Hualien
City By The Sea
General Information
Other Name: -, , State: Eastern Taiwan, Taiwan
Area: 0
Languages Spoken: Standard Mandarin ,Taiwanese
Long Distance Code: +886
Importance: Marble production.
Best Time to Visit: January to December and -
International Access: By Road & High Speed Train From Taipei
Description
Hualien County is home to several world-class scenic attractions. In 1590, Portuguese sailors passed by the eastern coast of Taiwan and were so moved by the grandeur of what they saw that they named this land "Formosa," the beautiful island. Since that time, the majestic views of Hualien have come to represent Taiwan. Formerly known as Qilai, Hualien's current name derives from the phrase "huilan"(eddying water), a reference to the swirling currents of the Hualien River where it meets the sea. Hualien is Taiwan's biggest county, with an area of about 4,628 square kilometers and a population of 350,000. The county borders the Pacific Ocean to the east and is hemmed in by the Central Range to the west. With its towering peaks, azure skies, vast seas, scenic valleys, cultural diversity, and friendly kindhearted people, Hualien has become one of Taiwan's first-choice travel destinations for local and international visitors alike. With all of its natural beauty, most of Hualien is a national scenic area. Visitors to the county can enjoy the impressive gorges at Taroko National Park, the magnificence of Yushan National Park, the stunning natural landscapes of the East Coast National Scenic Area, and the rustic charms of the East Rift Valley National Scenic Area. Wherever you go in Hualien, nature is there to greet you.Location
Hualian is a city found in Taiwan, Taiwan. It is located 23.98 latitude and 121.60 longitude and it is situated at elevation 13 meters above sea level.Climate
Pleasant
The starting point of this trail is the tunnel that leads from the highway to the Changchun Temple. This is definitely a trail for those who don't mind exerting themselves; for although it is not long, it is extremely steep. Those who suffer from vertigo should probably avoid this trail as well, for it has an intimidating bridge-crossing, and part of the trail also follows a mountain ridge, which falls away steeply on either side. Reaching the highest point of the trail takes about 25 minutes of walking along a path that zigzags up a steep slope. The highest point is marked by a bell tower. Most people make this their resting point, but the very best views can be obtained from a point about five minutes further along, where all the grandeur of the mountain peaks and billowing clouds is revealed. From this point on, the trail leads downhill, a welcome rest for weary legs.
About 20 minutes along the trail is the Dongtian Xianfu, a cave shrine carved into the rock. Visitors can dimly see a statue of Buddha and Buddhist murals in the semi-darkness of the cave. To the left is Taroko Tower, half-hidden in the wild grass. The trail then leads on to Changuang Temple. From here there is a road back to the Central Cross-Island Highway from where hikers can return to Changchun Temple.
Taroko became a national park in 1986, including Hualien County, Nantou County and Taichung City. Taroko is famous for its spectacular mountains and marble canyons. Cliffs and canyons stretch along Liwu River. Four million years ago, the island of Taiwan was formed by the collision of plates. After millions of years of wind erosion, the marble rocks were exposed and cut by Liwu River, creating impressive grand canyons. From Qingshui to Nanhu Peak, the drop height is 3,742 meters. Such special geography has also bred special flora and fauna in this area.
The waterfalls characterized Taroko National Park and the most famous ones are Baiyang Waterfall, Yindai Waterfall, Changchun Waterfall, and Lushui Waterfall. Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou) and Tunnel of Nine Turns (Jiuqudong) are the most impressive natural scenes in Taroko and the canyons here are the narrowest. Tourists can appreciate the natural beauty along the tour track. Swallows nest on the cliff, chirping and flying back forth. The Taroko monumental is designed in Chinese style and Changchun Temple is to remember those who sacrificed their lives for building the central highway.
Tianxiang
This is the site of an old Atayal village at the confluence of the Liwu and Dasha Rivers. Its name commemorates Wen Tianxiang, who lived in the 13th century and was the last prime minister of the Song Dynasty.
Scenic spots at Tianxiang include Xiangde Temple, Tianfeng Pagoda, a suspension bridge, the Wen Tian-siang Memorial Garden, the Plum Garden, and Tianxiang Church. In winter each year the Plum Garden blooms forth, forming a sea of white blossoms stretching from the highway to Xiangde Temple. Shanyue Village at Bulowan, another old tribal settlement in the gorge, offers a new and unique type of accommodation for the area.
A walk through the Tunnel of Nine Turns takes about 30 minutes and gives access to enchanting scenes of the gorge, the river, stone strata, the tunnel itself, and the surrounding vegetation. This is one of the most scenic parts of the gorge, and the best place to observe the gorge`s ecology.