Taroko National Park & the East Coast - Taiwan - page 328

Hualien Airport ( www.hulairport.gov.tw ) Located north of town in Qixingtan, Hualien Air-
port has daily flights to Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung with Mandarin Airlines
( www.mandarin-airlines.com ) and TransAsia Airways ( www.tna.com.tw ) .
BUS
Very few buses run the distance between Hualien and Taitung. In most cases you are bet-
ter off taking the train, which is both faster and cheaper. There are hourly buses along
Highway 11 to about Chenggong. Buses to Taroko Gorge leave outside the visitor in-
formation centre. For the schedule and price, Click here .
Dingdong Bus Company MAP GOOGLE MAP ( http://diingdong.myweb.hinet.net ; 138-6
Guo Lian 1st Rd) There's no station, just a small bus stop to the left of the Hualien County
Information Centre (as you face it). Buses to Taitung (NT$475, 3½ hours) depart daily at
1.10pm.
Hualien Bus Company MAP GOOGLE MAP ( www.hl.gov.tw/bus ) The station to the left
of the train station as you exit has buses to Taitung (NT$514, 3½ hours, 9.20am daily),
which also stops at Dulan (NT$435), Lishan (NT$447, four to five hours, 8.40am) and
Jici Beach (NT$121, one hour, hourly).
TRAIN
Frequent trains run north and south through the Rift Valley. When the line is electrified in
2014, travel times will be reduced. A fast/slow train to Taipei costs NT$345/266 and
takes two/3½ hours.
EAST COAST CYCLING
The east coast is Taiwan's top cycling destination. The scenery is outstanding,
routes are varied, and you are never too far from a convenience store, restaurant or
place to crash.
Most small towns have day-bike rentals. Good quality long-distance rentals are
available in Hualien, Guanshan, and Taitung.
Most Common Routes
» Highway 9 or 11 between Hualien and Taitung
Don't Miss
» A ride through Taroko Gorge
» Highways connecting the 9 and 11