Top 10 Most Popular Hualien Attractions Online – Taroko National Park Takes the Top Spot!

▲ Rafting on the Xiuguluan River in Hualien. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Taiwan is home to magnificent mountains and pristine waters. In addition to the urban charm of Taipei that attracts visitors, the island’s natural beauty remains a major highlight. When it comes to stunning scenery, the eastern region of Hualien naturally comes to mind. But do you know which must-see attractions Hualien has to offer? According toDaily View’s Online Temperature Gaugewhich surveyed netizens on the most recommended Hualien attractions, Taroko National Park—with its majestic mountains and clear waters—took first place by a wide margin, outpacing second-place Qixingtan by more than 11,000 votes. Find out if your favorite Hualien spot made the cut!

▲ Swallow Grotto in Taroko National Park (Photo / Courtesy ofTaiwan National Parks Parks TaiwanFacebook page, photo by Qiu Jiazhong)

1. Taroko
When thinking of Hualien, the first thing that comes to mind is undoubtedly the famous Taroko National Park. With its dramatic canyons, towering cliffs, serene landscapes, and rich biodiversity, Taroko captivates the hearts of all who visit—and could easily be named the premier scenic wonder of Hualien.

▲ Qixingtan Beach. (Photo / Provided by Hualien County Government)

2. Qixingtan
Although called a “tan” (pool), Qixingtan is actually a coastal bay covered with pebbles. On clear days, visitors looking up at the night sky from the beach can clearly see the Big Dipper—hence locals named it “Seven Star Pool.”

▲ Sailing at Huilan Bay. (Photo / Provided by Hualien County Government)

3. Huilan Bay
Huilan Bay is a newly emerged attraction in Hualien, featuring a petting farm where visitors can get close to animals, as well as complete water sports facilities—especially appealing to sailing enthusiasts.

▲ Liyu Lake. (Photo / Chen Mingren)

4. Liyu Lake
Liyu Lake is the largest inland lake in eastern Taiwan. A 5-kilometer cycling path encircles the lake, and biking along the scenic shoreline is one of the most popular activities for travelers.

▲ National Dong Hwa University. (Photo / Reporter Huang Yuqi)

5. National Dong Hwa University
The campus of National Dong Hwa University is often chosen by couples for wedding photoshoots. Its European-style buildings, vast grasslands, and picturesque lakeside views are major draws.

▲ Dolphin watching by boat. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong)

6. East Coast Whale and Dolphin Watching
A trip to Taiwan’s east coast isn’t complete without taking a boat tour to spot whales and dolphins. There's nothing more picturesque than seeing pods of dolphins leaping through the blue waters!

▲ Rueisuei Ranch in Hualien. (Photo / Reposted fromTourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications)

7. Rueisuei Ranch
The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Rueisuei Ranch is definitely “rich milky aroma.” The ranch offers freshly squeezed milk, steaming hot milk buns, smooth and creamy fresh milk cheese, and the must-try fresh milk ice cream—don’t miss out if you’re a fan of dairy products.

▲Rafting on the Xiuguluan River. (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

8. Xiuguluan River
Xiuguluan River is the most popular rafting destination in Taiwan, with abundant water flow making it suitable for rafting all year round. However, a rafting trip takes about 3 to 4 hours, so it’s best to get in shape beforehand to avoid getting too tired to move afterward.

▲Songyuan Guesthouse in Hualien. (Photo / Reproduced fromHualien County Cultural Affairs Bureau)

9. Songyuan Guesthouse
Songyuan Guesthouse was a military command center during the Japanese colonial period, and it’s said that there were incidents of Japanese soldiers committing suicide here after defeat. This has made Songyuan Guesthouse one of Taiwan’s top five haunted houses.

▲Mugumuyu (Photo / Provided by Liu Shih-ming)

10. Mugumuyu
Located in the mountains, Mugumuyu encompasses the river scenery of the Mucha River and the mountain views of Emerald Valley, earning it the nickname “Little Tianxiang.” To protect the environment, visitors need to apply for a mountain entry permit to access Mugumuyu. However, due to a typhoon in July 2014 that caused a road collapse, Mugumuyu has been closed to the public ever since, leaving visitors eagerly awaiting its reopening.