The "Sleeping Angels and Waking Demons" Hualien Mini-Trip: Fun for All Three Generations Without the Exhaustion

When taking your own children out for a spring outing, it often brings back memories of when your parents took you on trips as a child. Just retired, Dad proposed a family trip for three generations, and the place he most wanted to go—Hualien—was where his own parents had taken him and his siblings on their first trip during childhood. As a result, a lively group of 17 people, including relatives from both sides of the family, smoothly arrived in Hualien. Together, they laughed heartily under the brilliant sunshine, breathed freely in the open air, and created beautiful memories in carefree times.

Recommended Season%q All Year Round; Transportation%q Train + Local Tourist Bus
Tips for Traveling with Elders: Just Keep the Grandkids Happy. When traveling with elders, you’ll often hear things like “No need, that’s a waste” or “Staying home is more relaxing; hotels aren’t as comfortable as home.” or “Just go ahead, I’m not interested.”"<”"Which? You might encounter situations where things don't go as smoothly as expected. You might even hear comments like, "This attraction is not worth visiting," or "This place is not that great." But please believe this piece of wisdom: "If Rome is out of reach, go to Lotung; if Japan is not an option, head to Zhiben. As long as you get the little details right, everything will turn out fine!" So, when traveling with your parents and little ones, as long as you find the right little details, it will definitely be a lot of fun. For my family, the key details are "as long as the kids have fun, avoid too much sun to prevent sunspots, make sure there's good food and sleep, and always have access to restrooms"—once these are sorted, everything falls into place and everyone is happy!

In Hualien, there are many qualified tourist bus operators. Whether it’s minibuses, midi-buses, or even large coaches, drivers who also double as guides can handle everything—from obtaining mountain entry permits to providing scenic area commentary—letting you learn a bit about culture, geography, local customs, and traditions along the way. The drivers may also adjust the itinerary based on time and distance to ensure a smooth trip without wasting time on unnecessary detours.
The drive from Hualien Railway Station to Mugumuyu takes about an hour, with stunning, majestic mountain scenery along the way. Before reaching Mugumuyu—long known as the “Little Taroko” and even hailed as Taiwan’s Jiuzhaigou—you’ll pass by the Tongmen Power Plant. The plant is famous for its ice pops, and you shouldn’t miss the red bean and roselle flavors, each costing just 15 NT$. On a cloudless blue-sky day with blazing sun, enjoying an ice pop is pure bliss."

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