Ch'ing-shui Cliff

Qingshui Cliffs (清水断崖), located in Hualien County, Taiwan, are a stunning natural attraction along the island's east coast. Stretching over 21 kilometers between Heping and Chongde, the cliffs are a part of the Suhua Highway (Provincial Highway No. 9). They are celebrated for their dramatic drop-offs, where sheer cliffs rise up to 800 meters (2,600 feet) above the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. What to Expect Unmatched Scenery: The cliffs are a combination of rugged rock faces, lush vegetation, and striking ocean hues ranging from turquoise to sapphire. Viewing Spots: Key viewpoints include Chongde Rest Area, Heren Rest Area, and Qingyun Rest Area, each offering unique angles and vistas of the cliffs. Activities Photography: The cliffs are a paradise for photographers, especially at sunrise or sunset. Hiking: Short trails, like the Qingshui Cliff Trail, let you experience the cliffs up close. Cycling: Adventurous cyclists can enjoy scenic rides along the coastal roads. Nearby Attractions Taroko National Park: Just a short drive away, this park features gorges, waterfalls, and hiking trails. Cingshuei Geothermal Area: Known for its hot springs, it's perfect for relaxation. Tips for Visitors Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds and better lighting. Bring essentials like water, sunscreen, and a camera. Be cautious of weather changes, as the area can be windy or rainy.

Recently, my friends and I embarked on a nature-filled getaway to Hualien's famous Qingshui Cliff. Standing on the observation platform, we were greeted by the vast Pacific Ocean, with its mesmerizing gradient of blue hues. The majestic cliffs combined with the azure sea created an unbelievable scenic masterpiece. The sea breeze brushed against us, bringing a sense of tranquility and joy. As we took photos and soaked in the awe-inspiring and serene atmosphere of nature, it felt as though all our worries were swept away by the wind. This trip to Qingshui Cliff not only showcased Taiwan's natural beauty but also brought us closer together.

📍 Address Located in Chongde Village, Xiulin Township, Hualien County (Su-Hua Highway, Section of Provincial Highway No. 9) There are two main viewing spots for Qingshui Cliff: 1. Chongde Viewing Platform 2. Heren Viewing Platform ⸻ 🕒 Opening Hours Open year-round, accessible at all times (Recommended to visit during the daytime; the light and shadow changes at dawn and dusk are stunning. Night visits are not advised due to lack of lighting and safety concerns.) ⸻ 🚗 Transportation 🚙 Driving/Rental Car Approximately 30–40 minutes’ drive from Hualien City. Set your GPS to: • Chongde Viewing Platform (Qingshui Cliff Viewing Platform) • Heren Viewing Platform (Parking available) 🚆 By Train • Hualien Train Station → Chongde Station (local train, about 25 minutes) → Walk, rent a bike, or take a taxi to the viewing platform (about 2–3 km) 🚌 Public Transportation (less convenient) Take Hualien Bus routes 1126, 1132, or 1140 (towards Taroko) and get off at "Chongde Station," then walk to the site. ⸻ 🌟 Reasons to Visit • 🏞️ One of Taiwan’s Top Ten Natural Wonders The Coastal Mountain Range plunges directly into the Pacific Ocean, forming towering cliffs over 800 meters high—a breathtaking sight. • 🌊 Stunning ocean views On sunny days, the sea displays gradient shades of blue, contrasting beautifully with the lush cliffs. It’s a paradise for photography, sketching, or simply relaxing. • 🚴 Popular cycling route Rent a bike and ride along the coastal road from Hualien, enjoying the refreshing sea breeze. • 📷 Ideal for wedding photos and Instagram-worthy shots ⸻ 🗺️ Suggested Nearby Attractions ✅ Taroko National Park (about 20–30 minutes’ drive) • Explore Shakadang Trail, Swallow Grotto, Changchun Shrine, Baiyang Trail, and more. • Marvel at the majestic marble canyons and streams. ✅ Chongde Beach (located below Qingshui Cliff) • Immerse yourself in the sound of waves, try SUP, kayaking, or join a sunrise tour. ✅ Xincheng Old Street & Jiaxing Fruit Shop (about 15 minutes’ drive) • Must-try snacks: Jiaxing Lemon Juice, Bomb Scallion Pancake • Experience the slow-paced life of a small town. ✅ Return to Hualien City • Enjoy local delicacies at Dongdamen Night Market. • Visit Songyuan Villa and Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park for a leisurely stroll.

