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7 DAY GORGEOUS FORMOSA COMFORT TOUR

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5 DAY FASCINATING FORMOSA COMFORT TOUR

Around Taiwan in 8 days

Asia , Outdoor Guides , Taiwan · July 13, 2019

Visiting Taroko Gorge: Ultimate Taroko National Park Guide

Visiting Taroko Gorge for the first time and not sure how to plan the perfect Taroko tour? This post has you covered!

Taroko Gorge (太魯閣) is one of the most popular tourist spots in Taiwan and a huge must on any Taiwan itinerary . Situated in Xiulin Township on Taiwan’s mind-blowing east coast, this dramatic 19-km gorge is the shining star of Taroko National Park (太魯閣國家公園) – one of the country’s nine national parks. The park spans more than 920 km² and actually lies over three counties; Taichung, Nantou, and Hualien.

Taroko Gorge is famous for many things; it’s more than 200 million years old, it’s home to some of Taiwan’s highest peaks, and the Truku tribe (the area’s indigenous tribe) is settled here. However, what really makes Taroko Gorge so special is its stunning scenery.

The gorge was shaped by thousands of years of erosion and carved out by the Liwu River that flows right through it. With breathtaking natural beauty featuring high mountain tops, steep gorges, dreamy waterfalls, and abundant plant and animal life, it’s not hard to see why Taroko Gorge is a must-visit attraction in Taiwan. What’s more, Taroko is absolutely littered with colorful temples, glorious hikes through lush jungles, and easy trails along high-rising marble walls.

In this guide, I’ll cover absolutely everything you need to know about visiting Taroko Gorge for the first time. I’ve also included tons of tips from how to get to Taroko, where to stay, the best Taroko Gorge hiking trails, and more!

Disclaimer: This post probably contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through one of these links, I might receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Tips for visiting Taroko Gorge Taiwan

Before visiting Taroko Gorge National Park, here are a couple of quick tips to make your trip all the easier. 

• Hualien City is the main gateway to Taroko Gorge. Find out exactly how to get to Hualien , and also read my detailed Hualien guide to discover the best things to do, where to stay, and so much more! 
• Taroko Gorge is Taiwan’s #1 attraction, and as a result, it’s important to book accommodation a few weeks in advance . There are several hotels within and near the park, but you’ll find more choices in Hualien. Find the best hotel deals here on Agoda. Book at least one night’s stay to experience all of Taroko’s best bits.
• If you don’t want to plan a thing, this  day tour from Hualien  is your best bet. And if you’d like to plan all of your stops without worrying about any transport hassles, this  private car charter  is a great stress-free option. 
• Don’t forget to bring your  Easy Card  (Taiwan’s transport card) so that you can travel on trains and buses easily. 
• Some of Taroko’s hiking trails, like Zhuilu Old Road, require permits. See the  official park website  for more details on fees and permits, or  apply for a permit  here. 
• Pack bug spray, sunscreen,  and a  hat  for your trip. Also wear  comfortable non-slip walking shoes  or  hiking boots  when tackling longer trails. 
• Check the weather  before visiting Taroko National Park because the east coast is prone to unpredictable weather conditions.
• Check the  road and trail conditions  before your Taroko trip. Trails often close due to safety precautions or construction.
• Taroko Gorge is full of animal life. Remember to keep an eye out for poisonous snakes and giant hornets when hiking.

How to get from Taipei to Taroko Gorge

While it’s possible to access Taroko Gorge via several places in Taiwan, Hualien City on Taiwan’s east coast is its main gateway. Hualien is a picturesque city with loads to keep you busy. So if you have a few days to spare, definitely also check out these great things to do in Hualien .

Since Hualien is the main access point to Taroko Gorge, it’s very easy to reach from practically anywhere in Taiwan. I’ve written a detailed guide on exactly how to get to Hualien from Taipei . But if you’re in a rush, here’s a quick look at all the ways to get there.

Taking the Train from Taipei to Hualien

The quickest way to get to Taroko Gorge from Taipei is via Hualien by train. Loads of trains run daily from  Taipei , but take a  Taroko Express  or  Puyuma train  for the fastest route. The journey to Hualien takes less than 2.5 hours and costs NT$440 per way. See prices and time schedules  here . 

Trains bound for Hualien fill up quite quickly, so it’s best to book tickets well in advance . You can buy tickets directly at any train station across Taiwan or online (up to 14 days in advance).

Flying from Taipei to Hualien

If you want to maximize your time in Taroko Gorge National Park or have limited time, you might want to consider flying to Hualien.

Uni Air  flies daily from Taipei’s Songshan Airport , and  Mandarin Airlines  has direct flights to Hualien from  Kaohsiung . One-way tickets shouldn’t set you back more than NT$2500, but as prices often change, it’s best to check individual sites directly.

Once you arrive at the Hualien airport, you could either hop on the Hualien Bus ( more details and schedules here ), rent a car, or grab a taxi.

Taking the bus from Taipei to Hualien

It is possible to take a bus directly from Taipei to Hualien. Both  Taipei Bus  and  Ubus  offer cheap rides from Taipei to Hualien. Buses depart from Nangang Bus Station in Taipei City and take about 3 hours to reach Hualien.

Taipei Bus 1071 departs from platform 1, while Ubus 1663 departs at platform 3. If you’re traveling via the Lunar New Year holidays, it’s quite common to find greatly discounted tickets which will easily cost half than a Puyuma train ticket. See more details here (only in Chinese):  Taipei Bus  |  Ubus

Alternatively, take a bus to Luodong  and continue your journey by  train to Hualien . However, as these combo tickets are only slightly cheaper and the travel time is nearly the same as the train, I wouldn’t recommend using this transport option.

Joining a Taroko Gorge day trip Tour from Taipei

Another option you might want to consider is taking a  shared sightseeing car from Taipei to Hualien . The journey takes about 8 hours, but it’s a great way to see a bit more of Taiwan’s beautiful coastline. The charter stops by several iconic sights in Taiwan, including Jiufen, Qingshui Cliff, the Nanfang-ao viewing platform, and Yilan Jimmy Park.

How to get from Hualien to Taroko Gorge

Unless you stay within the Taroko National Park at Tianxiang or near the park’s entrance, the best place to stay is in Hualien.  (More on accommodation later).  Although it is a 40-minute ride to the National Park, basing yourself here would give you so much more freedom to explore the city and surrounding areas. Not to mention, you’ll have better accommodation and food options.

There are a few ways to travel between Taroko Park and Hualien, the easiest being driving a car or renting a scooter. Buses also run daily between Hualien and Taroko. Here’s what you need to know about each one.

Getting to Taroko Gorge By Car

There are plenty of car rental companies available in Hualien itself, so you could easily take the train to Hualien and then rent a car upon arrival. However, it is important to note that you need a valid local or international license .

Another thing to know is that driving within the park has some constraints – the roads are quite narrow with tons of twists and turns, and traffic can get congested easily – especially if there are roadworks underway. Also, you’ll need to watch out for the huge tour buses, and finding a parking spot can sometimes be a total pain. Nonetheless, if you want to explore the park at your own pace, this is a great way to do so.

For a hassle-free journey, consider booking a  private car charter   instead. 

Driving a Scooter to Taroko Gorge

A great way to explore Taroko National Park at your own pace is by renting a scooter. This way, you’ll also get to visit some of the amazing attractions in and around Hualien.

You can rent a scooter right outside the Hualien train station – there are a plethora of scooter shops lining the parking lot towards the left. Near the exit, and between the bus and train station, is another great little shop. The owner speaks excellent English, and rentals go for NT$500 a day.

However, to rent a scooter anywhere in Taiwan, you must have a valid local license or an international license for a scooter. It’s also highly likely that you will need to leave some kind of identification at the shop to guarantee you return the scooter. So, be sure to bring some form of identification along – apart from your passport or ARC card .

If you are traveling on a shoestring, you might want to check with your accommodation beforehand whether it is possible to rent a scooter or even a vehicle through them. Many of the hotels and hostels in Hualien offer this service – often at a lower price than the scooter shops near the train station.

Taking the Hualien Bus to Taroko Gorge

The best way to reach Taroko Gorge via public transport is by bus. Buses run daily from the Hualien Bus Station (the orange building near the train station) towards Tianxiang. Although it’s pretty hassle-free to use the bus, keep in mind that the buses aren’t that frequent. So you may spend more time waiting for a bus than actually sightseeing. The best tip I can give you is to plan your schedule properly beforehand.

If you choose to use the bus to travel to/ within Taroko Gorge, I highly recommend investing in an Easy card. That way, you won’t need to bother with small change. Alternatively, you can also buy a 1-Day Pass (NT$250) or a 2-Day Pass (NT$400) at the bus station.

The earliest bus leaves Hualien at 6:30 am, and the last bus from Tianxiang is at 5 pm. The journey takes about 1 hour, and buses leave every 1.5hrs or so.

For more details, see the Taroko shuttle bus timetables .

When to visit Taroko Gorge

Taroko Gorge generally enjoys mild temperatures year-round, which drop as the elevation rises. Seeing that the elevation here rises from 60 m to 3,742 m, you might want to bring a light jacket and an umbrella along, no matter which time of year you visit.

Taiwan’s East Coast is also prone to heavy rainfall and earthquakes, so it’s vital to always keep an eye on the weather forecast before traveling here. Taroko Gorge, in particular, sees about 2000mm of rain a year, and typhoons are common from July to September.

As a rule of thumb, it’s best not to visit mountainous areas anywhere in Taiwan after extended periods of rain as rockfalls and landslides can occur here.

Like  Alishan  and  Sun Moon Lake , it’s also best to time your visit to Taroko National Park. Try to avoid weekends and public holidays when most crowds and large tour groups come.

