Taroko - Hualien

Hi all

I%26#39;m planning a free and easy trip, roughly 2 weeks to Taipei airport, Taroko National Park, Shihiping, Sansiantai, Siaoyeliou, Yushan (if time permits), Sun moon lake,back to Taipei for shopping.

Can anyone advise how to travel from Taipei airport to Hualien? Flight probably land around 6.30pm, from there i plan to take train to Hualien station and find a hostel or hotel nearby. Is the train station near the airport or do i have to transfer?

How do i get from one scenic spot to the other?

And how do i get from Hualien to Sun moon lake?

Is the weather in Aug good time for whale watching, snorkeling and rafting?

Are the hot spring like japan where we cannot have a stitch of clothing on?

Is the summer sale period from Aug to Sept?

Thanks.

Taroko - Hualien

from airport to Haulien,

take a airport bus to taipei railway station,then transfer TRA train to Haulien.

from Haulien to Taitung

take TRA train to Taitung.

from Taitung to Shihiping,Sansiantai,Suaoyeliou,

take Dindong bus to those places.

http://diingdong.myweb.hinet.net/

if you have time ,then go to Green Island,it%26#39;s nice for visiting.

to SML

from Taipei station take HSR to Taichung HSR station,then take Nantou bus to SML.

to Yushan,

trekking to the peak which sea level about 4000m high,it needs a application .

Summer is a good time for whale watching,snorkeling and rafting.

Some hot springs must naked,some need swimming suit.

Taroko - Hualien

6:30 p.m. arrival in Taipei is probably too late to catch the trains to Hualien. If you manage to make it to Taipei train station (about 1 hour away from airport by bus) in time to catch the 8:15 Taroko train, you will arrive Hualien by 10:23. Miss that train, and you are looking at a post midnight arrival.

Things get a lot easier once you arrive in Hualien. There are plenty of decent hotels right in front of the train station. You should have no problem finding clean and comfortable lodging.

To get from one scenic spot to the other in Taroko, you either rent a bike, or you hire a taxi for the day. Most people prefer the latter.

To get from Hualien to SML, most people will take the train back to Taipei, then transfer to a 4.5 hour bus ride to SML. Or you can hire a cab to drive you across the central mountain range. The ride offers some of the most scenic views in Taiwan, but also some really treacherous driving conditions.

August is a great time for whale watching and rafting (barring a typhoon during your trip, that is). As for snorkeling, Hualien is not an ideal spot for snorkeling as the waves are too strong and the coast too rocky; you must venture further down south to Green island or Kenting for that.

Most public hot springs are like communal swimming pools, meaning you must wear swimming suits/trunks and a swimming cap. If you rent a private hot spring room, then you are free to dress however you want.

Can%26#39;t asnwer the last question because I am a guy. And like most guys I only go to shopping malls to curry favour with my girlfriend.

Thanks for your help guys.

How do i get to Green Island, i would really love to go, the scenery is breathetaking.

Also, any hot spring to recommend? any local tour agency to recommend?

For taroko, is it better to hire a cab or take a day tour?

Thanks.

To visit Green island, you must take the train to Taitung, hitch a taxi to Fugang Harbor, then transfer for a 45 minute ferry ride to the island.

For a rustic hot spring experience, you can visit the open air hot spring on Green island. For best experience, go during early dawn and watch the sunrise from inside the pool.

If you prefer something more luxurious, go to Chihpen and stay in one of the luxury hot spring hotels such as Hoya Chihpen.