Hualien is a pleasant city on the east coast of Taiwan. With the rugged Pacific Ocean to the east and the dramatic gorges of the Taroko National Park to its west, the city is a useful base from which to explore – indeed many stay in Hualien and do day trips to Taroko, which is just 30 minutes’ drive away. Hualien is well linked with train routes to Taipei and to the south of the island and also works well as a starting point for a few days of self-drive adventure.