Hualien County is filled with outdoor opportunities for families with kids. No matter the season, be sure to book a river tracing tour—or hot spring tour—to get a personal experience in one of Hualien’s crystal clear rivers. Hiking paths and indigenous experiences are also exciting options for year-round adventure.
📍 Route 1: Taroko National Park
Shakadang Trail
The Shakadang Trail, also called the “Mysterious Valley Trail”, is one of the easiest and most rewarding walking trails in Taroko National Park. This scenic trail has been carved into the sides of the Shakadang River. Below the trail, beautiful turquoise-colored pools and mineral-colored canyon walls provide entertainment for the eyes. In the summer, easy river access can be found at the 3 kilometer mark.
Changchun Shrine & Bell Tower
The Changchun Shrine, built over a fan-shaped waterfall, looks like something straight out of a fairytale painting. The water actually comes from a stream behind the temple and flows below the shrine before emptying out into the Liwu River. Built to commemorate the workers who died while building the Central Cross-Island Highway, this temple is one of Taroko National Park’s classic sights. If you’re looking to stretch your legs, consider hiking the zig-zagging trail behind the temple to reach the secluded Bell Tower perched directly above. For those with the stamina, the Bell Tower above offers excellent views of lower Taroko for comparatively low effort.
South Branch Sanzhan River & Truku Village of Pratan
The Truku Village of Pratan sits at the confluence of Sanzhan’s North and South Forks. In the summer, this is Hualien’s number one spot for river tracing and cooling off from the summer heat. It’s common to see dozens of people swimming, cliff jumping and barbecuing on the banks of the crystal clear Sanzhan River. In order to get the full experience, it is highly recommended to book a river tracing tour with a local guide. Most guides are indigenous hunters who can share their knowledge of local flora and fauna, as well as their meanings and uses for the indigenous tribe.
📍 Route 2: Hualien City
Qixingtan Beach
Qixingtan Beach—originally “Malongayangay” in the indigenous Sakizaya language—is an expansive pebble beach which runs from the northern coast of Hualien City and follows the inward bend of the bay in the direction of Taroko. This expansive pebble beach offers excellent views of the Sanzhan Valley, Taroko National Park, Mt. Qingshui and the Qingshui Cliffs to the north. For early risers, Qixingtan Beach is one of the best and most dynamic places in Taiwan to view the sunrise. Visitors should keep in mind that swimming here is not recommended due to strong currents and an unforgiving shorebreak.
Chisingtan (Qixingtan) Katsuo Museum
The Katsuo Museum is located in a small village at the southern end of Qixingtan Beach and is a good rainy day activity. Once a Japanese Katsuobushi factory which produced dried fish flakes, the building has now been reimagined as an educational museum complete with a DIY fish flake-making experience. The museum also features a gift shop selling many kinds of local dried seafood products and alternatively, ice-cream. Consider the museum a rainy day back up plan.
Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park & Old Railroad Pedestrian Area
Shopping, crafts markets, exhibitions and street performances—Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park, and the nearby Old Railroad Pedestrian Area are the modern cultural center of Hualien City. Housed in a renovated wine factory, Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park features an assortment of shops selling locally made artisan products, as well as cafes and restaurants. The streets surrounding the Cultural Park are also packed with shops, small cafes and cheap eats. Located just a couple blocks to the north, the Old Railroad Pedestrian Area features many pop-up shops, vendors, late night snacks, and a comparatively local and youthful vibe.
Dongdamen Night Market
Dongdamen, Hualien’s only tourist night market, is one of Taiwan’s most modern and cleanest night markets. Originally located in Ji-an Township, the market was moved to its current location several years ago to better serve Hualien’s incoming tourists. Stalls here sell everything from cotton candy, to infinite combinations of freshly squeezed fruit juices, foraged indigenous vegetable dishes, and all the famous Taiwanese night market staples. The evenings feature indigenous musical performances suitable for children. Adults, however, might find the indigenous cocktail bar “Yuan-Tsui” (Rice Wine Bar) interesting. Their inventive cocktails make use of locally foraged indigenous spices like maqaw to add a little local spice.
📍 Route 3: East Rift Valley
Saguer Waterfall Trail
The Saguer Waterfall Trail, one of Hualien’s easiest day hikes, provides a waterfall-sized adventure for families and their kids. The trail begins from a parking lot about a 10-minute drive away from Hualien Train Station. The bamboo groves and jungle brush that line the trail are home to Formosan Rock Macaques (Taiwan’s indigenous monkeys), who like to make a ruckus when people pass by. If you hear any barking from the trees take a look around and maybe you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of one, or a family!
Baibao River Waterfront Park
Baibao River is a great freshwater playground for young children and their parents. Due to the Baibao River Valley’s secluded nature, Baibao River Waterfront Park features a rich ecosystem including but not limited to egrets, snakes, treefrogs, and many species of freshwater fish. A seldom-visited bike trail also runs parallel to the river, making this a good destination for a cycling day-trip from Hualien.
The Walami Trail
The Walami Trail is the East Coast’s most accessible and most rewarding hike, not to mention it offers visitors a chance to catch a glimpse of much of Yushan National Park’s unique flora and fauna. The road to the trail entrance takes one through the magical Lele River Valley. At first, the road passes through a breathtaking secluded valley of rice paddies. Soon after, it crosses just in front of Nanan Waterfall, a 60 meter-tall drop that runs year-round. Nan-an Waterfall offers facilities that cannot be found at the Walami trailhead.