How long to stay in Taroko Park

How much time you spend in Taroko Gorge will ultimately depend on what you’d like to get out of your trip. While it’s possible to visit Taroko on a day trip, I highly recommend staying longer as there is so much to do and see! To really get a feel of what the area offers, stay at least two to three days . This will allow sufficient time to do a few hikes and explore some of the stunning places around Hualien.

However, if you are pressed for time, this  Hualien Day Tour from Taipei is your best bet. The tour lasts 11hrs and includes a visit to Qixingtan Beach and the Swallow Grotto Trail in Taroko. 

Taroko Gorge Hotels

Taiwan’s east coast has loads of excellent accommodation options to match any budget. With that said, though, to really maximize your time in Taroko Gorge, I highly recommend staying in one of these three areas:

• Tianxiang (If you want to stay in Taroko National Park)
• Fushi Village (If you’re looking for a cheaper option, right beside the park)
• Hualien (If you’re looking for more choice and want to see more of Taiwan’s east coast)

Where to stay in Tianxiang

Silks Place  is the only 5-star hotel right in the heart of Taroko Park and the best Taroko Gorge hotel. It has beautiful rooms, a restaurant, a dreamy swimming pool, and a gym. 

Nearby you’ll also find the  Taroko Tienhsiang Youth Activity Centre  with basic rooms and a much friendlier price tag.

If you are traveling on a tight budget but still wish to stay a few nights, you could consider camping. There are two campgrounds near Tianxiang, namely Heliu and Lushui Campgrounds .

Heliu, near Cimu Bridge, has 12 wooden platforms where visitors can pitch tents. There are also bathrooms with cold water showers. A platform costs NT$300 per day and works on a “first-come, first-serve basis.”

A little further along, you will also find Lushui. Here you’ll need to pitch your tent on the grass as there are no tent platforms. Water and lighting are available too. No reservations or fees are necessary. For more details on camping, you can check out the park’s website  here .

Where to stay in Fushi Village

Fushi Village is just a stone’s throw from the Taroko National Park’s East Entrance Arch Gate. Don’t expect anything too fancy here, as this area mainly caters to budget travelers. But, if you want to base yourself near the park, this is a great option. Popular Taroko Gorge hotel options here include  Liwu Hotel  and  Yong Ying B&B .

Where to stay in Hualien

Hualien is the biggest city near Taroko Gorge and is an excellent base, especially if traveling further afield. There are many accommodation options to suit every pocket and traveling style. Here are a few places I highly recommend staying at: 

Meci Hotel   is an excellent mid-range hotel only a few hundred meters from the Hualien train station.  While the hotel’s exterior may look somewhat outdated, the interior is top-notch. You’ll find clean, trendy rooms, great staff, and lots of food choices nearby.  

Wow Hostel  is a great alternative for those traveling on a tight budget. Choose between dorm rooms or rooms with private bathrooms. The hostel is a stone’s throw away from the train station, and you can spot its bright green exterior a mile away! 

You’ll find a few posher options a bit further away from the train station. Both  Lakeshore Hotel Hualien  and   LeaLea Garden Hotels – Hualien  are excellent choices if you’re looking for an upscale stay.

What to pack for Taroko Gorge

Since most of the activities in Taroko National Park are centered around hiking, make sure to pack  comfortable walking shoes  or sturdy non-slip  hiking boots . It’s also a good idea to bring along  sunscreen  if you’re visiting during the warmer months. Other must-pack items include  mosquito repellant , a refillable  water bottle , and an umbrella . Oh, and don’t forget your  camera  – you’re going to need it!

Also, check out my Taiwan packing list for more tips on what to pack. 

Best Taroko Gorge Hiking Trails & Things to do

Great, now that you know all the ins and outs of planning a Taroko Gorge trip, it’s time to find out what to do!

There are loads of amazing things to do in Taroko Gorge. The National Park is home to some of the most incredible  hiking trails in Taiwan , and it’s easy to explore the area whether you’re planning a  day trip from Taipei  or a bit longer. Here are the best Taroko Gorge hiking trails and top things to do in Taroko National Park.

Shakadang Trail

Altitude: 60m | Length of trail: 4.4km | Time: 3-4 hrs | Difficulty: Fairly Easy |  MAP

Just a short drive or walk from the park’s Visitors Center, you will find the Shakadang trail. There is a small parking area near the Shakadang bridge’s entrance if you need parking. The trailhead starts to the right of the bridge – follow the small staircase down to start the hike.

The Shakadang trail, also known as the “Mysterious Valley trail,” is an easy hike and one not to miss while visiting Taroko National Park. The course takes you past the river valley, renowned for its deep azure rock pools, beautiful natural scenery, and diverse plant and animal life.

Note this trail runs near a restricted area home to the local Truku people – please pass by respectfully. You might also see some of the locals selling snacks and handmade souvenirs along the trail from time to time.

The trail ends at 3D Cabin, and if you want to continue past this point, you would need an entry permit to do so. You can find more details on obtaining permits for Dali and Datung  here .

If you happen to visit Taroko in May, this is a great place to see the beautiful Tung blossoms in bloom.

Eternal Spring Shrine Trail (Changchun Trail)

Altitude: 85m | Length of trail: 1.35km | Time: 30mins | Difficulty: Fairly Easy |  MAP

No visit to Taroko Gorge would be complete without dropping by one of the most iconic landmarks in Taiwan – the Eternal Spring Shrine. The shrine was built in memory of 226 veterans who died constructing the Central Cross-Island Highway between 1956-1960 and plays an important role in the park’s history.

The small shrine is perched on the side of a mountain, and a beautiful waterfall flows nearby. It’s a spectacular sight to see and one you definitely shouldn’t miss when visiting Taroko Gorge.

The trail leading to the shrine is currently only partially open, so best to keep an eye on the  park’s road and trails page  for any updates before you visit. Remember to wear sturdy shoes as the path is quite slippery.

If you don’t feel like hiking via the East trailhead, you can still get an amazing view from the observation deck. The small coffee shop beneath the walkway also offers an excellent vantage point and is a terrific spot to enjoy a cuppa while marveling at the shrine from a distance. The entrance is right next to the bus stop.

The Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou Trail)

Altitude: 274m | Length of trail: 1.37km | Time: 10-30 mins | Difficulty: Easy |  MAP

The Swallow Grotto trail takes you past towering marble walls covered in lush vegetation, with the Liwu rushing by below.

The hike follows the old road all the way to Jinheng Bridge and is an easy walk. Generally, you only need about 20 minutes to finish a leg but as the scenery is mindblowing, work on more if you want to stop for photo ops. Apart from getting a bird’s-eye view of the magnificent gorge, potholes resembling swallow nests, and weird rock formations, you can also spot the” Chieftain Profile Rock” along the way. This rockface has been carved out by years and years of water erosion. The best place to spot this rockface is from the observation deck at Jingheng Park, at the trail’s end. It’s also an excellent spot to take a breather and enjoy the beautiful scenery. There is a small coffee shop where you can enjoy a bite to eat, grab some refreshments or shop for local souvenirs too.

You should ideally wear a hardhat/ helmet when following this trail, as rockfalls aren’t uncommon. You can borrow a hard hat at the Xipan check-in/check-out Service Station, but many visitors wear a scooter helmet.

Zhuilu Old Road Trail

Altitude: 765m | Length of trail: 3.1km | Time: 5-6 hours | Difficulty: Intermediate |  MAP  

At the Swallow Grotto’s east trailhead, you’ll spot the Zhuilu Suspension Bridge – this is where the Zhuilu Old Trail starts.

The Zhuilu Old Trail is one of the most famous (and dangerous trails) in Taroko Gorge. It follows through lush jungle and along a narrow path with sweeping views over the valley below. The Zhuilu Old Road plays an important role in Taroko’s history as it’s part of the Old Cross-Hehuan Mountain Road – a former means to connect to the local Truku villages.

The trail is only partially open (Zhuilu Suspension Bridge to the Cliff Outpost) due to rockfall damages, but it’s still worth doing. However, to complete this hike you’ll need to apply for a Park Entry Permit . Only 96 permits are issued per weekday, and 156 on weekends and holidays, so plan in advance. You’ll also need two copies of the permit, an ID card and NT$200 cash, which you need to take to the small office near the Zhuilu Suspension Bridge before accessing the trail.

The trail is open from 7 am – 6 pm, but you’re only allowed to enter it between 7 am – 10 am. If you decide to do this hike, it’s important to know that the terrain is very rugged and the cliff is narrow. You should really  only  attempt this hike if you are  fit  and  not scared of heights . Spotting poisonous creatures along the trail isn’t uncommon either.

Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail (Jiuqudong)

Altitude: 300m | Length of trail: 700m | Time: 30-40 mins | Difficulty: Easy |  MAP

The Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail is one of the most amazing trails in Taroko and well worth your time.

You can only enter and exit at the west end of the trailhead, but the trail takes you along an underpass lined with cliffs, dramatic marble walls, waterfalls, and the Liwu River. Just a stone’s throw from the entrance, you can follow the Waterscape trail to get closer to the valley and the Liwu River.

Other important points of interest, such as the “Fish Leaping over the Dragon’s Gate” and the “Coiled Dragon of the Nine Turns,” can also be found on the way.

Tianxiang ( map ) is a large terraced area and also the biggest village within Taroko National Park. Here you will find the prestigious 5-star Silks Place Taroko as well as a few cheaper options to stay at.

Apart from popping by the Sakuma Samata Shrine, you can also grab a bite to eat at one of the many vendors or small restaurants, dishing up local delicacies before heading out to the Pudu bridge. From here, you can access the Tianfeng Pagoda and some small temples.

