Hualien County

Hualien is a big part of Taiwan. It sits on the east coast. The blue ocean is to its east. Tall mountains are to its west.

Most people live in a flat valley. This valley sits between the mountains. It is a good place to live.

Many people visit this land. They like to see the deep gorge. They also like the sandy beach.

It is a very big area. But most of it is mountains. Many people find it very pretty.

Would you like to visit Hualien?

Hualien is a large county on the east coast of Taiwan.

It sits next to the Pacific Ocean. To its west are the tall Central Mountain Range. Most of the land is made of mountains. Only a small part is flat. Most people live in the Huatung Valley. This valley runs from north to south.

Many people visit Hualien to see its nature. They visit the Taroko Gorge. They also see the Qingshui Cliff and Qixingtan Beach.

Hualien is a very important place for farming. It is the largest place in Taiwan for organic farming. This means they grow food without certain chemicals. The county is also home to many different groups of people. These include the Amis and the Truku. Some people call Hualien one of the happiest places to live in Taiwan. It is a beautiful place with fresh air and many bike trails.

Hualien County is a huge area on the east coast of Taiwan.

It is the largest county in the country by size. The Pacific Ocean sits to its east. To the west, the tall Central Mountain Range rises up. Most of the land is very steep and rocky. In fact, mountains cover 87% of the county. Rivers cover another 7% of the space. Because of this, only 7% of the land is lived on by people. Most residents live in the Huatung Valley. This valley runs north to south between two mountain ranges.

Nature is a very big part of life in Hualien. Many visitors come to see the famous Taroko National Park.

They also visit the Qingshui Cliff and Qixingtan Beach. The area has many beautiful spots like Liyu Lake and the Mugua River Gorge. People who love exercise often visit for bike trails and marathons. The fresh air and scenery make it a great place for runners. Some people even call it one of the most welcoming places on Earth. It is a land of high cliffs and deep valleys.

History tells us that many different groups have lived here. The Sakizaya people lived in the area long ago. Later, Spanish settlers arrived in 1622 to look for gold. They called the area Turumoan. Han Chinese settlers arrived much later in 1851. During the time of Japanese rule from 1895 to 1945, the area was called Karenkō Prefecture. The name was chosen because it sounded like the Japanese word for lotus flowers. In 1946, the Republic of China renamed it Hualien County. Today, many indigenous cultures like the Amis and Truku are well-preserved here.

There are many important facts about how Hualien works today. It is the largest base for organic farming in all of Taiwan. This means they grow food in a very natural way.

The county also produces a lot of cement. The Asia Cement Corporation plant in Xincheng Township makes nearly 29% of Taiwan's cement. For power, the area has the Bihai Power Plant and the Hoping Power Plant. The Hoping plant is the fourth largest coal-fired plant in the country. Hualien City serves as the main center for the government.

Connecting to the rest of the world is easy through travel. You can fly into the Hualien Airport to reach the county.

Many people also arrive by train at the Hualien Station.

The North-Link Line and the Taiwan Railway connect this coast to other places. Students can go to big schools like National Dong Hwa University. This university has the largest library in the area. Hualien is a key part of the east coast of Taiwan. It links beautiful nature with busy cities and strong traditions.

Hualien County is a large administrative region on the east coast of Taiwan.

It holds the title of Taiwan's largest county by total land area. However, its geography makes it quite unique compared to other parts of the island. The Pacific Ocean borders the county to the east. To the west, the massive Central Mountain Range creates a high barrier. Because the terrain is so steep, Hualien has one of the lowest population densities in the country. Most people live in the Huatung Valley. This valley runs north to south between the Central and Hai'an mountain ranges.

The physical landscape of Hualien is dominated by extreme natural features. Mountains cover approximately 87% of the total area. Rivers account for another 7% of the land. This leaves only about 7% of the county for human habitation. Most residents settle on the alluvial fans of the Huatung Valley plains. These are flat areas formed by river deposits. The climate is classified as a tropical monsoon climate. This means the region experiences warm temperatures and distinct seasonal rainfall.

The geography creates a narrow and long shape for the county.

Hualien has a complex history involving many different cultures. The Sakizaya people originally populated much of the area. In 1622, Spanish settlers arrived to search for gold. They called the region Turumoan. Later, Han Chinese settlers arrived in 1851. The name "Huilan" appeared in Qing dynasty records. It referred to the whirling waters in the delta. During the Japanese colonial period from 1895 to 1945, the area was Karenkō Prefecture. Japanese officials chose this name because it resembled the word for lotus flowers. After World War II ended, the Republic of China took control. They established Hualien County on 9 January 1946.

Today, Hualien is a vital part of Taiwan's social and economic structure. It is one of the five main "life circle" regions in the country. This means it is a key population and activity center on the east coast. The county is also a leader in organic agriculture. As of February 2023, it has the largest organic cultivation area in Taiwan. This makes Hualien the nation's largest organic agricultural production base. The local economy also relies on heavy industry. For example, the Asia Cement Corporation in Xincheng Township produces nearly 29% of Taiwan's annual cement.

Energy production is another major feature of the Hualien landscape. The county houses two significant power plants in Xiulin Township. The Bihai Power Plant is a hydroelectric facility with a 61.2 MW capacity. The Hoping Power Plant is a coal-fired facility with a 1,320 MW capacity. This makes it the fourth largest coal-fired plant in Taiwan. The Hoping plant is also located near a deep water bulk cargo port. These facilities help provide power to the broader region.

Tourism and education are essential to the county's identity. Hualien is famous for its natural beauty and landmarks. Visitors travel to see Taroko National Park and the Qingshui Cliff.

People also visit the Qixingtan Beach and the Taroko Gorge Temple.

The area is a major destination for marathon runners and cyclists. Education is supported by several institutions. National Dong Hwa University is a very prestigious school in the area. It features the largest library and concert hall of any local higher education institute.

Travelers can reach Hualien through several different methods. Air travelers use the Hualien Airport to enter the county.

Many people arrive by rail through the Hualien Station.

The railway system includes the North-Link Line and the Taiwan Railway. These connections link the east coast to the rest of the island. While the area faces challenges like flooding or train accidents, it remains a highly regarded place. In 2015, a survey rated it as the happiest place to live in Taiwan. This is due to its environmental quality and work-life balance.