Taiwan
Hualien (Taroko) in January
☀️ Dry seasonPleasant and some showers.
Why January scores 8.8What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort8.5
- ✓Comfortable temperatures (21°C highs / 16°C lows)
- ✓Slightly humid (dew point 16.9°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~55 mm rain)
- !Grey, overcast skies (~83% cloud cover on average)
- Air quality8.3
- ✓Moderate (PM2.5 ~16 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Jan | Dec | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.8 Excellent | 9.2 Excellent |
| Season | ☀️ Dry season | 🌦️ Shoulder (showers) |
| High / low | 21° / 16° | 23° / 17° |
| Rain | 55 mm | 84 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 17° | dew pt 18° |
| PM2.5 | 16 µg/m³ | 10 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Hualien weather-station normals. Rainfall: Hualien weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsJanuary 2027
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Founding Day of the Republic of China 1–3 Jan · 3 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore Hualien (Taroko)Events, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyA city on Taiwan's east coast between the Central Mountain Range and the Pacific, the gateway to Taroko Gorge and the East Rift Valley.
No major events on our calendar for January.
Coming up later
Whale-watching seasonDate variesUsually April to October
The calmer months for boat trips to see dolphins and whales.
Why go: Summer typhoons can cancel trips.
Where: Waters off Hualien
Amis Harvest Festival (Ilisin)Date variesUsually July to August
The most important annual festival of the Amis people, with dancing and singing.
Why go: Some rituals are community events; follow local guidance on visiting and photography.
Where: Amis villages around Hualien
Taroko National Park
A marble gorge with steep cliffs, tunnels and trails, Taiwan's best-known natural landscape.
💡 The April 2024 earthquake caused major damage and many roads and trails were closed; check which sections are open before visiting.
Qixingtan Beach
A crescent pebble beach north of the city with views of mountains meeting the sea.
💡 Swimming is unsafe because of strong currents.
Qingshui Cliffs
Sheer cliffs plunging into the Pacific along the coast north of Hualien.
💡 Access has been affected by earthquake damage; check current conditions.
Whale and dolphin watching
Boat trips from Hualien port to see dolphins and sometimes whales.
💡 The season is roughly April to October; trips depend on sea conditions.
Dongdamen Night Market
The city's main night market, with indigenous food stalls alongside Taiwanese snacks.
East Rift Valley
A long valley south of the city with rice fields, hot springs and indigenous villages.
Bianshi (Hualien wontons)
Thin-skinned wontons in a light broth, a famous Hualien dish.
💡 Wonton shops in the city centre
Hualien mochi
Soft rice cakes with various fillings, the city's best-known snack.
💡 Mochi shops along Zhongshan Road
Indigenous dishes
Amis and other indigenous foods such as wild vegetables, grilled meat and millet wine.
💡 Dongdamen Night Market and indigenous restaurants
Mochi
Boxed mochi with fillings like red bean and peanut.
💡 Mochi shops in the city
Marble items
Small carvings and goods made from local marble.
💡 Souvenir shops
Indigenous crafts
Weaving and crafts from local indigenous communities.
💡 Craft shops and cultural centres