Liyu Lake (鯉魚潭), in Shoufeng south of Hualien City, is the largest inland lake in Hualien County, about 104 hectares, with Liyu Mountain (鯉魚山) rising on its east side. The county describes it as a barrier lake, formed when a river fan blocked the outlet of a creek. It is the easy half-day out from the city that isn't the coast or Taroko.
- Hours Lake open all day; visitor center 08:30 to 17:30
- Address No. 100, Huantan North Road, Chinan Village, Shoufeng Township
- Phone 03-864-1691
- Getting there Tourist Shuttle 303 or Hualien Bus 1139; taxi from Hualien Station; or the Two Lakes bikeway
What to do
- Walk or cycle the loop. A lakeside road runs about 4 km around the lake, roughly an hour on foot (Tourism Administration); the county describes a 5 km bike path around it.
- Take a pedal boat. The north half of the lake is for pedal and swan boats, the south half for small powered passenger boats.
- Climb Liyu Mountain. The county lists several forest trails on the 601 m mountain, good for birdwatching. Ask at the visitor center which are open on the day.
The boats, after the 2026 accident
Safety: in February 2026 a pedal boat capsized near the north shore and a 9-year-old boy drowned. The scenic area suspended every boat on the lake from March. After inspections by shipbuilding engineers, the first 105 pedal and swan boats went back into service on June 30, 2026, with the rest still being checked (CNA). Operators may carry passengers only in boats that have passed. Wear the life jacket, and keep children within reach.
Fireflies in spring
The East Rift Valley National Scenic Area runs a firefly season on the lake's south trail (潭南步道) each spring. In 2026 it ran on Friday and Saturday evenings from April 10 to May 2, with volunteer guides, online booking from March 23, and a Taiwan Tourist Shuttle firefly bus from Hualien. During the season the trail is closed to traffic: drivers park at the south parking lot and walk in.
- Wear long sleeves and long trousers against mosquitoes.
- No high heels, open-toed sandals or umbrellas.
- Cover a flashlight with red cellophane.
Look for the 2027 dates in March on the scenic area's site.
Events on the lake
The lake hosts dragon boat racing, and from November 28, 2026 to January 31, 2027 the Waterfront Light Festival lights up the north shore in the evenings, around the north visitor center. Both are in our Hualien events listing with dates and details, along with the firefly season when it is announced.
Getting there
- 303 Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 303 routes from Hualien Bus Station, next to Hualien Station, to the Liyu Lake Visitor Center (North) stop. Which 303 runs depends on the day: see Hualien buses and the tourist shuttle.
- 1139 Hualien Bus 1139, toward Shoufeng, to the Liyu Lake stop.
- BIKE From Qixingtan, the Two Lakes bikeway runs south to the lake.
- TAXI A taxi from Hualien Station, or drive south on Highway 9 (the county gives the turn-off near the 16 km mark). The nearest train station is Zhixue, about 3 km away.
Going on south? Liyu Lake is on the way to the East Rift Valley. Bringing children? Hualien with kids has more family ideas.
→ More things to do · Hualien's areas
Sources: Hualien Tourism, Liyu Lake; Taiwan Tourism Administration, Liyu Lake; CNA on the boats returning, June 30, 2026; UDN on the suspension and inspections; Tourism Administration, 2026 firefly season; East Rift Valley National Scenic Area, Light Festival. Checked November 2026.