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🏔 3-Day 2-Night Plan · 2026

Hualien in
3 Days 2 Nights

Taroko's marble gorge + jade-green pebble beach + hand-pounded mochi since 1972 · The east coast that even Taipei locals keep coming back to

📅 Updated May 2026
About This Trip

Three days where no two are alike — stone, sea, and indigenous culture

Hualien is the city that reminds you just how big Taiwan really is — 1,000-metre marble cliffs standing just 10 kilometres from the ocean. Day 1, take the Taroko or Puyuma Express from Taipei (2 hours) and spend the afternoon at Qixingtan, the most beautiful pebble beach in Taiwan, then explore the Dongdamen Night Market for Amis indigenous food in the evening. Day 2 is the centrepiece of the trip — entering Taroko Gorge. ⚠️ 2026 Note: The April 2024 earthquake closed sections of Taroko that are still under repair. Always check the current status at taroko.gov.tw before visiting. Day 3, relax at Liyu Lake, cycle around it, then pick up Tseng Chi mochi — a gift shop institution since 1972 — before catching the train home.

Day-by-Day Schedule

Hour-by-hour itinerary for all 3 days

DAY
1
Arrive · Qixingtan Beach · Dongdamen Night Market
AM 07:00
Depart Taipei on the Taroko/Puyuma ExpressBook 14 days in advance at www.railway.gov.tw — tickets sell out fast, especially on weekends and holidays. The Taroko Express takes about 2 hours. Tickets cost NT$440–480. Sit on the left side (seats A or B) for ocean views along the route.
AM 09:30
Arrive at Hualien Station + check inMost hotels accept luggage storage before official check-in. Hualien city isn't large — renting a scooter or a used car is the most convenient way to get around. Scooter rental shops are plentiful near the station, around NT$400–500 per day.
NOON 11:30
Lunch in the city + first taste of Amis cuisineTry indigenous Amis food for your first meal — bamboo sticky rice (sticky rice cooked inside bamboo) · boiled wild greens · deep-fried catfish. Some stalls at Zhiqiang Night Market also open during the day.
PM 13:30
Qixingtan Beach — the most beautiful pebble beach in Taiwan10 minutes from the station. A 2 km stretch of grey-green pebbles — no sand but stunning waves and clear water. On a clear day you might spot the Suhua Improvement Highway clinging to the cliffs on the far side of the bay. Very strong sun — apply sunscreen and wear a hat.
PM 17:30
Dongdamen Night Market — 4 zones, eat all nightThe best night market in Hualien. Four zones: Amis market · fried food · barbecue buffet · desserts. Must-try: Amis cream waffles · bamboo sticky rice · giant Korean-style grilled squid. Open until around 23:00.
DAY
2
Taroko Gorge · Marble Cliffs · Truku Indigenous Dinner
AM 07:30
Set off into Taroko Gorge⚠️ Check trail status before going at taroko.gov.tw — some sections remain closed for repairs following the April 2024 earthquake. Getting there: guided tour from Hualien (NT$600–1,200 half-day) · or Hualien Bus 1126/310 from the station · or rent a scooter/car if you have an International Driving Permit.
AM 08:30
Shakadang Trail — walk along a stream through marble canyon wallsAmong the most consistently accessible trails since 2024. A 4.5 km round-trip taking about 2 hours. The stream runs emerald green — spectacular for photos. Wear closed-toe, non-slip shoes — sandals are not permitted.
AM 10:30
Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou) — the most dramatic marble cliffsThe most iconic viewpoint in Taroko — white marble streaked with grey, carved into towering layers. A short ~1 km walk along the cliff face. Free hard hats are provided at the entrance and must be worn. Check in advance that this section is open at taroko.gov.tw.
PM 12:30
Lunch inside the park + stop at TianxiangTianxiang has a restaurant and a small temple nestled in the gorge. A set bento meal costs NT$180–220. Alternatively, bring a packed lunch from Hualien city — much cheaper and you can eat anywhere with a view.
PM 14:30
Back to Hualien + Truku indigenous dinnerLook for Truku restaurants in the city proper (not just the night market). Signature dishes: pork grilled over bamboo · fermented wild greens with maqaw pepper · homemade millet wine. Ask your hostel or hotel to recommend somewhere nearby — locals know which places are the real deal.
DAY
3
Liyu Lake Cycling · Pine Garden · Tseng Chi Mochi · Home
AM 08:00
Liyu Lake — cycle around the largest freshwater lake in Hualien20 minutes from the city. A 16 km cycling loop around the lake takes about 2 hours. Rent a bicycle at the pier for NT$150–200 per hour. The route is flat with no hills — suitable for all fitness levels. If you'd rather not cycle, boat rides are also available for NT$250.
AM 11:00
Pine Garden (松園別館) — a Japanese wartime mansion above the seaSet on a hillside overlooking the ocean. A 1942 Japanese timber building surrounded by towering pines — it once served as a Japanese military headquarters. Open 09:00–18:00, free admission. The view from the veranda is wonderful — and it's just 15 minutes from the airport.
NOON 12:00
Lunch + buy Tseng Chi mochi (曾記麻糬)Tseng Chi has been here since 1972 — the mochi shop every Hualien local will recommend. Flavours include original, black sesame, and peanut at NT$10–15 each. Buy at the main shop near the station or the Dongdamen branch. Made fresh daily, good for 2 days at room temperature — no freezing needed.
PM 14:00
Check out + head back to TaipeiThe train from Hualien Station takes about 2 hours back to Taipei. Book the return ticket at the same time you buy your outbound ticket. If you have a rental car and extra time, the Suhua Improvement Highway (opened 2020 — not the old Suhua Highway, which is closed) can take you north all the way up to Yilan.
Trip Budget