Baiyang Waterfall Trail

Altitude: 480m | Length of trail: 2.1km | Time: 1hr | Difficulty: Fairly Easy |  MAP

Another famous trail is the Baiyang Waterfall Trail – a few hundred meters west of Tianxiang. The trail leads you past several tunnels before reaching this  breathtaking Taiwan waterfall . Please note that you can only enter the first Water Curtain due to safety reasons.

It takes about 2 hours to complete a round trip, and you might want to bring a flashlight as the tunnels can be a bit dark. It’s also extremely important to check the Taroko website for safety warnings before attempting this hike.

Taroko Park in Conclusion

If you’re spending some time in Taiwan, you should definitely add Taroko Gorge to your list of things to do! It’s one of the most beautiful places in Taiwan and one you certainly won’t regret visiting!

Well, that wraps up this Taroko Gorge guide. If you have any tips or suggestions for fellow travelers visiting Taroko Gorge, let me know in the comments below so that I can add to this list of epic things to do in Taroko!

Ready to plan your trip? Pin this Guide to Visiting Taroko Gorge for quick reference later.

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July 14, 2019 at

Love Taiwan! I Loved the food there too!

Glad to hear that – it is indeed an amazing place to explore! Thanks for stopping by.

September 11, 2022 at

Do you think it’s feasible to do Zhuilu Old Road followed by several (2 or 3) of the other trails in one day? We stay in Hualien, will go by bus to Taroko, don’t have car/scooter, and we have the permit for Zhuilu. We’ll rely on Uber or public transport to go from one start point to another. Thanks!

September 17, 2022 at

Hey Maxim, the Zhuili Old trail is quite an intense hike taking roughly 6 hours. You also need to enter and exit at specific times, so you might not have enough time (or energy) to tackle a few other trails. If possible, I suggest adding another day to your itinerary so that you can explore the rest of the trails at a more relaxed pace.

March 19, 2023 at

Hi! Our family will be there in Taiwan this April. We plan to go to Taroko even if we have a 2yr old and a 7yr old with us. My question – I read there are easy trails that are paved all the way. Can I use the baby stroller in these trails? I am interested in these trails: 1. Swallow Grotto Trail 2. Eternal Spring Shrine Trail 3. Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail 4. Cimu Bridge 5. Xiangde Temple Trail

Super thanks in advance for your inputs!

March 28, 2023 at

Hey Binky, you should be fine. The only trail that you probably won’t be able to use the stroller is the Eternal Shrine one, cause the path to the shrine is cut out in the rock face. There are quite a few stairs to climb down to the entrance and the path itself is very uneven. It’s not that far to the actual shrine, though, but if you want to do the entire circular route it takes about an hour.

June 12, 2023 at

Love this!! I’m a solo traveller and have found this super helpful!! I stayed at meci Hotel and took the bus to taroko gorge and it worked perfectly well. I even used the links you provided for buying my train ticket from taipei to hualien. Also checked out your recommended trails!

Thanks for being so thorough!

June 13, 2023 at

That’s amazing, Ri – thank you! So glad you had an amazing trip!

July 2, 2023 at

I am going to travel Solo to Taiwan in the next 2 weeks, I just want to know how you went navigating Taroko Gorge? Did you walk everywhere or did you rent a bicycle?

Hopefully, you will see this!

July 7, 2023 at

Hey Vic – no, I usually rent a scooter or we drive a car. But you can also take the bus there and I believe it stops at some of the places inside the park.

August 22, 2023 at

thank you very much for the detailed explanation each time! I follow quite some travel blogs, but yours is definitely one of the top on my list of sites to check for details! 😉

September 2, 2023 at

Thanks so much David – that’s so lovely to hear. Glad you find it useful.

August 30, 2023 at

Hi, Thanks for the great information on all your blogs. We have 1 day in taroko, we have a 8 yo and a 6 yo ( so realistically approx 6 hrs); we will have a car. What would your top 3-4 trails be to do?

September 3, 2023 at

Hey Doreen – my faves are the Eternal Shrine, Swallow Grotto and the Shakadang trail. They are all low key hikes, so suitable for kids. You probably won’t have time to finish the entire Shakadang trail, but you can see a good portion of it with the time you have. Hope that helps!

September 27, 2023 at

Hi. We are planning our trip in December and have limited time. We’re debating whether to visit Tarogo Gorge and Hualien. We are travelling with 2 seniors with limited mobility. It seems it’s mostly trails and hikes and the two seniors will not be able to participate much. Is it still worthwhile to visit or spend the time elsewhere? Would love your expertise. Thank you!

September 28, 2023 at

Hey Christina, Taroko is mostly a hiking area, but you don’t necessarily need to hike to enjoy the scenery. Some of the areas are wheelchair friendly and you could also just drive through the park without walking around much. The scenery is really spectacular, so if you can, it’s worth a visit.

October 23, 2023 at

Hi. Thank you for a detailed write up. I am travelling with my husband in November 2023 and I have a phobia of monkeys. Is it safe to hike there and what should I expect ?

October 24, 2023 at

Hi Preeti – you should be fine. I don’t recall ever spotting monkeys there, and I’ve been a bunch times! Expect to see spiders and bugs at most.

October 25, 2023 at

Thanks Mariza. I really appreciate that 😊

October 26, 2023 at

No problem, Preeti. If you do happen to spot some, just remain calm and don’t make eye contact.

November 4, 2023 at

Hi, thanks for all the great info and tips! Based on your write-up (and the fact that the Tienhsiang Youth Activity Centre is unfortunately booked up during our travel dates), we are thinking of staying in Fushi Village. Just curious, is further transportation needed between Fushi and the gorge and all of the hikes? You noted it’s a stone’s throw, so was hoping we could just step out of the B&B’s in the village and essentially start walking! Thanks!

Hey Justin, sorry to hear the hostel is all booked up for your dates – that’s a real bummer. But yes, there are a few places to stay outside the park, right near the entrance gate. You want to specifically search for “ Xiulin Township ” on Google Maps, and look for accommodation within walking distance to the Taroko Archway (the entrance gate to the park). From the entrance gate, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the Visitor’s Center, where you can access some trails (incl. one that connects to the Shakadang Trail). However, if you want to go all the way to Tianxiang, it will probably take a few hours to walk because it’s about 30 mins (17km) away by car/scooter. If that’s too intense and you want to avoid renting your own wheels, you can consider taking the bus or check with your hotel if they offer bike rentals.

February 15, 2024 at

Hello, thanks so much for all the info on this blog…. Taroko National Park. The only part I am still confused is , how to tour around to the rest of the points once get to Tianxiang (by bus). Is the bus like a shuttle I can hop on/off to drop me at certain vista points? And if I ride the bus from Hualien to Tianxiang… on the way there are points like Changchun Shrine, Buluowan Bridge or Tunnel of nine turn, can I get off the bus to walk around then hop back on next bus to keep going to Tianxiang.? Thank so much… I am planning to go Taiwan, first time, stay there for a week from 4/19 to 4/26.

Hey Joy, thanks for stopping by. There are a couple of buses you can take to Taroko Gorge but I think your best bet is to take Ubus 310 . It’s like a hop-on-hop-off bus and allows you to get on/off at any of the stops along the route. You can check out the schedule and stops for Ubus #310 here. From quickly looking at the schedule though, it doesn’t look like bus 310 stops at the Eternal Spring Shrine, but you can try bus 310A . It’s the bus that goes back to Hualien, so you’ll need to be in the park already to take it to the temple. It might require a bit of planning, but Google Maps works very well in TW, especially in more touristy spots.

The bus info page on the Taroko Gorge website summarizes all the options you can take, so have a look at that too. Hope that helps!

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Lists by Lukiih 🍀

Practical travel guides with less fluff

• 🍃 How to Plan a Taroko Gorge Day Trip from Taipei

Taroko Gorge, the landmark of Taroko National Park, is one of Taiwan’s best natural attractions and a great day trip from Taipei.

Taroko Gorge was one of the highlights of my Taiwan trip , and here, I share practical tips on visiting it . This post covers:

• 🚗 How to get to it from Taipei
• 🚙 How to get around
• 🗓️ A day trip itinerary
• ⭐️ Top 11 attractions
• 📍 Map with key places
• 🎒 What to pack

Planning a trip? Here’s  what to know about Taiwan .

Taroko Gorge at a Glance

• Organized Tour
• Public Transportation
• Getting Around

Taroko Gorge Map

• Day Trip Itinerary
• 1. Shakadang Trail
• 2. Eternal Spring Shrine
• 3. Buluowan Suspension Bridge

1. Swallow Grotto

• 2. Taroko Village Hotel

3. Zhuilu Old Trail

4. tunnel of nine turns, 5. changuang shrine, 6. baiyang trail and falls, 7. qixingtan beach, 8. qingshui cliffs.

• What To Pack

Taiwan Trip Planner

Lists By Lukiih is readers-supported. When you buy with my affiliate link, I may earn a small commission. Thanks!

Here is some general information on Taroko Gorge National Park to help you plan your trip.

⛰️ What Is Taroko Gorge Known For?

Taroko Gorge, a stunning marble gorge carved by the Liwu River millions of years ago, is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and dramatic landscapes .

It is particularly known for its marble formations , which include the canyons, tunnels, and cliffs.

📍Where Is Taroko Gorge Located?

Taroko National Park is located in Hualien County on the eastern side of Taiwan.

Most park visitors travel from the capital city of Taipei or the nearby city of Hualien City:

• Taipei – From Taipei, you’ll have to travel about 90 miles (approximately a two-and-a-half-hour train journey) southeast to the national park.
• Hualien – From Hualien City, you’ll have to travel about 15 miles north (about a 30-minute drive) to the national park.

