Hualien County 花蓮縣 | |
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 Clockwise, from top: Liyu Lake; a section of the Cross Island Highway in Taroko Gorge National Park; Hualien Railroad Station; a paddy field in Shoufeng with a Central Mountain Range backdrop; Qingshui Cliffs near Suhua Highway; Qixingtan Beach in Xincheng; a cigarette production house in Fenglin | |
 Flag  Logo | |
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| Coordinates:23°58′34″N121°36′17″E / 23.97611°N 121.60472°E /23.97611; 121.60472 | |
| Country |  Republic of China (Taiwan) |
| Region | Eastern Taiwan |
| Seat | Hualien City |
| Largest city | Hualien City |
| Boroughs | 1 cities, 12 (2 urban, 10 rural) townships |
| Government | |
| • County Magistrate | Hsu Chen-wei (KMT) |
| Area | |
• Total | 4,628.5714 km2 (1,787.1014 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 1 of 22 |
| Population (March 2023) | |
• Total | 318,736[1] |
| • Rank | 20 of 22 |
| • Density | 68.8627/km2 (178.354/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (National Standard Time) |
| ISO 3166 code | TW-HUA |
| Website | www |
| Symbols | |
| Bird | Maroon Oriole (Oriolus traillii) |
| Flower | Lotus (Nymphaeaceae) |
| Tree | Peepul (Ficus religiosa) |
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| Traditional Chinese | 花蓮縣 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Hualien[I] (Wade–Giles:Hua¹-lien²) is acounty on the east coast ofTaiwan. It is Taiwan's largest county by area, yet due to its mountainousterrain, has one of the lowest populations in the country. The county seat and largest city isHualien City. Hualien County is located in the eastern part of Taiwan—thePacific Ocean lies to its east and theCentral Mountain Range lies to its west. Narrow and long, Hualien is the largestcounty in Taiwan in terms of area.
Most of its population resides in theHuadong Valley, which runs north to south between theCentral andHai'an mountain ranges. Hualien's natural environment attracts many visitors and some of its natural attractions includeTaroko Gorge,Qingshui Cliff, andQixingtan Beach.[citation needed]
Much of modern-day Hualien County was populated by theSakizaya people before the arrival of theSpanish,Dutch, andHan Chinese underQing annexation. The region was renamedKarenkō Prefecture in 1895 duringJapanese colonial rule. In 1945, after the end of World War II, theRepublic of China took control of Taiwan and renamed the former Karenkō Prefecture as Hualien County ofTaiwan Province. Taiwan Province would be reorganized once again in 1998 and Hualien County fell under the direct jurisdiction of theExecutive Yuan.
As of February 2023, Hualien's organic cultivation area was 3,175 hectares (7,850 acres), the largest of any county in the country. Hualien is the largestorganic agricultural production base in Taiwan.[2]
Modern-day Hualien City was originally calledKilai (Chinese:奇萊;Pe̍h-ōe-jī:Kî-lâi), after theSakizayaTaiwanese indigenous peoples' settlement.[3]
Spanish settlers arrived in 1622 to pan for gold. Picking up the sounds of native words, these settlers called the areaTurumoan (多羅滿;To-lô-boán).Han Chinese settlers arrived in 1851.Qing dynasty records give the name of the region asHuilan (洄瀾;Hoê-liân; 'eddies') due to the whirling of waters in thedelta.
During Taiwan'sJapanese colonial period (1895–1945) the island's Japanese governors opted not totransliterate the name "Kiray" because the Japanese pronunciation of the word resembled the Japanese word for "dislike, disgusting" (嫌い,kirai). The official name became Karenkō (花蓮港,Karenkō). Karenkō Prefecture consisted of modern-day Hualien County. Toward the end of World War II theGovernor-General of Taiwan moved many Japanese residents of Taiwan to the area to develop agriculture. The county was named after lotus flowers.
After thehandover of Taiwan from Japan to theRepublic of China in October 1945, Hualien was established as acounty namedHualien County ofTaiwan Province on 9 January 1946. In 1951, Hualien was the first county in Taiwan to be governed according to the ROC local autonomy law. Today the Hualien area serves as the key population center on the east coast it is one of the five main 'life circle' regions in Taiwan, together withTaipei,Taichung,Tainan andKaohsiung.
