Thursday, March 1, 2012

HUALIEN CITY - TAIWAN


Hualien City (Chinese: 花蓮市; pinyin: Huāliánshì; Wade–Giles: Hua-lien shih; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Hoa-liân-chhī) is the capital of Hualien County, Taiwan. It is located on the East coast of Taiwan, by the Pacific Ocean, and has a population of 110,000 inhabitants.

History
According to The Record of Hualien County (花蓮縣志), Hualien was called "Kilai" (Chinese: 奇萊; pinyin: Jīlái; Wade–Giles: Chi-lai; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Kî-lâi; hiragana: きらい) prior to Japanese rule. Because Kilai (Kirai in Japanese Romaji) is pronounced the same as "dislike" (嫌い) in Japanese, the Japanese administration changed the name into Karen (花蓮; かれん) in the early 20th century.

After World War II, the same Kanji (花蓮) were kept by the Republic of China's Kuomintang administration, which promoted the Chinese romanization "Hualien".

The Spaniards tried to mine gold in Hualien in 1622. Permanent settlements began in 1851, when 2,200 Han Chinese farmers led by Huang A-fong (黃阿鳳) from Taipei arrived at Fengchuan (now the area near Hualien Rear Station). In 1875, more farmers, led by Lin Cang-an (林蒼安) from Yilan, settled at Fengchuan. But, by the time of the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895), when Hualien City, along with the rest of Taiwan, was ceded to Japan, there were still not many settlers in Hualien. Circa 1912, the city was expanded to Guohua and Guoan Villages, a region later known as Old New Port (舊新港). Around 1923, the city extended to Aolang Port (鯉浪港), today known as New Port (新港), including Guowei and Guoji Villages.

The government promoted Hualien as a county-controlled city in 1946.

The major aboriginal tribes that reside in Hualien include the Ami, Atayal, and Bunun

Attractions
* Chishingtarn Coast Scenic Area
* North Shore Park (Bei Bin Park)
* Hualien Fish Market
* South Shore Park and Night Market (Nan Bin Park)
* Tzu Chiang Night Market
* Mei Lun Mountain Park
* Pine Garden
* Museum of Sculpture
* Old Railroad Cultural Shopping Street
* Rock Artificial Street
* Still Thought's Hall (Jing-Si Hall) of Buddhist Compasson Relief Tzu Chi Foundation


From Wikipedia

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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

KAOSHIUNG - TAIWAN


Kaohsiung (Chinese: 高雄; pinyin: Gāoxióng; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Ko-hiông; old names: Takao, Takow, Takau) is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west.


Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China (Taiwan). On December 25, 2010, it merged with Kaohsiung County to form a larger municipality.

Kaohsiung is the second largest city in Taiwan, with a population around 2.9 million. It is a center for manufacturing, refining, shipbuilding, and other light and heavy industries.

A major port, through which pass most of Taiwan's marine imports and exports, is located at the city but is not managed by the city government.

Kaohsiung International Airport serving the city is the second largest airport in Taiwan. The Port of Kaohsiung is the largest harbor in Taiwan. Kaohsiung is the terminal of the Sun Yat-sen Freeway. The city is served by the railway stations of Western Line and Pingtung Line.

Taiwan High Speed Rail connects it with Taipei City. The Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit, the city's subway system, was launched in early 2008. Kaohsiung was the host city of the 2009 World Games, a multisport event primarily composed of sports not featured in the Olympic Games. The city is also home to the Republic of China Navy.


From Wikipedia

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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

ALISHAN NATIONAL SCENIC AREA - CHIAYI


The Alishan National Scenic Area (Chinese: 阿里山國家風景區; pinyin: Ālǐshān guójiā fēngjǐng qū; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: A-lí-san Kok-ka Hong-kéng-khu) is a mountain resort and natural preserve located in the mountains of Chiayi County in Taiwan.

It is 415 km² in area. It includes, among other things, mountain wilderness, four villages, waterfalls, high altitude tea plantations, the Alishan Forest Railway and several hiking trails.

The area is popular among tourists and mountain climbers, and Alishan or Mount Ali (Chinese: 阿里山; pinyin: Ālǐshān) itself has become one of the major landmarks associated with Taiwan. The area is also famous for its production of high mountain tea and wasabi.

Alishan is well known for its sunrises, and on a suitable morning one can observe the sun come up on a sea of clouds (simplified Chinese: 云海; traditional Chinese: 雲海; pinyin: yúnhǎi) in the area between Alishan and Yüshan.

Alishan and Sun Moon Lake are, arguably, two of the most well-known scenic spots in Asia. The song Ālǐshān de gūniang, ‘the girls of Alishan’, that refers to the beautiful girls of the Tsou aborigial tribe, is one of Taiwan's most popular folk songs. This song is also well known in several foreign countries, like the People's Republic of China.


From Wikipedia

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