Hualien is the settlement of the Sakizaya (which means “authentic person”) tribe; the Amis called it the “Sakiraya”. Foreigners who first visited often mistook it to be the name of the area, and nicknamed it “kiray” (Qilai). Gradually, the area became known as the Qilai Plain, which today includes Xincheng Township, Hualien City and Ji’an Township.