Sam our guide was absolutely fantastic. Very passionate and knowledgeable. Nicely paced full day.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Bottle water
- Entrance fees to sites listed in itinerary
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Private tour with your own expert English guide
- Fuel surcharge
Excludes
- Lunch at own expense; your guide will recommend local favorites and explain options so you can choose according to your taste and preferences.
- Gratuity (optional)
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Pickup from your hotel in Hualien City or Hualien Train Station. Meet your private English-speaking local guide and begin your journey.
Admire the spectacular marble cliffs and deep canyons of Taroko Gorge, and enjoy the breathtaking drive along Highway No. 8, one of Taiwan’s remarkable cross-island highways, winding through dramatic mountain landscapes.
Visit the iconic Taroko Arch Gate and Taroko National Park Visitor Center, where your expert English-speaking guide will introduce you to the park’s natural environment, history, and local culture.
Enjoy the peaceful mountain scenery of Tianxiang, surrounded by lush forests, dramatic cliffs, and the beautiful Liwu River valley.
Visit Xiangde Temple in Tianxiang, a peaceful Buddhist temple offering beautiful mountain views and a glimpse into local Buddhist culture.
Enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and marble cliffs at one of Hualien’s most iconic coastal
Experience one of Hualien’s most scenic hikes on Sakul Trail, surrounded by lush forest and beautiful waterfalls. A refreshing nature experience that complements the dramatic scenery of Taroko Gorge, subject to current trail conditions.
Experience the beauty of Qixingtan, where the Pacific Ocean meets Hualien’s mountains and a unique pebble beach. Take a relaxing seaside walk and enjoy spectacular coastal views and photo opportunities.
Step into Hualien’s history at General House, a beautifully preserved Japanese-era site featuring traditional architecture and a peaceful atmosphere. Explore the historic surroundings and discover a different side of Hualien with your local guide.
After the tour, your guide will drop you off at your hotel in Hualien City or Hualien Train Station.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Best way to explore Taroko Gorge. The guide picked us up at our hotel and dropped us off there. He knew all the opening hours for the Gorge, the best views etc.
Sam was an absolutely wonderful tour guide!! His English was excellent, and his knowledge of the local history, culture, and attractions was truly impressive! He took us to some of the most breathtaking and beautiful spots, sharing fascinating stories and historical insights along the way. Thanks to Sam, we not only enjoyed incredible scenery but also learned so much about the places we visited! Sam was also incredibly thoughtful and considerate of our schedule, making sure our experience was enjoyable, comfortable, and never rushed. He was kind, professional, and an absolute pleasure to communicate with throughout the entire tour. We couldn't have asked for a better experience and would highly recommend Sam to anyone looking for an amazing and memorable tour!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sam 真的是一位非常優秀又專業的導遊!! 他的英文非常流利,而且知識非常豐富,無論是當地的歷史、文化,還是各個景點的特色,他都瞭若指掌! 他帶我們去了許多最美麗、最值得欣賞的景點,沿途不僅讓我們欣賞到令人驚豔的自然風景,還非常生動又詳細地介紹了各個地方的歷史故事,讓我們在欣賞美景的同時,也學到了好多新知識! Sam 也非常細心、貼心,處處為我們的行程和時間安排著想,讓整趟旅程既舒適又愉快。 他待人親切、彬彬有禮,溝通起來非常輕鬆愉快,讓我們留下了非常美好的回憶! 這次的導覽體驗真的非常棒,誠心推薦 Sam 給所有想要深入了解當地文化、欣賞美麗風景的旅客!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We had a very enjoyable day with Jimmy, who was very well organised and made sure we saw all the key sights possible within Taroko, and along the coast. Lots of great descriptions of the landscape, flora, fauna, and snacks, the 8hrs flew by!
We had a full day private tour with Sam. The tour was fascinating and we learned about the unique history and culture of Hualien and Taroko. Sam adjusted his pace to us, explained everything thoroughly and enthusiastically and every recommendation he had, from sightseeing spots, activities and delicious food, were amazing. I highly recommend this tour to everyone consider booking. Thank you for the great memories Sam!
