Things To Do
in Fuli
Fuli (富里鄉) is a rural township in southern Hualien County on Taiwan's East Rift Valley, known for its wide rice paddies, agricultural culture and quiet small-town life. The area is appreciated for photogenic landscapes — sunrise over rice fields, long straight roads, and seasonal farm blossoms — and for farm-to-table rice and produce. Fuli is a gateway for outdoor activities in the valley: cycling, birdwatching, river excursions and access to nearby hot springs and highland viewpoints.
Visitors come for slow-paced rural experiences, local food centered on freshly harvested rice, and easy day-trips to neighboring scenic spots in Hualien and Taitung.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Arrive at Fuli Railway Station and pick up bicycles for your first adventure along the Hualien River. The gentle cycling trail weaves past emerald rice paddies and verdant hills. Stop at riverside rest spots to enjoy fresh seasonal fruits and meet friendly farmers.
Continue your ride downstream through small villages framed by mountain vistas. Pause at a wooden riverside pavilion to taste local snacks and rice wine. Chat with elders about traditional irrigation methods that nourish these fertile fields.
Settle in for a sunset picnic on the riverbank as fireflies emerge in the twilight. Share a hearty homemade meal at a family-run homestay featuring stir-fried vegetables and river fish. Drift to sleep listening to the gentle murmur of flowing water and nocturnal insects.
Depart before dawn for the terraced paddies at Dapu and witness the sunrise painting the flooded fields in golden hues. Mist drifts between steps of green, creating a mirror for the sky. Capture reflections of the hills in water-filled plots.
Join a local farmer to plant rice seedlings, learning age-old customs that have shaped these terraces. Feel the rich soil between your fingers as you bend over the field and swap stories with your host. Cool down with a glass of chilled tea brewed from mountain herbs.
Gather at a village hall for a communal storytelling session about indigenous legends. Share a warm bento packed with mountain vegetables, wild herbs, and glutinous rice treats. Fall asleep under a canopy of stars, lulled by the chirping of crickets.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $6-12 |
| ☕Coffee (local café) | $3-5 |
| 🚕Short taxi ride (within town) | $5-12 |
| 🚌Local bus fare / short regional trip | $1-4 |
| 🏨Mid-range guesthouse / B&B (per night) | $40-90 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Beautiful, unspoiled rural landscapes and excellent photography opportunities
- Fresh, locally produced rice and seasonal farm produce
- Quiet, relaxed pace ideal for de-stressing and slow travel
- Good base for outdoor activities in the East Rift Valley
- Limited nightlife, dining and accommodation choices compared with Hualien City
- Public transport is infrequent; a car or bike is very helpful
- Weather risks in summer (typhoons, heavy rain) can disrupt plans
- Fewer medical facilities and conveniences than larger towns
- "你好" - Hello
- "謝謝" - Thank you
- "請問…在哪裡？" - Excuse me, where is...?
- "多少錢？" - How much is this?
- "廁所在哪裡？" - Where is the restroom?
- "可以拍照嗎？" - May I take a photo?
Places to Visit in Fuli
Visit one of these nice places.
Long, flat paddies with mirrored water in planting season and golden hues at harvest make for classic sunrise photos — best in early morning light.
A rustic station with trains crossing scenic rural tracks; capture trains with the open valley backdrop for a nostalgic, cinematic shot.
Viewpoints along Highway 9 offer sweeping valley vistas framed by the Central Mountain Range and Coastal Range — dramatic at dawn or dusk.
Close-up shots of hands working rice, baskets of produce and rustic farm tools convey local agricultural life and textures.
Low light pollution makes for clear star photography and unforgettable Milky Way shots during moonless nights.
Food in Fuli
Fuli Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
The region’s signature product — fragrant, slightly sticky rice served as steamed rice or used in rice-based desserts; try it at local eateries and rice cooperative shops.
Must-Try!
Handmade rice cakes using freshly milled rice flour, often sold at village stalls and local markets — chewy, subtly sweet and sometimes coated with peanut or sesame.
