Instagram-worthy picturesque landscapes: Seven blue wonderlands in Hualien

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Hualien boasts stunning natural scenery, with vast seas in front, rolling mountains behind, and numerous wetland landscapes in between—perfect for capturing picture-perfect photos that look like oil paintings.

1. Yunshan Water
Yunshan Water in Hualien is one of the island’s well-known hidden gems. It features a dreamlike lake resembling a fairyland, giving visitors the illusion of being in Europe. Covering an area of approximately 24 hectares, including 4 hectares of lake surface, it is planted with about 26 species of palm trees, broadleaf forests, seasonal flowering plants, and grasslands. Many TV commercials and TV dramas have been filmed here.

2. Lasuai Spring
Located in Guangfu Township, Hualien, Lasuai Spring was voted the most beautiful hidden gem in Taiwan in 2016. This natural wonderland, where spring water meets wild streams, offers breathtaking views untouched by artificial structures or concrete. The indigo-blue First Spring, known as the “Blue Tears,” is heart-shaped and its stunning color has been described by many visitors as something only God could create.

3. Qixingtan (Seven Star Lake)
Known as Crescent Bay, Qixingtan is a famous coastal attraction in Hualien. In addition to its captivating crescent-shaped bay, visitors can enjoy the feel of gravel under the waves. At the end of the bay lies the towering Central Mountain Range, and the meeting of mountain and sea creates a scene that captivates many.

4. Sibagao Highland
Named for its elevation of 48 meters, Sibagao Highland is a hidden spot in downtown Hualien. With a 180-degree panoramic view, it offers sweeping sights of the Pacific Ocean as well as views of the beauty of Qixingtan’s crescent bay.