On 2 April 2021, aTaroko Expressderailed at the north entrance of Qingshui Tunnel after striking an unattendedflatbed truck that had fallen onto the tracks. The incident is the deadliest train accident in Taiwan since 1948, with at least 50 passengers reported dead and more than 150 injured.[4][5]
On September 23, 2025, severe flooding caused byTyphoon Ragasa left 19 people dead and 5 missing. The Taiwanese government stated that each family that suffered from the flooding would obtain at least 50,000 Taiwanese dollars (approximately 1,800 USD) in compensation.
Hualien County is situated in eastern Taiwan. It faces thePacific Ocean withJapan (Okinawa Prefecture) lying to its east, theCentral Mountain Range,Taichung City,Nantou County, andKaohsiung City to its west,Yilan County to the north, andTaitung County to the south. It stretches around 137.5 km (85.4 mi) from north to south, with its east-west width ranging from 27 to 43 km (17 to 27 mi). Its area is about 4,628.57 km2 (1,787.10 sq mi), approximately an eighth of Taiwan's total area.
Despite its vast area, only 7% of the county area is populated. The remaining area is occupied by rivers (7%) and mountains (87%). Prominent mountain ranges include theCentral Mountain Range in the west and theHai'an Range in the east. The main rivers in the county include theHualian River andXiuguluan River and their branches. Subtropical plains, with a mean width around 3–6 km (1.9–3.7 mi), dominate the valleys between both mountain ranges. Due to the inhospitable nature of the surrounding mountainous terrain, Hualien people reside mostly on thealluvial fans of theHuatung Valley plains.[6]
Hualien County is divided into onecity, twourban townships, sevenrural townships, and threemountain indigenous townships. Some towns have Japanese names because these towns were named by Japanese during theJapanese ruling period from 1895 to 1945.Hualien City is the county seat and houses theHualien County Government andHualien County Council.[7]
| Type | Name | Chinese[8] | TaiwanesePOJ | Hakka | Formosan | Japanese Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City | Hualien City | 花蓮市 | Hoa-lianor Hoa-liân | Fâ-lièn | KalinkoAmis, NabakuwanSakizaya | Karenkō (花蓮港) |
| Urban townships | Fenglin | 鳳林鎮 | Hōng-lîm | Fung-lìm | MarlimuAmis | |
| Yuli | 玉里鎮 | Gio̍k-lí | Ngiu̍k-lî | PoskoAmis | Tamasato (玉里) | |
| Rural townships | Fengbin | 豐濱鄉 | Hong-pin | Fûng-pîn | FakongAmis, BakungKavalan | Toyohama (豊浜) |
| Fuli | 富里鄉 | Hù-lí | Fu-lî | KongpoAmis | Tomisato (富里) | |
| Guangfu | 光復鄉 | Kong-ho̍k | Kông-fu̍k | Fata'anAmis | ||
| Ji'an | 吉安鄉 | Kiat-an | Kit-ôn | CikasuanAmis | Yoshino (吉野) | |
| Ruisui | 瑞穗鄉 | Sūi-sūior Sūi-hūi | Lui-sui | KohkohAmis | Mizuho (瑞穂) | |
| Shoufeng | 壽豐鄉 | Siū-hong | Su-fûng | CiamenganAmis | Kotobuki (寿) | |
| Xincheng | 新城鄉 | Sin-siâⁿ | Sîn-sàng | SinjiyuTruku, TakidisAmis | ||
| Mountain indigenous townships | Wanrong | 萬榮鄉 | Bān-êng | Van-yùng | MalibasiTruku | |
| Xiulin(Sioulin) | 秀林鄉 | Siù-lîm | Siu-lìm | BsuringTruku | ||
| Zhuoxi | 卓溪鄉 | Toh-khe | Cho̍k-hâi | TakkeiBunun |
Colors indicate the common language status ofHakka andFormosan languages within each division.
