The
small
city
of
HuaLien
boasts
one
of
the
island's
five
international
seaports,
and
is
the
favoured
starting
point
for
tours
of
nearby
Taroko
Gorge,
which
lies
at
the
eastern
end
of
the
Central
Cross-Island
Highway
that
links
HuaLien
with
Taichugn.
HuaLien
is
popular
for
performances
of
song
and
dance
by
some
of
Taiwan's
indigenous
tribes.
Nearly
80,000
aborigines
reside
in
the
area,
most
from
the
Ami
tribe.
Major
Attractions:
o
a
starting
point
for
tours
to
Tarko.
o
Ami
harvest
festival
(late
Aug/
early
sept,
tribal
officials
meet
in
mid-July
each
year
to
set
the
date).
Local
Specaility:
o
Marble
hadicraft
products
How
to
get
there:
o
From
Taipei,
Hualien
can
be
reached
by
air,
rail,
and
highway.
o
about
30
minute
by
air
from
Taipei.
o
Bus:
travelers
have
the
option
of
the
scenic
northeast
coastal
route
via
Suao
to
hualien
(five
to
six
hours),
or
via
Taichung
and
the
Central
Cross-Island
Highway
(eight
hours
minimum).
