Taiwan's east coast: Hualien, Taroko and Taitung in 6 days

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Taiwan's east coast is the quieter side of the island: mountains drop straight into a deep blue Pacific, the towns are small and the pace is slow. This route follows the railway south from Hualien to Taitung. Treat it as a starting point and adjust the nights to suit you.

Photos are my own, taken on an earlier visit, and are for illustration. Check current opening hours, transport and prices before you go.

The route

Start this after a few days in Taipei, or add it to the end of the 9-day Taiwan route.

Hualien (3 nights)

Day 1. Morning train from Taipei. Walk along Qixingtan, a long curving pebble beach north of the city, then eat your way through Dongdamen Night Market in the evening.

Day 2, Qingshui Cliffs. Drive or join a tour north along the Suhua Highway to the Qingshui Cliffs, where sheer green walls fall up to about 1,000 m into turquoise water. The Chongde viewpoint reopened in 2025; check before you go, as closures after heavy rain are common.

Photo: Jaimes Tan

Day 3, Taroko. Much of Taroko Gorge is still recovering from the April 2024 earthquake. Highway 8 opens in short daily time windows, and famous trails such as Shakadang and Swallow Grotto are closed. You can still visit the Taroko Visitor Center and look into the marble gorge from Shakadang Bridge. Go with a local driver who knows the current opening times, and stay away after heavy rain.

Taitung (2 nights)

Day 4. Train south through the East Rift Valley to Taitung. If you're here in early summer or around October and November, stop at Chishang to cycle through the rice fields. Spend the evening at the hot springs of Zhiben.

Day 5, Sanxiantai. Take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle or drive about an hour north along the coast to Sanxiantai, where an eight-arched footbridge crosses to a rocky island. Stop at the coastal parks and fishing harbours on the way back.

Photo: Jaimes Tan

Day 6. Back to Taipei by train, about 4 hours, or a short flight from Taitung to Taipei Songshan.

Before you go

• Book trains early: east coast express trains sell out at weekends and holidays.
• Check Taroko and the Suhua Highway on the official sites the day before. Rockfalls close roads after heavy rain and typhoons.
• Weather: October to April is the most comfortable. Summer is hot and typhoon season runs from about July to October.
• Entry: Singapore passport holders can visit Taiwan visa-free for up to 30 days. Fill in the online arrival card before you fly.

Questions people ask

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