Night markets, mountain towns and marble cliffs
This is leg 3 of 3, the final leg.
Travel leg · Taipei, Jiufen & Taroko
Hualien and Taroko to Tainan
Hualien and Taroko and Tainan sit about 178 km (111 mi) apart in a straight line, with Tainan to the south-west. It is leg 3 of 3 on our Taipei, Jiufen & Taroko itinerary, a 9-day trip. Here is how long it takes by train, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 178 km · 111 mi
- Est. road distance
- 214–249 km
- Est. drive time
- 2 h 15 min – 3 h 45 min
- Direction
- Heading south-west
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By train
Our Taipei, Jiufen & Taroko itinerary is planned around rail, so a train is the likely way to cover this leg. Timetables and direct connections vary — check the operator before you book.
By car
Driving is an estimated 214–249 km (133–155 mi) and 2 h 15 min – 3 h 45 min at typical average speeds, not a routed time.
TRA express trains run Taipei to Hualien in about 2 to 2.5 hours; book seats ahead on weekends. From Hualien, continue by train around the south or return to Taipei and take the High Speed Rail to Tainan in under 2 hours. Taipei's MRT and buses cover Jiufen and Shifen.
Open Hualien and Taroko → Tainan directions in Google Maps ↗
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Tainan
Taiwan's oldest city, full of temples, Dutch forts and the island's best snacks. Stay 2 days.
Chihkan Tower (Fort Provintia)
Site of a 17th-century Dutch fort later rebuilt with Chinese pavilions.
Hayashi Department Store
Restored 1932 department store selling local crafts, with a rooftop Shinto shrine.
Du Hsiao Yueh
The 1895 original of danzai noodles, small bowls topped with shrimp and pork sauce.
Shennong Street
Lantern-lit lane of old shophouses with small bars, cafes and studios.
Anping Old Fort
Remains of Fort Zeelandia, the Dutch colonial base built in the 1620s.
Anping Tree House
Old merchant warehouse swallowed by banyan roots.
Before you leave Hualien and Taroko
East-coast base for marble canyon views, sea cliffs and Indigenous food. Stay 2 days.
Taroko Gorge
Marble canyon carved by the Liwu River; only some sections and trails have reopened since 2024.
Pine Garden
Japanese-era military building in a pine grove overlooking Hualien port.
Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park
Converted winery buildings with craft shops, galleries and cafes.
On this curated route
Where Hualien and Taroko → Tainan sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Tainan to Hualien and Taroko is the same 178 km in a straight line, heading north-east. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
Average daytime highs at both ends stay within 1°C of each other all year, so you can pack the same way for both. Over a year, Tainan gets about 300 mm more rain.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hualien and Taroko high | 21° | 22° | 23° | 25° | 28° | 29° | 30° | 30° | 29° | 27° | 25° | 22° |
| Tainan high | 21° | 22° | 24° | 26° | 28° | 29° | 30° | 29° | 29° | 27° | 26° | 23° |
| Hualien and Taroko rain | 72 | 63 | 84 | 95 | 196 | 206 | 167 | 251 | 222 | 89 | 87 | 61 |
| Tainan rain | 39 | 31 | 48 | 79 | 223 | 344 | 289 | 441 | 242 | 72 | 49 | 33 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Tainan month guides.
Hualien and Taroko to Tainan: questions travelers ask
How far is Hualien and Taroko from Tainan?
Hualien and Taroko is about 178 km (111 mi) from Tainan in a straight line, with Tainan to the south-west. By road, we estimate 214–249 km (133–155 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Hualien and Taroko to Tainan?
An estimated 2 h 15 min – 3 h 45 min, assuming 214–249 km of road at average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day. Our itinerary leans on rail, so check train times too.
Which itineraries include the trip from Hualien and Taroko to Tainan?
Our Taipei, Jiufen & Taroko itinerary includes this leg. Taipei, Jiufen & Taroko runs about 9 days across 4 stops, best in Oct – Dec, Mar – May.
Getting to Hualien and Taroko
Guides for both ends
- Hualien and Taroko travel guide
- Hualien and Taroko weather best time to visit
- Tainan travel guide
- Tainan weather best time to visit
Tainan by month
Plan Hualien and Taroko → Tainan with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.