Before going to Taroko Gorge, we detoured to Chishingtan, which is also spelt as Qixingtan (七星潭). The name Chishingtan literally means “Seven Stars Lake”, but it really is a crescent-shaped bay (星月型海灣). Chishingtan is also an excellent place to view the big dipper, which is an asterism of the 7 stars, and hence the name “Seven Stars Lake”.
One unique thing Continue reading
Author Archives: KJ @ alwaystravelicious.com
Cycling Through Taroko Gorge Hualien, Taiwan, Day 6 (II)
The Taroko Gorge of Hualien (太魯閣國家公園) is one of the most spectacular scenic reserves of Taiwan. (photo gallery here). I planned for a cycling trip because I didn’t want to whiz through the beautiful Taroko Gorge in a car and I thought hiking would be too slow so cycling seemed to be the right choice. Continue reading
Tze Chiang Night Market Hualien, Taiwan (I).
How can I not go to a night market for food when I am in Taiwan? Although I didn’t get a chance to go to night markets in Taipei, but I did manage to go to Tze Chiang Night Market in Hualien. It’s on a smaller scale compared to the night markets in Taipei, but you will get most of the popular Taiwanese street food here. More over, you will find some local delights only available in Hualien. Continue reading
Lintian Mountain Forestry Center Hualien, Taiwan, Day 5 (V)
Hualien TaiwanDuring 1918, Lintian Mountain Forestry Center (林田山林業文化園區) was a flourishing lumbering community. The community had a clinic, cinema, dormitory, barber shop, primary school, kindergarten and grocery stores to support the livelihood of the community. It was almost equivalent to a small town. In 1991, natural logging was prohibited by the government, diminishing the community, leaving the cultural artifacts of forestry behind.
At the Forestry, you will find railway tracks
Lu Fung Jade Workshop Hualien, Taiwan, Day 5 (IV)
Hualien TaiwanThe Lu Fung Jade Workshop (如豐琢玉工坊) is my favorite part, where I could process the jade myself! I love the little lane that leads to the workshop. The walls had some not-so precious jade lined up against it and had photos of the jade processing workflow. Continue reading
Lichuan Aquafarm Hualien, Taiwan, Day 5 (III)
Hualien TaiwanLichuan Aquafarm (立川漁場) is the only place in Taiwan that produces the golden clams (黃金蜆). These fresh-water clams are considered a national treasure of Taiwan because they are high in nutritional value, and in particular, extremely beneficial for the liver. The golden clams are results of advance technology whereby water quality, algae breeding and soil types are thoroughly researched. Continue reading
Liyu Lake Hualien, Taiwan, Day 5 (II)
Hualien TaiwanLiyu Lake (鯉魚潭) is a place to enjoy leisure activities, right at the foot of Liyu Mountain. Continue reading
Ching Xiu Temple, Hualien, Taiwan, Day 5 (I)
Hualien TaiwanWe reached Hualien at 11.30am via Taroko express. After checking in at City Corner, we went on a half day tour by cab. The cab service was recommended by City Corner.
We went along the east rift valley, going to 5 different places. Ching Xiu Temple, Liyu Lake, Lichuan Fishery, Lu-Fung Jade Workshop and Lintian Mountain. That’s me again being too greedy wanting to see too many places all in one go!
In front of Ching Xiu Temple at Jian Township.
During the Japanese colonial period (1895 – 1945), the Japanese
Manmei Pork Knuckel in Hualien, Taiwan
One of the must eats when you go to Hualien is the Manmei Pork Knuckle (滿妹豬脚). Tourists love it, the locals love it!
This Hakka style pork knuckle Continue reading
Live Jumping Shrimps at Liyu Lake, Hualien, Taiwan.
A must-eat in Hualien is the “live jumping shrimp” – 活跳蝦. There’s a lot of restaurants selling this right next to Liyu Lake.
These shrimps are taken directly Continue reading