Admire flowers in the valley and watch waves along the coast — enjoy an exciting Lunar New Year getaway in Hualien

During the Lunar New Year period, the Hualien-Taitung region is always a popular destination for holidays and leisure. Especially in late winter to early spring, it’s the best time to enjoy the flower season in the valley. If you’re planning an exciting trip to Hualien, it’s a good idea to start early. Whether it’s a flower-viewing journey along the mountainous valley routes or a coastal bike ride with ocean views, both are great choices.

Traveling along Highway 9 allows you to enjoy the beauty of the East Rift Valley. Along the way, you can include stops at the Hualien Sugar Factory, the Matanglan Atayal Aboriginal Village, the Ruisui Dairy Farm, and the Ruisui Hot Springs. Throughout Highway 9, bright yellow rapeseed flowers have replaced rice paddies as the main feature of the farmland. The dense clusters of petals paint the winter earth in yellow hues. The vast stretches of rapeseed blossoms across the East Rift Valley, with their warm colors, resemble an exquisitely woven floral carpet, making you want to lie down right in the middle of it.

Along the route, the sign for the Hualien Sugar Factory stands tall by the roadside. It is one of the sugar factories operated by Taiwan Sugar for tourism purposes. The most popular ice cream shop here, “Yilianyuan,” has been developing a variety of ice treats for 40 to 50 years, such as durian, mango, green tea, taro, sweet potato, black sugar, peanut, mixed fruit, chocolate, pineapple, lemon, coconut, and more. All of them offer unique flavors that attract both locals and tourists alike.

After enjoying your ice cream, continue on to the Matanglan Atayal Aboriginal Village. This is a very traditional village that preserves a rich indigenous culture. Here, you can actively participate in traditional Atayal bamboo raft-making activities. As you walk along the trail, you’ll discover that the village is nestled between mountains and a river, offering a serene natural landscape. The village offers not only beautiful scenery but also authentic Aboriginal cuisine. The grilled fish is particularly famous. The fish is caught fresh from the river, prepared simply, and has a deliciously light taste. There are also papaya milk, mountain pork rice, and bamboo tube rice, all made using local ingredients. They offer a rich and memorable taste of traditional Aboriginal flavors. After exploring the village, head next to the Qingshui Cliff, which has become a popular scenic spot. The clear blue sea and steep cliffs create a spectacular view. It’s a perfect place to relax and take photos while enjoying the sea breeze.

After flower viewing, ice cream, maze exploration, and a farm stroll, end your day with a soak in the Ruisui Hot Springs. Nestled within the forest, Ruisui Hot Springs is a Japanese-style hot spring resort. Soaking here feels completely isolated from the rest of the world, and even the free-range chicken dishes are made with a unique recipe. The hot spring water comes from the Red Leaf Creek. It has a yellowish-brown color and is classified as a carbonate spring, rich in iron. It has earned the reputation of being the “male-enhancing spring.” Relaxing in this high-quality hot spring water not only helps wash away a day’s fatigue but also recharges your energy for the next day’s adventures.

Read more: Kyushu Shimanoyu Hot Springs (provided by Tripass Attractions)