Hualien

We left the Silks Place Hotel after breakfast. The shuttle dropped us at the train station in Hualien. We stored our luggage in a locker, rented a moped and toured Hualien.

Hualien is the 2nd largest city in Taiwan's east coast but it's small enough to tour by moped or on foot. The Rolling Stone Fountain is in front of the railway station.

We rode to the Temple of Eastern Purity, a Buddhist temple on the eastern edge of the town.

Incense urn in front of the temple

Of course, we found some great food. Hualien is known for mochi. These were NT14 ($0.50) at Zeng Ji, located at 142 Zhongshan Road (corner of Zhonghua Road). It's easy to spot--a bright yellow building.

The fancy mochis (made with purple rice) were NT25 ($0.83).

Baozi at Gongzheng, open 24 hours. Baozi are steamed buns filled with meat and vegetables. These were NT5 ($0.17) each.

Our last stop was Daiji Bianshi at 120 Zhonghua Road. They only serve pork & shrimp dumpling soup. Each bowl is NT60 ($2). They’re open from 7:30 am-12:30 am..

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