Attractions · East Coast
Things to do in East Coast.
Yilan's plains, Hualien's marble coast and Taitung's valley and surf: the slow side of Taiwan, planned around the railway and the weather.
Taroko Gorge and the Qingshui Cliffs
The marble gorge is Taiwan's signature landscape, but access has been limited and changeable since the April 2024 earthquake damaged the park: trails and the highway reopen in stages, on the park headquarters' programme, not on habit. Check the current trail and road status before building a day around it, and treat the Qingshui Cliff viewpoints on the Suhua coast as the reliable part of the plan.
How to book: Entry is managed by Taroko National Park Headquarters, which publishes the live status of every trail and road section. Tours from Hualien run only to what is open; never rely on an old itinerary.
Qixingtan and Hualien City
The pebble crescent north of Hualien City: no swimming, but the Pacific at full width, bike paths along the shore, and the city's night market and old railway park for the evening.
How to book: Free. City buses and taxis from Hualien Station; the beach is a short ride, and the coast path continues south for cyclists.
The East Rift Valley and Chishang
The green valley between the two ranges: rice at Chishang (the Mr Brown Avenue fields and the station bento boxes), hot air and harvest festivals in season, and rafting on the Xiuguluan River in summer.
How to book: Trains stop at Chishang and the valley towns on the Taitung line. Rent a bicycle at the station and ride the field roads; no booking needed outside festival weekends.
Sanxiantai and the Taitung coast
The eight-arched footbridge to the little island at Chenggong, the terraces at Xiaoyeliu and the long, empty beaches of the Taitung coast: the east at its most spacious.
How to book: Free entry; a small parking charge. Coast buses run from Taitung City, and the light is best in the morning with the mountains behind you.
Planning the stay itself: the city guides cover what is on, and the hotels page covers where to sleep near it.