Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In 1989 martial law had been lifted for only two years and Taiwanese, with their
first taste of freedom, were forming civil associations with abandon. Membership
in the established and well-respected Tzu Chi expanded rapidly.
By 2000 Tzu Chi was the largest formal organisation in Taiwan, with hundreds of
thousands of lay volunteers working on projects as diverse as rebuilding houses
after disasters to recycling. Tzu Chi has also been a leader in the development of
hospice care in Taiwan, and its medical university places a unique stress on the
moral cultivation of physicians.
Today, Tzu Chi is an international organisation with five million worldwide mem-
bers and assets as high as US$9 billion. In Taiwan alone it runs four state-of-the-art
hospitals, a recycling program, the medical university mentioned here, and a TV
station.
For more, visit
www.tzuchi.org
or pick up a copy of Julia Huang'sCharisma and
Compassion: Cheng Yen and the Buddhist Tzu Chi Movement.
Information
Almost all hotels and hostels have free wi-fi, and it's common in restaurants and cafes.
The Hualien County Information Centre also acts as an internet station for travellers,
with free computer access and wi-fi.
There are ATM machines all over town and in most 7-Elevens.
Bank of Taiwan
(3 Gung Yuan Rd)
Offers money changing and ATM service.
in the area.
Hualien County Information Centre
( 8am-10pm)
On the right of the train station as
you exit, this centre is good for brochures and very general information. Hostels are usu-
ally far better sources, especially for current events and recommendations.
Tzu-chi Buddhist Hospital
(Cíjì Yīyuàn; 856 1825; 707 Jung Yang Rd, Sec 3)
A hospital
known for its excellent facilities. It's northwest from the train station, at the intersection
of Jung Shan and Jung Yang Rds.
Getting There & Away
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