Taroko Gorge

The rental car is located close to the train station, suitable for short stops and transfers. The staff are friendly, the car is in good condition, and a helmet cover and raincoat are provided (which I didn't use). A phone holder is also available for convenient navigation.

I participated in a day tour to Taroko Gorge in Hualien, a place I was visiting for the first time. I requested a guide who could speak Japanese, and it seems my request was granted. It was a very intimate tour with Sam, who spoke both Japanese and English, my husband and I, and one man from Switzerland. The Qingshui Cliffs by the sea were wonderful, but I was most overwhelmed by Taroko Gorge. It felt like the setting of a fantasy movie, and I was deeply moved. I think this is a landscape you don't often see in Japan. After Taroko Gorge, we had lunch and strolled around Xincheng Old Street. For lunch, we had a set menu at a stylish cafe-style restaurant. After lunch, we visited what I believe is Taiwan's most famous lemonade shop, a donut shop, and a Catholic church. The church, in particular, was wonderful, including its history. We also visited the beautiful coastline of Qixingtan and a museum about dried bonito flakes, which is familiar to Japanese people. Thanks to our kind guide, it was a day where we fully enjoyed Hualien. Unlike Taipei and other cities, Hualien's sights are spread out over a wide area, so it was great to be able to see everything efficiently on a tour. The lemonade is really delicious, I highly recommend it. I should have bought two bottles.

The driver was polite and very helpful. We visited some of the attractions that were added at the last minute, and the route was changed many times.

Aside from the card pickup location being a bit hard to find, everything else is great. The price is affordable, the internet speed is fast, and you can use the discounted price without needing to share with others. I highly recommend this for solo travelers.