Absolutely fantastic day trip. Lion our guide was very informative & gave us lots of information. About the sights & also the history. Sights were all fab with plenty to enjoy. Would highly recommend the trip.
We had a wonderful day in Hualien and Taroko Gorge with our guide, Sam. Communication beforehand was great, and he picked us up right at our hotel. Sam is from Hualien and it was wonderful to hear the history and information about the area from someone who knows it so well. A lot of the trails and areas in Taroko Gorge are still closed, but he knew the best timing to see the areas we could see. He was great at knowing the places to stop and the best photo opportunities. We were able to go on a couple hikes, have a wonderful lunch and snacks, see the ocean and mountains, and as a bonus we saw a lot of wild monkeys. It was a wonderful day!
We had a great day! I can't imagine anyone knowing more than Jack about Taroko, and how to navigate the partial park closure. Great stories about the area, the history, the native tribes and Jack's personal experiences. I learned more than I ever expected!
Jimmy was a great guide. We have learned a lot about the area. He accomodated our needs and also took wonderful photos of us in the best spots!
We really enjoyed this experience and tour! Our guide, Jack Lin, was very experienced and had a lot of interesting facts and stories to share with us. He took us to lots of cool spots both in and out of Taroko. We enjoyed seeing the park though much of it is still closed unfortunately. What we were able to see was beautiful though!
We had Sam and he was absolutely wonderful! My husband and I didn’t know what to expect because we came to Hualien just days after a typhoon, but Sam brought us to so many amazing spots, helped us take plenty of beautiful and scenic photos, and introduced us to delicious local food!! I highly recommend for anyone interested!!
Our guide Jack was extremely knowledgeable and personable. Had a great day seeing and learning about all the major sites in/around Taroko Gorge.
We really enjoyed it our guide Alex! He was funny and knowledgeable, patient and kind. It is worth getting up and out by 7:00 am to miss the traffic and people into the Gorge. He took us to a great local place for lunch and on a hike to a waterfall that was very memorable! We had to catch a train back to Taipei at 3:25 and he made sure we got where we needed to be in plenty of time! I would highly recommend this tour!
Alex was a great tour guide. He kept us going at just the right pace. We loved his restaurant choice for lunch. His car was very comfortable with great air conditioning.
Vincent was a fantastic tour guide. He arrived to pick us up right on time, and he had our full day scheduled out to make sure we could see the best parts of Taroko National Park and the surrounding area. Due to the 2024 earthquake, some of the trails and roads remain closed and entry to the roads is timed. Nonetheless, Vincent's expert planning made sure we saw everything we wanted to see, and he offered up his wealth of knowledge of the history, geology and culture of the area along the way. The lunch recommendation was delicious and, unlike some other tour guides, Vincent was solely focused on us enjoying our day. We've taken other private tours where you're taken unwittingly to high pressure sales ploys, and our experience with Vincent couldn't have been farther from that. It was a wonderful day and we highly recommend the experience.
We had such a wonderful experience with our tour guide, Alec. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about his hometown. His colorful commentary and storytelling made the history and local culture so much more interesting and enjoyable. He also took great pictures of us and was thoughtful enough to make extra stops so we could try some local snacks. His car was clean, comfortable, and well-maintained, making our full-day tour even more pleasant. We truly enjoyed every moment of the experience. **Highly recommend him to anyone looking for a fun, informative, and memorable tour!
We booked this well in advance. Our guide was Sam who has been doing this for many years. Unfortunately due to the earthquakes, many parts of Taroko are closed. This, in addition to the fact that we do not drive made us book the trip. It was the best decision. We would have otherwise struggled to see it and we would not know what to see and where to go. I recommend that you book the guided tour. Sam was quite knowledgeable and he made an effort to point out wildlife as he saw we were interested in it. Trip cam be tailored to what you would like to see as it is private. Taroko is very beautiful and the scenery is breathtaking. Sam was able to give history facts as well. The tour lasted 8 hours (the agreed time) and we covered everything as described. There were no additional costs. It was the best decision for us and we enjoyed it a lot. Highly recommended.
