Taiwan
Hualien (Taroko) in May
🌧️ Rainy seasonWarm, humid and often rainy.
🎒 Pack: compact umbrella or rain jacket · quick-dry fabrics
Why May scores 7.9What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort6.8
- ✓Warm (29°C highs / 23°C lows)
- !Very humid/sticky (dew point 23.8°C)
- !Wet: ~187 mm rain, ~5 heavy-rain days
- Air quality8.1
- ✓Moderate (PM2.5 ~17 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| May | Dec | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 7.9 Very good | 9.2 Excellent |
| Season | 🌧️ Rainy season | 🌦️ Shoulder (showers) |
| High / low | 29° / 23° | 23° / 17° |
| Rain | 187 mm | 84 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 24° | dew pt 18° |
| PM2.5 | 17 µg/m³ | 10 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Hualien weather-station normals. Rainfall: Hualien weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Labor Day 30 Apr – 2 May · 3 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore Hualien (Taroko)Events, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyA city on Taiwan's east coast between the Central Mountain Range and the Pacific, the gateway to Taroko Gorge and the East Rift Valley.
Whale-watching seasonDate variesUsually April to October
The calmer months for boat trips to see dolphins and whales.
Why go: Summer typhoons can cancel trips.
Where: Waters off Hualien
Coming up later
Amis Harvest Festival (Ilisin)Date variesUsually July to August
The most important annual festival of the Amis people, with dancing and singing.
Why go: Some rituals are community events; follow local guidance on visiting and photography.
Where: Amis villages around Hualien
Taroko National Park
A marble gorge with steep cliffs, tunnels and trails, Taiwan's best-known natural landscape.
💡 The April 2024 earthquake caused major damage and many roads and trails were closed; check which sections are open before visiting.
Qixingtan Beach
A crescent pebble beach north of the city with views of mountains meeting the sea.
💡 Swimming is unsafe because of strong currents.
Qingshui Cliffs
Sheer cliffs plunging into the Pacific along the coast north of Hualien.
💡 Access has been affected by earthquake damage; check current conditions.
Whale and dolphin watchinggreat in May
Boat trips from Hualien port to see dolphins and sometimes whales.
💡 The season is roughly April to October; trips depend on sea conditions.
Dongdamen Night Market
The city's main night market, with indigenous food stalls alongside Taiwanese snacks.
East Rift Valley
A long valley south of the city with rice fields, hot springs and indigenous villages.
Bianshi (Hualien wontons)
Thin-skinned wontons in a light broth, a famous Hualien dish.
💡 Wonton shops in the city centre
Hualien mochi
Soft rice cakes with various fillings, the city's best-known snack.
💡 Mochi shops along Zhongshan Road
Indigenous dishes
Amis and other indigenous foods such as wild vegetables, grilled meat and millet wine.
💡 Dongdamen Night Market and indigenous restaurants
Mochi
Boxed mochi with fillings like red bean and peanut.
💡 Mochi shops in the city
Marble items
Small carvings and goods made from local marble.
💡 Souvenir shops
Indigenous crafts
Weaving and crafts from local indigenous communities.
💡 Craft shops and cultural centres
Airport transfer Kiwitaxi
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