Taroko Gorge is Taiwan’s most dramatic natural sight. The Liwu River has cut a canyon through marble and granite, creating cliffs that rise hundreds of metres on either side of a turquoise stream. A road and a series of tunnels follow the gorge, and short trails lead to viewpoints, grottoes and waterfalls. The classic stops include the Eternal Spring Shrine, built over a waterfall in memory of workers who died building the cross-island highway; the Swallow Grotto, where the walls are pitted with holes; the Tunnel of Nine Turns, where the river squeezes into a narrow gorge; and the Shakadang Trail, an easy riverside walk with pools the colour of jade. The park lies in Hualien county on the east coast, where the Pacific meets steep mountains, and the contrast with Taipei could not be sharper. The scale of the landscape makes it one of the highlights of a Taiwan trip, and many visitors say it is the one place in the country they would return to.
How it works
Taroko is a long day from Taipei. The fastest way is the express train to Hualien, followed by a taxi or shuttle into the park, or you can join a guided coach tour that covers the stops and the driving. Both take roughly two to three hours each way, so the day usually starts early and ends in the evening.
Many travellers prefer to stay a night in Hualien and spend a full day in the gorge, which is more relaxing and allows time for longer walks. The park is free to enter, but some trails need a permit or may be closed after rockfalls or earthquakes, so check conditions before you go.
What to expect
The scenery is spectacular, but a lot of it is seen from the road, from short walks along the cliff paths, and from the windows of a vehicle. Trails often pass through tunnels or beneath overhangs, and hard hats may be required at some stops where falling rocks are a risk.
The weather can change quickly, and the gorge is humid and often wet. A typical group tour includes five or six stops, with enough time for a short walk at each. Independent travellers can go further along the Baiyang Trail, which passes through a dark tunnel to a waterfall, or hike the Shakadang Trail to its far end.
Making the most of it
Pick a weekday, start early to beat the tour buses, and wear shoes with good grip. Pack a rain jacket, water and a hat, and carry snacks, since food options inside the gorge are limited. If you can, stay overnight in Hualien so that you can enter the park when it is quiet in the morning. Check whether trails are open on the day of your visit, as sections are sometimes closed for safety after heavy rain, and be prepared to adjust your plan.
Taroko pairs naturally with Qingshui Cliff and the coast if you have an extra day. Photographers will want a wide lens and a polarising filter for the water, and everyone should allow extra time for the winding mountain road, which can slow traffic after rain or on busy holiday weekends.
What to expect
The experience
A long guided day trip to a marble canyon on the east coast, with short walks and viewpoints.
Best time
Weekday mornings, in dry weather outside the rainy months.
How long
A full day, with several hours of travelling.
Tips
Check trail conditions, bring a rain jacket and consider staying overnight in Hualien.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Nature lovers who want Taiwan’s most dramatic scenery.
- Families
- Short, easy walks suit older children, but the day is long.
- Couples
- Waterfalls, suspension bridges and a night in Hualien.
- Pair with
- A night in Hualien and Qingshui Cliff.
- Time needed
- A full day, or an overnight stay.
Good questions
How do I get to Taroko Gorge from Taipei?+
By express train to Hualien and a transfer into the park, or on a guided coach day trip.
Can Taroko Gorge be done in a day?+
Yes, but it is long. Staying a night in Hualien is more relaxed.
Do I need a permit?+
Entry to the park is free, but some trails need a permit or may be closed, so check before you go.
What are the highlights?+
The Eternal Spring Shrine, Swallow Grotto, the Tunnel of Nine Turns and the Shakadang Trail.
What should I bring?+
A rain jacket, water, sturdy shoes and a hat.
