Hualien City is a county-administered city and the county seat of Hualien County, Taiwan. It is located on the east coast of Taiwan on the Pacific Ocean, and has a population of 99,458 inhabitants in 2023. As the first city to see sunlight in Taiwan, it is known as “sunshine in Taiwan is first seen in Hualien”.
The Tunnel of Nine Turns (Jiuqudong) is considered one of the most scenic sections of Taroko Gorge. The number nine in Chinese—implying "many"—is heavily used in the Chinese language. The trail itself is 700 m one-way in length, and visitors enter and exit from the West entrance.
The Eternal Spring Shrine was built in 1958 to commemorate the 212 workers who died during the construction of the Central Cross-Island Highway. Its unique location recessed into the side of the mountain and Tang Dynasty architectural style makes this shrine one of the most famous scenic spots in Taroko National Park.
Taroko National Park is a stunning natural reserve located in eastern Taiwan. Established in 1986, it spans across an area of approximately 920 square kilometers (355 square miles) and is named after the Taroko Gorge, which is the park's most famous attraction.
Hualien County is home to several world-class scenic attractions. In 1590, Portuguese sailors passed by the eastern coast of Taiwan and were so moved by the grandeur of what they saw that they named this land Formosa, the beautiful island. Since that time, the majestic views of Hualien have come to represent Taiwan.
