Time moves slowly in Sioulin Township, a laid-back district nestled in the Taiwanese mountains. Dotted with towns and villages, it’s surrounded by lush rice paddies and rugged peaks. The township is home to the indigenous Taroko people and is a great place to experience traditional Taiwanese culture and hospitality.
Things to do in Xiulin Township
Taroko National Park protects some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes. Carved by the Liwu River, Taroko Gorge cuts through the park for 18 kilometres. Scenic hiking trails are carved into the cliffsides and take you deep into the gorge. From the cliffs, you can admire the emerald-green Liwu River flowing below.
Mount Hehuan towers more than 3,400 metres over Sioulin Township and is located within Taroko National Park. The challenging hike to the summit can take several days and guides are highly recommended. Sunrises from the summit are spectacular.
Crescent-shaped Qixingtan Beach combines beautiful coastal scenery with spectacular mountain views. Relax on the sand, take a dip in the Pacific Ocean and stroll up to the promenade to enjoy “xiaochi” street food snacks. You’ll often see fighter jets flying overhead, as Qixingtan Beach is next to an airforce base.
Rent a bike and enjoy a leisurely ride around Liyu Lake. The shoreline of this postcard-perfect lake is also dotted with places to rent canoes and kayaks. Look out for paragliders launching themselves off nearby Mt Liyu. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take to the skies on a tandem paragliding flight.
Getting around Xiulin Township
Sioulin Township is located on the east coast of Taiwan, just north of Hualien City. Rental cars are an easy and flexible way to explore Sioulin Township at your own pace, while local buses travel to towns and villages within Sioulin Township. Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei is a five-hour drive north.