Farglory Ocean Park

Farglory occupies a steep coastal hillside south of Hualien, and its layout is unusual: instead of a flat site you ride a cable car up from the entrance and work your way back down through the themed levels, with the Pacific in view for most of it. The park mixes aquarium halls with fairground rides and a marine mammal show arena. There is a small aquarium section with reef and coastal tanks, a sea lion and dolphin performance, a roller coaster running along the slope, and a water play area open in the hot months. It is the main wet-weather and family option on this stretch of coast, and it is a proper full-day outing rather than an hour or two.

What you actually see

• The entrance cable car - a short ride up the hillside with the coast opening out below.
• The aquarium halls - reef and coastal tanks on the middle levels of the slope.
• The hillside rides - a coaster and flat rides laid out down the terraced levels.
• The Pacific views - open sea visible from most of the park as you descend.

When to go

Cooler months are far better for a full day on an exposed hillside; the water play section only operates in summer. Weekdays outside school holidays have shorter queues for the shows, which fill up well before they start. Arrive at opening and ride up first. Check show times at the gate and plan the descent around them.

Honest expectations

It is expensive for what it is, and food and games inside add to the ticket. The site is built on a slope and involves a lot of steps and walking. Marine mammal performances are central to the park and visitors uncomfortable with captive dolphins and sea lions should know that in advance. Attractions can close in wind or rain, and shows are crowded.

Nearby

Hualien city is north and the East Rift Valley runs inland behind the coast road.