Traveling from Taipei to Hualien
Traveling from Taipei to Hualien takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes by train.
Today is the day to move from Taipei to Hualien.
Since I had to catch the 10 AM train, I took a taxi from my accommodation to the Taipei Train Station's South Gate 3 at 8:50 AM.
Upon entering, I saw a large Christmas tree, and as time passed, the animals at the bottom moved with music playing.
Our train is the Hualien-bound train 170, scheduled to depart at 10 AM from platform 4B.
The route shows that it doesn't go in a straight line; it passes through Jilong and Yilan County, then follows the eastern coast downwards.
Inside the train, there are warning signs displaying guidelines for behavior in public places.
It emphasizes that:
- Disorderly conduct due to intoxication in public places will incur fines.
- Harming others' bodies or health may lead to imprisonment or fines.
- Threatening harm to life, body, or property may also result in imprisonment or fines.
It stresses the importance of following rules to ensure a safe journey.
A large number of people with bicycles got off the train.
I also ride a bike, but those who travel by train to find good cycling routes are impressive.
Since it wasn’t time to check into my accommodation, I dropped off my luggage and went out for lunch.
There weren't many restaurants nearby, so I ended up at a Vietnamese restaurant.
It's funny to be in Hualien and eat at a Vietnamese place!
Now, I plan to explore Hualien city on foot.
If Taipei feels like a big city, Hualien definitely has a rural vibe.
The buildings are low, and there aren't many people around.
As I walked, I suddenly heard loud music coming from somewhere.
When I got closer, it seemed there was an event with loud music and dancing.
Entering the event space felt like a bazaar promoting rice (Yunqian organic rice) with various items for sale.
I could hear the Zumba dance team calling to liven up the atmosphere with songs and dances.
While walking, I found a beautiful path, which I later learned is the old Hualien city pedestrian walkway along the railway.
The path has a narrow railway on the ground, with beautiful trees lining both sides.
There are pretty cafes and a restaurant with Korean writing on it.
One sign indicates that if you go down the alley, there’s a Dongdaemun Night Market.
As I walked around the city, I discovered a place called 'General's Mansion 1936'.
Located along the Meilun River, this site was built in 1936 during the Japanese occupation as an officer's quarters.
Originally, it housed high-ranking officers of the Taiwanese infantry, and the main building is designated as a historic site.
Although I didn’t plan to visit, it felt like stepping into a piece of Japanese history.
The General's Mansion has been restored by the Hualien Cultural Bureau since 2020 and officially opened in April 2024.
It’s not a must-visit, but upon entering, I saw someone playing guitar and singing.
The dormitory buildings are constructed in a Japanese style, and there are enormous trees, giving a peaceful vibe.
After a stroll, I ended up at what seemed like a bakery, and I couldn’t resist buying something to try.
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