Things to Do at Dongdamen Night Market

Dongdamen Night Market is Hualien's answer to Taiwan's legendary night market scene, though it's actually one of the newer players on the block, having opened in 2015. What makes this place interesting is that it's essentially a government-planned consolidation of several smaller traditional markets that used to scatter around the area - so you get that authentic night market energy but with better infrastructure and, honestly, cleaner facilities than you might find elsewhere. The market sits in a prime spot near Hualien's city center and has become something of a foodie pilgrimage site, especially for visitors exploring Taiwan's east coast. You'll find the usual suspects of Taiwanese street food here, but there's also a decent representation of indigenous Taiwanese cuisine, which makes sense given Hualien's significant aboriginal population. It tends to get pretty packed on weekends, but that's actually part of the charm - the energy is infectious and you'll find yourself swept along in the crowd, following your nose from stall to stall.

The market sits a 10-minute walk northeast from Hualien Railway Station toward Zhongshan Road. Most city center hotels put you within walking distance, and the stroll beats a NT$100-150 taxi ride anyway. You'll see more of the city on foot. Forget driving. Parking is scarce, so walk, bike, or take a scooter instead.