🌊🐟 Under the towering cliffs of Qingshui, battle the deep sea: The most thrilling fishing experience off the coast of Hualien Hualien · Qingshui Cliffs · Deep Sea Fishing · Ocean Adventure Journal ⸻ 🎣 [My Fishing Experience | Fishing beneath the Qingshui Cliffs is a soul-stirring sensation] If there's a place in Taiwan that truly conveys the "overwhelming power of nature," it has to be the Qingshui Cliffs in Hualien. That day, I arrived at the fishing port early in the morning to meet the boat captain. The sun had yet to rise, and the sea was pitch black, with only the faint sound of waves lapping. As the boat started, we headed towards the deep blue of the east coast. The closer we got to the Qingshui Cliffs, the more I realized that no photo could ever capture this level of awe. When the boat stopped offshore near the cliffs, with the nearly vertical wall towering beside us, I suddenly felt it— We are but a grain of sand on the vast ocean. The waters here are astonishingly deep. The captain mentioned that in some areas, the depth reaches 500 to 600 meters, and the fish are all deep-sea species. I slowly lowered my fishing line, letting it go and go, seemingly never reaching the seabed. When the sinker finally hit bottom, I felt a surge of tension. Within three minutes, the tip of my rod twitched slightly. Then— The rod was suddenly yanked downward with immense force, and my arm went numb from the shock. I instinctively pulled back, and the entire boat seemed to hold its breath, with everyone stopping to watch me. This was the unique weight of a deep-sea fish, not the erratic movements of a small fish, but a solid, profound, and unfathomable pull. Every inch I reeled in felt like dragging something out of the abyss of darkness. After about five minutes, my hands were on the verge of cramping, but my adrenaline was through the roof. Finally, a silver-white figure emerged from the water— A large cod-like deep-sea fish! At that moment, all my fatigue vanished, and I found myself shouting at the top of my lungs on the boat. When I hauled the fish aboard, I truly felt: This wasn't just fishing; it was pulling the power of the deep sea into the sunlight beneath the Qingshui Cliffs. The entire journey was wild, beautiful, and absolutely worth it. ⸻ 🛥️ [Itinerary | One-Day Deep Sea Fishing Trip off the Qingshui Cliffs] 🔹 04:30 – 05:00 | Assembly (Hualien Port/Chongde) • Most trips depart at dawn • The boat crew provides fishing gear, but gloves are recommended 🔹 05:00 – 06:00 | Head towards the waters off the Qingshui Cliffs • Arrive near the cliffs as the sun rises • The scenery at this time is breathtaking, like something out of National Geographic 🔹 06:00 – 11:00 | Deep Sea Fishing (Main Activity) Common catches: ✔ Cod-like deep-sea fish ✔ Blackthroat seaperch ✔ Large bamboo fish ✔ Scabbardfish ✔ Deep-sea beltfish ✔ Occasionally big catches: red drum or massive deep-sea monsters Depths usually range from 300–600 meters, reeling in feels like a gym deadlift session. 🔹 11:00 – 12:00 | Return and sort the catch • The boat crew helps clean and sort the fish • You can pack them up or take them to Hualien City for professional cooking ⸻ ⭐ [Online Reviews | Why Anglers Recommend "Offshore Hualien at Qingshui Cliffs"] ✔ "The most spectacular fishing spot in Taiwan" Unanimous praise: Fishing while admiring the cliffs and deep sea is unparalleled in Taiwan. ✔ "Exhilarating deep-sea fish pull" The fish are heavyweight, each pull feels like a 30-minute workout. ✔ "Rich catches due to complex seabed terrain" With the Kuroshio Current passing through, anglers across Taiwan agree: The fish off Hualien are stronger than those in the north or west. ✔ "Experienced captains for quick and precise spot changes" Captains here are highly skilled, knowing the currents and the best times to catch fish. ✔ "Breathtaking scenery on good weather days" The sea at Qingshui Cliffs is a gradient of blues against towering cliffs, worth the trip even without a catch. ⸻ 🎒 [Important Tips | Must-Read!] • Take seasickness medication; the waters off Hualien can be rough • Deep-sea fishing is exhausting; bring gloves and wrist supports • Be cautious with heavy sinkers • Trips are canceled in bad weather for safety • Bring sunscreen in summer, windbreakers in winter

