From the sky to the lake, and then to the night market | Hualien 3-Day 2-Night Full Experience

#Ji'an Township #Dongdaemun Stay #Hualien #Light Aircraft #Sky #Shoufeng Township #Pacific Ocean #Liyu Lake
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A Two-Day, One-Night Hualien Family Trip: Sky, Lake, and Night Markets

The highlight of this two-day, one-night trip to Hualien was the Nikko light aircraft. Before we set off, the kids kept asking, "Dad, are we really going on a plane? Will we fall?" I smiled and replied, "Don't worry, this light aircraft is safe and fun. You'll know once you try it!"

On the morning of the first day, we arrived at the Hualien airfield. Before us lay a vast expanse of green grass and several colorful light aircraft parked along the runway. The kids jumped for joy, saying they looked like the little planes in cartoons. The instructor first explained the safety instructions and helped us put on our helmets and seatbelts. As the kids and I climbed in, I felt a little nervous, but even more excited.

The engines roared, the aircraft slowly accelerated, and in the next second, we soared into the sky like birds. At that moment, my child beside me yelled, "Dad! We're flying!" I looked up ahead, the blue sky looming before me. Looking down, the vast Pacific Ocean shimmered silver in the sunlight, and in the distance, the mountains stretched out in layers, like a vast painting. The wind whistled against my face, and I could clearly hear my child's excited laughter.

Our flight lasted about fifteen minutes, but it felt longer and more precious than any other journey. My child waved repeatedly, pointing at the beach and houses below, as if to say, "The whole world belongs to us." I silently memorized this scene, thinking: What a precious memory it is to witness such scenery with my child.

In the afternoon, we arrived at Liyu Lake. After flying, we shifted to a different kind of leisurely experience on the lake. After renting a pedal boat, my child eagerly jumped at the helm, steering left and right. The boat rocked back and forth, but laughter echoed. The lake was as calm as a mirror, reflecting the blue sky and greenery. Compared to the thrill of the morning's flight, this was a quiet joy. In the evening, we feasted at the Dongdaemun Night Market. It was packed with people and ablaze with lights. The children, drawn in by the aroma, clamored for grilled squid and cotton candy. We ate and strolled along the way, playing ring toss at the game stalls. My daughter won a small doll and refused to let it go even after sleeping, while my son, beaming with joy, clutched a balloon. At that moment, I felt the beauty of family travel: when my children are happy, I'm happy too.

The next day, we planned a simple stroll and snacks in downtown Hualien, keeping a tight schedule. I knew the flight, lakeside excursion, and night market experience alone would be enough for the children to savor for a long time. On the train back, they quickly fell asleep, smiles on their faces.

This short but enriching trip, especially the light aircraft experience, allowed us to see Hualien from a whole new perspective. As a father, my greatest reward wasn't the number of attractions I visited, but the precious memories I'd made of flying, skiing, and strolling through the night market with my children.

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Post by Tmr.sun | Aug 20, 2025