Travel Blog » Asia » Taiwan » Hualien

Hualien Travel Blogs

Background: In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1946 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the native population within the governing structure. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of eventual unification - as well as domestic political and economic reform.

Taiwan

Map of Taiwan

Taiwan's Flag

Hostels in Taiwan
Latest Hualien Blog Entries
Hualien Photos

By gluxman
December 21st 2009

Beautiful Taiwan II: Hualien Asia » Taiwan » Hualien

The next morning we had breakfast in Taipei and by chance met a very friendly local woman who guided us to a great place for morning snacks. She also helped us to find the appropriate train from Taipei to Hualien. The train ride took around two and a half hours, but we were blessed with stunning views of the Eastern Coast along the way. Arriving in Hualien we set out to find the next hostel, although the proposed 10 minute walk to the station proved much longer than we expected after one of the landmarks listed on the directions was missing. [View Full Entry]

By chiuj
May 2nd 2009

Taiwan 09 - Qi Xing Tan 七星潭 & Taroko Gorge　太鲁阁 Asia » Taiwan » Hualien

Qi Xing Tan

Next stop, Hualien 花莲! The day started pretty early as we had to catch 7.30am train to Hualien. In about 3 hrs' time at Hualien station, we were greeted by the taxi driver-cum-tour guide, Mr Zhuang. With Mr Zhuang around, the trip around Hualien's attraction became more interesting and convenient. After settling our accommodation and getting a coffee fix (needed a perk, man), our Hualien trip commences officially. Mr Zhuang brought us to the Qi Xing Tan 七星潭, which was not the actual Qi Xing Tan 七星潭 many years ago. It used to refer [View Full Entry]

By megan360
March 28th 2009

The Story Of Hualian and the Deep Dark and Dangerous Taroko Gorge Asia » Taiwan » Hualien

~~**~~

The Story Of Hualian and the Deep, Dark and Dangerous Taroko Gorge We arriaved to Hualian 2 days before my birthday. Hualien is a small city on the less populated eastern coast of Taiwan. People from this area wear home-made-yarn embellished purses—hats—belts. These people are direct descendants of the aboriginal Indians that lived in the mountains. We noticed more BETLE NUT here than any other place we had been. Strangers would smile as they passed by—exposing their BRIGHT RED teeth and gums. Why it turns red in the mouth I have no idea, it is green when you buy it. L [View Full Entry]

By Maddogstobbe
January 2nd 2009

Christmas in Taiwan: Taroko National Park Asia » Taiwan » Hualien

DSC01188

We awoke early on the second day and caught a train down the East coast of Taiwan to Hualien. Once there we found a scooter to rent, filled up with gas and headed to Toroko Gorge National Park about 20 kms away. Taroko gorge was once home to the Atayal people who were known for weaving, facial tattoos, and headhunting. The majority of the Atayal people have moved out of the gorge, but some still remain working at hotels, resorts, and selling woven and leather products. The gorge itself is filled with marble-walled canyons and gigantic cliffs. The road through the [View Full Entry]

By Nick and Kristen
December 25th 2008

Trip to Taroko Gorge Asia » Taiwan » Hualien

Walkways in the Mountain

Nick and Kristen write: School is over for the semester and we have had some time to roam the island. The last few days we have seen some temples, museums and night markets that we have been meaning to visit since we first came to Taipei. Think of it as thinks on our to do list that we never got around to doing, but finally did. The strangest day last week was when we visited the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and Storyland Museum. We decided to make our way over there and then have dinner at the famous Shilin Night Market. [View Full Entry]

By nickkembel
November 24th 2008

Taroko Gorge Asia » Taiwan » Hualien

Jen and Leanne

Soaring Cliffs, Waterfall Tunnels, and Eternal Shrines Taroko Gorge (Tai Lu Ge) is Taiwan's most famous natural attraction. I have now done two journeys to this beautiful valley, where cliffs rise from the river bed to the skies, and terrifying tunnels dig through the mountains to allow buses and trekkers to pass. My first trip was with my family last summer, and more recently I went with some friends. The most famous portion of Taroko Gorge is called the Tunnel of Nine Turns. It is a walking-only path that runs parallel to the main road, and has some of the most [View Full Entry]

By Budokan
October 25th 2008

Day 4 ~ Taroko National Park Asia » Taiwan » Hualien

Sunflowers' greetings

Greetings from Eastern Taiwan Tuesday, 19th August 2008 The day trip to the Taroko National Park was memorable because:- It offers a great orientation for first time visitors to the gorge. Precious time was not wasted on shopping. Reasonable stopping time at the various attractions in the park. Sumptuous lunch was served at the Grand Formosa Tiensiang. I missed the black pepper salmon fried rice, the scallops (very fresh) with asparagus and the steam yellow chicken. So much so that when I got back to Singapore, I requested mum to try adding [View Full Entry]

By Budokan
September 14th 2008

怀念花莲 Asia » Taiwan » Hualien

Taroko Express

18th August 2008 "One of the chief aims of this Taiwan trip was to spend sometime in Hualien, which I've read it often but never had a chance to see it for myself ..." Three hours on the Tze Chiang Express (自强号) down the eastern coast of Taiwan brought me to the charming city of Hualien. With a population of only 15% of Taipei, the city has maintained a relaxed and laid-back pace by the sea. I had come to Hualien on a 3 days 2 nights mission to the Taroko Gorge, eastern Taiwan most popular destination. It was a bonus [View Full Entry]

By Pagan Dan
July 18th 2008

Life in Lotus Land, Chapter 39: Father Doug's Last Sermon Asia » Taiwan » Hualien

The day before we left Hualien to come home, Suzanne and I went to church at Agape House one last time. "Agape" (unconditional love) House is a Christian alcohol and drug residential recovery facility about twenty minutes north of town on Hwy 9. This is my farewell to the men and women living in the place: Journeys Suzanne and I are going home to Canada tomorrow. In other words, we are on a journey. So are you—but your journey is quite a bit different from ours—and very similar to the best-known journey in the Bible. Exodus. The journey from bondage in [View Full Entry]

By Pagan Dan
June 27th 2008

Life in Lotus Land, Chapter 38: We Shall Come Rejoicing Bringing in the Sheaves, House Arrest, a Nice Visit and a Bit of Plagiarism, No Power Greater, One Thousand and One..., The Good the Bad and the Ugly, Goodbye and God bless Taiwan and all its People Asia » Taiwan » Hualien

There is Year-Round Planting and Harvest...

Well, I have my world-class Hwy 193, and my picture of a farmer's truck and his sheaves, but leaving this beautiful place that I have come to love is certainly no cause for rejoicing. I tried a video of firing up Esmerelda, but it's in kind of slow motion. I had a choice between filming or having a rear brake, so I took it easy. Using the front brake alone can cause low-speed instability on a motorbike, so I didn't film for long. OK, I admit that comparing being housebound (for a moving sale) to house arrest is a bit of [View Full Entry]

Entrance to Mountainside Aboriginal Village

Travel Blog » Asia » Taiwan » Hualien