⏰ 08:00｜Departure → Taroko National Park • Shakadang Trail: A leisurely hike to enjoy emerald streams and marble canyons. • Swallow Grotto: A classic canyon landmark to observe cliff walls and swallow caves. 👉 Breakfast Recommendations: • Temple Red Tea (Hualien City) – Traditional red tea with egg pancakes and ham sandwiches. ⸻ ⏰ 11:30｜Qingshui Cliffs • Stand at a high vantage point to gaze at the ocean and experience the breathtaking cliffs plunging into the Pacific. • A must-visit for photo enthusiasts! 👉 Lunch Recommendations: • Gongzheng Baozi / Zhou Family Dumplings – Must-try soup dumplings and steamed dumplings. • Yixiang Wonton – Hualien's signature wonton soup. ⸻ ⏰ 14:00｜Qixingtan Beach • One of the most beautiful coastlines, featuring blue seas and a pebble beach. • Perfect for strolling, renting a bike, or capturing stunning scenic photos. 👉 Afternoon Tea Recommendations: • Indigenous-style millet donuts near the Mambo Park. • Hualien Ruisui Fresh Milk Ice Cream. ⸻ ⏰ 16:00｜Pine Garden • A military building from the Japanese colonial era, surrounded by a large pine forest with views overlooking Hualien City and the Pacific Ocean. • Ideal for those who love taking artsy photos. ⸻ ⏰ 18:30｜Dongdamen Night Market • Hualien's largest night market, blending indigenous features with local snacks: • Deep-fried scallion pancakes with egg • Wild boar sausage • Yixin Bubble Ice • Indigenous stone-grilled meat • Papaya milk ⸻ 🎯 Route Summary • Morning: Majestic mountains (Taroko, Qingshui Cliffs) + local breakfast • Noon: Popular snacks (Gongzheng Baozi, Yixiang Wonton) • Afternoon: Relax by the coast (Qixingtan, Pine Garden) + desserts • Evening: Night market feast (Dongdamen Night Market)

💟 Where the sea meets the sky, this might be the beach closest to the Pacific Ocean in my country. I have seen the sea in many places before, but when I saw the distant Pacific Ocean from the Qixingtan beach, I was still very shocked. It's very suitable to sit on the pebble beach in the afternoon, quietly staring at the seaside and daydreaming, listening to the waves. The beach curves into the land, and the coastline is long, with huge reefs visible along the way. Besides the pebbly beach by the sea, there is also a very smooth promenade on the inside. 💟 One of Taiwan's top ten scenic spots, Qingshui Cliff and Qixingtan are definitely must-visit attractions. Taroko Gorge is not within our plan (because there are often earthquakes and accidents, not too daring to go). We booked a car in advance, and the driver told us a lot of local customs and folk stories, with laughter all the way, which is also one of the most profound experiences of this Hualien trip. The Suhua Highway in Taiwan is a coastal highway that connects Yilan to Hualien, with mountains on one side and cliffs on the coast on the other. Along the blue coastal highway of the Pacific Ocean, although the road is winding, it is really beautiful. The cliffs of Qingshui Mountain facing the Pacific Ocean are very dangerous and magnificent. 💟 Don't miss Qixingtan when you go to Hualien, with its long coastline, romantic beaches, and enjoying the beauty of nature with the sea breeze. But! Don't get too close to the sea, sometimes the waves can be very big!!

