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Throughout 400 years of history, Taiwan has been occupied by the Dutch, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese. Those influences echo through the city of Hualien and combine with rich aboriginal culture on this unforgettable half-day tour. With temple visits, shopping and a folk dance performance, you'll gain intriguing insight into the heart and soul of this island nation off the coast of China.

Begin your half-day adventure at the pier in Hualien Port and sightsee with your professional, English-speaking guide to a number of distinctive landmarks. You'll stop at Pine Garden where natural beauty and historical buildings intertwine. Formerly the site of a Japanese military outpost, the garden is one of the best spots for visitors to take in the views and a photo stop here allows you to capture indelible images of Hualien, the Pacific Ocean. You'll also marvel at the age-old pine trees that tower over the forest floor carpeted with native plants like macaranga, fern and silver grass.

Re-joining your guide, you'll board your motorcoach for the scenic drive to the impressive Kang-Ten Temple. Dedicated to the Goddess of Heaven and many other Chinese deities, it is the largest Taoist temple in Hualien. Like most Taoist Temples, it is a bright and colorful structure with broad curving rooflines that are adorned with divine figures and traditional symbols of luck such as dragons and carp.

While the temple does not have resident monks or nuns, it is often filled with devotees, especially during a ritual parade or exorcism. The central area of the temple houses a large oven, where sacrificial "Ghost Money" is burnt as an offering to ancestral spirits. One of the main Tao deities is Matsu - the goddess of the sea who protects and blesses fishermen and sailors. She is often prayed to by those embarking on a long journey over the sea.

The Keishuin Japanese Temple, which was built during the Japanese Occupation as a spiritual center for Japanese immigrants, reveals a different perspective on temple architecture. Walk through the graceful wooden structure with a Japanese-style four-pillar rooftop and the serene Japanese garden to experience the region's Zen spirit.

Enjoy free time at A-Zone cultural center before returning back to ship.