We loved the tour; Jimmy is a very attentive guide who strives to make the trip more enjoyable for his passengers. The beauty of Taroko, the beach, the beef noodles... a great tour.
Our guide (Sam) was incredibly knowledgeable about the Hualien/Taroko area (ie the cultural history and the indigenous people, the uses of flora, the impact of the 2024 earthquake) and an amazing guide! The folks in our group had varying levels of fitness and Sam was able to adjust the itinerary to accommodate our needs; we had a great time sight seeing the Taroko National Park (even with some trails still being restored post-2024 earthquake), the beautiful coastline at Qingshui Cliffs, and the gorgeous beach at Qixingtan! We even were able to fit in some hiking to view the entirety of Hualien (ocean shoreline, mountain range, cityscape) and enjoy a really delicious taro croissant!
We had a great time with Alex! He picked us up at the hotel in time, showed us around Taroko and even some parts of Hualien! Would recommend!
I came to Hualien for a solo adventure for a couple nights and wanted to make the most of my time, and this tour was absolutely worth it! Sam is an incredible knowledgeable, friendly, fun, and helpful guide! He communicates in person and via WhatsApp with ease, and was an excellent person to spend the day with! I’m so glad I booked this.
Booked this private tour guide on Trip Advisor and went with Sam on a Sunday. I think the area had a 5.0 earthquake earlier in the week, but didn't affect the tour at all. The weekends are busy he says for the Taroko National Park area in general but we had great luck. Sam is a native of Hualien and went to university and had been doing tours in the area for a long time, long before the 4-3-2024 earthquake. He states how he brought people on the trails, he spoke great English and was very knowledgble. He knew the history of the area very well as well as all the right spots. He helped us with taking photos, and helping us dine at the local spots for lunch. Sam is a cyclist himself and states before the hurricane he used to bike the park himself, he is active and capable of all activities. He knew 'easier' and 'harder', he was in the hiking club in university so he had done many of the trails in the gorge himself back in the day before the earthquake. The private tour and his vehicle was much easier to get into than some of the buses and larger vans. He knew the time frames for entry and knew the local shop owners. You could rent a car or scooter to go up the gorge, it's not nearly as straight forward as it seems. I don't read or speak the language so those day to day changes in the construction and road work could change things up. It was worth it to spend the money and have Sam show us around. He got us in, he timed it so we would hit the exit during the right time frame. He could share the history of the city from the days of Japanese rule to the town's wierd love for the sun fish. The tour started off great with the 'easy' trek to the waterfalls and then it went from there. I'd recommend it, he says he mostly takes folks from California and the East Coast, I was one of his few Texans. He'll show you the photo opportunities and share the nerdy details. Started around 8am and we were done just before 4pm. We were picked up from the hotel and dropped off at the Haulien Station. Great Service, and I know his crew has other tour guides and vehicles. They do an awesome job. Don't hestiate to book something with them! Yes, the Taroko gorge and many of the trails are closed, they're still working on it and Sam's confident they will re-open it again in the future. But if you think because the trails are closed the trip will just be a let down; well you'll be wrong. It was really a once in a lifetime experience. Sam has a true passion for his hometown and enjoys sharing it, so it was a well worth while adventure.
Vincent was our tour guide, he had an awesome itinerary plan for us. We were also picked up and dropped off out our hotel which was a great perk. It was a great way to see hualien and taroko gorge. The hikes and explanation of each area really showed us how much Vincent loved Taiwan, and this definitely extended to us. He gave us contextual detail of the landscapes and answered any questions we had about the area. Would highly recommend booking with Vincent 😊
We had an outstanding private tour with experienced guide Vincent Tai today. Pickup was exactly on time and the day unfolded like clockwork. The highlight was the visit to Toroku Gorge which was stunning. Incredible, very beautiful scenery despite the ravages of the 2024 earthquake. Vincent was a wonderful guide, providing a wealth of knowledge and insights to the places we visited. Very kind and exceptionally personable - he was outstanding. We unhesitatingly recommend the tour and Vincent! Great value for money too.
