Hualien: City History, Sakizaya Culture and Nature

Hualien City offers different perspectives on culture and nature: historic railway buildings, Sakizaya traditions, green spaces and a hiking trail on the outskirts. You can shape your stay around whether you mainly want to explore the city’s history or also experience Meilun Mountain and Sakul Waterfall.

Historic Buildings and Railway History

In the centre of Hualien City is the Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park. The 3.3-hectare site is home to 26 historic buildings and was formerly the Hualien Old Winery, founded in 1913. Its size and preserved buildings make the site a chapter in the city’s history in its own right: here, its former use as a winery can be linked with its current identity as a cultural and creative park.

The Hualien Railway Culture Park also preserves history in tangible buildings. The surviving historic structures include the Hualien Port Railway Administration Office, the former Hualien Construction Section and the former Hualien Police Section. The former railway line through the city was part of the Hualien–Taitung Railway and ran as far as the station by the sea. The focus is therefore not only on individual buildings, but also on the former railway connection and its route through Hualien City.

At the foot of Meilun Mountain stands the Martyrs' Shrine. Built as a shrine in 1905, it was dedicated to Amaterasu, Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa and the Three Kami of Development. In 1980, it was converted into a martyrs’ shrine. The Hualien City Indigenous Culture and History Museum began operations on 29 December 2009.

Sakizaya Traditions and Nature in Hualien

Guofu-Sakul Village is a rural village community in Hualien City whose distinctive traditions are associated with the Indigenous Sakizaya people. Those wishing to combine cultural experiences with a hike can do both on Route 2, “Tribal Deep Breath,” which is around 11.25 kilometres long. The route includes the Sakul Trail and a guided tour of Guofu Village. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

Meilun Mountain is a prominent landmark in Hualien City. Dense forest, flowers and diverse wildlife shape its landscape. The Sakul Trail lies on the outskirts and has a gentle slope; its sections consist of gravel and natural dirt paths, with trees providing shade along the way. The loop trail leads to a viewpoint in the middle, from which you can see the approximately 18-metre-high Sakul Waterfall up close. The approximate height and the viewpoint give the trail a specific destination, while the changing surfaces help define its character.

Parks for Different City Experiences

Zhongshan Park is in the centre, near the railway station. There, lawns and paths meet art and local cultural elements. Zhongzheng Park’s distinctive features include a children’s playground, a walking trail and an area with old LDT103 locomotives; from there, you can look out over the city centre. The two parks offer different highlights: one combines green spaces with cultural elements, while the other brings together a playground, a trail and railway heritage.

Your preferred daily pace can be a helpful guide when choosing a holiday rental. Those who want to focus on centrally located cultural sites and parks will plan differently from those who also want to include the Sakul Trail on the city’s outskirts. Hualien brings together city history, a rural Sakizaya community and nature experiences that you can explore as different highlights of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Shoufeng Township, Guangfu Township, Ruisui Township, Fuli Township, Yuli Township, Xiulin Township, Fenglin Township, Fengbin Township.

For the broader travel overview: Hualien.