For a closer day trip from Taipei, visit the picturesque town of Jiufen .

☀️ Best Time To Visit Taroko Gorge

The best time to visit Taroko Gorge is from November to April when the weather is pleasantly mild (65 °F to 78 °F) and there is a lower chance of rain. That said, Taroko Gorge has decent weather year-round.

The rainiest months are between June and September and the most humid months are between May and September.

🕜 When Is Taroko Gorge Open?

According to Taroko National Park’s official website , the park is “open to the public at all times and all days of the year.”

⏳ How Long To Spend in Taroko Gorge?

Taroko National Park is 26 miles wide and has over a dozen attractions.

You can spend a full day visiting its top attractions or stay for two to three days to deeply explore the park and do its numerous hiking trails.

In this post, I will  focus on how to do a full-day trip  to Taroko Gorge because I did just that and can talk about it from firsthand experience.

I recommend staying  in Hualien City  for a night if you’re coming from Taipei. Getting to Taroko Gorge from Taipei takes five hours, so it’s a long one-day trip. You’ll also get to explore  Hualien’s night market , which was my favorite Taiwanese night market.

💰 Does Taroko Gorge Have an Entrance Fee?

Taroko National Park has no entrance fee , so it’s free. The only exception is  Zhuilu Old Trail , a narrow trail with limited edge protection with a 200 NT (roughly $6) fee.

If you visit Taroko Gorge with a full-day tour group, expect to pay over $100 . This is especially true if you want the tour guide to speak English (tours in Mandarin are cheaper). Multi-day tours are also available for over $500.

I share my travel expenses in this Taiwan cost breakdown .

All prices mentioned here are in USD 💵 .

How To Get to Taroko Gorge From Taipei

You can reach Taroko National Park from Taipei by booking a tour that includes transportation or taking public transit to Hualien City, where the park is located.

🚗 Option 1: Taroko Gorge Guided Tour

The easiest way to visit Taroko National Park from Taipei is by booking an organized tour with a local guide, which will include round-trip transportation.

Taroko Gorge tour groups will provide a  private vehicle  to drive you or  take care of train tickets on your behalf.

Since it takes two and a half hours to travel one way, Taroko Gorge tours from Taipei usually have early morning pickup times (e.g., 5:30 am or 6:30 am).

🚆 Option 2: Public Transportation

The more affordable way to get to Taroko Gorge from Taipei is to take a train to Hualien Station.

From the Hualien train station, you have two options:

• Book a tour –  Taroko Gorge guided tours usually pick visitors up from the Hualien station. This is what I did.
• Visit independently – From the station, you can visit the national park on your own. See the Taroko Gorge itinerary below .

Here’s how to take the train from Taipei to Taroko Gorge:

Which Train to Take from Taipei to Taroko Gorge

You have two train options to get from Taipei to Hualien Station:

• Express Train – These trains will take you to Hualien City in under three hours. The fastest trains to Hualien City are the Taroko Express and Puyuma Express, which cost 440 NT (about $14) per trip.
• Local Train – These trains will take three to four hours.

You can see all train schedules on Taiwan Railway’s website .

How To Purchase a Train Ticket to Taroko Gorge

To purchase a train ticket from Taipei to Hualien Station, you can do it online or in person.

Option #1: Online

The most convenient way to get a train ticket online is through the TRA mobile app ( iOS , Android ) since the train’s website is confusing and doesn’t let you claim the ticket. Here are three tips to keep in mind:

• You must claim your ticket – Booking a train ticket only reserves it. If you don’t claim your ticket (in person or digitally) within 20 minutes of departure time, they can release your ticket to another passenger.
• Turn on “English mode” on the TRA app – Once you overcome the small annoyance of figuring out how to turn on English mode, booking and claiming your ticket on the app is easy.
• Each rider needs to claim their own ticket – One rider cannot claim multiple tickets. This means that each rider will have to download the app separately.

Option #2: In Person

You can purchase a train ticket in person if you don’t want to deal with the potentially confusing mobile app.

Some Hualien train times are very popular and need to be booked in advance . Some afternoon departures were already sold out when I booked a train to Hualien a week in advance.

Most trains will depart from the Taipei Main Station . Google Maps has several “Taipei Main Stations,” depending on whether you’re catching a train, bus, or the MRT. Double-check the “Subway services” section of the location on Google Maps to make sure it is the right place .

How To Get Around Taroko Gorge

Once in Hualien’s city center, Taroko Gorge’s entrance is about a 30-minute drive away.

You can explore Taroko Gorge by  car, train, cycling, bus, or an organized tour. 

A  mountain highway runs east-west across Taroko National Park (see yellow line in the map below). Every hiking trail and attraction is located near the highway, sometimes on the side of the road.

🚗 Option 1: Car or Motorbike Rental

You can rent a car or motorbike to explore Taroko Gorge National Park.

You must have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to drive in Taiwan legally. Once you’re in the park, you can navigate to the different attractions on your own.

👍 Pros : This option offers the most flexibility. Navigating Taroko Gorge is not difficult as most attractions are either on or near the main road, Zhongbu Cross-island Highway.

👎 Cons : Parking can be difficult. Many attractions do not have sufficient parking when they are crowded (I experienced this firsthand). You also need to be aware of any road closures and research the best times to visit each attraction to avoid crowds.

🛞 Option 2: Hire a Driver

If you can’t or don’t want to drive or navigate yourself, you can  hire a driver  to take you to the various attractions in Taroko Gorge.

This option will give you  some flexibility.  A driver will have basic knowledge of the park but will not give you an in-depth tour like a professional tour guide.

🗺️ Option 3: Taroko Gorge Guided Tour

The most convenient way to get to and see Taraoko Gorge is to hire a guide . They’ll pick you up at your accommodation or the Hualien Station. You won’t need to plan much and get the opportunity to learn a lot about the park.

I did my tour through  Island Life Taiwan  and highly recommend my tour guide, Iris, who was energetic, entertaining, and knowledgeable (e.g., she knew a lot about the park’s history and the best way to avoid crowds and road closures).

🚌 Option 4: Public Bus

For the most affordable, but inconvenient option, you can also explore Taroko Park by a tourist shuttle bus.

You want the  1133A bus  (catch it from a bright orange building next to the train station), and it costs  250 NT (about $8) for a full-day pass.

You’ll need to look up bus stop locations and the bus timetable to ensure you can visit all the attractions within a reasonable time as  the bus doesn’t come that frequently.

🚴 Option 5: Cycling

For those who are more adventurous, you can get to and explore Taroko Gorge by cycling. You can do this on your own by renting a bike or by taking a guided cycling tour ,

It’s best to cycle through the park when it’s less crowded (e.g., not during holidays or the weekends) as some roads are fairly narrow, and you’ll need to share them with vehicles.

This map has all the Taroko Gorge attractions mentioned in this post.

Taroko Gorge Day Trip Itinerary

This Taroko Gorge itinerary  efficiently sequences attractions  and activities the park is famous for.

I’ve also included  suggested times for each activity  based on my firsthand experience.

The Taiwan trip planner below has this itinerary prefilled.

🗓️ With More Time in Taroko Gorge

If you have extra time or days in Taroko Gorge, consider making these modifications to the itinerary above:

• After visiting the Eternal Spring Shrine , head to the Changuang Temple . The two attractions share one parking lot.
• After visiting the Tunnel of Nine Turns , head west to hike the Baiyang Waterfall Trail .
• If you have a second day in Hualien City , I highly recommend visiting Hualien’s night market . If you like hiking, I recommend doing more hikes in Taroko Gorge, including the Zhuilu Old Trail , which requires advanced preparation. If you’re not much of a hiker, check out the dramatic Qingshui Cliffs , located 20 minutes north.

Top 3 Attractions in Taroko Gorge

Taroko Gorge has over a dozen attractions and things to do, including waterfalls, trail hikes, and shrines.

Here are the top three attractions based on hundreds of reviews and my firsthand experience.

1. Hike the Shakadang Trail

🤔 Why : The Shakadang Trail, also called the Mysterious Valley Trail, is a crowd favorite and likely the best place to visit in Taroko Gorge.

The trail requires an easy 3-mile hike through a lush forest following a river with stunning, sky-blue water. If you’re lucky, you’ll see some wildlife.

About a mile into the trail, you’ll come across Trukku people, a Taiwanese aboriginal tribe, selling beverages, snacks, and gifts in a few small stalls. Make sure to bring some cash if you want to buy something and support them.

📍 Getting There : The Shakadang Trail starts here , near the entrance of Taroko National Park.

⏰ Suggested Duration : The trail takes approximately two hours to hike.

Being one of the most popular attractions in Tarako Gorge and closest to the entrance, Shakadang Trail can get extremely crowded so it’s best to go as early as possible and make it your first stop.

🍀 Lukiih’s Take: I was on the trail by 9 am and it was mostly empty, so there were fewer tourists than usual. Walking through the tranquil Shakadang Trail while admiring the turquoise-blue water was an amazing way to start my trip.

Return to itinerary ↑

2. Visit the Eternal Spring Shrine

🤔 Why : The Eternal Spring Shrine, another popular tourist stop, is a cluster of colorful shrines tucked into the mountain with a waterfall spewing out underneath.

It was built to honor the 200+ workers who died while working on the highway in the early 1900s.

📍 Getting There : You can see the Eternal Spring Shrine from the parking lot here , which is also where you can start the walk to the shrine after crossing a bridge and going into some tunnels.

⏰ Suggested Duration : If you take the tunnel to the Eternal Spring Shrine, budget 20 minutes walking and visiting it. If the tunnels are closed due to landslides, 10 minutes looking at the surrounding area is sufficient.

