Escape the city and embrace mountains and sea! An ultra-relaxing two-day trip to Hualien

By MOOK Scenic Spots compiled and reported
 
Located in eastern Taiwan, Hualien boasts exceptional mountain and sea landscapes as well as abundant natural resources. The unique terrain of the Huatung Valley Plain and the Coastal Mountain Range creates many stunningly beautiful sceneries. This weekend, escape the city and go on an ultra-relaxing two-day trip to embrace the mountains and sea!

Start your morning with a stroll around the campus of National Dong Hwa University, known as the most beautiful university in Taiwan. The campus has three man-made lakes—Dong Lake, Hua Lake, and Xiao Hua Lake—with picturesque waterscapes that even evoke the ambiance of the University of Cambridge in England. It not only attracts many travelers to take photos but also serves as a filming location for several famous idol dramas.

In the afternoon, visit Taroko National Park to witness the wonders of nature. The park houses countless unique natural attractions, especially its steep cliffs, deep canyons, high mountains, and forests—extraordinary sights that leave you in awe. The astonishing deep canyons were formed by the erosion of rivers cutting through marble and granite. From winding roads, you can gaze up at the endless mountaintops or peer down into the majestic rivers below the daunting canyons.

After a full day of exploration, it’s time to sit down and relax. The Starbucks outlet located in Hualien’s Hui Lan area features a building exterior made of stacked containers, with hollow sections fitted with large skylights that let sunlight cascade in, reminiscent of sunshine filtering through a forest. Sip coffee while immersed in nature, echoing Hualien’s reputation as a place especially blessed by nature. It offers travelers a special coffee experience.

Stay the night at the Yishanwu Afternoon Resort, where you can fully embrace Hualien’s mountains and waters. The homestay is exquisitely designed with a warm wooden tone and neat, comfortable nude-toned aesthetics—both homely and intimate, yet with the quality of a high-end hotel. It aims to fulfill people's longing for nature and purity, providing travelers with a comfortable, relaxing, and tasteful spatial experience.