Underrated place in Taiwan 🇹🇼 !?

My last Taiwan post! 5D4N in Hualien felt like a DREAM that I don’t want to ever wake up from.

1) First of all, public transportation is inconvenient in Hualien. I rarely see buses and there was definitely no train system except for the train that brought you to Hualien. So, to get around, you will either have to hire a cab/shuttle services or rent a scooter 🛵 . As for scooter rental, you will need an international license where you should have already obtained when you were in Singapore. So far, only TR9 and Taroko Rental accept foreigners with international license, otherwise, many rental stores do not rent to foreigners.

2) Taroko Gorge 🏔️

I'll get right to it because Taroko Gorge is the main reason most people travel to Hualien. Is it worth visiting? Hell yes. Every moment there was unforgettable. In addition to the breathtaking views that mother nature offers, Taroko Gorge holds a strong historical significance for the locals, do read up about it. Stop by the Visitor Center to get a map of the trail before proceeding for easy navigation. It is also recommended to start early!

3) WanBao Canteen 🍱

We were there 4 nights in a row, the food was THAT good. It felt like home cook food! The owner was the sweetest and the food was the best I’ve had in Hualien. Their sides changes everyday, keeping it refreshing. Their homemade chilly was what hit the spot, it goes well with EVERYTHING. Wanbao Canteen is situated in a neighbourhood, adjacent to a running track, may be tricky to find but took us no more than 5mins to locate it.

4) Paragliding 🪂

Paragliding was interesting. It doesn’t have the same adrenaline factor as compared to a roller coaster but once your feet leaves the ground, it is undoubtedly serene and reviving. We were in the air for about 15 minutes, it was long enough to see the entire coastline's mountain range. We scheduled our activity on Klook , it cost us about $110 SGD/pax. You will be guided by a trainer when you arrive. An additional cost is required if you’ll like to have your experience recorded on a GoPro.

Update: In recent news, there have been a fatal paragliding incident in Taiwan, Hualien… hence, do it at your own risk and please do research on the company before deciding on your activities.

5) Mr Sam Cafe 🍽️

Mr Sam cafe was located along the route from the paragliding site back to Hualien City. This place was recommended by our paragliding instructor. The beautiful atmosphere surrounding Mr. Sam Cafe makes me feel as though I've entered a fairytale. The interior and exterior decor was phenomenal and according to the locals, the architecture was made from recyclable materials !?

Bonus: food was extremely affordable and DELECTABLE

6) Starbucks Container ☕️

Starbucks Container was an interesting concept as compared to the many starbucks we’ve seen. Menu wise, the drinks were similar to what you would normally have in Singapore, though they have a much wider variety of desserts and pastries. The place was relatively crowded, it was difficult to get a nice spot to have decent photos taken :’)

7) Beaches 🏝️

DO NOT MISS OUT ON THE BEACHES. Hualien is surrounded by beautiful seas, do fork out some time to explore them. Note: Those beaches have BEAUTIFUL rocks/pebbles but avoid taking them back. It is what make this beaches special.

I hope this overview of my time in Hualien can help you with ur itinerary planning!

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