We both had an amazing day seeing the sights of Taroko Gorge and surrounding areas Our tour guide Vincent provided indepth knowledge along the way which made our tour so much more rewarding. We appreciated his safe driving on roads still under repair from the 2024 earthquake and his curtesy at all times. The aboriginal lunch was a highlight
This was, without a doubt, the **best tour I have ever been on**, and so much of that is because of our incredible tour guide, Vincent! From the very beginning, Vincent was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, thoughtful, and helpful. He completely exceeded our expectations in every way. He has such an incredible knowledge of Hualien and Taroko Gorge, and what made the experience even more special was learning that before becoming a tour guide, he actually worked on one of the tunnels in the Gorge for **4.5 years**. Hearing his personal experiences and learning about the history, construction, culture, and little details that we never would have known on our own made the entire day so much more meaningful. We loved that the tour was flexible. If we ever moved through something a little quicker than expected, Vincent always had a backup idea or another incredible place to show us. Because of him, we were able to see so much more than we ever could have found on our own. He also took so many wonderful pictures of us **without us even having to ask**, which was such a thoughtful touch and meant that we could actually enjoy the experience instead of constantly worrying about taking photos ourselves. He even bought us ice cream to enjoy during the day! Even with the current construction and closures in parts of Taroko Gorge, we genuinely felt like we **did not miss out on the beauty of Hualien at all**. Vincent knew exactly where to take us, and every viewpoint and stop was more beautiful than I could have imagined. There is absolutely no way we would have known that so many of these incredible sights, viewpoints, stories, and hidden details existed if we had tried to explore Hualien by ourselves. I truly think more people need to take the time to visit Hualien and do a tour like this. The experience was so much more than simply being driven around to see beautiful places — we actually learned about Hualien, its history, the Gorge, and the people who have helped shape the area. Vincent made everything feel personal, easy, and incredibly special. And Vincent went above and beyond **even after the tour was over**. He drove us to the train station, helped us figure out our train tickets, and made sure we knew exactly where to go. That is just the kind of thoughtful and genuinely caring person he is. After spending only one day with him, we honestly felt like we had made a friend. The scenery was breathtaking, the experience was unforgettable, and having Vincent as our guide made it even better. **I would take this tour again every single time**, and I cannot recommend it enough to anyone visiting Hualien. If you are debating whether or not to book a tour, take the time to do it — you will see and learn things you simply would not experience on your own. **Thank you so much, Vincent, for making our day in Hualien so incredible! You were truly the best tour guide we could have asked for, and we are so grateful for everything you did for us. We will never forget this experience!**
Jimmy was great! My fiancé and I booked this day trip while we were in Hualien. There were flexible pick up times, we picked 8am. Jimmy picked us up at our hotel (Hotel Kindness) and was there just before 8am. We had a wonderful day exploring Taroko national park alongside other key destinations. Jimmy was very knowledgeable and flexible with our itinerary - i.e. it was a super hot day so we didn't want to spend too long walking along the beach so we pivoted to the next stop. He was receptive to our requests, i.e. we were interested in getting Taiwanese beef noodle soup so he took us to a very good spot. He took pictures of my fiancé and I at all of the most scenic spots, and was constantly checking in to make sure we were happy. I would recommend this tour to anybody with 1 full day looking to explore the Hualien area
This tour was an incredibly unique experience and the highlight of our Taiwan trip! We wanted a chance to get away from the busy streets of Taipei and witness the natural wonders of the island and Taroko truly fit the bill. The region is still very much recovering from the devastating earthquake in '24 and navigating the highways during this time is very tricky and even dangerous. Vincent's planning and adaptability threaded us through the limited access schedule with ease, pivoting when we needed to, without sacrificing our time nor any of the sights. There are still many major points of interest closed as repairs continue, but more than enough breathtaking beauty to justify the trip. The tour itself was full of variety; an early morning hike hidden away from the usual tourist paths, exploring the famous gorges of the park and beautiful coastal cliffs, and stuffing ourselves with ingenious cousine. We were able to witness plenty of the local flora and fauna; dozens of butterfly species, some large (and thankfully distant) spiders, and mischievous monkeys. Vincent was full of knowledge regarding the history of Hualien, Taroko, and Taiwan itself, which only added to the experience. He clearly loves the job and even pulls from his own personal and family history from working within the Natural Park and the touring community. He was well prepared and at no point did we feel hindered by the twists and turns of the day. Pack light and for the heat, be prepared to sweat, and leave the rest to him. We learned and experienced a ton and can't recommend this adventure enough! If you're looking for culture, nature, and adventure then this tour is for you.
