Play Recommendations
Bamboo forest whispers, castle ruin cherry blossoms, chance encounters under neon lights — every spot becomes a memory.
Featured
Illustrative Ta-Na-Yi-Valley Nature and Ecology Park sits in Shan-Mei Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County, inside the Shan-Mei tribal lands, and is one of Alishans newer cooling destinations. The stream runs clear and the canopy is thick, perfect for slow walks and ecology watching; uniquely for Taiwan, a water-borne restaurant serves Indigenous Tsou dishes so guests dine surrounded by nature. Bamboo-cup DIY workshops, Tsou cultural tours, a fish-viewing zone, and traditional song-and-dance performances let visitors sink into both tribal culture and alpine-valley ecology. A drive up Route 18 lands you here, an ideal escape from the heat for anyone wanting to get close to nature.
Illustrative Yunlingzhi Hill (Cloud Ridge Hill) sits in the Caoling Shibi Scenic Area of Gukeng Township, Yunlin County, at about 1,650 metres altitude, a high-altitude summer retreat that crosses the borders of Yunlin, Chiayi and Nantou. The observation deck delivers a 360-degree panorama, taking in the sea of clouds, sunrise and sunset, tea gardens and surrounding ranges, with broad views frequently wreathed in mist. Summer temperatures are cool, making it ideal for photography, cloud-watching and high-altitude hiking. The site is free to enter, with parking, public restrooms and simple tea-and-snack stalls, and the trails are gentle enough for whole-family visits.
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Illustrative →Nazizi Grilled Fish
Na-Zi-Zi Grilled Fish on He-Ping Road is a pet-friendly indigenous omakase restaurant in Hualien. The signature is salt-grilled Taiwan tilapia served Amis-style; for about NT$350 per person guests enjoy seven to twelve courses including grilled fish, unlimited braised-pork rice and seasonal vegetables. The dining room is open and well-lit, with on-leash dogs of all sizes welcome and resident dogs to play with. Affordable prices, generous courses and a salty-savoury profile have made it popular with families and pet owners alike — perfect for travellers who want indigenous cuisine without leaving their dog at home.
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Illustrative →Happiness a Little Earlier
Shan-Xia Chen-Liang sits along Provincial Highway 11 on the Hualien coast, near Farglory Ocean Park and Shan-Du Space. The kitchen focuses on Southeast Asian and Thai dishes, served in a Bali-style garden courtyard with sea views and a pet-friendly policy that suits family gatherings, company dinners and birthday celebrations. Reservations are recommended — without one, walk-ins can sit outdoors, and queues are common. The vibe is unhurried and holiday-like, equally good for photos and for the food itself.
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Illustrative →Meilongzhen
Xing-Fu Early Bird is a pet-friendly brunch spot in downtown Hualien with a British family-café feel. The menu mixes Taiwanese breakfast classics with Western brunch — pancakes, burgers and even Hong-Kong-style spicy hotpot — and runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Weekday and weekend customers can add an NT$100 all-you-can-drink bar covering milk, soup and other beverages. A dedicated pet corner and a kids' play nook make it a comfortable choice for families travelling with dogs.
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Illustrative →Woof Cafe
Mei-Long Zhen in Hualien's Mei-Lun district reimagines an abandoned harbour-bureau dormitory as a chic pet-friendly dining destination, opened in August 2023 by entertainers Du Shi-Mei and Zhuang Zhi-Long. Afternoon tea comes with set menus designed for dogs, while the evening shifts to seasonal land-and-sea omakase built around grilled meats and fresh seafood. Large dogs are welcome, and the kitchen stocks pet meals, water bowls and a lawn out front — a fitting spot for families and couples travelling with their dogs.
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Illustrative →Huiyouba Fish Experience Center
Wang Woof Cofe opened in November 2023 in the Nan-Bin section of Hualien's Pacific Park and is Taiwan's only giant-poodle-themed pet restaurant. A fenced lawn out front gives dogs room to run, while shaded seating and a pet-friendly dining zone let owners eat and play with their pets at the same time. The quirky décor is built for photos, drawing dog lovers for meet-ups and a relaxed afternoon. It is one of the most distinctive pet-friendly dining choices on a Hualien trip.
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Illustrative →Langman Coffee
Hui-You-Ba Fish Experience Centre at Seven Star Lake is built around fish-education, combining eating, playing and learning. Visitors can touch fish, learn about common local species and sustainable fishing methods, then taste creative snacks and bento made from sustainable seafood — bonito popcorn, one-bite fish crisps and fish-floss milk-cap black tea among them. The space hosts a fish-species display wall, a creative-merchandise shop and a drinks counter, with guided narration included. Free public parking sits at the end of Qi-Xing Street for self-drive visitors.
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