🍀 Lukiih’s Take: The shrine is great to admire both from far away and up close. Although the shrine is not as intricate as other Taiwanese temples I’ve seen, it’s still fun to walk through the tunnels leading up to it and see the waterfall.

3. Walk the Buluowan Suspension Bridge

🤔 Why : The Buluowan Suspension Bridge is one of Taiwan’s tallest bridges, but it leads to nowhere. It was built to give visitors the chance to admire the stunning panoramic view of the valley.

📍 Getting There : To visit the Buluowan Suspension Bridge, you can park here and walk to the terrace before crossing the bridge.

⏰ Suggested Duration : Budget 20 to 30 minutes to cross the bridge.

🍀 Lukiih’s Take: I found the suspension bridge a bit odd since it didn’t lead anywhere, but I can’t deny that the views from it were breathtaking even on a rainy day.

8 Great Things To Do in Taroko Gorge

If you can spend an entire day or more at Taroko Gorge, here are eight other great things you can see and do there.

Swallow Grotto is one of the narrowest parts of Taroko Gorge , with amazing sheer cliffs.

While walking the short 0.7-mile-long Swallow Grotto Trail, you can see the steep marble cliffs that have little holes in them, which are popular nesting spots for swallows .

Due to falling rocks, you’re advised to wear a hard hat when visiting this area. The park provides them for free at the entrance.

2. Lunch at Taroko Village Hotel

There are several restaurants you can eat at in Taroko Gorge and Tarako Village Hotel is one of the few where you can have an amazing, delicious aboriginal meal . My lunch was included as part of my tour package.

Zhuilu Old Trail is a narrow trail with limited edge protection next to a 1,500+ feet cliff drop. It’s a difficult, but adventurous hike that takes hours and requires a permit.

The number of visitors is limited to ~100 per day on weekdays and increases to ~150 a day on the weekends. Had I known about this trail in advance, I would have liked to hike it on my second day in Taroko Gorge.

Zhuilu Old Trail is the only attraction in Taroko National Park that has an entrance fee .

The Tunnel of Nine Turns is a well-maintained 30-minute walk featuring nine turns. It’s a fairly scenic route and showcases impressive engineering as the builders had to build it through the gorge.

Changuang Temple is near the Eternal Spring Shrine and can be barely seen from far away. You can visit the temple if you walk 15 minutes further from the Eternal Spring Shrine.

Although not many people make the trek to it, you will be rewarded with a higher gorgeous view of the surrounding area if you do. I wasn’t able to make it since I was running on a tight schedule with the tour, but I would have liked to.

The Baiyang Trail is an easy hike that is less than an hour long and features a waterfall, cliffs, and tunnels. It’s recommended that you bring a flashlight if you plan to visit it, as there are no lights in the tunnels.

Between the Tunnel of Nine Turns and the Baiyang Trail, you can also make a quick stop by a nice red bridge called the Cimu Bridge .

Qixingtan Beach is not inside Taroko Gorge, but it’s a good halfway stop between the national park and Hualien City. This makes it a great last stop during your trip. The beach is filled with gray and silver pebbles that contrast against a clear, blue ocean.

Qingshui Cliffs is located 20 minutes north of Taroko Gorge and another place with beautiful scenery. At 2,600 feet tall, it features some of Taiwan’s highest coastal cliffs.

What To Pack and Wear for Taroko Gorge

Taroko Gorge has a subtropical climate, so you can expect a mix of humidity, rain and sunshine when visiting.

Depending on which attractions you plan to visit, you can wear casual clothes or more active, athletic ones .

Here’s a complete packing list for Taroko Gorge:

• Light rain jacket or poncho – Taroko Gorge has four seasons, and it can rain all year around, with the wettest month being October and the driest month being December. When I visited in October, the day started dry, but rained in the afternoon, so I was glad I brought my rain jacket . If you prefer to carry something lighter to save space, these rain ponchos also work well.
• Umbrella (optional)  – Many other visitors brought umbrellas instead since the rain can be abrupt and hard. Some areas, like the Buluowan Bridge, can get windy, so make sure to pack a windproof umbrella .

• Running shoes or hiking shoes – The paths in Taroko National Park are well-maintained, so you can visit most of the park with just a pair of running shoes . I wore my hiking shoes , which I didn’t think was necessary for the terrain, but I was glad that they were waterproof.
• Water – Most attractions in the park will not have water readily available, so bring some water. I brought my reusable water bottle that kept my water cold for hours, which is great since the weather is mostly humid and warm in Taroko Gorge.
• Mosquito repellent – Taiwan has mosquitos that can spread dengue fever (you’ll see signs in Taipei encouraging you to protect yourself), so you’ll want to pack bug spray. I like to use this bug-repellent lotion since I think it works better than the spray alternatives.
• Sunscreen (optional) – Since you’ll be outdoors the entire day, make sure to wear some sunscreen. I like to wear this dermatologist-approved and water-resistant sunscreen since it applies easily and doesn’t feel oily.
• Flashlight (optional)  – If you plan to visit Baiyang Trail, bringing a flashlight is recommended since some tunnels don’t have light.
• Snacks – The park doesn’t have food and snack stations readily available (and some of them run low on inventory), so you might also want to bring some snacks.

The Taiwan trip planner below has the above packing list in a downloadable Notion.

To make your travel planning easier , download the trip planner below and use it as a starting point. The planner has country-specific travel information, an itinerary, a packing list, and a map with key places pinned.

The trip planner is built on Notion, which I use for all my travel planning (I genuinely love this tool). If you don’t have Notion, creating an account is free .

Thoughts? Questions? Leave a comment below .

Taiwan Travel Guides

• 🇹🇼 Planning a Trip to Taiwan: 11 Practical Things To Know
• 🧋 Taiwan Guide: 5-7 Day Itinerary + 20 Great Things To Do
• 💰 My 2024 Taiwan Trip Cost: A Budget Breakdown
• 🏮 Jiufen Day Trip From Taipei: 9 Great Things To Do + Itinerary

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RENT A MOTORBIKE AT TAROKO GORGE AND IN TAIWAN

Riding a motorbike in Taroko Gorge made our day really special and fun! The rental price was $400 TWD (€11) for the day, which seemed fair to us. Also we preferred not to haggle the price due to the driving license matter. At the end of the day we topped up the tank with €2, petrol in Taiwan costs $30 TWD, or €0.90 cents per litre!

Obviously we recommend that you equip yourself with an IDP before leaving home and that you respect the laws of the country. In Taiwan everyone always uses a helmet unlike in Thailand or Vietnam , the only exception we saw was on the islet of Xiao Liu Qiu in the south.

If you have experience on a scooter and have a standard driving license you should still be able to rent one. Be careful though, because driving without an international license might invalidate your travel insurance in the event of an accident.

Drive carefully around Taroko Gorge. The road is narrow in some places, there is always a guardrail, but it has steep sections overlooking the canyon.

Speaking of which, you can get up to 20% off  with A Million Travels on Heymondo travel insurance here , or request a quote with World Nomads insurance here .

TAROKO GORGE BY BUS

Note that it is also possible to use the “Taroko Route” bus that travels through the Gorge. This will be the slowest and most inconvenient way, but the day ticket is quite cheap.

Buses are infrequent, once per hour , and stop at the highlights of the gorge. From there you can continue on foot, and then wait for the next bus when you return to the stop. We recommend using them only as a last resort if you have no alternatives.

The Taroko Bus travels between Hualien railway station and Tianxiang terminal (see below). A day pass costs $250 TWD (€7) per person, you can find all the info and timetables about the Taroko Bus here .

BACK TO HUALIEN / TRAIN TO TAIPEI

Time to go back to Hualien, mission accomplished!

Recharge your energy with food in a restaurant or at Hualien night market if you stay overnight, alternatively there are good take-aways at the train station. We opted for Popcorn Chicken, sushi and Bubble Milk Tea.

After returning the scooter to the rental, we headed to the station, tired but happy from the memorable day at Taroko Gorge.

Our guide to visiting Taroko Gorge in one day from Taipei or in two days from Hualien ends here. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions!

We wish you an epic trip to Taroko Gorge!

• What to see in 3 days in Taipei
• Day trip to Shifen and Jiufen, Taiwan
• Alishan train, sunrise and best trails
• Guide to trains in Taiwan

ONLINE IDP – INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT We recommend getting an International Driving Permit online if you’re planning to drive a vehicle abroad. The International Drivers Association offers a reliable online service that allows to get a digital+physical licence even if you’re already travelling, valid and accepted in 150+ countries worldwide. More info on the official website .

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Never leave home without a reliable travel insurance. Better safe than sorry. We recommend two options for you to compare. Get a quote with Worldnomads here , and get up to 20% off your travel insurance  with Heymondo here.

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Taroko National Park – highlights, and how to visit on a day trip from Taipei

August 28, 2019 By James Clark 11 Comments

Taroko National Park is one of the highlights of Taiwan, with the Taroko Gorge ranking among the great natural wonders of Asia.

When I was planning my trip most of the information I found was from travel agents selling tours. If you are in Taipei on a short visit it is possible to visit Taroko National Park independently as a day trip from Taipei. It will take a bit of planning though as it’s a full day of travel and not something you can just roll out of bed and go to.

The closest big city to Taroko is Hualien on the east coast of the island. Getting there from the west coast is more time consuming as there is no direct bus or train across the middle of the island.

The Central Mountain Range runs from north to south down the middle of the island, and once you visit Taroko you will understand why there is no easy access across the island (hint: the mountain range is HUGE). It’s this mountain range, and the rivers that have carved their way through it, that makes Taroko so spectacular.

