HualienPlay Recommendations

Yehliu Ocean World in Wan-Li District, New Taipei City, is the largest family aquarium on Taiwan's north coast. The flagship programme pairs dolphin, sea-lion and sea-turtle performances with a high-dive show and hands-on encounters that bring guests of every age close to marine life. Highlights include an underwater tunnel, touch pools and a kids' zone, and a children's hall offers free admission on presentation of a National Health Insurance card. The spacious car park costs NT$50 per day, making self-drive family trips straightforward.

The Walami Trail in Zhuo-Xi Township follows the eastern arm of the historic Ba-Tong-Guan cross-island route inside Yushan National Park. At 13.6 kilometres it climbs gently from 460 to 1,068 metres, making it friendly for families, beginners and overnight hikers. The path traces the La-Ku-La-Ku stream valley past the Shan-Feng suspension bridges and waterfall, the Jia-Xin station and other heritage sites, with vegetation shifting from subtropical to mid-elevation forest. A solar-powered mountain hut provides bunks and water, and a park entry permit is required. The trailhead is reachable by private car or public bus from Ba-Tong-Guan.

Bai-Bao Creek Water Park sits under the Lao Creek Bridge in Shou-Feng Township. The stream runs clear and gently jade-green, with comfortable depth and current, so children in non-slip shoes can splash, watch small fish and shrimp or hunt for the jade pebbles the creek is known for. A flat one-to-three-minute walk from the parking area or bus stop makes arrival easy, and on-site features include stone-rimmed wading pools, a natural spa section and an ecology trail. It is a favourite summer escape for cooling off and gentle nature education.

Jhih-Ka-Syun Green Forest Water Park is a family-friendly aquatic playground spanning nearly a thousand ping of greenery in Hualien. The site packs in large water slides, a 360-degree spiral slide, a lazy river, a wave pool, inclusive play equipment and a children's splash zone, with lifeguards and staff on duty throughout. Wide lawns and benches give parents comfortable spots to relax, and the overall atmosphere blends the warmth of a community park with the openness of a holiday resort. Admission is just NT$50, with free entry for children under 12 and senior residents aged 65 and above.

Jhih-Ka-Syun Water Park in Ji-An Township is a summertime family favourite built around water play. The grounds offer a rotating tube slide, lazy river, wave pool, shaded children's pool, inflatable play structures and a bubble pool, so kids of every age and their parents can cool off together. The water-play area opens only in summer (12 July to 24 August) with lifeguards on duty and shade canopies overhead. Adult tickets are NT$50, and children and local residents mostly enter free, making it one of Hualien's go-to summer destinations.

Sha-Po-Dang Creek Recreation Area in Xiu-Lin Township's water-source village is a rustic swim and picnic spot built around natural pools and a water-curtain waterfall. The stream runs clear, with wading and deep sections that suit the whole family — splashing, catching fish, jumping from rocks or grilling on the banks. Upstream hikers find a three-tier waterfall and a zigzag watercourse as emerald as the famous Jade Valley. The site is a protected water-source area, so no mountain-entry permit is needed, but visitors should wear non-slip shoes, take care near currents and carry out all their rubbish.