13 December 2023
I leisurely explored the Ximending shopping district in the morning before checking out of the hotel. Then it’s time to set off to Hualien!
TRA EXPRESS TRAINS
One of the most affordable and straightforward method to get from Taipei to Hualien is to take the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) express trains. Sadly, the EasyCard cannot be used to pay for TRA trains with reserved seat services, and you will have to purchase the train tickets. Several local trains operate daily between the two cities, and you can easily check the schedule on the TRA website. The tickets can be purchased online via the TRA website, at convenience stores like 7-11 and Family Mart using the ibon machine, or directly at TRA train stations. If you have purchased your tickets online, you'll receive a confirmation and a ticket pickup form. Present these, along with the ID used for the ticket purchase (e.g. passport), at the train station ticketing office or designated convenience stores no later than 30 minutes before your departure to claim your train ticket.
If you have a large luggage, like I did, consider choosing the Puyuma Express or Taroko Express (ticket price: 440 TWD) since they provide designated storage space for luggage. In contrast, the Tze-Chiang Express Train only offers an overhead rack for hand-held luggages and generally has a longer travel duration.
In my case, I took the Puyuma Express (普悠玛自强号列车) and the train ride from Taipei Main Station to Hualien Station took about 2 hours. You can bring your own snacks onboard or grab a bento set at the train station for around 80 to 120 TWD!
CABBY-TURNED-TOUR-GUIDE
Hualien does not have Uber, but it was pretty easy to secure a cab at Hualien station. Here's an interesting thing I found out during my three days in Hualien: the cab drivers often play the dual role of tour guides. You can engage their services for private tours at a rate of roughly 500 TWD per hour. It's essential to note that they primarily communicate in Mandarin. The cab fare needs to be paid in cash, so do make sure to bring along sufficient cash for your ride! On my way to the hotel, my super friendly driver pointed out cool spots and shared insights into Hualien's history and culture. He even pulled over at QiXingTan beach (七星潭) for a quick peek. He offered to help me to take photos too! How nice is that?!
Check out the amazing blue of the sea and sky. It was so calming to hear the waves crash against the shore.
Lakeshore Hotel Taroko
I stayed in the beautiful Deluxe Junior Suite (price: $578.52 for 2 nights, inclusive of breakfast). The room is spacious, complete with a balcony and a generously sized bathtub that offers a mesmerizing view of the ocean, so you can enjoy a bath while overlooking the ocean – a perfect way to unwind. The TV is able to connect to Netflix on my phone, which is fantastic.
You can also see the mountains from the balcony.
A short 4-minute stroll from the hotel takes you to the beach – just ask the friendly staff for directions. Upon check-in, they'll also share the sunrise timing for the next day. I set my alarm, and witnessing the sunrise from the hotel was nothing short of breathtaking.
Oh, and one more fantastic thing: breakfast is served until 1 pm, so you can check out first, and then leisurely enjoy your breakfast – no rush.
Honestly, I loved every bit of my stay here. The only downside is that there isn’t much to do or eat near the hotel.
Address: 971, Taiwan, Hualien County, Xincheng Township
DONGDAMEN NIGHT MARKET
The same cab driver then brought me to the largest night market in the county: Dongdamen.
There, I tried the famous Jiang Jia Coffin Bread (蒋家棺财板) and the egg bomb scallion pancake (炸弹葱油饼).
Don't let the name "Coffin Bread" throw you off; it's a crispy toasted bread, with a generous filling of your choice and gooey melted cheese on top. I went for the creamy shrimp filling (price: ~80 TWD) – a bit heavy on the calories, but totally worth it. Once again, I forgot to snap a photo of the toast (a recurring theme, as you may have noticed). Check out the photos on Tripadvisor!
Now, onto the scallion pancake (price: ~35 TWD) – I added a fried egg and opted for a mild spice level; it's really good. However, I do find it to be a bit greasy. Be careful when biting into those runny yolk! I managed to get some on my hand!
I also tried the cheese potato (price: 120 TWD). The cheese paired with soft and smooth potato is super filling but also super good – I just can't stop taking bite after bite. I guess you can never go wrong with potatoes!
Address: No. 415號, Chongqing Rd, Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan 970
AND THAT WRAPS UP...
Day 2 of my Taiwan adventure. Stay tuned for the next post, where I'll be sharing the breathtaking beauty of Hualien Taroko Gorge!
Love,
Shu
Comentários