Brief Introduction: The site used to be the Railway Hospital. After years of desertion, it was rented by the Handicraft Association and renovated into a place of exhibition of stone art objects and commodities

Hualien Sightseeing Data Net

Name of county: Hualien County

Area: 252.372 square kilometers

Population: 30,769

Administrative District: 15 lis, including San-min-li, Ta-yu-li, The-wu-li,

Chun-ji-li, Sung-pu-li, Kuan-yin-li, Tung-feng-li, Lo-ho-li, Chi-mo-li, Chung-cheng-li, Yuan-cheng-li, Yun-chang-li,

Tai-chang-li, Chang-yang-li, Kuo-wu-li.

Former Name: Pu-shi-ke

Geographical Location:

The town is located in the southern part of Hualien County. The town borders on Jui-sui Township on the north, Fuli Township on the south, Juo-shi Township on the West, and Chang-pin Township of Taitung County on the east. The Hsiukuluan River flows through the town, which is sheltered by the East Coast Mountains on the east, and Central Mountains on the west. The town is usually divided into two sections: “River East” and “River West.” It has always held an important place in the transportation of the Hua Tung Valley because of its location in the middle part of the Valley.

Mayor: Pan Fu-min

History of Town:

The town was formerly named “Pu-shi-ke,” with several different stories of its origin. In the language of the Bunons, a native tribe, the name Pu-shi-ke means “a land of sandstorm.” In the legend, the ancient Bunons came hunting in the mountains of the East, and saw gusts of wind-blown sand on the riverbeds of Hsiukuluan River. They came down to see what was happening, and found the place which is now called Yuli. Another story says that “Pu-shi-ke” comes from the term “Pa-pa-ko,” meaning “fern,” in the language of the Amis, a major tribe in the East, depicting that in the past, the riverbeds of Hsiukuluan River used to be covered with fern. Still another story has it that in the first year of Kuang-hsu (1875) in the Ching Dynasty, the military commander in Taiwan led his army over the mountains to station at the site which is now Yuli. He saw pure-white stones everywhere on the riverbanks of Hsiukuluan River, called the stones by a euphemistic name “pu-shi” (natural, unprocessed stone), and named the station fort “Pu-shi-ke” (“ke” means “pavilion” or “tower”). In the ancient times, the sited used to be a place of inter-tribal activities of the native tribes. In the Ching Dynasty, it was officially included in the administrative district of Feng-hsiang, Taitung Tsu-li-chou (the equivalent of a modern county). In the period of Japanese Occupation, a Taitung Pu-shi-ke District was established, and later re-allocated to Pu-shi-ke Branch office. Very late in the period of Japanese Occupation, it was re-allocated to Hualien Harbor Office. In the 6^th year of Taisho (1917), the Eastern Railway was built to connect the town, and the old name “Pu-shi-ke” was changed to Yuli. In the 9^th year of Taisho (1920), the name was again changed to be Yuli-tsuang (village), under the administrative jurisdiction of Yuli Branch Office. In the 12^th year of Showa (1937), it was renamed Yuli Street, under Yuli County. In the 35^th year of the Republic of China (1946), it was officially named Yuli Town, under Hualien County. Hstorically, the site of the town used to be an overlapping area of the native tribes, such as the Amis, the Bunons, the Silayas, and the Kamalans. In the Ching Dynasty, it began to prosper because of the development of the “Chung-lu” (Central Road), and later became a very important town in the middle section of the Hua Tung Valley. Although Yuli started to be developed later than most of the other places, today it is the center of the southern part of Hualien County.

Special Local Features:

Yuli is located in the middle section of the Hua Tung Valley, and has had a very important place in the transportation in eastern Taiwan. It was also the eastern terminal of the “Chung-lu” in the Ching Dynasty, which connected the East with the West through the Central Mountains. Today, Yuli is the biggest town in the middle section of the Hua Tung Valley, and the center of the southern part of Hualien County. Because the site used to be an overlapping area of several native tribes, plus its importance in transportation since the development of the “Chung-lu,” the town has developed with a rich diversity of cultures. Besides the special features in humanities, the town is situated in a very nice natural environment. There are numerous natural sceneries, such as AnTong Hot Spring, Pa-tung-kuan Ancient road, the beautiful day lily flowers in Chi-ke Mountain, and exciting bird-watching on the riverbanks of Hsiukuluan River. Moreover, there are local specialties that are famous and delicious, such as day lily flowers, pomelos, tea, watermelons, and the renowned “Yuli Yogang” (solid sweet jelly).

Town Hall Phone Number: 03-8883166-8

E-mail: sas@mail.hlyl.gov.tw

Address: 108 Chungcheng Road, Yuli, Hualien

Website: http://www.hlyl.gov.tw

Sources of Data: Yuli Town Hall, History of Yuli Town

Ⅰ. A Brief Introduction to Yuli

Pu-shi-ke

As we drive further south along Highway 9, the sights of the Central Mountains and the East Coast Mountains appear to be more beautiful. As we arrive at Yuli, a town which used to be called “Pu-shi-ke” (Natural Stone Pavilion), the snake-veined marble sculpture standing in front of the railway station seems to be telling the simple, introspective natural spirit of the town, a town of sincerity and leisurely life.

Yuli is like an indulgent mother, fostering her children with the spacious land. And her children repay her tenderness with good care of the land, because they have been able to keep industrial pollutions away. Therefore, green mountains, clean rivers, beautiful sunshine, and fresh air are the natural resources that make the people of Yuli proud.

If we come to Chi-ke Mountain at the end of summer or the beginning of Autumn, we will see the farmers drying the golden day lily flowers on their front yards. As we go higher along the road, the views of the Hua Tung Valley become more and more beautiful. In the cool weather, among the golden flowers that thrive all over the slopes, a stooping figure in a bamboo leaf hat is busy picking the flower buds. In this golden sea, Yuli is quietly smiling.

Ⅲ. Festivals in Yuli

In July and August, it seems that the town of Yuli is a realm of carnivals, one following another. At the regular gathering sites, people of the native tribes sing and dance passionately, drinking cups and cups of fragrant millet wine. This is the yearly feast season for the native folks, and their “Harvest Rite” is the most important festival in their culture.

Note: All the readings listed are published in Chinese.