Had the fortune to take a free independent trip to Taiwan before the pandemic, sharing an amazing nine days and eight nights tour around Taiwan's East Line✨ Excluding the flights at the start and end, seven days of in-depth exploration in between. The itinerary is Taipei → Hualien → East Rift Valley → Kenting → Taitung → Green Island → Taitung → Coastal Line → Hualien → Taipei. Follow this and you can't go wrong👇 📅Day 1: Chengdu → Xiamen → Taipei, start the night food tour Fly from Chengdu to Xiamen for a transfer, then fly to Songshan Airport, arriving in Taipei at 7 PM~ Head straight to Ningxia Night Market to start eating🍽️ Must-try Liu Yu Yuan and oyster omelet, food and shopping mode activated, the first night in Taiwan was super satisfying🥳 📅Day 2: Taipei → Hualien → East Rift Valley, heading south chasing scenery Rent a car in Nangang in the morning, depart Taipei at 10 AM heading south🚗 Pass through Hualien towards the East Rift Valley, visiting Yunshanshui, Guangfu Sugar Factory, Ruisui Ranch, Tropic of Cancer... nonstop beautiful scenery for photos📸 Due to photo stops, arrived in Chishang at 8 PM, lucky to try the famous Chishang Bento, taste level maxed✨ 📅Day 3: Brown Boulevard → Kenting, check in the west line Early morning visit to Brown Boulevard near Chishang, after an hour continue south, passing Duoliang Station, arrive in Kenting at 2 PM, stay at a guesthouse near Chuanfanshi🏠 Check-in done, start the west line at 3 PM: Nanwan → Maobitou Park → Baisha → Guanshan sunset, 3 hours of check-ins and photos~ The clouds were thick that day, sunset wasn’t perfect, but strolling Kenting Night Market was very atmospheric🌙 📅Day 4: Kenting East Line, immersive sightseeing Explore Kenting East Line: Chuanfanshi → Eluanbi → Southernmost Point → Longpan Park → Wind-blown Sand → Jialeshui, a slow and full day! Highly recommend Longpan Park for great photos📷 The sea at Jialeshui felt despairingly calm due to the weather~ Friendly reminder: be sure to apply sunscreen well, or you’ll get sunburned in minutes🔥 📅Day 5: Kenting → Taitung → Green Island, island fun experience Depart Kenting in the morning to Taitung Fugang Harbor, take a 50-minute ferry to Green Island at 1:30 PM🚢 Seasickness medicine is a must! No eating 3 hours before the boat! After check-in, go snorkeling, return to the guesthouse at 5:30 PM to shower, then circle a quarter of the island before 6 PM (Northern Lighthouse and Niutoushan are great for photos)🌊 At 7 PM, go to Agang Charcoal Grill for beer and barbecue, enjoy the sea breeze at night, super relaxing~ 📅Day 6: Green Island → Taitung → Hualien, coastal scenery in full view Early morning soak in Chaori Hot Spring, take the ferry back to Taitung at 10:30 AM, then drive along the East Coast Line, passing Water Flowing Upstream, Sanxiantai, Shiyusan, and Shitiping, arrive at a guesthouse near Qixingtan in Hualien at 6 PM🏡 Visit Dongdamen Night Market, highly recommend Jiang’s Official Scallion Pancake and Yellow Car Bomb Scallion Pancake, so delicious you’ll stomp your feet🍜 📅Day 7: Hualien → Taipei, food and shopping all the way Morning visit to Qixingtan, then rush to Gongzheng Baozi Shop, stuffed buns! The meat soup is so good it makes you cry🥟 Head north, stop for photos at Qingshui Cliff, return the car in Nangang, Taipei at 3 PM, stay near Ximending, take the MRT to Tamsui, visit Tamkang High School (a bit regretful not to visit Tamsui Harbor due to weather)🌧️ Dinner near Zhongxiao Fuxing at Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles, half tendon half meat is amazing, soup you want to finish🍲 📅Day 8: Ximending → Taipei, city walk + nightlife Stroll around Ximending, buy face masks and local specialties! Watsons and Cosmed face masks are super cheap, must buy Vigor Kobo pineapple cakes and taro pastries, I love the taro pastries🥧 Check in at Ah Zong Mian Xian, slowly enjoy Jin Hua, afternoon visit Eslite Dunnan Store, evening stroll and eat at Raohe Night Market, check in at Taipei 101, then hit a Taipei nightclub for international disco, super fun💥 📅Day 9: Taipei → Chengdu, end of a wonderful trip Fly back to Chengdu, carrying full memories and souvenirs, looking forward to the next trip✈️ This East Line Taiwan island tour covers scenery, food, and culture perfectly, everyone quickly save this and follow along for a great time💕

From the city center, take a stroll through the beautiful Sky Garden to reach the most famous seaside spot—Qixingtan in Hualien. Along the way, visit the garden on Si Ba Highland and gaze out from the cliff's edge at the breathtaking Qingshui Cliffs, the northern gateway to Hualien. 🏞️ The weather is sunny ☀️, but the strong winds and unpredictable clouds over the sea 🌝 constantly remind visitors of nature's capriciousness. Recently, temperatures have started to drop, with the first snow ❄️ falling in many northern regions. Here in Hualien, the autumn and winter seasons bring the fierce northeast monsoon winds 🌬️ typical of the Pacific, creating a dramatic and windy coastal experience. 🏖️ The deep blue and gradient hues of the ocean, along with the faintly visible Qingshui Mountain ⛰️, create a vast and awe-inspiring landscape that moves every visitor. 😍😘 From the cloudy skies above Qingshui Cliffs, planes take off and land, including the newly launched direct flight from Hualien's small airport to Seoul's Incheon Airport in South Korea. The journey takes just 2 hours, welcoming travelers with unparalleled scenic beauty ✈️ and offering an exciting gateway to distant destinations. ✈️ South Korea is a popular destination, but this new route also shortens travel time to northern Chinese cities like Qingdao, Yantai, Dalian, and Harbin—from a full day to just 6 hours. With the arrival of the maple leaf season and the snow season, this route undoubtedly opens the door for snow-chasing adventures in the north. ☃️❄️ Here in Hualien, the remnants of summer linger, with cool and comfortable weather in the low 20s. ✨🏝️ Just two hours away, however, lies the winter wonderland of snow and romance. ☃️ For the first time, it feels like all four seasons are within reach. 😍