Chi-shing-tan is a must-see scenic spot in Hua-lian City.
七星潭是花蓮市必到景點。

With it being situated by an Air Force base, you can hear the howling sound of fighter jets taking off from time to time.
位在空軍基地前方，不時聽到戰機升空呼嘯聲。

Due to this base, Hua-lian locals celebrate the New Year by welcoming the sunrise on January 1st. It's very different from other cities.
因為有這個基地，花蓮人跨年迎接1月1號日出，和別的縣市很不一樣。

They come to Chi-shing-tan to watch the F16 fighter jets fly overhead in Chi-shing-tan sky and greet the twilight together.
他們會來七星潭，觀賞F16戰機在七星潭天空做衝場動作，和大家一起迎接曙光。

Chi-shing-tan in Chinese means "Big Dipper Lake." Coming here, you might feel a bit strange as to why a bay full of gravel is called Chi-shing-tan.
「Chi-shing-tan」中文是七星潭。這裡會覺得奇怪，明明是個佈滿礫石的海灣，怎麼會叫七星潭?

The old name of this place was "Crescent Bay." The original "Chi-shing-tan" was a real lake situated inside the Air Force Base and National Dong Hwa University Mei-lun Campus.
這個地方原名「月牙灣」。原本的「七星潭」真的是潭，位在空軍基地和東華大學美侖校區裡面。

The view was broad, allowing you to look above to see the Big Dipper in the sky; hence the name. "Chi-shing" means "Big Dipper."
視野遼闊，可以抬頭看到天上的北斗七星，所以叫七星潭。

An airport was constructed during the Japanese colonial era; as a result, the residents relocated to the now Chi-shing-tan Community.
日治時代興建機場，居民遷移到現在的七星潭社區。

The residents missed the old place. "Crescent Bay" was therefore renamed "Chi-shing-tan."
居民思念原來住的地方，把原來的「月牙灣」改成「七星潭」。

The Chi-shing-tan beach is absolutely gorgeous. The coastline is as long as twenty some kilometers with very calm sea.
七星潭海灘很美，海面很平靜，海岸線長達20多公里。

The terrain is unlike what you are seeing; the sea floor is steep due to the short and shallow continental shelf of Hua-lian coast.
但是地形不像你所看到的，因為花蓮的沿岸的大陸棚很短佷淺，海床陡峭。

Not even 20 meters offshore from Chi-shing-tan is an oceanic trench, abruptly dropping to one hundred meters deep. There are underflows from time to time.
七星潭離岸不到20公尺就是海溝，陡降到一百公尺深，不時還有暗流。

Chi-shing-tan used to be the largest and most prosperous setnet fishing ground. There are a few fishermen who still have setnets here.
七星潭曾經是花蓮最大最興盛的定置漁場，少數漁民還設有定置漁網。

Pay attention to safety and please don't go into water for swimming.
一定要小心安全，千萬不要下水游泳。

Chi-shing-tan Stone Carving Park

七星潭石雕公園

Aside from beautiful sea scenery, there are Chi-shing-tan Stone Sculpture Park, Chi-shing-tan Community and Chi-shing-tan Katsuo Museum that are must-stop attractions.
七星潭除了美麗的海景，七星潭石雕公園、七星潭社區和七星柴魚博物館也是必到景點。

The stone carving park is located between Chi-shing-tan and Katsuo Musuem. You can take the opportunity to stroll around the park.
石雕公園在七星潭到柴魚博物館之間。你可以順道走一走。

Hua-lian is very well-known for its jade and marble. The stone carvings are distinctive.
花蓮出產的玉石和大理石很有名，這裡的石雕造型很特別。

The style is very imposing, much like the landscape and terrain here.
造型都很氣派，就像這裡的風景和地形。

Continuing going down from the bridge, you'll arrive at the bonito fish museum and the community.
繼續往陸橋下面走，就會到柴魚博物館和社區。

Chi-shing-tan Katsuo Museum

七星柴魚博物館

Remark//備註

///////This museum was unfortunately destroyed by fire in an incident taken place on the morning of July 18th, 2017.
這間博物館很不幸地在2017年七月十七日被大火給摧毀。///////

We mentioned about the setnet fishing ground earlier.
前面提到，七星潭社區定置漁場。

It isn't easy for tourists in general to witness how the setnet fishing ground operates. There is a detailed video presentation inside the bonito fish museum.
一般遊客來的時候，不容易看到定置漁場作業。柴魚博物館有詳細的影音介紹。

There are other introductions to Chi-shing-tan fishing ground as well.
還有其他七星潭漁場的介紹。

There is the bonito-fish-manufacturing simulation.
柴魚製作的模擬。

There is the introduction to the bonito fish manufacturing process.
柴魚製程介紹。

There is a picture of live fishing.
捕漁實況照片。

The simulative scene of drying the fish in the sun makes you feel like going back in time.
曬魚乾模擬場景，好像回到過去的時光。

The old smokehouse for bonito fish is transformed into an exhibit space.
過去燻製柴魚的燻製室，變成了展覽空間。

At the souvenir shop, you get to see the rare bonito sticks, which are bonito fish in their original form without being shaved into flakes.
在紀念品店，你還可以看到市面少見的柴魚條，也就是還沒有刨成花的柴魚原樣。

The bonito fish museum is located at the front row of the Chi-shing-tan community. Walking into the community, you can still experience the atmosphere of a traditional fishing village.
柴魚博物館就在七星潭社區第一排，走進社區，傳統的漁村味道還感受的到。

It becomes more obvious why Chi-shing-tan was originally named Crescent Bay when looking at it from here.
從這裡看七星潭，會更清楚會何當初取名月牙灣。

The cement ramp used for operation is still kept intact.
作業用的水泥坡道，也都還保留著。

Nevertheless, many old houses were taken down and reconstructed to become new homestays.
不過，也有很多舊屋拆除，改建成新穎的民宿。

According to a senior media editor, staying here for one night to admire the sea and listen to the waves is a treat tempting you to move to Hua-lian.
有一個資深媒體編輯說，在這裡住上一夜，看海景聽海浪很享受，會很想移居花蓮。