This guide details how to visit Taroko National Park as a day trip from Taipei, the best sites to visit in the park, and where to stay if you prefer to stay longer than a day. This itinerary is for public transport, using the train and the useful local bus that serves the park. There are scooter rental agents near the Hualien Railway Station if you prefer to go by motorbike.

Taroko National Park Map

This map shows Taroko National Park in relation to Hualien and Taipei.

Getting to Hualien / Taroko National Park

Hualien is the gateway city to Taroko National Park, and the train is the best way to get there.

The first train leaves Taipei at 06:14 and arrives at Hualien at 08:20. I bought a ticket the night before at Taipei Main Station to make sure I had a seat.

Depending on what train you get the trip will take between 2 hours and 3 hours, 40 minutes. Check train times online at Taiwan Railways Timetable Information .

I got one of the Mountain Line trains to Hualien, and living up to its name you pass through some lovely mountain scenery on the way. This is nothing though compared to what you will experience later.

The station at Hualien is an architectural highlight of the city with its wavy wooden roof.

At Hualien there is a tourist information centre outside the station. The bus for Taroko National Park departs from here, and you can get tickets and a timetable from the office. The ticket cost NT$ 250 ($7.95 USD), and that can be used all day.

The bus runs throughout the day, stopping at the main spots within the park. Get the timetable so you can plan the day ahead. As much as I enjoy wandering at my own pace, if you are doing Taroko in a day then you will need to be mindful of the bus timetable. A missed bus could mean an hour or more waiting for the next one.

It takes 40 minutes to get from Hualien to Taroko National Park. The bus also stops at Xincheng Railway Station on the way to the park. You could technically get off at this station coming from Taipei, but the fast trains don’t stop here anyway.

Highlights of Taroko National Park

The highlights of Taroko National Park are spread out along a long road that runs through the gorge, so it’s not like you can just turn up and walk around. The bus stops at the most interesting sites, giving an ideal introduction to the park. Entrance to the park is free.

Visitor Centre

The first stop in the park is at the information centre.

There are some walking paths here and an information movie on show, but in hindsight I should have just kept going to the first big walk. If you only have a day then your time is better spent going to the next stop.

Shakadang Trail

It’s at the Shakadang Trail that you start to see why this park is so famous. The bus stop is on a bridge on the other side of a tunnel.

From the bridge there are stairs that go down to the walking path that follows a river. At the path level the Shakadang Bridge reveals itself to be more photogenic.

The trail is carved into the side of the cliff that follows the crystal-clear waters of the Shakadang River.

Some sections of the river are so blue and green that it’s hard to believe it’s a natural colour.

I saw plenty of big spiders, but fortunately there were no encounters with poisonous bees and snakes.

The bees and snakes warning somehow reminded me of a Simpsons episode with this quote:

“Oh yeah, what are you gonna do? Release the dogs? Or the bees? Or the dogs with bees in their mouth and when they bark they shoot bees at you?”

In this case I thought of snakes with bees in their mouth and when they hiss they shoot bees at you. That is something you would expect in Australia.

Getting back to the trail, there is only one way so you have to backtrack to get to the bus stop. The great thing about this walk is that you pass through rugged mountain scenery but it is almost entirely flat, so there are no arduous mountain climbs. This is the sort of nature walk I can get behind (apart from the poisonous bees).

Keep track of how long you have been walking to make sure you can walk back and get the next bus.

Swallow Grotto

After a walk that would rank as a highlight for any other national park, it’s on to the main attraction of the park – the gorge.

The bus stop to get off at is Yanzikou (Swallow Grotto). At the stop you will see two suspension bridges, but they are reserved for those who have booked a walk on the Zhuilu Old Road. That gives me a good excuse to come back.

A short walk from the bus stop is the Swallow Grotto. The water in river is grey from the marble stone, and the road and walkway is carved inside the mountain with openings to view the river and gorge.

Like the Grand Canyon in the US, I found that no picture can do justice the feeling of seeing this in real life. This gorge is indeed gorgeous, and no one who has seen this gorge will begrudge you of using this pun.

On the other side of the tunnel system is a refreshment area with a cafe and restaurant. The prices here are at tourist prices, so if you can hold out until the next stop there are more food options.

Xiangde Temple

At the end of the bus route is the township of Tianxiang. There are hotels, restaurants and convenience stores here, and walking paths from the town.

The highlight here is the Xiangde Temple, which has a good view of the town and its bridges.

There are a troop of Formosan Macaques in the town as well.

One of the things I didn’t stop at but I saw through the bus window was the Changchun (Eternal Spring) Shrine. The bus only stops here on the way back from the park, so allow for that if you want to see it.

Bonus Stop: Xincheng Beach

If you have time left in your day then make a stop at Xincheng Beach. This is the last stop on the bus between the park and Hualien. The beach is made of large stones, sort of like Brighton Beach and Nice in the south of France. I’m more of a white sandy beach kind of guy, but I was surprised with how smooth the stones were, and how soothing the waves from the Pacific Ocean sounded when filtering through the stones. When you sit on the “sand” you make a little dent as the stones give way to your weight. It’s like a cold stone massage.

There is a walkway along the beach with a market, though that wasn’t open during the day.

Returning to Taipei

At the time of my visit the last bus leaves Tianxiang at 17:55 and arrives at Hualien Railway Station at 19.25. The last train from Hualien to Taipei departs at 22:00 so it’s possible to stay in the park for the entire day and have time for dinner in Hualien.

I booked a ticket in advance just to be sure I had a return seat. It turned out that my ride back to Taipei was on the Hello Kitty Train.

There is no high-speed rail on the east coast of Taiwan, but it’s still pretty fast compared to where I’m from (Australia via Vietnam).

And back at Taipei Main Station after a great day out at Taroko Gorge.

Where to stay for Taroko National Park

If you have more time than a day trip from Taipei then staying near the park will be more relaxing. I stayed in Hualien City, where there are many hotels near the train station. The centre of town is further away from the station (at least not comfortably walkable), so I picked a hotel near the station to save time getting to Taroko.

I stayed at the Classic Hotel City Resort , and here are more hotels in Hualien .

Another option is to stay at Xiulin Township. This is at the Taroko Arched Gate at the stop before the Taroko Visitor Center. This would be a better option if you plan to spend more than a day exploring the park and don’t care to stay in a city. Accommodation is limited here so book in advance if you plan to stay here. The closest hotels to the entrance is Liwu Hotel Taroko and Hong Ying B&B .

Inside the park there is the Taroko Village Hotel , and if you want to splash out there is the 5-star Silks Place Taroko Hotel in Tianxiang (deep in the park at the last stop on the bus).

For official park information visit Taroko National Park .

About James Clark

James Clark is the founder of Nomadic Notes. He has been a digital nomad since 2003, and Nomadic Notes features trip reports, train travel articles , and where to stay guides . He writes about transport and urban development at Future Southeast Asia . Subscribe to the weekly travel newsletter .

August 28, 2019 at 11:13 am

Thank you James for this wonderful input about Taroko National Park..A great inclusion for the itinerary when visiting Taipei.. Ive never seen this in the tour packages and posts from those who who visited Taipei.

More Power..

August 29, 2019 at 8:00 pm

It’s great the way you decipher this place, excellent photography and great narrative work during your trip. You have a unique style, continue that well with your work.

August 31, 2019 at 10:08 am

A brilliant set of photos from Taroko and lots of useful info. Thanks for sharing, James.

September 5, 2019 at 10:35 am

Thanks for giving this useful information, with beautiful pictures. I hope you have enjoyed your trip to Taroko National Park.

December 15, 2020 at 10:27 pm

Great content. There´s not a lot of information about the details you have to consider if you want to visit Toroko National Park.

I´ll be aware of the bees and snakes when I visit. Btw, great pictures!

January 12, 2021 at 6:02 pm

Finally, I found a nice photo of Shakadang Bridge. I was told this place holds some sort of mystery. Could you feel that? Great post! Will be heading to Taipei soon

February 16, 2021 at 4:09 pm

I guess seeing macaques walking between the streets is normal in Tapei.

February 18, 2021 at 8:27 pm

Wow, I´ve never been to a beach made of stones, and tho I think I like sandy beaches more, I´m curious to know how smooth are those stones.

Great post!

March 13, 2021 at 5:19 pm

Views are amazin!

Their architecture sims to be mixed between the old and the modern. It’s pretty cool. Also, I would like to see some of the macaques.

Great work! Thanks for the info.

March 22, 2021 at 11:17 pm

This year I plan to travel to Taipei, haha it was a coincidence to find your blog. I’ve already taken note of many things you mention in your post.

March 29, 2021 at 6:40 pm

I love the fact that there is a Hello Kitty train. I definitely would take a ride there.

The weather seems kind of cloudy but still astonishing with all the mountains and vegetation.

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How to Visit Taroko National Park from Taipei

Can I take the Train to Taroko National Park?

I am in Taipei, Taiwan. Can I take the train to Taroko National Park? That was the first question I researched after booking my trip to Taiwan. I learned that Getting to Taroko National Park from Taipei should be relatively easy. There were two main methods of transportation I found online, bus and train.

The bus sounded miserable, so I booked a train ticket in advance. All of the faster express trains were already booked, so I had to take a local train. It was unfortunate because the local trains make many more stops and turn a two-hour journey into a three-and-a-half-hour journey. It would take closer to four hours before I arrived at Hualien Station, which was the closest station to Taroko National Park.

I began my journey with a 4:30 am wake-up and was at the Taipei Train Station by 5:30 am. To save time, I had retrieved my ticket the day before from a “Chinese Language Only” Vending Machine with some assistance from a nice lady. Accessing my ticket was difficult as I kept entering my ticket number when it wanted my passport number to verify my identity. Thankfully, finding my train was very easy, and I learned that I did not need to arrive at 5:30 am for a 6:25 train. I believe arriving fifteen minutes before my train’s departure would have been plenty of time.

