Night markets, mountain towns and marble cliffs
This is leg 2 of 3.
Travel leg · Taipei, Jiufen & Taroko
Jiufen and Pingxi to Hualien and Taroko
Jiufen and Pingxi and Hualien and Taroko sit about 127 km (79 mi) apart in a straight line, with Hualien and Taroko to the south. It is leg 2 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
- 127 km · 79 mi
- Est. road distance
- 153–178 km
- Est. drive time
- 1 h 30 min – 2 h 45 min
- Direction
- Heading south
- 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 153–178 km (95–111 mi) and 1 h 30 min – 2 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 Jiufen and Pingxi → Hualien and Taroko directions in Google Maps ↗
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in 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.
Dongdamen Night Market
Large night market with an Indigenous food section serving grilled meats and millet wine.
Qingshui Cliffs
Sheer cliffs plunging into turquoise water along the Suhua Highway.
Qixingtan Beach
Crescent pebble beach with mountain views north of Hualien city.
Before you leave Jiufen and Pingxi
Mountain mining towns above the northeast coast, with old streets and waterfalls. Stay 1 day or one night.
On this curated route
Where Jiufen and Pingxi → Hualien and Taroko sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Hualien and Taroko to Jiufen and Pingxi is the same 127 km in a straight line, heading north. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
The biggest gap comes in January, when Hualien and Taroko averages highs 4°C warmer than Jiufen and Pingxi. Over a year, Jiufen and Pingxi gets about 350 mm more rain.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jiufen and Pingxi high | 17° | 18° | 20° | 23° | 25° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 27° | 24° | 22° | 19° |
| Hualien and Taroko high | 21° | 22° | 23° | 25° | 28° | 29° | 30° | 30° | 29° | 27° | 25° | 22° |
| Jiufen and Pingxi rain | 99 | 92 | 131 | 126 | 228 | 262 | 162 | 263 | 252 | 116 | 115 | 100 |
| Hualien and Taroko rain | 72 | 63 | 84 | 95 | 196 | 206 | 167 | 251 | 222 | 89 | 87 | 61 |
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 Hualien and Taroko month guides.
Jiufen and Pingxi to Hualien and Taroko: questions travelers ask
How far is Jiufen and Pingxi from Hualien and Taroko?
Jiufen and Pingxi is about 127 km (79 mi) from Hualien and Taroko in a straight line, with Hualien and Taroko to the south. By road, we estimate 153–178 km (95–111 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 Jiufen and Pingxi to Hualien and Taroko?
An estimated 1 h 30 min – 2 h 45 min, assuming 153–178 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 Jiufen and Pingxi to Hualien and Taroko?
Our Taipei, Jiufen & Taroko itinerary includes this leg. Taipei, Jiufen & Taroko runs about 9 days across 4 stops, best in Oct – Dec, Mar – May.
Onward from Hualien and Taroko
- Hualien and Taroko to Tainan 178 km
Getting to Jiufen and Pingxi
Guides for both ends
- Jiufen and Pingxi travel guide
- Jiufen and Pingxi weather best time to visit
- Hualien and Taroko travel guide
- Hualien and Taroko weather best time to visit
Hualien and Taroko by month
- Hualien and Taroko in January
- Hualien and Taroko in February
- Hualien and Taroko in March
- Hualien and Taroko in April
- Hualien and Taroko in May
- Hualien and Taroko in June
- Hualien and Taroko in July
- Hualien and Taroko in August
- Hualien and Taroko in September
- Hualien and Taroko in October
- Hualien and Taroko in November
- Hualien and Taroko in December
Plan Jiufen and Pingxi → Hualien and Taroko 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.