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Friday, March 21, 2014

Taiwan 12-Day Vacation – Day 1 Arrive @ Hualien

We departed from Singapore 8.30am TigerAir flight and arrived in Taipei airport at around 1.30pm. Took a bus to Taipei Main Station, have lunch there and then took the 4.40pm Taroko Gorge Express train to Hualien and we arrive there about 6.30pm.

We then took a taxi to the Cullinan Hotel, checked in and by the time we freshen up it was about 7.30pm. We went out for dinner at a nearby eatery.


Hualien - View from my hotel window

 Hualien City is one of the most beautiful city in Taiwan, the city face the Pacific Ocean with the Central Mountain Range (average 2000meters high) for a background. For most travellers like ourselves, we come to Hualien City because it is an important stop, because on its north side is the most famous spot Taroko Gorge, while on its south are East Rift Valley and East Coast, which is one of the least developed area and the best vacation places for Taiwan people. 

We were told the busiest season in Hualien City is July to September due to students' summer vacation and stable weather except for typhoon. 

That evening we walked around the city area of Hualien.


Hualien centre - As in most cities in Taiwan, the motorcycle is one of the favourites forms of transport

Many such shops selling pineapple tarts and local sweet delicacies

Streets of Hualien - well lit and attractive

Window display of a mini model of dried goods sold in traditional provision shops

Another window display of mini model of seafood sold in traditional wet markets

Again, plenty of motorcycles, parked on the walkway - but well organised.

Walking through a night market - where food choices are plentiful

My favourite dumplings

Another street scene - motorcycles orderly parked

Warm millet dessert to fill our hungry stomachs after a walk through the city

Stall selling all kinds of sweet desserts - roaring business

And very popular with young people too - a place to eat and chat.


To check My Taiwan 12-Day Vacation Itinerary - See Link

6 comments:

  1. Hi -

    I am wondering if you could share some specifics around your transpo at that time:

    - bus name from Taipei airport to train station
    - name of the train station operating to Hualien
    - type of train you got (e.g. high speed train)

    Thank you so much in advance!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi
      Thank you for visiting my blog.

      After you arrived at Taipei Airport, proceed to the section where they sell bus tickets. There are many buses that go to the Taipei Main station in the city area. Just get one that fits your timing.

      I think there is only one railway station in Hualien so you can't be wrong. The train from Taipei to Hualien is an intercity train. Try to get an express one that has minimal stops. They are not high speed trains.

      Hope it helps. Happy travels!



      Delete
  2. Hi there!

    You mentioned 'If you book the Taiwan Railway tickets online, you have to collect them from the train stations or post offices nationwide one day in advance to your departure.'

    Just want to confirm, you were able to collect the tickets on the same day of your arrival from airport?

    Thanks in advance! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi J.C.

      Sorry for the late reply.
      Yes, you can collect the tickets on the same day of arrival.

      Thanks for visiting my blog.

      Delete
  3. This is such an amazing blog entry as I have been looking for stuff about Hualien, Taiwan. cheers!

    ReplyDelete