Boarding the train from Taipei to Hualien was easy as the seats were assigned. I was assigned car 8, seat 51. On the trains in Taiwan, odd numbers are aisle seats and even numbers window seats. Boarding locations were marked in both Chinese and English, and everyone was lined up when the train arrived. Boarding only took about 60 seconds, and the train was moving before I was even able to sit down in my seat.

How to Visit Taroko National Park from Taipei - Table of Contents

Updated – May 1, 2023

• Can I Take the Train to Taroko National Park?

How Comfortable is the Train Ride from Taipei to Taroko National Park?

How to get to taroko national park from hualien station, what should i see at taroko national park.

• The Swallow Grotto
• Taiwanese Monkeys
• Eternal Spring Shrine
• Qixingtan Beach
• Taroko National Park – Should I Take a Tour?
• Flying Back to Taipei
• Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
• Earning Points and Rewards
• Taiwan Home Page

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The search I should have typed in Google before purchasing a train ticket is how comfortable is the train ride from Taipei to Taroko National Park. Now I am not afraid to admit that I am a spoiled traveler. I usually have extra legroom seats on planes, nice hotel rooms, and rarely take a train any type of distance. Within a few minutes of finding my seat, I realized that I was already pretty miserable on the train. I felt sick due to the constant side-to-side movement of the train. While there was enough legroom, I felt sick for almost the entire journey from Taipei to Hualien Station.

During my ride, I spent most of my time researching how to get to Taroko National Park from Hualien Station. There were two options, hiring a taxi driver as a local guide or taking the Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus. It would cost around NT$250 (USD$9) for the Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus or NT$3,000 (USD$105) for a taxi driver.

I decided to save money and go with the Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus. If I could survive the bumpy train ride, I could certainly survive a 30 to the 45-minute bus ride from the Hualien train station to Taroko National Park.

As the train continued to sway from side to side, I decided to do a little more research on Taroko National Park. I typed into my phone, “can you fly from Taipei to Taroko National Park?” I was surprised to see that there was an airport in Hualien and that it was only about ten minutes from the entrance to the park. I then checked to see how much it would cost to fly back to Taipei instead of taking the train. To my surprise, it was only NT$990 (USD$35) to fly back to Taipei on Uni Air. I booked the flight right away and received an instant confirmation via email. As my train journey continued, I was even able to check-in for my flight using Uni’s Mobile App.

I now had two ways home: a train ticket and a plane ticket. The most significant advantage to the plane was that I could spend extra time at Taroko National Park as the flight departed two hours later than the scheduled departure time of the train.

I arrived at Hualien Train Station with my return plans finalized and set out to purchase the Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus Pass. The bus terminal was a short walk from the train station and was easily found. The bus agent spoke very little English, but I was able to communicate that I wanted a one-day pass. There was a QR Code on the pass that allowed me to access an English Version digitally.

I waited about 20 minutes for the bus to arrive and befriended a Taiwanese University Student. He was in his 3rd year at National Taiwan University (Taiwan’s Top College) and spoke perfect English. My new friend was also visiting the park alone and would be meeting a friend later in the evening at the beach. We talked about Taiwan, education/work, and his favorite subject: the NBA.

It took 35 minutes to get from Hualien Station to the entrance of Taroko National Park. The bus stopped at the visitor’s center and me and my new friend decided we would stick together.

After a quick stop at the Taroko National Park Visitors’ Center, my new friend and I set out to tour the park. Taroko National Park is huge, and it would be impossible to see everything in six hours. We decided to focus on three main areas of the park, which will be featured below. Each of the three areas would be accessible via the Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus. I must say that despite the conveniences of the busses, they were still a little confusing. Two companies serve the park, and the tickets are not transferrable between companies.

The first bus that arrived was from the other company. Rather than wait for a bus from our company we jumped on the other company’s bus. There was a cost of NT$40 to board. The bus would wind through Taroko National Park on a very narrow road making various stops along the way. We chose the Swallow Grotto Trail as our first site to visit.

The Swallow Grotto Trail at Taroko Gorge

The Swallow Grotto Trail takes about 30 minutes each direction and provides beautifully stunning views of Taroko Gorge.  After departing the bus, we walked nearly half a mile or so up a winding path along the main road.  There were many spots to stop and take pictures, and even when we had to go through a tunnel, there were areas cut out of the rocks to be able to look and take pictures.

The trail passed a suspension bridge that was closed to tourists unless they applied for a special permit and a terrifying zip line.  Towards the end of the walking path, there were restrooms and a snack area.  We took this opportunity to fill up on drinks as it was sweltering.  The air temperature was around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and the heat index was easily 110.  Lucky for us, the trail was in the shade, and it was very windy.  The wind made the conditions still uncomfortably hot but bearable.

At the end of the trail, we noticed the one flaw in this beautiful park.  Instead of having another bus stop nearby, we had to turn around and walk back to where we had been dropped off.  It was at this point that we met another solo traveler and our group of two became three.  We made it back just in time to catch the bus and went off to our second stop. 

Taiwanese Monkeys at Taroko Gorge National Park

The next part of our visit to Taroko National Park took us to the very end of the long windy road.  We had decided to view Baiyang Waterfall through the Baiyang Waterfall Trail.  Unfortunately, we were unable to do so due to road construction.  Road crews have been working on the Taroko National Park main highway all summer, and due to the narrowness of the road, they had to continually close it down for an hour at a time to work.  

After a 45 minute ride to the viewing point, we learned that we would have to wait 1 hour before we could pass to get down to the trail.  We decided to skip the waterfall trail as we were already running short on time.  I was pretty disappointed as I would now only see two of my three chosen sites, but then I saw something move in a nearby tree.

Right above us, there was an entire group of Formosan Rock Macaques or Taiwanese Monkeys.  I was amazed to be able to be so close to them and quickly took out my zoom lens and began taking pictures.  My two friends that I had made were not as impressed.  I was disappointed to miss the waterfall but super excited to see the monkeys chasing each other and jumping from tree to tree at such a close vantage point.  

Eternal Spring Shrine at Taroko Gorge National Park

After viewing the monkeys for some time, we decided to go back towards the beginning of the park.  The highlight of the park is the Eternal Spring Shrine which is dedicated to the 200+ brave workers who died building the road that travels through the gorge.  The bus stops a bit away from the shrine allowing tourists to get a good view from the distance.  Also visible is the Old Changchun Bridge.  After taking a few pictures from far away, we walked towards the bridge where there is a path that leads up to the shrine. 

We took some more pictures at the base of the shrine and then worked our through a small tunnel to get to the top.  Inside the shrine is the name of every worker that died to construct the road.  The memorial is an active place of worship, so it was important to be respectful and not get in the way of any of the worshippers.

Visiting Qixingtan Beach After a Tour of Taroko Gorge

At this point, it was getting late, and if I were going to make my flight, it would be time to exit the park.  My friend had an idea that we should stop at Qixingtan Beach on the way back where he was meeting his friend.  It was closer to the airport than the main bus station, and a taxi ride would only take a few minutes. Qixingtan Beach was on the Pacific Ocean and seemed like a popular place for casual walking, beach activities, and working out.  Even a local basketball team was doing some conditioning on the beach.  The waves were at least 3-5 footers, so there was not much swimming going on.  The waves may have been high as a result of a Typhoon out in the open Pacific.  I walked around the beach for about an hour, said goodbye to my new friend, and took the taxi to Hualien Airport.

Taroko National Park - Should I Take a Tour?

There are numerous tour options of Taroko National Park. I didn’t realize how massive the park was, and I may have been able to see more of it had I booked a tour. That being said, a lot of the fun, in my opinion, is exploring the park without a guide.

If you are interested in a tour, I have linked a few options below. I am an affiliate partner of Viator. If you book a tour using one of the links below, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider booking using one of my links.

Prices are accurate as of May 2023.

Flying Back to Taipei from Taroko Gorge National Park

It was finally time to end my visit to Taroko National Park and the surrounding area and depart for the airport.  A taxi ride cost $TWD200 ($6.50) and took about 10 minutes.  I arrived 90 minutes before my flight and was the only one at the airport.  Hualien Airport only has four flights a day:  two inbounds from Taipei and two outbound to Taipei.  I checked in, walked around the very nice airport, and purchased ice cream and a drink.  Our flight was slightly delayed due to a late arriving aircraft.  

About 30 minutes before boarding the security checkpoint opened.  I had not planned on flying so I had to sacrifice my expensive sunscreen as it was in too big of a bottle to carry on.  I quickly made it through security and was told “thank you for your cooperation” by a very friendly security agent.  

Within a few minutes, our Uni Air ATR72 Turbo Prop plane arrived.  Boarding was quick, and within 15 minutes we were in the air.  The flying time for the 71 miles from Hualien to Taipei was only 25 minutes.  This flight was the second shortest flight I’d ever been on.  Still, despite the short flight time, everyone received a tea juice box.  

The plane landed at Taipei City Airport (Songshan Airport), and I hopped on the metro to return to my hotel.  It was a much more pleasant journey than 3 hours on the bumpy train.  Many people are scared of propeller planes, but I find them to be a smooth ride, sometimes even smoother than a jet.  I was thrilled I had thought about checking to see if there were flights.

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The BETTER Taroko Gorge Tour

• Hualien Tours
• Rivers & Waterfalls
• Taroko Gorge National Park
• Taroko Gorge Tours

*This experience is temporarily unavailable due to the earthquake of April 2024. We highly recommend some of our other amazing Hualien tours such as our popular Hualien Rivers & Valleys Experience or our East Coast Explorer Tour . Both show you incredible nature and culture in the Hualien area!*

Experience Taroko Gorge The Island Life Way!

