Yuli → Hualien 玉里 → 花蓮

You're up for a day of desolate, mostly flat roads through the beautiful East Rift Valley. We advise following our route for a less busy alternative, mostly hugging the mountains on either the left or right side of the valley. Pick any of the villages you'll pass today (like Ruisui or Guangfu) for lunch, or find a sight midway.

Today's destination is the largest city on the east coast: Hualien 花蓮. Many people who have lived in Taiwan for years claim it's one of the nicer cities to live in. We liked staying downtown around the old railroad walking street. Hualien has the enormous Dongdamen Night Market 東大門夜市, but on this trip it will mostly serve as your last night before taking on the famous Taroko Gorge.