Hualien

Hualien sits on Taiwan's east coast, squeezed between the Pacific Ocean and the steep mountains of the Central Range. The city itself is a pleasant, mid-sized town with wide streets, a night market and a laid-back pace compared to Taipei. The cruise port handles occasional calls, and the city works as a base for visiting Taroko Gorge, one of Taiwan's most impressive natural sights. Taroko Gorge is a deep marble canyon cut by the Liwu River, with a road threading through tunnels and along cliff faces. The Shakadang Trail follows the river at the bottom, while the Zhuilu Old Trail climbs high above for views of the gorge's full depth, though permits are required. Back in Hualien, the Dongdamen Night Market has stalls selling indigenous Amis cuisine alongside the usual Taiwanese street food. Mochi made from local rice is a regional specialty worth trying.