My husband and I had the most wonderful experience exploring taroko national park and surrounds with our tour guide Vincent. He curated the day based on our interests and his exceptional knowledge of the area. We felt safe and comfortable whilst we were within Taroko gorge the entire time. We honestly wished we could have done multiple days exploring all of Taiwan just with Vincent! Hualien and Taroko are such phenomenally breathtaking areas of Taiwan and I highly recommend all tourists to add this to their itinery.
The Taroko National Park is really gorgeous and a must see if you are near Hualien! We had a very good time with our tour guide Alex. Thank you again Alex!
Jack was an amazing guide and friend. He is incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the area and will keep you entertained throughout the trip. Things are catered to the tour group, so you can stay longer or leave earlier (or skip) any portion you desire. I would highly recommend. I have a much deeper respect and appreciation for Taiwan after this tour. Thanks Jack!
Great tour with Alex. We loved hearing stories and facts about Hualien and Taroko Gorge. The Taroko Gorge scenery is amazing and we felt like there was plenty of time at each stop. Had lunch at a local restaurant with local cuisine. Hiked up to the water fall in Hualien then visited a vintage house in town. Great day thanks to Alex.
Our tour with Sam was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Taiwan! He took us around Taroko and so many other beautiful places in Hualien, and made the entire day such a fun and memorable experience. Sam was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information about the area, the local culture, and the history of Taroko. He was also hilarious, so we had a great time throughout the whole tour! He even recommended an Indigenous meal for us to try, and it was absolutely delicious. And on top of everything, Sam is an amazing photographer! He knew all the best spots and took so many beautiful photos for us, which made the experience even more special. He went above and beyond to make sure we had an amazing experience, and we’re so glad we got to explore Hualien with him!
We had a fantastic day with the very energetic, knowledgable and funny Alex, showing us magic spots in the Taroko Gorge (despite limited access due earthquake damage), the stunning cliffs, a walk to a waterfall & beach and cultural heritage places in Hualien. The car was very comfortable and Alex a very safe driver. Also had a fantastic local lunch. Cannot recommend the tour and Alex enough. Gabriele & Dinesh
It was a great tour! Alex was affable and extremely knowledgeable about Hualien and the Taroko Gorge. This tour is well worth the price and I’d highly recommend. This was a pretty easy day trip from Taipei and I’d say it was the highlight of our trip to Taiwan!
A comfortable private tour that was arranged by Vincent. He is very experienced and informative to share insights of the places we visited and knew the best angles for photos and view points. Taroko is recovering from the earthquake 2 years ago and the government is working very quickly to keep the site accessible and safe. Its a beautiful place and you should definitely make a trip there. We also visited Sakul Trail that lead to a nice waterfall and with a bit of a hike to a lookout point that gives you a beautiful view of Hualine city. We concluded our trip by visiting Jiang Jun Fu which is the Governors Hall settlement Japanese style houses for a yummy watermelon ice cream treat from Vincent and we also tried a delicious salted egg Croissant.
