Top Things to do in Hualien City
Top Hotels in Hualien City
Things to do in Hualien City, Hualien: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
Discover the best top things to do in Hualien City, Taiwan including O'rip Hualien, Bilyu Sacred Tree, Hualien Cultural & Creative Industries Park, Hualien Harbor Waterfront Recreation Area, Pine Garden, TW D Park, Cihji Jingsihtang, General Hall, Meilun Riverside Japanese-Style House, Hualien Harbor Scenic Bridge.
Restaurants in Hualien City
1. O'rip Hualien
2. Bilyu Sacred Tree
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By OrderintheHouse
On day two of our 6 night Wendy Wu private tour of Taiwan that my wife and I organised as part of our 18 day Asian trip, to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary, we travelled from Taroko Gorge to Sun Moon Lake. We departed the Taroko Village Hotel where we stayed overnight, toured the iconic Taroko Gorge and then took Highway 8 – the Central Cross Island Highway on a most exhilarating drive up the mountain range. We stopped at the Hehuan Wuling Summit (altitude 3275 metres) (reviewed separately) for breathtaking mountain views, had lunch at the Lumama Restaurant at the CingJing Farm on the way down from the Summit and finally we reached our destination at the Sun Moon Lake. On the way to the Hehuan Wuling Summit we had a rest stop at the recreation area between Cí en and Bilu at the 128km mark on the Central Cross-Island Highway and still within the Taroko National Park. Here we marvelled at the amazing Bilyu Sacred Tree (also referred to as Bilu Sacred Tree or Bilu Divine Tree). This tree is a Lunta Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata var. konishii); is about 50 metres high with a diameter of 3.5 metres and is 3,200 years old. To think that we were looking face to face at a living organisim that started its growth around 1200 BC/BCE and is still living - now that was for us a truly humbling experience. What stories throughout history this tree could tell, if only it could talk. There is a small seating area which you walk down to from the roadside and it was good to sit here for a while so we could admire this amazing tree in all its splendid glory. There is also an attractive log cabin type timber structure with a shop selling food snacks and coffee; however it was closed on the day we called here. Through the trees there are lovely mountain backdrops and we were high enough in altitude to observe clouds in front of these mountain backdrops. There is more to see here than just the Sacred (Divine) Tree. It is worth having a good look around to appreciate the abundance of several tree species growing here. An information sign lists a number of broadleaf trees growing below the very tall Lunta (Taiwan) Fir and Taiwan Hemlock, namely Kwanzan Cherry, Reddening Maple and the Bird-Lime Tree. The information sign explains that the Bird-Lime Tree is the most precious and unique because it is a survivor of the Ice Age, only growing now in Taiwan, Japan and Korea. An interesting phenomenon, also explained on another information sign is the presence of the white lichen on many of the trees in the vicinity. We were so pleased our driver/guide chose to stop at this rest area on our way to Hehuan Wuling. While we were here we felt especially privileged to be able to gaze in awe at such a magnificent living organism as the Bilu Sacred Tree, even for just a brief moment.
3. Hualien Cultural & Creative Industries Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 257 reviews
Hualien cultural and creative industries park is located in the center of Hualien city. The historic settlements build in 100 years ago have 3.3 hectares, including 26 old factory warehouses. It will be opened in three years (2012-2015) successively and apply exhibition, performance, dining, featured products, educational lecture, travel information, etc. Expected shape a cultural and creative vitality and contemporary life-style by artistic activities and commercial services. a-zone also is the best tourist region in East.
Reviewed By kasaysayanm - San Fernando La Union, Philippines
Great artisan work for cultural creative industries. The best I have seen so far in Taiwan. The place is also full of history. Remnants of industries can be found. Very spacious and full of place to sit, observe, converse.
4. Hualien Harbor Waterfront Recreation Area
5. Pine Garden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 237 reviews
Hualien Pine Garden is used to be the Hualien Harbor Military Command which was built in 1942 by the Japanese who chose the site for its height advantage. From the command, you can see both the mouth of the Meilun River to the north and Hualien Harbor and have a clear, unobstructed view out over the Pacific, making it both a strategic place of a military command center and, later on, a pleasant place for high-ranking officers to relax. It is said that the Kamikaze Special Attack Unit would gather here to partake in "Gentleman's Sake" before departing on missions. Although many creative spaces have been added to Hualien Pine Garden Park, it still remains the most complete example of Japanese military architecture in Hualien and was registered as a historical building in Hualien on the 23rd September 2002. Every corner has its story, welcome to explore more of here. 1 Log Cabin 2 Wishing Pond 3 Air Shelter 4 Oven 5 Taiwan Gift Hall 6 Okinawa Pine 7 Life in the wetlands 8Pine Cafe
Reviewed By 江子萱
If you want to take a forest trip, and enjoy the baptism of nature. “Pine Garden” is a good choice. It used to call “ Naval Administartion”. It built in late WWII. It was an important military command center of the japanese army in Hualien. There are many vestiges of history. For example the simulated air-raid shelter. There is playing the real recording in WWII. The wall posts about WWII’s document. The document introducing “Kamilcaze”. It is a group with a strong patriotism. They driving the fighter towards the enemy and suicide. The sound of fighters and explosion plus historical pictures make the air-raid shelter more realistic. In addition, there are many centennial pines. It also has ecological pool and cafe. Pine Garen in Meilun. It nearby Martyrs’Shrine. From the train station you can take a taxi or passenger traffic. Full ticket $60. Half ticket $30. Come and experience it in Hualien.
