Taiwan’s largest county is a mountainous wilderness where only seven percent of land is inhabited.

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Spanning the rugged east coast of Taiwan, Hualien County is a land of dramatic extremes. While it holds the title of the nation’s largest county by area, its steep, mountainous terrain forces the vast majority of its population into a narrow valley, leaving most of the region wild and untouched.

Hualien County occupies roughly one-eighth of Taiwan’s total landmass, yet its geography is dominated by the Central Mountain Range and the Hai'an Range. With 87 percent of the territory consisting of mountains and another 7 percent occupied by rivers, human settlement is largely restricted to the alluvial fans of the Huatung Valley. This challenging topography has shaped the region's development, resulting in a population of approximately 318,995 as of January 2023, despite the county's vast physical footprint.

The region’s history is a complex layering of indigenous heritage and colonial influence. Originally settled by the Sakizaya people, the area was later subject to Spanish gold prospectors, Dutch influence, and Qing dynasty administration. During the Japanese colonial period from 1895 to 1945, the region was reorganized as Karenkō Prefecture. Following the conclusion of the Second World War, the Republic of China assumed control, eventually establishing the modern county structure in 1946. Today, the area remains a vital cultural hub, preserving significant aboriginal traditions alongside a unique demographic mix that includes a substantial Hakka population.

Beyond its rugged exterior, Hualien serves as a critical center for both industry and nature. It hosts major infrastructure, including the Hoping coal-fired power plant and significant cement production facilities, yet it is equally renowned for its environmental quality. In 2015, it was ranked as Taiwan's happiest place to live, and it continues to attract global attention as a premier nature destination. Whether through its well-preserved indigenous cultures, its status as a hub for organic agriculture, or its role as a gateway to Taroko National Park, Hualien remains a distinct and essential pillar of the Taiwanese landscape.

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