Skip to main content

Sponsored Article

TIME FOR TAIWAN : TRANSPORTATION AND THINGS TO DO IN HUALIEN



I just came back from Taiwan last Monday. I am still adjusting to the reality mode of life after a week long holiday. WTH! The worst part after a vacation.

My flight landed in Taipei around 2:50pm and from there I took airport bus to the Taipei Main Station for my train to Hualien at 5:40pm. I reached Hualien around 8pm. Goshhh!!! my whole day gone. Anyway, its my choice. So I will stop my complaint here. kekeke

How to get to Taipei Main Station from Taoyuan Airport?

I took a Kuo Kuan Bus to Taipei Main Station which cost me NTD125. The journey around 1 hour. The bus is every 10 minutes so don't worry. Everything is very proper , systematic  and convenient in Taiwan.

If you are not a bus type , you can take Cab but it will cost you around NTD900 - 1,200. Your choice!


How to go to Hualien from Taipei?

Tze-Chiang Limited Express is the fastest class. There are different types of Tze Chiang Limited Express, Taroko Express and Puyuma Express and these takes about 2 hours to reach Hualien and cost is the same which is NTD440/way. I took Puyuma Express mountain line. Make sure to get left hand side seat for awesome view along the way. 

You can also take bus but the journey will be around 3 hours. That is why I opted for Train. Train will be more comfortable. More leg room too.

Tips :

1. Purchase ticket online in advance with seat reserved for both way meaning to Hualien and back to Taipei. You can purchase online 2 weeks before departure date and redeem the ticket at the Train Station. Seriously the train always fully booked especially when weekend or public holiday. I was told even a normal days it will be hard to get a ticket too. I met one lady who end up stranded in Hualien because she didn't buy ticket in advance. Don't take this tip for granted or you need to pay for extra days accommodation and all your travel plan will go 'hair wire'!

2. Get yourself a bento from the train station. Like that old man in the photo. Many food to buy at train station. You will be spoil with choices. Its 2 hours journey though! I settled for shrimp rice roll from 7-11. Thats my dinner for my first night landed in Taiwan.

3. You can bring luggage because the compartment above head is quite spacious for luggage. So don't worry!

Getting around Hualien

- Well you can rent a motorcycle if you have valid international license. Some shop even rent out if you don't have license. But please don't make trouble at other people country.

- Rent a bicycle is only for short distance for your safety.

- The best way is to join a group day trip or hire a yellow cab for yourself.

I hire a cab driver for myself since I don't like to tour around with stranger. I paid NTD3,000 for a day trip to Taroko Gorge and NTD1,000 for half day trip to Mukmugi Valley. Well, if you can bargain lower will be better but I am that type who have diamond in my mouth when come to bargaining things.Shy la....and plus I am alone so don't want problem in other country plus people also wanna make a living, right! So kind of me...ahak ahak


Things to do if you have 2 full days in Hualien

1st day itinerary

Enjoy the magnificent view of Pacific Ocean at Qingshui Cliff


Walk through Swallow Grotto and trekking on the Shakadang Trail at Taroke Gorge


Brave yourself to walk on hanging bridge at Taroke Gorge


Visit to Aboriginal Village



Have fun riding the bicycle while enjoying the awesome beach view.


Evening Stroll at Chishingtan Beach


Second day itinerary

Be prepared to walk for at least 2 hours to witness the magical and awesome view at Mukumugi Valley



You can swim and play around with tame fish in this crystal clear non polluted water and enjoy the fresh breeze air.

Night time eat all you can at Tungtamen Night Market which is also combined with Aboriginal market section.

There you go...a simple itinerary if you happens to have 2 full day at Hualien. Personally I prefer to be at Hualien rather than in Taipei. Maybe because I am from small town girl, so the layback and close to nature environment suits me well. The people are generally friendly and helpful. I was label as aboriginal girl in Hualien because I look like one from those tribes. Goshhh!!! Every where I went people recognize me well because I look different from them...I guest!

