Hualien
Heavenly Hualien
Formerly called Qi-lai, Hualien supposedly owes its name to the local words for “eddying water”—something that may well be true given how many of its attractions as linked to its waters. Hualien has its share of streams as well as lakes, and is also bordered on one side by the Pacific. It is a place of stunning seascapes, of fabulous rafting opportunities, and of breathtaking gorges carved into its mountains by the ages.
Hualien is Taiwan’s biggest county, so there is certainly a lot to see in it. Most people choose to start in its famed national parks, which boast some impressive (and decidedly ancient) forest as well as amazing fauna to go with the flora. Its abundance of parks makes the area a hiker’s dream, and Hualien already has dozens of famous trails for such tourists.
Abutting the forests and often near the hiking trails are more of Hualien’s wonders. There are marble-faced grottos in abundance, as well as sea-facing cliffs tailor-made for dramatic movie shots. Not that the grottos lack their own drama, of course: aside from their dizzying breadth and height, some grottos also boast temples tucked away nearby—and even aged bamboo poles sticking out from one side where the local tribesmen used to attempt a leap from one side to the other in a bid to win the chief’s title. Slightly morbid mementos, perhaps, given that none ever succeeded—but definitely worth a pause for the traveler.
Hualien also has its own version of Stonehenge (the Stone Age Saoba Stones), a spectacular length of pure agricultural and floral lushness in the East Rift Valley National Scenic Area, the 103-km rafting route of the Xinguluan, its own 51-hectare Farglory Ocean Park (which comes with a 5-star hotel, no less), and more than a few top-rated hot springs for weary travelers to use in rejuvenating themselves. Even more delights await the eager tourist willing to do some exploration of this marvelous county.
