Qixingtan (七星潭) is the beach most visitors see first, just north of Hualien City and next to the airport. It is a curved bay of black pebbles formed along a fault line, with the Qingshui Cliffs visible up the coast. The county lists it as Hualien's only county-level scenic area.
- Hours Open 24 hours
- Entry Free
- Address No. 32, Qixing Street, Xincheng Township
- Getting there About 20 minutes by taxi from the city; Tourist Shuttle 310 or bus 308; or by bike on the coast path
- Swimming Not allowed
No swimming
Stay out of the water: the beach shelves steeply and the waves are dangerous. The county has banned water activities at Qixingtan since 2017, and in 2025 put up new no-entry signs. Paddle with your eyes, not your feet.
What to do
- Watch the sunrise. The bay faces east over the Pacific.
- Walk the shore and the promenade above it.
- Cycle. Qixingtan sits on a 21 km cycle path along the coast, and the Two Lakes bikeway links it south toward Liyu Lake.
The Qixingtan visitor center (日光微笑七星潭遊客中心) is open 10:00 to 17:00, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, according to the county.
Getting there
- 310 The Taroko tourist shuttle stops at Qixingtan on its way from Hualien Station.
- TAXI About 20 minutes from the city by taxi.
Sources: Hualien Tourism, Qixingtan; Hualien Tourism, Qixingtan (Chinese); Hualien Tourism, visitor centers; Commercial Times on the swimming ban. Checked October 2026.