Hualien City is a beautiful coast on the east of Taiwan, sufficient for any wanderlust traveller to enjoy a peaceful journey that connects you with nature, tradition and food. Allow me to share with you some of the highlights during my trip to Hualien from Kenting. 

 

How to get to Hualien City from Kenting

Catch a bus from kenting to Fangliao TRA station (枋寮站) to catch your train to Hualien Station. You might want to book your tickets  from the TRA train website in advance as the seats are limited and they sold out quite quickly.

Train ticket: NT$436 – NT$564 (We paid NT$548, and that’s around $24 SGD)

Train journey: 3hrs 27 min to 4 hr 31 min

Train frequency: 6 trains between 0818 – 1929 hrs

Fangliao TRA Station (枋寮站)

Address: 940, Taiwan, Pingtung County, Fangliao Township

 

Eating Traditional Lunch Bento on the train

Since your train ride should most probably be early in the morning, what I like about the train ride is that you get to order the traditional lunch bento which Taiwanese love to have, especially on the go.

Since your train ride should most probably be early in the morning, what I like about the train ride is that you get to order the traditional lunch bento which Taiwanese love to have, especially on the go.

 

Explore the beautiful Hualien Taroko Gorge National Park (花蓮太魯閣國家公園)

Taroko Gorge National Park sits at the North of Hualien and is one out of nine National Parks in Taiwan. She is a natural beauty and is Taiwan’s top tourist destination, considering its marble-walled canyons, magnificent mountains and lush greenery.

We  hired a cabbie guide to tour and ferry us around some of the famous sightseeing spots in Taroko Gorge National Park . We managed to explore seven major spots in Taroko Gorge National Park all in one day (quite an accomplishment and experience). Check out more details in this comprehensive post of the different places that we went to.

Taroko National Park (花蓮太魯閣國家公園)

Have an evening cycle at Nanbin Park (南濱公園)

We borrowed some bicycles from Minsu host and cycled to the nearby Nanbin Park which has the best ocean views, as well as cycling lanes. We were in awe with how magnificent the waves breakers stood across the shore. The whole experience and view is simply breathtaking.

Nanbin Park (南濱公園)

Address: Haibin St, Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan 970

Opening Hours: 24 Hours

Dinner and Supper at Dongdamen Night Market (東大門觀光夜市)

Dongdamen Night Market (東大門觀光夜市) is at Hualien’s main district (花蓮市區) and there are tons of local street food and some local traditional performances for you to enjoy the night. If you are lover of Taiwanese night market street food, check out this ultimate Taiwanese food guide!

1. Fried Quail Eggs

2. Oden

3. Xiao Long Bao (小籠包)

Five-stars rating  goes to this stall’s dumplings and baos.  Where else can you eat 10 xiao long baos (小籠包) for NT$50 ($2 SGD). Best thing of all, they open 24 hours. Supper lovers, you know where to go if you are hungry late at night! 

周家蒸餃

Address: No. 4-20, Gongzheng Street, Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan 970

Opening Hours: 24 Hours

 

4. Sweet potato hokkaido ice-cream

I must have struck lottery to chanced upon this sweet potato-flavoured hokkaido ice-cream! They are made from purple and yellow sweet potatoes! My love for sweet potatoes and taro never dies.

Address: No. 145號, Zhonghua Road, Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan 970

Opening Hours: 9am – 10.30pm

 

5. Shaved-Ice Desserts

End your food adventure in Hualien with desserts from this popular shaved-ice desserts stall. We ordered two of the fruit-flavoured ones and they were really refreshing and fresh, and very generous with their portions.

一心泡泡冰

Address: No. 66號, Zhonghua Road, Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan 970

Opening Hours: 11am-10pm