Digital Nomads in Hualien
Hualien Gathering
Hualien is an up-and-coming destination for remote workers, entrepreneurs and digital nomads.Hualien, located right at the center of Taiwan's east coast, is a mid-sized city of breathtaking natural beauty.What it lacks in nightlife, it fully makes up with its expansive parks, including the famous Taroko National Park.Hualien is a perfect gateway for hikers and nature lovers. The Pacific Ocean is a bit too rough and dangerous for swimming, bit the area is great for walks, hikes, runs and bike rides.What makes Hualien truly special is its blend of natural wonders, culture, and a laid-back atmosphere. Here it is a blend of Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka and indigenous languages as well as a growing number of expats and visitors.Hualien Gathering brings all together for a week of sharing.
From Taipei To Hualien
Train
The most popular and most comfortable way to get from Taipei to Hualien is by train.Taiwan's railway offers regular services, including the express trains (Taroko Express and Puyuma Express) that can make the journey in about 2 hours without stops. Local trains take much longer. You can book in advanced via the apps (T-EX and Taiwan
Railway e-booking).On weekends and holidays the trains can get very full. The scenic route along the east coast provides stunning views, making the train ride a part of the Hualien experience.
Bus
Buses offer an alternative for those looking to travel by road. The journey by bus can take about 4-5 hours, depending on traffic. In short, trains are a much better choice than buses!Buses are a bit cheaper and you can enjoy the scenery even more. So you could also opt for a bus, especially when the weather is perfect!Scooter
For the more adventurous, renting a scooter in Taipei and driving to Hualien can be a way to see Taiwan's east coast. For foreigners it is often not that easy to rent a scooter in Taipei. At least you need to have an international drivers license. It is much easier if you have a APC and a local drivers license!The journey is approximately 200 kilometers and can take 5-6 hours, depending on stops and speed. Traveling by scooter offers the freedom to explore off-the-beaten-path sights along the coastal highway. However, it's essential to be an experienced rider and prepared for a long ride. Also, get ready for some rainfall!Bicycle
Cycling from Taipei to Hualien is an option for avid cyclists looking for a challenge. The route is roughly the same as the scooter journey but will take several days, with cyclists often taking 3-5 days to complete it. The fastest would be two full days of cycling with a stop around Yilan.The coastal highway offers breathtaking views and the chance to connect with nature. Planning for accommodation and rest stops is crucial, as is preparing for Taiwan's variable weather. Make sure you are familiar with the bike and do some smaller rides first.All these can be part of a Huandao experience! If you want to know more about that, check out huandao.org
Digital Nomads in Hualien
Hualien has become an increasingly attractive destination for digital nomads, drawn by its stunning natural landscapes, affordable cost of living, and growing infrastructure supporting remote work.The city offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle, allowing nomads to work amidst breathtaking scenery—from the majestic Taroko Gorge to serene Pacific beaches. Cozy cafes and coworking spaces equipped with reliable internet make Hualien a suitable place for nomads. The number of which are still very low in comparison to other asian places like Bali or Chiangmai.Hualien is still a hidden gem on the rough east coast of Taiwan, but it gets increasingly popular.My personal view is that Hualien has a lot for it. It is peaceful and distraction free, so a great place to really get stuff done. But the weather can be depressing with lot of cloud cover and rain. Plus: It is a local dominated city and most suitable for Mandarin speaking nomads. A big plus if you enjoy hiking over swimming in the ocean.
Where to work at in Hualien
KuzaKuza is a tiny Coworking space with lovely community in Hualien. https://www.kuzakuza.comLovely cafe: https://www.facebook.com/peopleofcoffee/ But as always, this is not suitable to stay the whole day. Ok to have a coffee and food and stay for some hours though.Same is true for Flower Space: Great to work for half a day and enjoy good vegetarian food. https://www.facebook.com/flowerspace970/
Places to Stay in Hualien
Hey Yo Hostel: Exceptional hostel and very good to get some work done as well with suitable work spaces! Check out their page here: https://www.twhualiencity.com/en/property/heyyo-hostel/amenities.htmlThere are plenty of good airbnbs, but Hualien is quite a stretched city, so that is a great choice if you have a scooter to go around.Besides, how about a hotel, just avoid the main Taiwanese holidays. Like the Kindness Hotel.
Things to do in Hualien
Hualien is famous for being off the beaten path.There is also a lack of nightlife and urban distractions. Exactly that is what makes it an ideal place for getting work done or diving into study sessions. Hualien helps with focus and productivity.But obviously, it is not all work. Work to live and not vice versa! Hualien is a gateway to outdoor adventures in your free time.I personally love hiking and exploring nature, especially within Taroko National Park.For a taste of local culture and cuisine, the night market is a must-visit.Let's get back to productivity: add a visit to the National Dong Hwa University to your schedule or even inscribe in a Hualien uni or gram school for Mandarin lessons. This city can really help you get ahead in your pursuit of language acquisition.
Beaches near Hualien
Hualien has some breathtaking beaches. Each quite unique and contributing to the easy going, laid back, but dramatic Hualien vibe. At least, that is what I think about the local beaches. Ok, here is a little overview.But first, a word of warning, there are strong cross currents in the ocean, making swimming dangerous.Ok, 廢話不多說。。。here's a closer look at some of Hualien's notable beaches:Qixingtan Beach - Located just about 6 km north of Hualien city center, Qixingtan Beach is known for its smooth pebble shoreline and clear, blue waters. You can get there by scooter or car, or even by bike.The beach offers panoramic views of the Pacific against a backdrop of mountains. Just about perfect for scenic walks alone or a romantic picnic with your significant other. Ok, forget about the picnic: The scenic walk it is!
Jici Beach - About 15 km south of Hualien, Jici Beach is a rare sandy beach in the region, known for its golden sands and surf-friendly waves (but again, do not swim here!).Accessible by bus or car, it's a popular spot for sunbathing and surfing lessons.
Shitiping Beach - Approximately 65 km south of Hualien, Shitiping Beach stands out for its unique geological formations, including terraced rocks and tidal pools. The beach can be reached by bus or car.
Hualien Weather
Let's talk about the weather...Hualien is characterized by a subtropical climate. That means mild winters and hot summers, but Hualien specifically is always rainy.Given that hiking and cycling are top activities to do here, that is a bit of a nuisance. If you're looking to explore Taroko National Park or its stunning beaches, that is also better on a sunny day.Ok, let's see if we can spot any less rainy days according to this table created by ChatGPT:
Month Rainy Days
January 18
February 15
March 20
April 19
May 21
June 18
July 15
August 18
September 14
October 15
November 19
December 17Well, I don't really see a silver lining here. It is what it is.The best season to visit Hualien is generally considered to be from April to June and September to November.During these months, the weather is more stable, with a relatively lower number of rainy days, and the temperatures are comfortable for outdoor activities.In spring, nature is blooming and autumn is also great for hiking. Summers are very hot and humid and July and August is also the peak Typhoon season..
Hualien Gathering
Plenty of good things about Hualien! How about meeting up there and joining other remote workers.