravel

Oops Coffee (Oops驚奇咖) is a cafe that serves western cuisine that is located in Hualien City. We were looking for a place to have our dinner and chanced upon this on Google map. We decided to give it a try and to our surprise, the food here from the soup, main dishes, dessert to drinks were extremely delicious! However, do take note that this cafe closes rather early at 9pm so if you are going for your dinner, do head down earlier. It took quite sometime for our food to be served as well, approximately 30 minutes for our main dishes. Address: No. 15號, Xuanyuan Rd, Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan 970 #taiwanfood #美食分享 #foodie

📍Hualien Taiwan Qixingtan Beach (七星潭) The most beautiful spot on this beach. The cool air is around 20 degrees with the blue sea contrasting with the green mountains in the background. It's definitely a beauty unlike any other sea you've ever seen. ✳️ Don't forget to stop by and try the local ice cream here. There are 2 flavors to choose from: vanilla and chocolate. 🔸No admission fee. There are restrooms available. #TravelAbroad #TravelTaiwan

My ticket is $120, which can be deducted from a $50 tip. Because the park is very large, it is not recommended to walk. You can use an electric bicycle. I came to the park in the season of bald cypress and saw very beautiful bald cypress. The reflection of the lake reflected the waves of the bald cypress, which was very beautiful.

It is already difficult to make a reservation on weekdays, and it is even more difficult to make a reservation during summer or winter vacation. You can only queue on the spot. My favorite is the beef sushi, which is delicious, and the rice bowl is just average. For those who like Japanese food, the hand rolls and sushi are good, you can try it

Hualien Station is a train station that you will definitely arrive at. Many people come here by train. If you are here, you must take pictures of the entire beautiful station, because Hualien has beautiful mountains, waters, and scenery. The entire sky is super blue, and the strawberries at the station are definitely not to be missed. If you have the opportunity to come to Hualien, you must come to this station and spend a few minutes to check in and appreciate the characteristic buildings on the train, and check in at the door to take pictures.

Hualien barbecue list shared by friends Yakiniku Jimbocho is really good Lots of food options Great ingredients, great service And Haagen Dazs ice cream ❤️