Major city · Taiwan
Guangfu光復
Skip in 2026 unless the wetland has reopened: Typhoon Ragasa flooding left silt and recovery work; if you go, one night, not two.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TWD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (drier, cooler)
- avoid Jul–Sep (typhoon season); the area is still recovering from Typhoon Ragasa flooding
- Airports
- HUN · TPE
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Taiwan ↗Check visa-exemption length, passport validity and the online arrival card (TWAC) on the official sites before you fly.
- Taiwan ↗An EasyCard (or iPASS) covers MRT, buses, local trains and many convenience-store purchases; buy one at the airport or a station.
- Taiwan ↗When a local government declares a typhoon day, transport and sights can close for the day; follow the official notice, not the forecast alone.
Guangfu is a small Amis-majority town in the East Rift Valley, about an hour south of Hualien by local train. Its draw is the Matai'an wetland, the sugar-factory ice cream and slow rice-field cycling, not a sight list. Typhoon Ragasa flooded the area and recovery is ongoing, so confirm conditions before booking.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Guangfu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Night markets, breakfast shops and many small restaurants take cash only; carry NT$1,000–2,000 (≈ US$35–70) in small notes.Taiwan-wide
- SIM or eSIMChunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and FarEasTone sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at TPE and KHH arrivals…Taiwan-wide
- Tap waterTreated at source, but locals boil or filter it.Taiwan-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; a 10% service charge appears in many sit-down places and hotels.Taiwan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 110 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Taiwan-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are typhoons and flooding, plus unlit rural roads at night.
- RestroomsFree, clean toilets in every MRT station, convenience stores and department stores; paper goes in the toilet in most new buildings — follow the sign.Taiwan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 0800-011-765 Tourism helpline (24 h) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on Monday (the National Palace Museum opens daily).Taiwan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckHUN Hualien Airport (Domestic flights from Taipei Songshan; about 1 h 15 min by train or car on to Guangfu (check)).
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk end to end in 20–30 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a small caféNT$60–120 (≈ US$2–4)
- Street or quick mealDanbing breakfastNT$30–60 (≈ US$1–2)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekNT$250–500 (≈ US$9–17)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personNT$700 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedB&B double room, a night, per roomNT$2,800 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedB&B double room, a night, per roomNT$4,500 (≈ US$150)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NT$1,200 (≈ US$40) · Mid NT$2,200 (≈ US$75) · High NT$4,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HUN Hualien Airport (Domestic flights from Taipei Songshan; about 1 h 15 min by train or car on to Guangfu (check)) · TPE Taiwan Taoyuan (Most international arrivals; train to Hualien then local train south, roughly 4–5 h total (check))
Weather and climate
Guangfu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C70°F
15°C59°F
15 rd
Feb
21°C70°F
15°C59°F
15 rd
Mar
23°C73°F
17°C63°F
16 rd
Apr
26°C79°F
20°C68°F
15 rd
May
28°C82°F
22°C72°F
16 rd
Jun
30°C86°F
24°C75°F
14 rd
Jul
32°C90°F
25°C77°F
12 rd
Aug
32°C90°F
25°C77°F
13 rd
Sep
30°C86°F
24°C75°F
15 rd
Oct
27°C81°F
22°C72°F
14 rd
Nov
24°C75°F
19°C66°F
14 rd
Dec
22°C72°F
16°C61°F
14 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is small enough to walk end to end in 20–30 minutes. Bicycles are the best way to reach the wetland and the sugar factory; many B&Bs lend them or arrange scooter rental. Few trains stop at Guangfu, so note both arrival and departure times in advance.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ruisui
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Local train south from Guangfu station
Hot springs and tea country; easy half-day add-on.
Yuli
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Local train north from Guangfu station
Gateway to the Walami trail and the rice fields.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Guangfu station area
Walkable to the night market and First Market; Matai'an Inn sits beside the station.
Matai'an / Daquan Street side
Closer to the wetland and the Amis restaurant; B&Bs here often lend bikes.
Dafu station area
Quieter, out among the fields; only worth it if you have your own transport.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- NT$1,200–2,000 (≈ US$40–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- NT$2,000–3,500 (≈ US$70–120) excl. bed
- High
- NT$3,500 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B double room1 × 1 night × NT$2,800 | NT$2,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × NT$2,200 | NT$4,400 |
| Local train Hualien → Guangfu, one way2 × NT$100 | NT$200 |
| Scooter rental, one day2 × NT$500 | NT$1,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × NT$300 | NT$600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NT$900 |
| Trip total≈ NT$4,950 per person per day, bed included | NT$9,900≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in New Taiwan dollars; intercity trains excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a small café | NT$60–120 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Dumpling meal | NT$80–150 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Sugar-factory ice cream | NT$30–60 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Danbing breakfast | NT$30–60 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Night-market snack | NT$50–100 (≈ US$2–4) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | NT$250–500 (≈ US$9–17) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Typhoon Ragasa flooding left river silt across the area and recovery is ongoing — check local conditions before travelling.
- Few trains stop at Guangfu; plan and save both directions' timetables.
- Some restaurants and the Amis restaurant keep short hours and Chinese-only menus.
- Scooter rental usually needs your B&B to arrange it; bring an IDP if you plan to ride.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Tourism helpline (24 h)
- 0800-011-765
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Guangfu光復
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
請載我到這個地址Please take me to this address
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Tourism helpline (24 h)0800-011-765
Embassy
No embassies in Hualien County; most are in Taipei. The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) in Taipei handles US citizen services.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Local train Hualien → Guangfu: about NT$100 (≈ US$4), about 1 h
- Local train Guangfu → Ruisui: about NT$50–70 (≈ US$2–3), 30–40 min
- Scooter rental, one day: NT$400–600 (≈ US$14–20)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 謝謝 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少錢？ — How much is it? (duōshǎo qián)
- 火車站在哪裡？ — Where is the train station? (huǒchē zhàn zài nǎlǐ)
- 我要這個 — I would like this one (wǒ yào zhège)
- 很遠嗎？ — Is it far? (hěn yuǎn ma)
Guangfu is small and services are limited; carry cash, as card acceptance is patchy outside the station area.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Guangfu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr (drier, cooler) · avoid Jul–Sep (typhoon season); the area is still recovering from Typhoon Ragasa flooding · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Field-check the wetland and sugar factory reopening status after the Ragasa flooding.
- Confirm which local trains still stop at Guangfu and Dafu in 2026.
- Add verified hours and phone numbers for the Amis restaurant and the night market.
- Place pages for Matai'an wetland, Danongdafu and the sugar factory with access notes.