Ah, the stunning East Coast of Taiwan. There is no way you can leave Taiwan without seeing the breathtaking sceneries that Taitung and Hualien have to offer. These two cities are located in the southeast of Taiwan, where secret waterfalls and surf spots can be reached within half an hour from the city center. If you choose the right place to be, a beach can even be within walking distance!
The hostels on the East Coast are slightly different than those in Taipei: they’re not less stylish than any other hostel, but they do have a more laid-back and relaxing vibe, with plenty of water and hiking activities ready for you to choose. Here are a few of the best ones that we’ve chosen for you!
WaGaLiGong Surf Hostel
Website: http://www.wagaligongtaiwan.com/
Contact: wagaligongdulan@gmail.com
Address: Highway 11, #89, Dulan Village, Donghe Township, Taitung (40 mins from Taitung Train Station by bus)
Price range: dorm room 300NT up; private room 800NT up
What’s special:
- Restaurant/bar on the first floor with a warm atmosphere (best homemade pizza ever)
- Rooftop garden
- Surfboard/SUP/windsurf rentals and professional coaching/tours
- Free bicycles and cheap rental scooters
Things to do nearby:
- Dulan Sugar Factory
- Cape Café
- Moonlight Inn
- Dulan Beach, Dulan mountain trail
- Jia Mu Zi Bay
Attention to all surfers and nature lovers: you will want to be here. WaGaLiGong is a small family-run business located in the cultural village of Dulan on Taiwan's scenic east coast. Dulan has a bohemian mix of aboriginal Taiwanese, foreigners, Han Chinese, artists, musicians and surfers, making it arguably one of the best places in Taiwan to spend time in. The owners are from South Africa and Taiwan, all passionate people who are willing to share their experiences and way of life with travelers.
In WaGaLiGong, you can enjoy a homemade pizza with surf movies on a big screen, practice yoga and meditation on our rooftop garden (with a view of the Pacific and Green Island), and even bike to Dulan Beach within 10 minutes for a tranquil sunbathing or surf session. And by the way, they are always looking for artists to help, in exchange for lodging and surfing!
40 INN Backpackers Warehouse
Website: https://www.facebook.com/40INN/
Contact: backpackers40inn@gmail.com
Address: No.40, Wenhua St., Taitung City, Taitung County 950 (15mins drive from Taitung Train Station)
Price range: dorm room 599NT up; private room 1999NT up
What’s special:
- Close to Main Bus Station
- Free healthy breakfast bar
- Balcony
- Public computer, huge range of books and movies
- Travel plan recommendation
Things to do nearby:
- Tiehua Music Village and Railway Art Village
- Taitung Art Museum
- Taitung Forest Park and Haibin (seaside) Park
- Taitung Jialulan Coast
- National Museum of Prehistory
40 INN Backpackers Warehouse is a stylish hostel perfectly located in Taitung, near the popular Tiehua Music Village and Railway Art Village, as well as the city’s main bus station. There are plenty of restaurants with must-try food within walking distance, even the weekend night market isn’t too far away! The hostel has a sunny balcony for guests to enjoy the view of the city, and offers a varied breakfast for every guest to start their day.
If you go on 40 INN’s official fan page and scroll through the comments section, there are pretty much only 5 star reviews, every traveler who has stayed there loves it! The owner Paul and his staff are more than helpful when it comes to introducing Taitung, so if you need any advice and tips about the city, just head over to 40 INN.
Hualien Wow Hostel
Website: http://hualienwow.com/en/index
Contact: wowwowservice@gmail.com
Address: No.83, Guolian 1st Rd., Hualien City (3mins walk from Hualien Train Station)
Price range: dorm room 650NT up; private room 1799NT up
What’s special:
- Closest hostel to the Hualien Train Station
- Huge lounge area and full kitchen
- Double bed dorms
- “Tourism desk” to assist with trip planning
- Occasional art and travel talks
Things to do nearby:
- Taroko Gorge
- Chishingtan Beach
- whale watching tours and Qingshui Cliff kayaking
- Walami hiking trail
Hualien Wow Hostel is located right in front of Hualien Train Station with only 2 minutes walking distance. Reshaped from an antique hotel, the hostel provides not only comfortable accommodation but also a very laid-back lounge space, hoping to “wow” the travelers the moment they step in.
The owner Howard executes his travel experiences and passion for nature, creating a hostel of “Ecology, Consideration, and Warmth”, and wishes to bring Taiwan to the world with our spectacular natural environment and local culture.
Through understanding the beauty of our island and experiencing it, Hualien Wow Hostel hopes that after staying with them, foreign travelers would eventually share and recommend Taiwan to the rest of the world; give them a hand!
