Hualien

Hualien 花蓮
—  County-controlled city  —
Hualien City · 花蓮市 Hua (花市)
Hualien Station
Hualien City
Coordinates: 23°58′20″N 121°36′23″E / 23.97222°N 121.60639°E / 23.97222; 121.60639
Country	Republic of China (Taiwan)
Region	Eastern Taiwan
Government
- Type	County-controlled city
- Mayor	Chita Tsai(蔡啟塔)
Area
- Total	29.41 km2 (11.4 sq mi)
Population
- Total	110,000
Time zone	CST (UTC+8)
Post code	970
Website	http://www.hualien.gov.tw

Hualien City (traditional Chinese: 花蓮市; pinyin: Huāliánshì; Wade-Giles: Hua-lien shih; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Hoa-liân-chhī) is the capital of Hualien County, Taiwan. It is located on the East coast of Taiwan, by the Pacific Ocean, and has a population of about 110,000 inhabitants.

History

Martyrs' shrine in Hualien

According to The Record of Hualien County (花蓮縣志), Hualien was originally called Kilai (traditional Chinese: 奇萊; pinyin: Jīlái; Wade-Giles: Chi-lai; Taiwanese: Kî-lâi; Japanese: きらい). Because Kilai (Kirai in Japanese Romaji) is pronounced the same as "dislike" (嫌い) in Japanese, the Japanese administration changed the name into Karen (花蓮; かれん) in the early 20th century. After World War II, the same Kanji (花蓮) were kept by the Republic of China Kuomintang administration, which promoted the Chinese romanization "Hualien".

The Spaniards tried to mine gold in Hualien in 1622. Permanent settlements began in 1851, when 2,200 Han Chinese farmers led by Huang A-fong (黃阿鳳) from Taipei arrived at Fengchuan. In 1875, more farmers, led by Lin Cang-an (林蒼安) from Yilan, settled at Fengchuan. But, by the time of the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895), when Hualien City, along with the rest of Taiwan, was ceded to Japan, there were still not many settlers in Hualien. Circa 1912, the city was expanded to Guohua and Guoan Villages, a region later known as Old New Port (舊新港). Around 1923, the city extended to Aolang Port (鯉浪港), today known as New Port (新港), including Guowei and Guoji Villages.

Subdivisions

The 45 villages (里) of the cities are divided into six village unions (聯合里): (in Tongyong Pinyin)

1. The first union: Minyun (民運), Minle (民樂), Minsiang (民享), Minyi (民意), Minsin (民心), Minli (民立), Minle (民德), Minjheng (民政), Minchin (民勤), Minsiao (民孝)
2. The second union: Minsheng (民生), Mincyuan (民權), Minzu (民族), Minyou (民有), Minjhu (民主), Minjhih (民治)
3. The third union: Jhuji (主計), Jhuyi (主義), Jhusin (主信), Jhucin (主勤), Jhushang (主商), Jhugong (主工)
4. The fourth union: Jhusyue (主學), Jhucyuan (主權), Jhunong (主農), Jhuhe (主和), Jhuli (主力), Jhuhe (主安), Jhumu (主睦)
5. The fifth union: Guofong (國風), Guofang (國防), Guojhi (國治), Guoguang (國光), Guohuen (國魂), Guo-an (國安), Guowei (國威), Guohua (國華), Guolian (國聯), Guosheng (國盛)
6. The sixth union: Guofu (國富), Guoyu (國裕), Guoching (國慶), Guochiang (國強), Guofu (國福), Guosing (國興)

The newest villages from 2002 are Guosheng, Guosing, Minsiao, and Minjhu.

Transport

Hualien Station

Hualien is accessible by rail from the Taipei Main Station and other main station in Taiwan to Hualien Station by taking Taroko Express and Tzu-Chiang Train service which provided by the Taiwan Railway Administration.

Hualien has a recently renovated commercial airport that serves domestic flights and international charters. Hualien Airport is a popular transit hub for visitors going to nearby Taroko National Park.

For driving from Taipei, you can use National Highway No. 5 (Chiang Wei-shui Memorial Freeway) from Taipei to Su-ao, Yilan, and connect to Provincial Highway No. 9 (Su-hua Provincial Highway) from Su-ao to Hualien.

For driving from Mid-Taiwan, you can use Central Cross-Island Highway. For Driving form Southern Taiwan, you can use Provincial Highway No. 9 (South Link Highway) from southern Taiwan to Hualien.

Bus Service: Hualien bus company, LTD provides bus service to downtown, other townships and main scenic spots in Hualien and Taitung. You can get more information in Hualien Visitors Center nearby Hualien Train Station.

Demographics

The major aboriginal tribes that reside in Hualien include the Ami, Atayal, and Bunun.^{[citation needed]}

Climate

Summer temperature: 25–32 °C (77–90 °F)
Winter temperature: 15–21 °C (59–70 °F)
Average annual temperature: 24 °C (75 °F)
Average Precipitation: approximately 2000 mm
Typhoon Season: approximately Jun-Sep, maybe 2 or more Typhoons effect here per year.

Education

There are 3 universities, 12 senior high schools, 4 junior high schools, 16 elementary schools, 37 churches and 31 temples. Tzu Chi Buddhist University and National Dong Hwa University Meilun Campus are located in here.

Medical care

• Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center (First Medical Center in Eastern Taiwan)
• Mennonite Christian Hospital
• Hualien Hospital, Department of Health, Execusive Yuan

Attractions

• Chishingtarn Coast Scenic Area
• North Shore Park (Bei Bin Park)
• Hualien Fish Market

South Shore Park and Night Market (Nan Bin Park)
Tzu Chiang Night Market

• Mei Lun Mountain Park
• Pine Garden
• Museum of Sculpture
• Old Railroad Cultural Shopping Street

Rock Artificial Street
Still Thought's Hall (Jing-Si Hall) of Buddhist Compasson Relief Tzu Chi Foundation

Sister cities

• Ulsan, South Korea (1982)
• Yonaguni, Ryūkyū, Japan (1982)
• Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA (1983)
• Bellevue, Washington, USA (1984)
• Oudtshoorn, South Africa (1985)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hualien

• Hualien City Government Official Website (Chinese)

v • d • e    Cities and townships of Hualien County County seat: Hualien City Cities Hualien City Urban townships Fenglin · Yuli Rural townships Fengbin · Fuli · Guangfu · Ji'an · Ruisui · Shoufeng · Xincheng · Xiulin · Wanrong · Zhuoxi

Coordinates: 23°58′20″N 121°36′23″E / 23.97222°N 121.60639°E / 23.97222; 121.60639