Simple wok-stirred greens from valley farms, often highlighting local greens and mountain herbs; common in family-run restaurants.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Small weekly markets and roadside stalls sell seasonal fruits (mango, papaya in summer), mountain vegetables, local honey and rice products — try freshly grilled corn, rice cakes and fruit from roadside stands.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Use polite Mandarin greetings (你好, 謝謝) and a simple nod or slight bow when meeting elders; locals appreciate basic attempts at the language.
Do not walk into paddies or private fields without permission; ask before taking close-up photos of people working.
In private homes and some small guesthouses, remove shoes at the door — watch for shoe racks and hosts’ cues.
Rural communities value quiet evenings; keep noise levels low when returning late to accommodations.
Safety
Tipping in Fuli
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is not customary in Taiwan and is generally unnecessary for restaurants and taxis; exceptional service is appreciated but not expected. At higher-end hotels or tour guides, small gratuities are acceptable.
Cash (NTD) is widely used in rural Fuli — many small eateries and markets are cash-only. Credit cards are accepted at larger hotels and some restaurants; bring cash for buses, bike rentals and market stalls. Smartcards (EasyCard) and mobile payment adoption vary; have cash as backup. ATMs are available in larger nearby towns (Hualien, Taitung).
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
March to May brings mild temperatures, lush green fields and planting season; good for cycling and birdwatching. Occasional rain is possible; bring a light rain jacket.
June to August is hot and humid with afternoon showers; typhoon season runs roughly July to September, so monitor forecasts. Summer brings abundant fruit (mango, lychee) and energetic agricultural life.
September to November is one of the best times — cooler, dryer weather and harvest-time scenery (golden rice paddies). Great for photography and outdoor activities.
December to February is mild compared with the island’s mountains but can be cooler and wetter; mornings may be foggy in the valley and temperatures drop at night.
Fuli at Night
Hiking in Fuli
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
A world-famous, dramatic trail carved into Taroko Gorge cliffs — a longer day trip from Fuli but accessible for experienced hikers with permits; offers spectacular cliffside views.
River corridors and nearby trails provide options for riverside walks, birdwatching, and guided river trekking/rafting excursions in the valley.
Short hikes and ridge walks around Luye offer panoramic views of the East Rift Valley and are also a paragliding launch area — ideal for sunrise or sunset.
Airports
How to reach Fuli by plane.
The closest regional airport serving Hualien City with domestic flights to Taipei and other destinations; from Hualien, reach Fuli by train or a 1–1.5 hour drive depending on traffic.
An alternative regional airport to the south; travel to Fuli by train or road (roughly 1–1.5 hours driving) and useful if combining a trip to southern East Coast or Taitung attractions.
Main international gateway to Taiwan; take a domestic flight to Hualien/Taitung or use Taiwan Railways/High Speed Rail plus local trains/buses to reach Fuli (several hours total travel).
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
The majority of residents are ethnic Han Taiwanese, including Hoklo (Taiwanese) communities and some Hakka presence in the region.
Hualien County is home to several indigenous groups (notably the Amis and Bunun in broader county areas); indigenous culture influences local festivals, crafts and cuisine in the region.
Many households are engaged in farming — rice, fruit and vegetable cultivation — forming the backbone of local community life.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Popular in the East Rift Valley with gentle terrain and scenic routes; many visitors and locals use bicycles for both recreation and short-distance transport.
Baseball is widely followed across Taiwan and popular among youth in rural towns; local schools and community teams are active.
White-water rafting and river trekking are popular in nearby river systems (booked through licensed operators in the region).
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Fuli.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are available but limited in very small villages; ask for '素' (sù) dishes and confirm no fish-based sauces. Markets offer fresh fruit and vegetables that make self-catering easy.
Vegan options may be patchy; many traditional sauces contain soy or oyster sauce. Rice and fresh produce are safe staples for gluten-free travelers, but double-check packaged items and sauces.
Carry a translation card for allergies in Mandarin to communicate needs in small restaurants and markets; peanuts and soy are commonly used.