Groundbreaking for Qixingtan Visitor Center: NT$190M Project to Build “Whale Leaping” Tourism Gateway

(中央社訊息服務20260319 10:41:24)Marking a major step in the county’s tourism upgrades, Hualien successfully held a grand groundbreaking ceremony today, March 2, for the highly anticipated Qixingtan Scenic Area Visitor Service Center and Landscape Corridor. Hualien County Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei presided over the event, joined by local leaders and distinguished guests to celebrate the official launch of this landmark development. Scheduled for completion by August 2027, the project aims to serve as a premier international gateway for travelers exploring the breathtaking beauty of the Hualien coastline.

To comprehensively upgrade both the facilities and visitor experience at Qixingtan Scenic Area, the county government actively applied in 2024 to the Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, for inclusion in the competitive Qixingtan Scenic Area Overall Landscape Enhancement Project, and successfully secured approval for a total budget of NT$186,091,580, including NT$119,442,830 in central government subsidies and NT$66,648,750 in matching local funds. With a four-year implementation period, the project will not only progressively improve scenic area facilities, but also connect surrounding tourism resources and launch featured activities, highlighting Hualien’s distinctive character as an ocean city and giving a strong boost to local tourism development.

Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei described Qixingtan as a destination with global potential, noting that its iconic crescent-shaped pebble shoreline often provides visitors with their first and most lasting impression of Hualien. This project represents a vital milestone in the next phase of the county’s tourism infrastructure. Once the center opens, it will offer personalized and locally inspired services to ensure that every visit to the coast becomes a cherished memory for domestic and international travelers alike.

Tourism Department Director-General Yu Ming-Hsun shared that the project was designed by architect Huang Yu-Ching. The architectural concept uses flowing curves to mirror the natural rhythm of the coastline, drawing inspiration from a mother whale and her calf. This design symbolizes the nurturing embrace of the ocean and the dynamic energy of a whale leaping into the Pacific. The structure features two curved buildings for different functional needs and includes a walkable landscaped roof. From this elevated platform, visitors will enjoy panoramic views of the vast Pacific Ocean and the lush Central Mountain Range.

Beyond the main building, the project includes extensive improvements to the surrounding landscape corridor. Through integrated design, the county will create more pedestrian-friendly paths and resting areas so that guests can immerse themselves in a high-quality recreational atmosphere immediately upon arrival.

The county government also extended its appreciation to the national Tourism Administration for its financial support. This partnership between central and local authorities strengthens Hualien’s tourism capacity and brings new energy to the eastern coastline.

The ceremony was attended by a distinguished group of guests, including Po Chiang-Sheng, Director of the office of Legislator Fu Kun-Chi; Hualien County Councilors Dibus ILAI, Li Cheng-Wen, Wu Tung-Sheng, Han Lin-Mei, Cheng Chien-Lung, Lin Cheng-Fu, and Cheng Pao-Hsiu; Richard C. L. Chen, Director-General of the Eastern Taiwan Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Lin Kuo-Yung, Director of Hualien Airport; Ku Shu-Ju of the East Longitudinal Valley National Scenic Area; Cheng Kai-Wen of Taroko National Park; and Tsai Ching-Ping of the Hualien Port Branch. They were joined by various county department heads and tourism association representatives to celebrate the occasion.

For more information, please visit:

Hualien Tourism Website – Latest News:
https://tour-hualien.hl.gov.tw/en/

Hualien Tourism Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/hltour/

“Hualien Travel Assistant” AI Smart Customer Service:
https://hualien.travel/ai-service/