The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss

Taroko Gorge is one of Taiwan's most beautiful natural landmarks. The 19-km-long canyon is tucked away in the Taroko Gorge National Park, the second largest national park in Taiwan. Taroko, in the language of Truku (the aboriginal tribe who resides the area), means the "magnificent and splendid". After an afternoon of spectacular mountains, marble canyons, sparking rivers and waterfalls, you'll come to realize it is an excellent name for the gorge and national park.

Other Fun Things to Do

• Find a handful of scenic spots through Hualien such as Nanbin (Southern Seashore) Park, and enjoy a quiet stroll, gaze at the sea, splash in the surf or collect interesting stones.
• Still Thought Abode is a small Buddhist temple at the foot of Mount North Jialiwan. Most importantly, the temple is the cradle of the Tzu Chi sect, one of Taiwan's four major Buddhist sects, and contains displays that offer a window into an understanding of Tzu Chi.
• Discover Taiwan's first theme Park that focuses on the marine ecology. A theme park and a nature park combined, the Hualien Farglory Ocean Park features great sea mammal performances, where you can get up close with dolphins and sea lions.
• Time permitting; drive an hour south from Hualien to Seawhale Ocean Tours, founders of Whale and Dolphin Eco-Tours in Taiwan. There you'll find amazingly clean, azure water that make spotting the sea mammals easy. Located on the mouth of the Siouguluan River basin, the waters are also ideal for white water river rafting.

Get a Taste of Local Flavor

The culinary culture of the Chinese goes back many centuries. Taiwan's own native cuisine has also become known around the world, and if you try it just once you will remember it forever. Be sure to try local specialties Zhu tung fan, rice steamed in a bamboo tube, muaji, glutinous rice filled (or covered) with a various flavors, such as peanut, sweet red and green bean paste, sweet sesame paste, coconut or fruit and wonton, famous throughout Taiwan.

Local Currency

The Republic of China's unit of currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at government-designated banks and hotels. Receipts are given when currency is exchanged, and must be presented in order to exchange unused NT dollars before departure. Major credit cards such as American Express, Master Card, Visa, and Diners Club are accepted and traveler's checks may be cashed at foreign-exchange banks, some tourist-oriented businesses, and (by room guests) most international tourist hotels.

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