Qixingtan Beach | Hualien Attraction

Qixingtan is located in the northern part of Hualien County. It is an arc-shaped pebble beach with a coastline stretching about 10 km, and is the only county-level scenic area established in Hualien County. The bay faces the Pacific Ocean, its gravel beach composed of dark rounded stones. The dawn sunrise and the evening silhouette of the Central Mountain Range are the most sought-after sights here for photographers and visitors alike. A scenic coastal trail runs along the shore, offering a full-day beachside walking experience.

Highlights of Qixingtan Beach

Qixingtan is actually a pebble coast — the character "tan" (潭, meaning pool or pond) in its name is a carryover from an old place name and does not refer to a lake. The gravel beach is made up of rounded stones shaped by years of wave action, ranging in color from deep gray to dark brown, making a distinctive sound underfoot. The natural arc of the bay takes on completely different tones at different times of day: clear days bring a deep blue sea, cloudy days shift it to gray-green, and the sound of waves washing over the pebbles is a characteristic natural soundscape of this coast.

Qixingtan is best known for its dawns. The morning glow and sun disk rising from the Pacific surface are reflected on the pebble beach, and on a clear day, turning around after sunrise reveals the entire ridge of the Central Mountain Range bathed in golden morning light. At dusk, the mountains shift to a silhouette against the sunset afterglow — one of the widest mountain-and-sea panoramas in Hualien County with the greatest depth of field. A cycling path connects Qixingtan to Hualien City, approximately 7 to 8 km away.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit

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Arrive 30 Minutes Before SunriseGet to the beach around 5–6 a.m. (varies by season), find a good spot, and wait for the sun to rise from the horizon. The colors of the morning sky are richest in the roughly 20 minutes around sunrise.

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Crouch Down and Look at the PebblesGet close to the stones and examine their colors, textures, and roundness — you can pick out several different rock types. You can also observe the wave dynamics in the intertidal pebble zone.

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Ride the Coastal Cycling PathCycling from Hualien City along the coastal path to Qixingtan is about 7 to 8 km, taking roughly 30 to 40 minutes one way. The views along the route are wide open, combining exercise with scenery.

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Watch the Rock FishingQixingtan is one of the legal rock fishing areas, and anglers are often seen along the pebble shoreline. Watching their techniques and seeing what they catch from a safe distance is a window into local fishing culture.

Practical Information

Getting There & Time

Located around Qixing Street in Xincheng Township, about a 15–20-minute drive from Hualien City. The coastal cycling path from Hualien City is also an option.
The beach is open at all hours with no entry fee. The parking lot is at the northern entrance to the beach — it fills up quickly on weekends and during peak travel season. Arriving early or coming by bicycle is advisable.
Spring (March to May) generally has calmer seas. During summer typhoon season, sea conditions can be rough. Pay attention to water safety and do not go near areas where waves are breaking.

Nearby Connections

Heading south from Qixingtan connects to the coastal cycling path into Hualien City. Heading north about 8 km brings you to Xincheng Township, where you can continue to Xincheng Catholic Church.
Several breakfast spots with ocean views are nearby — a natural follow-up after the sunrise is to walk over and have breakfast, rounding off a complete morning coastal experience.

Sources: Hualien County Tourism Bureau; Qixingtan Scenic Area Management Station. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own photography.

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