With a variety of over 20 amusement parks speckled across this amazing island, it is without a doubt that Taiwan offers a special experience for everyone.

Situated in Hualien County, the Farglory Ocean Park is just a 20 minute car ride away from Hualien City. The park is Hualien’s biggest man-made tourist attraction, and Taiwan’s first theme park focusing on marine ecology.

This theme park is set on a hill facing the ocean, so guests can have a great time enjoying the rides, shows, and the view even in the summer heat. The air here is fresh and windy, and is a great getaway from the bustling city life while staying modern and comfortable.

Hualien Ocean Park features eight zones that feature different aspects of ocean and marine life. With activities that include water rides, roller coasters, bumper boats and live animal shows, this amusement park is a great place for the entire family to spend a day at.

What is notable is the amusement park’s strong educational slant on the oceanic ecosystem and its continual efforts in educating the public in an engaging and interesting manner. This sets Farglory Ocean Park apart from just being a place of entertainment, it’s a fun way to learn more about sea creatures like dolphins and seals in an educational but highly engaging way.

The highlights of the park has to be its live sea lion and dolphin shows, which feature some amusing acts from these brilliant sea animals and their trainers. During these shows, the warmth between the animals, trainers and the host is sincere and strong, and you will definitely leave each live show with a smile on your face!

The park is very strong on its stand on protecting animals, which is a relief for animals lovers who may be worried about this. Guests are not allowed to touch the dolphins nor play in the water, but it really doesn’t stop the fun. The trainers here are very friendly and will be very happy to answer your questions about the animals too.

If you’d like, you could get a kiss from a sea lion right after the show! Price starts from TWD300.

The ocean park also houses a new education and rescue-centre learning facility with guides giving talks about marine life and conservation.

A point to note: Farglory Ocean Park uses Mandarin as the primary language for all its programmes.

Between each live show, guests can explore the various amusement zones such as the Brighton by the Sea, Crystal Castle, Discovery Island, Dolphin Lagoon, Harbour Square, Main Street, Mariner’s Cove, and Underwater Kingdom. The rides within this park are not for the thrill seekers, but more suitable for families with children.

A cable car service is also available so it is especially convenient for the elderly, young children, parents with prams or visitors who require wheelchair assistance. As the park is situated on a hill, guests need not worry about making a tiring ascend upwards, just take the cable car and make your way down through the different attractions. In general, the park is wheelchair and stroller friendly, with ramps and slopes all around.

Farglory Ocean Park opening hours

Weekdays: 9am to 5pm

Weekends: 8.30pm to 5pm

Tickets into the theme park are priced at TWD1090 per adult, and there is a family package for 2 adults and 1 child which is priced at TWD2470. More info and ticket prices can be found here, with special offers for buying the tickets online.

Just a short ride up from the ocean park is the Farglory Hotel. Situated up in Lingding (220m above sea level), the five-star, Victorian themed vacation hotel features close to 400 guestrooms and outstanding views.

Guests can enjoy a view of the azure Pacific Ocean to the east, the bustling downtown Hualien to the north, the magnificent Taroko Gorge to the west and the picturesque eastern coastline and Hualien Farglory Ocean Park to the south. The hotel is renowned for its breathtaking sunrises as well.

This hotel also boasts a wide selection of food for their breakfast buffet, with a section with food specially made for young children. Children’s cutlery is also available upon request.

Fully equipped with five restaurants, a KTV Pub, shopping arcade, heated indoor swimming pool, outdoor swimming pool, sauna, SPA, fitness Center, video games’ room & kid’s club amongst other facilities, consider this hotel for the whole family to enjoy when you’re visiting Hualien. For more about the hotel and reservation, visit Farglory Hotel’s website here.