★★★★★ Vincent was an exceptional guide and made our visit to Taroko National Park truly unforgettable! He was incredibly knowledgeable, professional, kind, and attentive, and went above and beyond to make sure we had a wonderful experience. His knowledge of the park, history, and local culture made everything so much more meaningful. We have had many guides on our travels, and Vincent is definitely one of the best we’ve ever had. We highly recommend Vincent to anyone visiting Taroko National Park. Thank you, Vincent, for an amazing day and wonderful memories!
Alex was great. Fun and very enjoyable. Would recommend the tour.
Alex was a fantastic tour guide!!
I cannot express strongly enough how wonderful our tour was with "Amazing Taiwan Tours"! My fiance and I went into the experience thinking there was no way we could ever see everything we wanted, and were blown away by the passionate and personalized tour we received. Vincent was a highly-skilled storyteller and educator, spoke fluent English, and gave detailed information and memorable stories every step of the way. He curated a perfect schedule and expertly prioritized our safety throughout the day. Even after the 2024 Earthquake, Taroko Gorge and Hualien are can't miss spots to visit for any traveler coming to Taiwan. We look forward to booking with Vincent again next time we come back!
Our guide Jimmy was a wonderful ambassador for the beauty of Taiwan as well as the culture and food. Jimmy made sure we were able to see all the highlights of Taroko and provided many opportunities for great photo spots. He was so helpful with group picture-taking. One of the many highlights of the day-long tour was our lunch at an aboriginal restaurant. This was such a unique experience that our entire group enjoyed. If you are lucky enough to get Jimmy as your guide, get ready for a great experience.
Our guide Jimmy was a wonderful ambassador for the beauty of Taiwan as well as the culture and food. Jimmy made sure we were able to see all the highlights of Taroko and provided many opportunities for great photo spots. He was so helpful with group picture-taking. One of the many highlights of the day-long tour was our lunch at an aboriginal restaurant. This was such a unique experience that our entire group enjoyed. If you are lucky enough to get Jimmy as your guide, get ready for a great experience.
Sam was a great guide! He was gracious, on time and very knowledgeable. He accommodated our requests. Great experience!
Wonderful tour! Vincent was great! Very engaging and knowledgeable about the historical, environmental and social/political aspects of Taiwan and the particular area toured. Enjoyed a fantastic meal at an aboriginal restaurant as well as watermelon ice cream!
Jimmy was an excellent guide! On time, friendly, patient and very knowledgeable. We've requested to see a couple of places and he delivered and went beyond.
Alex was amazing guide! He was so cheerful and shared a lot of history of Taiwan. Highly recommended!
Vincent was our private guide. He shared great stories about Hualien and the Taroko Gorge. Having deep roots in the area, Vincent provided a unique perspective. He took us to the best viewing spots of the beautiful Gorge and we experienced magnificent scenery. We learnt a great deal about the region and look forward to coming back.
Full day of tour stops. Many stops with opportunity to get out and stretch your legs and see different areas of the National Park. Tour guide gave us interesting information at each stop and lots of time to explore on our own.
Vincent, our guide, was knowledgeable, kind and friendly. He made sure we were well informed about Taroko and Hualien and he personalized our trip to suit both us and the weather and our safety. We felt especially cared for and welcomed and when we return to Taiwan we will contact him again. I can't recommend Vincent and his tour enough!
Alex was amazing! Picked us up at our hotel. We drove to the Taroko Gorge with many stops along the way to take pictures annd explore. Alex was very informative and engaging. He knows the ins and outs of the Gorge very well. It is still under construction after the 2024 earthquake would have been very challenging to navigate this on our own. We also toured the visitor centre and a local beach near the military airbase. He then took us to lunch at a local place in Haulien which was fantastic, and definitely not a place we would have ventured into on our own. Next stop was a short hike to a waterfall where we could wade in and get close to the cascading water. Alex supplied towels for us to dry off with, which was a nice touch. Last stop was a local market made of houses originally built during the Japanese occupation. Alex had lived in one as a child! Do not hesitate to book. We were picked up at 7 am and dropped off at around 3 pm. It was a full day and so much fun! Did I mention we saw monkeys!
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