I went to Hualien with limited mandarin skills. Just a basic one and the rest was all body language and yet we understand each other well. Just be polite and don't forget that smiley face. Respect people and people will treat you well too.

 I did lots of walking and climbing the hills and stairs in Hualien so when I reached Taipei my weak leg almost make me fall and collapsed. WTH!

Oh! forgot to mention ,first time in my life experience earthquake when I was in Hualien. At first thought 'invisible thing' is playing around by shaking my bed hard while I was trying to sleep. haihhhh... I glance at my watch and it show 11:17pm and the light was on too. It stop for a while and the shaking came back mild just for a while few minutes later. Oh! then I realise I am at Taiwan where earthquake is very usual here. Then when I checked online there is strong-felt earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.6 struck northeastern Taiwan. A strong shake at Yilan and Hualien. Apparently, it was a talk in Hualien the next day according for my cab driver. No damage and no casualties reported. Phewwww!!! Thank God!

To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article click here.

Comments

Ads In Feed

Sponsored page

Adsense in text

Popular posts from this blog

Cosmoderm Luminous A Retinol Review

In general, most people are advised to start using retinol in their mid-20s. Why do we need retinol for our skin? Well, this is because collagen and elastin production starts to slow down. Adding retinol into our skincare routine at age of 25 to 30 is the perfect time to slow down the ageing process. So, what is retinol that people are hyping about? In short, retinol is a topical product containing a vitamin A derivative. Technically speaking a type of retinoid which works to increase collagen production. It helps to treat acne, and blackheads and is also ideal to improve skincare texture such as minimising fine lines, and wrinkles and brightening dull skin. Personally, I am a beginner in adding Retinol into my skincare routine. At the age of 47 years old. I guess, am afraid to start one because I read many side effects if use it wrong.  What is the side effect if you use retinol wrong?  Retinols can increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight. So, it is advisable to apply this at

Cosmoderm Tea Tree Oil and Vitamin E Product Review

  I was so excited to get an opportunity to review the Malaysia famous skincare brand Cosmoderm, this week. So in love with their Vitamin E Bi-Phased Tonning Essence. If you are a big fan of Cosmoderm skincare, you will know that they have few dedicated series for specific skin conditions. One of their famous skincare series is the Tea Tree Oil.  Last week, I got my hands on the new improved look CosmodermTea Tree Oil and Vitamin E series. * Tea Tree Oil Facial Cleanser * Tea Tree Oil Refining Oil Control Serum * Vitamin E Facial Cleansing Foam * Vitamin E Bi-Phased Toning Essence Cosmoderm Tea Tree Oil skincare series is suitable for oily and acne-prone skin. To be honest, I in love with their new subtle colour packaging. It looks more classy compare to the previous packaging. The Cosmoderm Tea Tree Oil series a proven natural antibacterial with soothing properties to reduce acne and acne spot. The most important,  price for each of their skincare is affordable for anyone. Cosmoderm T

Acupuncture Treatment at Tung Shin Hospital

My Plantar Fasciitis getting bad after return down to KL from Genting short weekend getaway recently. I guess my backpack load too heavy and stress up my heel so much. For those who don't know what is Plantar Fasciitis, I will give you some brief about this. Who knows it may hit you too once you aging like me...hehehe. Anyway, its good to know. Plantar Fasciitis is common pain for middle-aged people. WTH! can't believe I aged this quickly. Young people don't so happy! If you on your feet a lot and do lots of sports, this can hit you too.This pain caused by straining the ligament that supports your arch.  I got mine last year after came back from Taiwan trip in April 2016. I got diagnosed with knee problem in June 2016. So literally tackle my pain one by one. I concentrate on my knee healing and ignore the pain on my feet. Recently the pain on bottom of my heel getting unbearable. Every step with lots of pain and really wish can swallow pain killers or I kill people