Taroko National Park , Taiwan

🏞️ Discover Taroko National Park: Taiwan’s Natural Wonderland

🌟 Overview

Taroko National Park is one of Taiwan’s crown jewels — a place where marble cliffs, lush jungles, and rushing rivers collide into an unforgettable landscape.
Located on the island’s east coast, Taroko Gorge is the park’s dramatic centerpiece, carved by the Liwu River over millions of years.

It’s a paradise for nature lovers, hikers, and photographers seeking awe-inspiring beauty.

🏔️ Top Things to See and Do in Taroko National Park

🏞️ Taroko Gorge

The heart of the park — a spectacular 19-kilometer-long marble canyon with towering cliffs, tunnels carved into the rock, and emerald rivers winding through the depths.

🚶‍♂️ Shakadang Trail

Known as the "Mysterious Valley Trail," it follows the crystal-clear waters of the Shakadang River.
Easy and scenic, it's perfect for families and beginner hikers.

🌉 Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou Trail)

Walk alongside narrow cliff paths overlooking the gorge.
Swallows dart in and out of the marble caves, giving this area its name.

⛩️ Eternal Spring Shrine (Changchun Shrine)

A beautiful shrine perched on a cliffside, with a natural spring waterfall flowing beneath it — one of the park’s most iconic spots and a symbol of remembrance for workers who died building the highway.

🛤️ Tunnel of Nine Turns

One of the most dramatic parts of the gorge, this trail winds through cliffs with breathtaking vertical drops into the river below.

🏞️ Baiyang Trail and Water Curtain Cave

An adventurous trail leading to the magical Water Curtain Cave, where natural waterfalls pour through the cave roof — don’t forget a raincoat!

🚶‍♀️ Hiking Adventures

Taroko offers trails for every skill level:

Easy: Shakadang Trail, Baiyang Trail.
Moderate: Swallow Grotto, Lushui Trail.
Advanced: Zhuilu Old Trail (requires a permit but offers stunning cliff-edge hikes).

🌿 Nature and Wildlife

The park is a biodiversity hotspot, home to:

Formosan macaques (monkeys)
Swinhoe’s pheasant
Butterfly and bird species
Rare plants and thick forests thriving in the humid, subtropical climate.

🛕 Cultural Heritage

Indigenous Tribes: Taroko is the ancestral home of the Truku people, one of Taiwan’s indigenous groups.
Cultural Villages: You can visit small indigenous settlements and learn about traditional crafts, music, and customs.

🚗 How to Get There

From Taipei:
Take a train to Hualien (about 2 hours) and then rent a scooter, bicycle, or taxi to explore the park.
Tour Options: Day tours from Taipei or Hualien are very popular and easy to arrange.

🏨 Where to Stay

Hualien City: Great base with lots of accommodation, restaurants, and shops.
Taroko Village Hotel: Stay inside the park for a peaceful, nature-immersed experience.

🌞 Best Time to Visit

Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November): Pleasant weather, fewer typhoons.
Summer: Lush green scenery but watch out for rainstorms and heat.
Winter: Cooler and quieter, beautiful misty landscapes.