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Hualien County voted oneKuomintang legislator to be in theLegislative Yuan during the2022 Taiwanese local elections.[9] The incumbent Magistrate of the county isHsu Chen-wei of theKuomintang.
Hualien has atropical monsoon climate (Am under theKöppen climate classification).
| Climate data for Hualien City (1991–2020 average) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 29.6 (85.3) | 30.6 (87.1) | 31.2 (88.2) | 33.6 (92.5) | 34.3 (93.7) | 34.7 (94.5) | 36.3 (97.3) | 37.4 (99.3) | 35.2 (95.4) | 37.0 (98.6) | 32.3 (90.1) | 29.6 (85.3) | 37.4 (99.3) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 21.4 (70.5) | 21.9 (71.4) | 23.6 (74.5) | 26.2 (79.2) | 28.7 (83.7) | 30.9 (87.6) | 32.4 (90.3) | 32.2 (90.0) | 30.7 (87.3) | 28.3 (82.9) | 25.8 (78.4) | 22.8 (73.0) | 27.1 (80.7) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 18.3 (64.9) | 18.6 (65.5) | 20.3 (68.5) | 22.8 (73.0) | 25.3 (77.5) | 27.3 (81.1) | 28.7 (83.7) | 28.4 (83.1) | 27.0 (80.6) | 24.9 (76.8) | 22.5 (72.5) | 19.7 (67.5) | 23.7 (74.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 15.8 (60.4) | 16.2 (61.2) | 17.6 (63.7) | 20.1 (68.2) | 22.5 (72.5) | 24.7 (76.5) | 25.6 (78.1) | 25.4 (77.7) | 24.2 (75.6) | 22.2 (72.0) | 19.9 (67.8) | 17.2 (63.0) | 21.0 (69.7) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 4.6 (40.3) | 4.4 (39.9) | 8.7 (47.7) | 9.6 (49.3) | 14.6 (58.3) | 16.8 (62.2) | 20.1 (68.2) | 19.8 (67.6) | 16.9 (62.4) | 12.5 (54.5) | 8.1 (46.6) | 6.5 (43.7) | 4.4 (39.9) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 54.6 (2.15) | 74.7 (2.94) | 76.7 (3.02) | 76.6 (3.02) | 186.9 (7.36) | 165.5 (6.52) | 198.5 (7.81) | 258.8 (10.19) | 329.9 (12.99) | 350.6 (13.80) | 175.1 (6.89) | 83.6 (3.29) | 2,031.5 (79.98) |
| Average rainy days | 13.4 | 14.2 | 14.2 | 14.1 | 15.8 | 11.6 | 8.2 | 10.4 | 13.2 | 12.5 | 12.4 | 11.2 | 151.2 |
| Averagerelative humidity (%) | 75.6 | 76.9 | 77.4 | 78.9 | 80.2 | 80.4 | 77.1 | 78.0 | 77.8 | 75.2 | 75.7 | 74.0 | 77.3 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 68.7 | 67.8 | 85.7 | 98.1 | 124.3 | 180.9 | 255.6 | 228.0 | 163.1 | 124.3 | 93.2 | 74.2 | 1,563.9 |
| Source: Central Meteorological Bureau[10] | |||||||||||||
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 361,549 | — |
| 1990 | 352,233 | −2.6% |
| 1995 | 358,981 | +1.9% |
| 2000 | 353,630 | −1.5% |
| 2005 | 345,303 | −2.4% |
| 2010 | 338,805 | −1.9% |
| 2015 | 331,945 | −2.0% |
| Source:"Populations by city and country in Taiwan".Ministry of the Interior Population Census. Archived fromthe original on 2017-12-16. Retrieved2016-05-01. | ||
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Hualien County has 318,995 inhabitants as of January 2023 and is divided into 1city and 12townships. Its late development means that many aboriginal cultures such asAmis,Atayal,Bunun,Truku,Sakizaya, andKavalan are well-preserved. As of 2014, aborigines make up 27.5% of the population of Hualien County (about 91,675).[11] TheHakka people comprise about 30% of inhabitants.[1]
The county has seen negative population growth since the early 2000s due to emigration to other places outside Hualien County, with an average reduction of 1,393 people per year over the past 18 years.
