10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Hualien

By virtue of its unique geology, Hualien is rich in valuable ores, such as marble, rhodonite and crystals. The well-planned Stone Art Street on Guangdong Street in downtown Hualien has many vendors selling stone crafts, and is a shopping paradise for stone collectors. Hualien has not only a wealth of beautiful stones, but also artists who can transform them into valuable artworks through carving and polishing. If you like decorative stones, this is a great place to find fantastic stone crafts with unique colours and textures. There are often indigenous singing and dancing performances here as well, so you'll also get the chance to appreciate the unique local culture.

At Hualien Good Market you can buy farm produce grown by local farmers using eco-friendly farming methods. Environmental protection has become a key issue in the modern world. And when you travel, you should always think about ways to do so without harming the local environment. At Hualien Good Market you'll meet many Hualien farmers who use eco-friendly farming methods. They all share a deep love for the land of Hualien, and incorporate the concept of environmental sustainability into their work, delivering organic farm produce. Buying farm produce at the market helps support local farmers, enabling them to continue to promote eco-friendly farming systems.

All over Taiwan you'll find creative markets full of local character. Hualein's Ocean Home Wild Market, situated by the sea in Shoufeng Township, is very popular with locals. Its unique location, environment, products and style attract large numbers of tourists, many of them coming to Hualien just to visit this market. Once a little-known summer market by the sea, it has become famous during its many years of operation. It's now open every summer, bringing in many vendors selling crafts. The market is bustling until late in the evening, and you'll find few shopping experiences more memorable than a moonlit market with the sound of the waves in the background. The market's cute stalls sell indigenous crafts, clothing, craft beer and textiles. When you're tired of walking, buy a can of beer and sit on the beach next to the market. Feel yourself relax as you gaze out to sea.

The hospitable Hualien locals welcome people from far and wide, who come to Hualien to experience its stunning scenery. The Hakka Market in Hualien's Hospitality Cultural Centre is a great place to visit with family and friends, and to experience the hospitality of the people of Hualien. The market stalls are run by local producers, artists and craftspeople, all of whom are very friendly and love to share their passion for art with visitors. You'll see many cheerful elderly Hualien women shopping here. They hope that this market can bring a new energy to the community and encourage young people to start businesses in Hualien. The market also has craft workshops, where both adults and kids can express their more creative side.

Sanzhong Shopping District refers to the intersection of Zhonghua Road, Zhongzheng Road and Zhongshan Road. It is situated in a prime location in downtown Hualien, with convenient transport links and a large number of shops and restaurants. This is where the people of Hualien come to shop and dine. The best way to visit Sanzhong Shopping District is on foot. You can stroll around any section of the road and take things at a slower pace, just like the people of Hualien do. The shopping district has many speciality and pastry shops, where you can buy a wide variety of treats to take home with you, such as Hualien mochi, pineapple cake and butter cookies.

Chongqing Market is a large, two-storey traditional public retail market in Hualien City. Since being redeveloped, the market has many shops selling clothing, everyday essentials, fruit, vegetables, meat, snacks, and much more. The shops open early in the morning and close at midnight, so whether you're in search of fresh ingredients or something new to wear, you can find it here at any time of the day. The huge range of products on offer here covers just about everything you could possibly need in your daily life. With a growing number of modern supermarkets drawing in customers with their bright and airy spaces, traditional markets are facing a battle for survival. The redevelopment of Chongqing Market transformed it into a clean and well laid-out traditional market with a unique appeal that has attracted lots of customers.