Happy TravellerWelcome to Hualien City, a county-administered city and the county seat of Hualien County, Taiwan. Located on the east coast of Taiwan on the Pacific Ocean, Hualien City is a hidden gem that boasts a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and mouthwatering local cuisine. Join us as we uncover the many treasures of Hualien City and reveal why this enchanting destination should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
Hualien County annals record that the city was called Kilai until the early twentieth century. This name refers to the Sakiraya Taiwanese aborigines and their settlement. After Taiwan came under Japanese rule in 1895, its governors sought to change the name because Kilai is pronounced the same as the Japanese word for dislike. The name was eventually changed to Karen Harbour. After World War II, the incoming Kuomintang-led Republic of China retained the Kanji spelling but shortened the name to just Karen, or Hualien via Chinese romanization.
The Spaniards built mines for gold in Hualien in 1622. Permanent settlements began in 1851, when 2,200 Han Chinese farmers led by Huang A-fong from Taipei arrived at Fengchuan. In 1875, more farmers, led by Lin Cang-an from Yilan, settled at Fengchuan. Settlements in the area remained small by the start of Japanese rule. The city was expanded circa 1912 by its Japanese governors to incorporate Guohua and Guoan Villages, a region later known as Old New Port. In 1920, Karenkō Town was established, and around 1923 it was extended to Riran Port, today known as New Port, including the Guowei and Guoji Villages. In 1940, the town was upgraded to Karenkō City, Karenkō Prefecture. On 25 October 1945, Taiwan was handed over from Japan to the Republic of China under Kuomintang government. In January 1946, the incoming Kuomintang designated Hualien City a county-administered city of Hualien County and to be the county seat.
Hualien experiences a tropical monsoon climate with frequent cyclones, as it borders the Pacific Ocean. It closely borders on a humid subtropical climate. The city experiences significant rainfall year-round and the temperature there averages 23.4 °C. Precipitation in the city averages 2,177 mm. January is the city’s driest month, while September tends to be the wettest.
Hualien City has 9,000 aboriginal people, making it the city with the largest aboriginal population in Taiwan. The majority of the aborigines that reside in Hualien include the Amis, Atayal, Truku and Bunun. Hualien City is also the most densely populated area in Hualien county.
Hualien is most famous as the jumping off point for Taroko Gorge National Park. Taroko Gorge is billed as the largest marble canyon in the world. Tours from Hualien City are available in large bus tours or smaller group or private tours. Taroko Gorge features suspension bridges, trails, rivers, waterfalls and more. Other tourist attractions in Hualien City include Dongdamen Night Market, Hualien Al-Falah Mosque, Hualien Baseball Stadium, Hualien County Stone Sculptural Museum, Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park, Hualien Martyrs Shrine, Hualien Railway Culture Park, Pine Garden, North Beach Park, South Beach Park and Night Market, Meilun Mountain Park, Hualien Fish Market, Old Railroad Cultural Shopping Street, Rock Street, Whale Watching, Jing Si Hall of the Tzu Chi Foundation, and Gong Tian Temple.
Hualien City is served by Hualien Airport located at the neighboring Xincheng Township of Hualien County. The airport is about 10 minutes drive to the city. Hualien Station, TRA North-Link Line and Hualien–Taitung Line are the rail options. The Port of Hualien is an international port in the city with liners sailing to Japan, Middle East, South East Asia and South Korea.
Come and experience the beauty and wonder of Hualien City, Taiwan. With its rich history, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine, it’s a destination that should not be missed!