According to a 2015 survey on national happiness index, Hualien County was rated as the happiest place to live in Taiwan among other 20 counties and cities due to strong levels of satisfaction with work-life balance, living condition, education, environmental quality and the performance of thelocal government.[12]
The BuddhistTzu Chi foundation is headquartered inHualien City. There are also many temples around the county. Buddhism and folk religions are popular in Hualien County.[13] Hualien County also has the highest concentration of Roman Catholics in Taiwan, with 9.46% of its population identifying as such.[14]
Hualien County is home to theHualien Stadium andHualien Baseball Stadium.
Because of its captivating scenic view, fresh air, fine weather, and plenty of well-maintained bike trails, Hualien County is a destination for cyclist enthusiasts and marathon runners. A number of cycling tournaments and marathon events are held each year in Hualien County. Notable events include theTaiwan KOM Challenge[15] andTaroko Gorge International Marathon.[16]
List of sporting events held by Hualien County include:
There iscement mining activity in the county. TheAsia Cement Corporation plant inXincheng Township contributes nearly 29% of Taiwan's annual cement production.[19]
The Hualien County Department of Education lists 6 institutions of higher learning within the county's borders as well as 15 high schools, 35 junior high schools and 151 elementary schools, though some of the listed elementary campuses have been closed for years due to their remote location and subsequently low enrollment.
Hualien County is home toNational Dong Hwa University,Tzu Chi University.
TheNational Dong Hwa University is the first and most prestigious university in Hualien, boasting the largest student body, largest concert hall, and largest library of any institute of higher education there. TheNational Hualien University of Education, which was merged with theNational Dong Hwa University in 2008, was the firstnormal school in Hualien; only nine schools of its kind exist in Taiwan.
Hualien County houses the hydroelectricBihai Power Plant with an installed capacity of 61.2 MW and coal-firedHoping Power Plant with a capacity of 1,320 MW, the fourth largest coal-fired power plant in Taiwan. Both power plants are located inXiulin Township.
Due to its power plant, Hoping is also the location of adeep waterbulk cargoport.Hoping Port is located in Hoping Village,Xiulin Township.[20]
%2c_Xiulin_Township%2c_Hualien_County_(Taiwan).jpg)
In 2023,Booking.com included Hualien as the only Asian city on its list of "Most Welcoming Cities on Earth."[21] In 2024, Hualien was selected "Asia’s Top 9 Nature Destinations" byAgoda.[22]
The national parks in the county includeMatai'an Wetland Ecological Park,Taroko National Park andYushan National Park. Notable mountains and cliffs in the county includeHehuan Mountain,Pingfeng Mountain,Qilai Mountain, andQingshui Cliff. Other natural areas include theLiyu Lake, Shihtiping,Mugua River Gorge, Walami Trail, Niushan Huting, East Rift Valley,Rareseed Ranch,Lintianshan Forestry Culture Park, andQixingtan Beach.
Museums and historical buildings in Hualien County includeDongli Story House,Hualien Sugar Factory,Pine Garden,Saoba Stone Pillars,Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park,Lintian Police Substation and Old Lintian Police Station,Chihsing Tan Katsuo Museum, andHualien County Stone Sculptural Museum.
Farglory Ocean Park is in Hualien County.
Hualien Martyrs' Shrine,Hualien Sheng'an Temple,Hualien Chenghuang Temple,Xiangde Temple,Eternal Spring Shrine andHualien Al-Falah Mosque are located in the county.
The one night market in the county isDongdamen Night Market.
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Takachiho,Miyazaki,JapanYonaguni,Okinawa,Japan秀林鄉． 新城鄉． 花蓮市．吉安鄉． 壽豐鄉． 鳳林鎮．光復鄉． 萬榮鄉． 瑞穗鄉．豐濱鄉． 玉里鎮． 卓溪鄉．富里鄉
Media related toHualien County at Wikimedia Commons
Hualien County travel guide from WikivoyagePlaces adjacent to Hualien County | |
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Cities and townships ofHualien County | ||
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| Cities | | |
| Urban townships | ||
| Rural townships | ||
| Mountain indigenous townships | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
