화롄

Hualien City

화롄 in Hualien City (대만)

화롄 guide

Hualien se encuentra en la costa este de Taiwán, a unos 175 kilómetros de Taipei, y es lugar de visita para todos aquellos que quieren disfrutar del Parque Nacional de Taroko.  La ciudad de Hualien es de fácil acceso, tiene varios restaurantes agradables y hay muchos buenos albergues para encontrar.

What to do in 화롄

The center of Buddhist studies

It is a mixture of university, temple and hospital surrounded by tranquil gardens with small samples of how people lived in the city centuries ago, when the place was mostly inhabited by the aboriginal tribe Amis.

The walk to the beach

It is full of athletes and sunbathers who gather on the beach to walk, eat or play majong. The place has no more interest than the landscape itself (the color of the sea changes according to the day) and the ambiance that is breathed out there on weekends and holidays.

The old train station

It is a curious building converted into a mixture of museum, artistic center and shop. The original structure built by the Japanese is still preserved and, a little further on, towards the commercial area of ​​the city, there is a pedestrian promenade where the first Hualien rails once passed.

The market of stones

The shops show there the stone works that characterize the artisans of the Amis tribe of Hualien. Some stones have curious shapes like a pig's foot. In the evening, free traditional dances are held which, despite having lost their original aura, are a good approximation to the aboriginal culture of Taiwan.

The temples

There are small and cozy or large and colorful. They deserve a visit to know the great variety of gods and ancestors that is venerated in them. In addition, most of Hualien temples are built with one of the most abundant materials in the area: the stone. That characteristic distinguishes them from those of the rest of the country and even China, where most are built with wood.

The best of Hualien is in its surroundings.

Taroko

This is one of the most beautiful national parks in Taiwan. The park is best known for its beautiful gorges, of which the Taroko Gorge is the most popular. You can see these gorges better by doing a series of short walks in the park. Unfortunately, typhoons regularly damage Taroko National Park, so some hiking trips sometimes close. Check this in advance. You can visit the park on a tour, but this is not recommended. The guide only speaks Chinese. You also do not have the freedom to go wherever you want. It's more fun to rent a scooter and drive yourself through the park. If you prefer not to use the scooter, the bus is also a good option.

Guangfu and Shoufeng

The best way to see some of the less touristy landscapes of the Hualien area is by renting a bicycle and getting lost to the south. Towards there the landscape is full of rice fields, coast and small aboriginal towns.

Climate in 화롄

In Hualien City, the summers are hot, oppressive, wet, and overcast and the winters are comfortable, windy, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 59°F to 90°F and is rarely below 53°F or above 94°F.

The best times of year to visit Hualien City for warm-weather activities are from late February to mid April and from mid October to late December.