Travel Date: 2020/06/20~06/25
Our almost one-week-long holiday took us to the eastern part of Taiwan, exploring Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung. We started our journey by heading north from Tainan and made a stop at Fulong Beach in New Taipei to experience the Sand Sculpture Festival. The drive took us approximately 4 hours. From there, we continued to Yilan, where we visited various attractions such as Toucheng Town, Brick Kiln, Wine Museum, Confucius Temple, night markets, and the Nanfangao Lookout. We spent two enjoyable days exploring Yilan before moving on to Hualien.
During our visit to Hualien, we had the opportunity to experience the breathtaking Taroko National Park for the first time. The scooter ride along the winding roads next to the tall cliffs felt a bit thrilling but was absolutely worth it for the stunning views. We also explored some of the Japanese remains in Hualien, including the Manor House and Pine Garden. Although I personally feel that Hualien may be slightly less captivating than Yilan or Taitung, we still enjoyed our time there.
On our way to Taitung, we made a stop at a beautiful waterfall and also visited Luye Highlands. As we typically visit Taitung more frequently, we didn't plan to stay there this time and decided to drive back to Tainan. However, as it coincided with the beginning of a long weekend, accommodations were fully booked, and traffic started to get heavier. If you're interested, I have many posts introducing other attractions in these three counties, so feel free to check them out. The eastern part of Taiwan is truly a beautiful region to explore.
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Last year, due to our child's illness, we didn't have a chance to visit Hualien City except for Dongdamen Night Market. This time, we were a little unlucky again because some of the places we wanted to visit were closed on Monday. However, we managed to visit Pine Garden and Manor House. We also explored Dongdamen Night Market and the nearby park. The first day in Hualien went by so quickly, and tomorrow we are planning to go to Taroko National Park before heading to Taidong.
Pine Garden (松園別館)
MeilunShan, due to its geographical location and height, has become a strategic military position on the Hualien Plain. Pine Garden, located on MeilunShan, offers a stunning view of the Meilunxi estuary, Beibin Beach, Hualien Port, and the Pacific Ocean. The park is home to over 30 century-old pine trees, which adds to its natural beauty and makes it one of the most scenic spots in Hualien City.
The "Songyuan Annex" within Pine Garden was constructed between 1942 and 1943. It derives its name from the old pine forest and the tranquil environment surrounding it. During the Japanese occupation era, it served as the highest military command center in Hualien and was known as the "Huayan Port Military Department." It was an important building in Lunshan and was situated near the "Delivery Bureau" (now Zhongguang Company Hualien Terrace), "Coast Radio Station" (now Chunghwa Telecom), and the Meilun Water Purification Plant.
The garden itself served as a resting place for high-ranking military officers during the Japanese occupation. Legend has it that the Japanese Kamikaze special forces would receive "pre-drinking wine" as a reward from the Emperor before their missions. The Songyuan annex is the sole remaining military building from the Japanese occupation era in Hualien County. Covering an area of 1.38 hectares, it comprises four historical buildings that were constructed in 1943.
Manor House (將軍府)
The General's House is situated on the Meilun River banks in Hualien. It was established in 1936 during the Japanese era and constructed using eucalyptus trees. The house features a bureaucratic layout with walls and independent gardens. This location served as the dormitory for the military commander of the Hualien area, Nakamura Daisuke. The surrounding Japanese-style dormitories were the residences of officers from various ranks. Together, these well-maintained buildings form a complete small residential area that has stood for over 90 years. The nearby residents didn't know Nakamura Daisuke's exact identity but recognized him as a high-ranking general and referred to him simply as "the General."
Following Taiwan's recovery and the withdrawal of the Japanese army, the complex of government buildings became a national army village residence. In 2005, numerous Japanese-style dormitories in Hualien City were demolished. However, the Japanese-style dormitories in this area were preserved through the efforts of community residents and scholars. They were recognized by the Central Monument Review Committee and designated as county-level monuments and historic buildings. In 2008, one of the buildings suffered roof damage caused by a typhoon, resulting in the loss of precious cultural relics. The Cultural Bureau promptly reported and repaired the damage. The military and environmental education center was completed in 2010.
Meilun River can be considered as a link connecting significant cultural assets from the Japanese occupation period in Hualien City. Along the stream, you can find the Japanese-style dormitory group, including the General's House, Pine Garden, Jinghua Bridge, Hualien Women's Old Principal Dormitory, and the East Railway Railway Site. By exploring these historical sites, you can gain a deeper understanding of Hualien's history. To offer a more immersive experience of this historical period, the Hualien City Office organizes the "General General's Bathrobes Festival." During this event, people can rent yukatas and join guided tours to explore the Japanese-style generals' residences and experience the charm of "Little Kyoto."
Nanbin Park (南濱段)
Dongdamen Night Market (東大門夜市)
Dongdamen Night Market is a bustling night market that we explored in Hualien City. It offered a wide variety of delicious food and interesting stalls.
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