Qixingtan & Qingshui Cliff – You Must Not Miss These Two Beautiful Gems in Hualien

Ever heard of the word, “Thalassophile”? It refers to someone who loves the ocean. I’m definitely more of an ‘ocean person’ than a ‘mountain person’. Having been brought up in Singapore, I can’t help being a city girl, but I need to escape to somewhere peaceful once in awhile. Whenever I see the ocean, my mind reaches a level of calmness, and I feel a sense of joy which I can’t express in words. Last year, my partner and I took a vacation in Taiwan, and we decided to drop by Qixingtan and Qingshui Cliff when we were in Hualien.

Qixingtan (七星潭) is one of the most gorgeous beaches in Taiwan. The water is incredibly blue, and the sand is so fine it felt so comfortable to sit there under the sun, feeling the warmth of it beating down on our skin. We enjoyed the view of the mountains embracing the coastline, especially when it seemed as though the mountain peaks were engulfed by puffy clouds.

We didn’t get up early enough to catch the sunrise, but it would be a great way to begin your day in Hualien. This beach is so scenic, and a romantic stroll is a must if you are here. On an extremely sunny day, you might be able to catch a glimpse of Qingshui Cliff in the distance.

Qingshui Cliff (清水斷崖) is the only place in Taroko National Park where you can witness the three distinct colour tones that make up the Pacific Ocean. The combination of blues and greens, with the pretty pebble coast of Chongde Beach (崇德礫灘) paints a beautiful picture for photographers. Do note that swimming is prohibited at Chongde Beach, and you have to be very careful of falling rocks and strong waves while walking on the beach.

If you are looking for a short and easy hiking trail in Taroko National Park, the Chongde Trail is perfect. We parked our rental car at the North side of Chongde Tunnel, and took a leisure stroll to the observation deck where you will see the ocean and cliff collide. As aggressive as the waves might seem, its crashing sounds is like a lullaby to our ears. To hear the serene sounds of the waves is the ultimate relaxation for us.

It doesn’t matter what time of the day, both Qixingtan and Qingshui Cliff will never cease to amaze visitors. We will probably revisit these places at night if we stop by Hualien again. My imagination has begun to run wild, and I’m dreaming of a night sky full of shimmering stars – oh how lovely it will be!

The addresses for both locations are:
Qixingtan – Haian Road, Xincheng Township, Hualien County, Taiwan
Qingshui Cliff – Suhua Road, Sioulin Township, Hualien County, Taiwan