Things to Do in Hualien in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Hualien
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Comfortable hiking temperatures between 17-21°C (63-70°F) make this the best month for Taroko Gorge trails without the summer heat exhaustion risk. You can tackle longer routes like Zhuilu Old Trail without starting at dawn.
- December sits right between typhoon season (ends October) and the February-March rainy period, giving you the most stable weather window on Taiwan's east coast. Those 10 rainy days are typically brief morning drizzles, not all-day washouts.
- Whale watching season runs through December with calmer seas than summer months. Pacific waters average 23°C (73°F), bringing dolphins and occasionally pilot whales close to shore. Visibility for spotting is actually better in cooler months.
- Local harvest season means night markets overflow with fresh mochi made from just-harvested Hualien rice, and you'll find seasonal sweet potato varieties that don't show up other months. The Dongdamen Night Market has noticeably more produce vendors in December.
Considerations
- The northeast monsoon brings unpredictable wind patterns to the coast, particularly affecting boat tours and coastal cycling. Wind speeds can jump from calm to 30 km/h (19 mph) gusts within an hour, which tour operators monitor closely but can't always predict.
- December marks the start of tour group season as Taiwanese domestic tourism picks up before Lunar New Year. Taroko Gorge shuttle buses fill by 9am on weekends, and popular photo spots like Eternal Spring Shrine see 3-4 tour buses at a time between 10am-2pm.
- Ocean swimming becomes marginal for most people. While air temperatures feel pleasant, that 23°C (73°F) water temperature is cold enough that you'll want a wetsuit for anything longer than a quick dip. Most beach visitors in December are walking, not swimming.
Best Activities in December
Taroko Gorge Trail Hiking
December offers the sweet spot for Taroko's trail system. The 17-21°C (63-70°F) range means you can hike midday without heat stroke risk, unlike June through September when temperatures inside the marble gorge climb above 32°C (90°F). The Shakadang Trail and Baiyang Waterfall Trail are particularly good now because lower water levels from minimal rainfall make river crossings safer and expose more of the streambed geology. That 70% humidity sounds high but feels comfortable when you're moving. The UV index of 8 still requires SPF 50+, but you're not getting the brutal direct sun of summer months. Book Zhuilu Old Trail permits exactly 30 days in advance through the Taroko National Park website, permits release at midnight Taiwan time and December weekends fill within 2-3 hours.
East Rift Valley Cycling Routes
The 60 km (37 mile) route from Hualien to Ruisui through the valley benefits enormously from December's cooler mornings. Start by 8am and you're riding in 18°C (64°F) temperatures with the Central Mountain Range blocking wind. The rice paddies are harvested but farmers plant winter crops, so the landscape stays green rather than going brown. You'll pass through Fenglin, Guangfu, and Ruisui, each about 15-20 km (9-12 miles) apart with bike rental return points. The route is 90% flat, following old railway beds and farm roads. That variable weather means carrying a light rain layer, but December rain tends to be morning mist that burns off by 10am rather than afternoon thunderstorms. Local bike rental shops cluster near Hualien Station and charge TWD 300-500 per day for road bikes, TWD 200-300 for cruisers.
Coastal Dolphin Watching Excursions
December through March offers the calmest seas for dolphin watching from Hualien Harbor. While you can run these tours year-round, the northeast monsoon actually pushes nutrients closer to shore, bringing spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins within 5-8 km (3-5 miles) of the harbor. Summer tours often travel 15-20 km (9-12 miles) out. Boats depart twice daily, typically 8am and 1:30pm, with morning departures seeing better conditions. The 2-3 hour tours have about 85% dolphin sighting rates in December based on the past three years of data. Water temperature at 23°C (73°F) keeps marine life active. Those 10 rainy days rarely cancel tours, wind speed matters more than rain. Tours get cancelled maybe 2-3 days per month in December due to wind exceeding 25 km/h (15 mph).
Qingshui Cliff Viewpoint Photography
The 800 meter (2,625 foot) marble cliffs dropping straight into the Pacific create Taiwan's most dramatic coastal scenery, and December's variable weather actually enhances photography. You'll get that mix of clouds, sun breaks, and mist that adds depth to photos rather than the flat bright light of summer. The main viewpoint sits along Provincial Highway 9 (Suhua Highway) about 30 km (19 miles) north of Hualien City. December sees fewer tour buses than spring cherry blossom season, so you can actually set up a tripod without crowds. Morning light (7-9am) hits the cliffs directly, afternoon creates silhouettes. The viewpoint parking area holds about 30 cars and fills on weekends between 10am-2pm. Plan 45-60 minutes here, there's a short 400 meter (0.25 mile) walking path with multiple angles.
Dongdamen Night Market Food Sampling
December brings harvest season specialties you won't find other months. The night market operates 5:30pm-midnight daily, but December sees vendors adding seasonal items like fresh mochi made from just-harvested Hualien rice, roasted sweet potatoes from local farms, and hot ginger soups that locals actually want in the cooler evenings. The market splits into two sections, the indigenous culture area focuses on aboriginal dishes like bamboo rice and wild boar sausage, while the main food court has 400+ stalls. That 17°C (63°F) evening temperature makes walking and eating comfortable without summer's sticky humidity. Budget TWD 300-500 for a full sampling dinner, most items cost TWD 40-100. The market sits 2 km (1.2 miles) from Hualien Station, walkable in 25 minutes or TWD 100 taxi ride.
Liyu Lake Paddleboarding and Kayaking
This mountain lake 10 km (6 miles) south of Hualien City offers calm water activities when ocean conditions get choppy from northeast monsoon winds. December mornings see glass-smooth water before any wind picks up, typically 7-10am window. The lake sits at 200 meters (656 feet) elevation surrounded by forested hills, creating a protected basin. Water temperature around 20°C (68°F) means you'll want to stay dry, making paddleboarding and kayaking better choices than swimming. The 3.5 km (2.2 mile) shoreline loop takes 60-90 minutes to paddle at a relaxed pace. Rental operations on the east shore charge TWD 200-400 per hour for kayaks, TWD 300-500 for paddleboards. December weekday mornings you might have the lake nearly to yourself, weekends see more Taiwanese domestic tourists but nothing like summer crowds.
December Events & Festivals
Hualien Indigenous Joint Harvest Festival
Multiple indigenous tribes including Amis, Truku, and Sakizaya hold harvest celebrations throughout December, though dates vary by village and aren't fixed to specific days. These aren't tourist shows but actual community celebrations marking the end of rice and millet harvests. You'll see traditional dancing, hear ancient songs, and can often join communal meals if you're respectful. The events happen in tribal villages in the valley and mountain areas. Dongdamen Night Market sometimes hosts condensed cultural performances on December weekends, which are more accessible for visitors with limited time but less authentic than village celebrations.