Taroko National Park
A majestic gorge carved by the Liwu River, featuring sheer marble cliffs and turquoise waters.
The Grand Canyon of Asia
Taroko National Park is a geological masterpiece. Named after the local Truku aboriginal tribe, its centerpiece is the 19-kilometer-long marble canyon. The metamorphic rocks here are hundreds of millions of years old, thrust upward by the collision of tectonic plates and sliced open by the relentless force of the Liwu River.
Eternal Spring Shrine
Perched atop a cascading waterfall, the Changchun (Eternal Spring) Shrine is the most photographed landmark in the park. It was built to honor the 226 workers who lost their lives constructing the Central Cross-Island Highway, a road carved painstakingly by hand into the cliffs.
Swallow Grotto
At Yanzikou (Swallow Grotto), the gorge is at its narrowest and the cliffs are at their steepest. Here, you walk through tunnels in the rock face, looking straight down at the churning turquoise river below. The cliff walls are pitted with natural potholes, nesting grounds for Pacific swallows.
What To Expect
Marble Cliffs
Towering walls of gray and white marble rise thousands of meters vertically, creating a dramatic and humbling landscape.
Suspension Bridges
Cross dizzying bridges like the one at Buluowan, offering panoramic views of the curving Liwu River below.
Hiking Trails
From the flat and scenic Shakadang Trail to the vertigo-inducing Zhuilu Old Trail, there are paths for every fitness level.
Safety First
Due to the risk of rockfalls, wearing a safety helmet is mandatory in certain sections like Swallow Grotto and Tunnel of Nine Turns.
Hualien County
Taroko Gorge is located in Hualien County on Taiwan’s east coast. It spans the Central Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway 8), one of the most scenic and dangerous drives in the world.
Access: The gateway city is Hualien. From Hualien Station, you can take the Taiwan Trip Bus (Taroko Route 310) or hire a private driver.
Ticket Options
Park Entry
FreeEntering Taroko National Park is generally free of charge for all visitors.
Zhuilu Old Trail
NT$ 200Permit fee. This specific high-altitude trail requires an advance permit application (limited quota).
Bus Day Pass
NT$ 250Unlimited hop-on hop-off access to the Taiwan Trip Bus (Route 310) for one day.
Visiting Tips
- Start Early: Arrive at the park entrance by 8:00 AM to beat the massive tour bus crowds at Eternal Spring Shrine.
- Helmets: You can borrow safety helmets for free at the Xpan Tunnel service station or Buluowan terrace.
- Weather: Heavy rain can cause landslides and trail closures. Always check the park website before departing.
- Food: Dining options inside the park are scarce and mediocre. Pack your own lunch and water from Hualien city.
