Routes · Asia

Paris to Taiwan's east coast: Taipei, Hualien and Taroko Gorge

Paris → Taipei → Hualien

Marble canyons, Pacific coast & night markets Best season (general guide): Oct–Apr

Taiwan packs mountains, a wild east coast and a lively food culture into a small island. This route spends three nights in Taipei and three in Hualien. From Paris you'll fly to Taipei, directly or via a hub, then take the train down the east coast.

Taipei is a friendly, easy capital. Taipei 101, once the world's tallest building, has an observatory, and the National Palace Museum holds a vast collection of Chinese art.

Night markets such as Shilin are the heart of Taipei's food scene. Beitou, in the north of the city, has hot springs reached by metro, and Jiufen is an old hill town of lanterns and teahouses.

Hualien, on the Pacific coast, is the gateway to Taroko National Park. Taroko Gorge is a deep canyon cut through marble, with trails, tunnels and temples.

North of Hualien, the Qingshui Cliff drops straight into the ocean.

October to April avoids the typhoon season.

Good to know: Trains between Taipei and Hualien sell out at weekends, so book ahead. Some trails in Taroko close after earthquakes or landslides, so check the national park's current status before you go.

In Taipei, the metro is clean and simple, and most sights are close to a station. Try a different night market each evening, as each has its own specialities. Hualien itself is relaxed, with a night market of its own and a seaside park. In Taroko, short trails such as those near the visitor centre give a good sense of the gorge even if longer paths are closed. Hire a driver or join a tour for the gorge road, since buses are infrequent. Bring a raincoat, as showers are frequent in the mountains, and a light layer for air-conditioned trains.

An EasyCard pays for metro, buses and trains around Taipei.

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