Estimated costs for 3 days 2 nights (per person)

TransportNT$2,200
AccommodationNT$4,000
FoodNT$2,000
Activities & AdmissionNT$1,200
TotalNT$9,400
Estimated per person · Taroko Express round-trip NT$880–960 · scooter rental NT$1,200 (2 days) · mid-range accommodation NT$1,500–2,500 per night · half-day Taroko tour NT$600–1,200 · excludes souvenirs and mochi
Practical Tips

5 things worth knowing before you go

🚆
Book the Taroko/Puyuma Express 14 days ahead
At www.railway.gov.tw · tickets go on sale 14 days before departure and sell out fast, especially on weekends. If you can't get a seat, the Tze-Chiang Limited Express is a solid alternative (about 30 minutes slower).
⚠️
Taroko 2026 — always check trail status first
The April 2024 earthquake left some Taroko trails closed for ongoing repairs. Check the latest at taroko.gov.tw before you leave. The Shakadang Trail and Swallow Grotto are open more frequently than other sections. See our full Taroko status comparison page for details.
🌀
Avoid August–October if you're worried about typhoons
Hualien sits on the windward east coast and gets hit more often than Taipei. During August–October, check the 3-day forecast before travelling. October–April has the best weather: clear skies and cool breezes.
🛵
Renting a scooter beats waiting for buses
Hualien has no MRT and bus schedules are rigid. Scooter rental shops near the station charge NT$400–500 per day. You'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a Taiwanese licence.
🍡
Buy Tseng Chi mochi on the morning you leave
Made fresh every day, good for 2 days at room temperature — buy on your last morning and you'll have no worries about storage. They come in gift-ready boxes and make excellent souvenirs.
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ · Common questions answered

How much of Taroko is currently open?
After the April 2024 earthquake, Taroko National Park remains partially open. The Shakadang Trail and Swallow Grotto are among the most frequently accessible sections. The Baiyang Trail (behind-tunnel waterfall) and some cliff-edge stretches are still under repair. Always check the current status at taroko.gov.tw before visiting. · Full Taroko status comparison
Which train is best from Taipei to Hualien?
The Taroko Express or Puyuma Express — both take about 2 hours. Tickets cost NT$440–480. Book 14 days in advance at www.railway.gov.tw (they sell out fast). Sit on the left side (seats A or B) for ocean views along the way.
How much does a 3-day 2-night Hualien trip cost?
Budget around NT$8,000–11,000 per person · train round-trip NT$880–960 · 2 nights mid-range accommodation NT$3,000–5,000 · 6–7 meals NT$1,500–2,500 · activities (scooter rental / Taroko tour / Liyu boat) NT$1,200–2,000 · Tseng Chi mochi and souvenirs NT$500–1,000.
What food is Hualien known for?
Top 5 must-tries: Tseng Chi mochi (since 1972, NT$10–15 each) · Amis bamboo sticky rice at Dongdamen · indigenous-style cream waffles · deep-fried catfish at the beach · homemade Truku millet wine · full Hualien food guide with every restaurant worth visiting
Does Hualien get hit by typhoons?
Yes, fairly often — Hualien sits on the windward east coast of the island. August to October is peak typhoon season. Always check the 72-hour forecast before departing. If a typhoon makes landfall, trains may suspend and Taroko closes on emergency notice. Travel insurance covering weather-related cancellations is strongly recommended.
Is a Taroko tour better than renting a vehicle yourself?
It depends on your experience. A guided tour is better if you're unfamiliar with the route — the guide knows which trails are open or closed and can take you to the best spots. Half-day tours run NT$600–1,200. Renting a scooter or car yourself is better if you want to stop whenever you like for photos — but you'll need an International Driving Permit and must check trail status before heading out.
Hualien Travel Guide
Everything about exploring Hualien and Taiwan's east coast
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Taroko Status 2026
Which trails are open or closed after the April 2024 earthquake
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Hualien Food Guide
Tseng Chi mochi · Amis cuisine · Dongdamen market · every spot worth visiting
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Hualien 2-Day + Taroko Plan
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