Source: CCTV.com
09-02-2008 09:02
Special Report: Mainland tourists visit TaiwanIt's been two months since Taiwan opened up to tour groups from the mainland. The town of Hualien in the east has proven to be a big hit. Big enough, it seems, for authorities there to hope that visitors might one day wish to travel to the Island, just to visit Hualien.
The colorful fireworks in the night sky win a round of warm applause from tens of thousands of viewers. In the past 50 days, the annual fireworks festival has attracted half a million visitors. This year's festival coincides with the arrival of mainland tourists to the island.
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Hualien County also boasts Tarako Park and a cross-island highway, which are well-known tourist sites. Visitors can also enjoy special feasts designed to preserve one's health.
Hualien is also home to one of Taiwan's four largest Buddhist temples. The temple raised money for the Sichuan earthquake relief efforts to aid the disaster-stricken areas. And it sent volunteers to help with the relief work.
Local tourism industry authorities says they hope more tourists will visit and help expand the offerings of the current tour packages.
Editor:Liu Fang