Leaving my last Workaway in Keelung I was feeling it was time for a break from volunteering. The next stop on my east coast route of Taiwan was Hualien. Everyone had told me this was a place for the scenery. Without looking much into what to do in Hualien, I booked the train ticket and made my way south.

I booked into a hostel called Big Bear Hostel conveniently located in walking distance from the train station. The weather is humid with the lightest of rain when I arrive. Settling in I venture out to get a hold of my surroundings. In Keelung I was used to wandering outside and finding an array of markets full of every kind of vegetable, fruit and meat that you could desire. Walking from my street into the main city I’ve yet to come across fresh produce. Instead there are the neon lights of 7 11 and family mart everywhere. Choosing a local restaurant for food, I head back to the hostel in the evening to meet the other travelers.

Beginning to explore Hualien

I wake up fairly late having decided not to set an alarm and realize it’s not raining. The sun though has yet to show itself from the clouds. My “what to do in Hualien” list includes finding myself on a beach. It may not be a tropical beach but Chishingtan Scenic area was less than an hours walk away to a stony but pretty looking coast line.

There are of course buses to take you to this beach in around 10 minutes or alternatively, Hualien is much easier to rent a motorbike than Keelung, providing you have an international license. I always choose to walk though as it allows me to see the locals of the area and discover unexpected charms of a place. Passing temples and shop owners I follow the road and come across what is either a prison or an air-force. Which ever it may be it creates a stark contrast of barbed wire cutting into the now blue skyline. Lined with mountains and palm trees the road makes me think of pictures of California.

Pebbles and currents

Breaking from the main road I head towards the pink and white colored houses that are perfectly reminiscent of seaside towns. The area is so quiet I almost think its abandoned until I see the odd person sitting in their darkened store. I follow the sound of crashing waves and begin the unbalanced walk over the stones that make up the beach here. The water is beautiful. It’s been so long since I have seen blue waters.

The few people that are here are fully clothed and getting only their feet wet for a short time for photographs. I take some pictures for myself but soon I consider undressing to my bikini. I sit for a while. I’m not hugely confident that this is a beach for sunbathing. But I am here, and after calling myself a coward I race to remove my own dress so quickly that hesitation is unable to take hold of me. Moving straight to hide in the waves I quickly realize the sea deepens suddenly and carries the strongest current. I wouldn’t recommend using this beach for swimming.

Whether it was the rush of excitement or the fact I have been absent of a beach for so long, I neglect to put any sunscreen on. Nearly two hours later I’m walking into a store for a cool drink and met with quite a gaze from the shop owner who motions towards my arms. I return to the hostel hidden under an umbrella and once I shower I realize how much damage I have done. I resemble a lobster in the transition of life to the boiling pot! The next few days involve fainting, drinking huge amounts of water and applying copious amounts of aloe gel onto my skin.

What to do in Hualien when it rains

After a few days recovering, still very pink, the heavens have opened to days of rain. My current state is appreciative of these cooler days. Yet finding what to do in Hualien, a city known for its scenery, in the rain isn’t the easiest. Had I the energy I would have ventured to Taroko gorge. The aboriginal tribe who reside in this area have aptly named this place. Taroko, in the language of Truku that belongs to the tribe, means “magnificent and splendid.” I may have only seen pictures but it is a place I regret not being able to make it to.

Not up for anything to strenuous I walk in the rain in search of a place called Pine Garden. Along the way I come across Martyr’s Shrine. Perched high on a small hill at Meiluen Shan Park, the colorful roof of this beautiful architecture shone through the clouds and rain. After the Chinese Civil War, the shrine was built to honor the fallen Kuomintang soldiers. I was fortunate to have this place all to myself. I take some time to enjoy the peace of this area. After a while I walked up past the shrine to explore some gardens.

The command center of Pine Garden

Following the road that leads around the shrine I continued on to find Pine Garden. Overlooking the Hualien harbor I reach an extremely well preserved and charming example of Japanese military structure. Situated at the highest point of Hualien city, Pine Garden was a strategic point that allowed the Japanese forces to command their battleships and fighter aircraft’s without difficulty. Today, it is a prestigious cultural hub dedicated to poetry in the beautiful city of Hualien. There is an eerie atmosphere behind its walls that leave some believing the building is haunted. Reach the top floor though and you will only find a gallery of unique artwork.

After exploring the main building there is a coffee shop in the garden where you can rest for a snack. There is also two gift shops of charming trinkets that make great gifts or personal mementos. If you continue on the road past Pine Garden you will come across a store of artwork and wood carvings. Reaching the main road there are further monuments to take in and steps to take you down to the harbor.

I slightly ruined my Hualien trip for myself by punishing my skin in the sun. There is so much more to explore here and it is a great location to use as a base for bus trips to surrounding areas. Hualien will certainly move to my list of areas to revisit on my Taiwan travels.