Forget the big buses, and join Island Life Taiwan as we hit the trails, taste handmade Truku aboriginal cuisine, check out some amazing temples, cross suspension bridges and more.

Not only is a full ABORIGINAL LUNCH INCLUDED, but we also include other special experiences throughout the day intended to immerse you in the beauty and culture of Taroko Gorge. We’ll spend as little time in the vehicle as possible, our groups never get bigger than 8 people, all our guides speak English and your lunch and Hualien City hotel pick up is always included! 

WHY OUR TAROKO EXPERIENCE IS ACTUALLY THE BEST

Trip highlights.

• Stroll through the towering slot canyon of Swallow Grotto
• Visit not one, but TWO suspension bridges during your day
• Take a nature walk through the “Mysterious Valley” on the Shakadang Trail
•  Enjoy zen with a view at the Changuang Temple
•  Climb the Bell Tower Trail to a two story pagoda high on the hillside
•  Enjoy an INCLUDED Aboriginal Lunch in the mountains and sample traditional indigenous vegetables
•  Get blown away by the NEWLY REOPENED Tunnel Of Nine Turns!
•  See the epic Eternal Spring Shrine  and learn about the deadly history of the Cross-Mountain Highway.
•  Relax by a turquoise river and sample tasty homemade A boriginal Treats
•  And so, so much more

Group Tours: Ages 7 – 65 PRICING Contact us for Pricing!

A FEW PICS FROM THE TRIP!

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

Send us a message, we love to help.

Tour Reviews

My friend and I signed up for this tour and both had an amazing time! Our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable and we really appreciated her sharing information about the area with us. This was also a great way for us to meet new people and make some friends! Overall I would recommend this tour to anyone!

My partner and I had a great time! Our guide Alan had a lot of insight and was very funny and kind. He had a really good understanding of the park and its various traffic control points and distances. Some of the trails were unexpectedly closed dues to rockslides, but Alan was able to pivot without missing a beat and maximizimed what we were able to do. The gorge is unbelievably beautiful and was the highlight of our trip. Pick up and drop off at our accomodation was really nice. We highly recommend the tour to anyone considering it.

Our guide Santa was knowledgeable, humourous and patient! The responses to my many emails were quick and reassuring. Taroko Gorge is beautiful, thrilling, and a must-visit in Taiwan!!

Extraordinary tour with Alan ! Wonderful English-speaking guide who toured us around Taroko and showed us great spots, while sharing us the history behind the spots. Really great time and Alan’s open-minded mindset and personality took the tour to another level. Thanks a lot !

Jason was an enthusiastic tour guide who shared the history, food, scenery, and stories surrounding Taroko Gorge. Very in depth. Lots of spots covered that would’ve been difficult to get to and fully appreciate on my own. Would recommend!

Better Taroko Gorge tour. Jason was our tour guide. He immediately started introducing himself and talking about Taiwan, Taroko, and it’s history which it feel very welcoming. He’s very humorous, cracking jokes and integrating them into the tour to teach us about taroko. We hit so many different locations and got lots of pictures. Jason does a great job moving fast not wasting any time so you get the most of the experience. He went over and beyond the whole time. I highly recommend this tour.

Jason our tour guide made this the most enriching experience. We did so much more than just walk . From the car ride there and the entire trip, he retold dozens of history stories, legends, and facts about dozens of places. His passion for his home town and admiration of nature is contagious. He shared with us the diversity of species, the history of Taiwan, controversy’s, natural landmarks. We walked as high up as the bridge with gorgeous views and as deep through tunnels to see a shrine. Best way to learn and a must do for nature lovers. Jason’s knowledge and love for what he does guarantees that you will have the best experience ever. 10/10.

I went on their Taroko gorge trip and it was wonderful. They have a maximum of 7 participants. They also begin their tour earlier so you get to the main places of interest before the crowds. Alan our tour guide was so knowledgeable, passionate and funny. It was a very enjoyable day. The hiking was lovely and I also learned a lot about indigenous aboriginal culture. A lovely aboriginal lunch is also included in the price. Great day and great value

We had a fantastic day with our tour guide Alan at Taroko. He took us to so many different places and gave us enough time to explore everything. Overall a great experience and definitely worth the money!

My last day in Taiwan as a solo traveler I decided to book the Better Taroko Tour, and let me tell you I got more than I expected. Alan was our guide and he was so fun and went above and beyond for us. We were suppose to be done around 4, we got back into town at almost 6. He dropped a couple of us off at the train station was trying very hard to get us to our booked trains in time. He was fun and made great jokes. Overall, it was such a great time

The tour lasted over 10 hours starting at 8 and finishing at 6! Alan the tour guide was great and very passionate about his home land as well as the tribal culture that he taught us lots about. Definitely worth the money and would recommend to friends and family.

We had a wonderful time visiting Taroko with Allen as our tour guide! He was extremely friendly and fun to talk to and was very knowledgeable about the history of the area. Since everyone in our group had extra time at the end of they day, Allen was generous enough to bring us to a few extra locations near the gorge. We ended up doing so much that I can’t even keep track of it all, but the parts that stood out the most included the suspension bridge on the way to the bell tower and the Tunnel of Nine Turns Area. Overall, I would 10/10 recommend this tour!

Incredible! I had no idea how stunning Taroko is. The Island Life tour guides are so proud of it and really showed it off! What an amazing day. We can’t wait to go back! Take the tour, you’ll regret it if you don’t.

No other words than Fantastic and Outstanding day with Alan our very knowledgeable guide who made the day very special thanks to his great knowledge of the gorges, his excellent english and most importantly his humour. We had so much fun discovering the wonders of Mother Nature, very well organized tour, will do it again without any hesitation. Great job to Alan and to Islandlife taiwan.

Just stunning. There is no other place like it. Our tour guide was incredible and the whole team was detail-oriented. Awesome time!

Amazing tour with Alan! We saw so much of the park it felt like the most comprehensive tour we’ve been on. Several places they drop you at one end for a scenic walk and then pick you up at the other end, something you couldn’t do if travelling on your own. The nature of Taroko is incredible and overall this was one of our best experiences in Taiwan.

Great Taroko tour with Allen. I took a private tour of the Taroko park and gorge from island life adventures. They were very quick to respond to my inquiry and we conducted all details on what’s app but they also took calls . Allen was our local guide and he was fantastic. Great English and provided a very personal experience since he grew up in the area visiting the park regularly with his grandmother. You get a great history of the area, the country, and the people and culture. A nice local meal at the top of the mountain , a swim in the gorge , everything was well done and very well managed . Thanks Allen for a great time I will not forget .

This was a fantastic experience in my two night stay in Hualien, all thanks to Allen, our tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and had a lot of insight to share about the area; his English is fantastic and so were all of his jokes. The van was comfortable and well kept, and he gave us plenty of time to explore each site – I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone wanting to explore the Taroko Gorge.

Loads in one day with great guide Great friendly guide who spoke good English and was super knowledgeable about the area, shared loads of interesting stuff about Taiwan. The tour itself covered WAY more than we could have done with public transport, so all in all really excellent!

Memorable and exciting tour! A family of 4 joined the Taroko Gorge tour. We were very well taken care of by Allen the guide. He was knowledgeable and throughout the trip, managed the time very well so that we covered many areas for this trip. Allen also took us to the best scenic spots and took some amazing photos for us too! Our trip to Hualien was made so much more interesting and memorable with this tour. Thank you Allen!

If I could give this tour more than 5 stars, I would! Even with some rainy weather, this was by far the best tour I’ve ever been on!

I contacted Island Life Taiwan via email a week or two before planning on being in Hualien to arrange a tour and they were very swift to reply. Everything from the pre-tour planning to the tour itself was extremely well managed and I was very satisfied with the customer service.

Our guide, Iris, was very welcoming and happy to accommodate us in any way possible. We definitely benefitted from her local knowledge and were not only able to enjoy the amazing scenery around Taroko, but also learn more about the culture that surrounds it. She even helped me with the application process for the Zhuilu Old Trail permit and took all the pictures a tourist could dream of.

This was such a phenomenal place to visit, and the tour more than did it justice!

Thanks so much – I would recommend this tour to absolutely everyone who wants to visit Taiwan!!

Best Taroko Gorge Tour The whole tour was excellent. Every experience was 10/10. Food, scenery, guide every thing was just fantastic. The guide spoke great English which made life easy.

Better Life with Island Life Taiwan Taroko National Park is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, exploring with Alan was a very pleasant trip. One of my favorite locations was the Qingshui Cliffs which Alan brought us to. We left early to avoid the crowds which gave us a very good experience.

Went on a Taroko gorge tour with IRIS on the 5th of January 2020. She picked us up from our accommodation at 7.30 am and there was only 6 of us on the tour which was fantastic. She took us to all the major sites on the tour before lunch which was great as there were no crowds or waiting time anywhere. We drove past the places after lunch and saw heaps of people lining up at the places we had been. IRIS had a great understanding of all the places we visited and you could see her love for her country. Her English was outstanding and would recommend highly this tour to do. 10/10 !!!

Better Taroko Tour with Santa.We had a wonderful tour with Santa as guide! While driving he told us lots of stories. He is a funny guy who made everyone laugh during the whole day. His English was good and he gave clear information. We were ahead of all the tour buses which was great! It was like we almost had Taroko to ourselves 🙂 Thanks!

Taroko Gorge tour and lunch. Had a great day touring Taroko Gorge. Allen picked us up at our apartment, in total there were 7 people in our van. It was a comfortable ride and Allen used the time well so that we were able to see several different sights. He also explained a lot about Taiwan’s history, as well as plant and animal life. Lunch was a traditional meal and good. We never felt rushed, but things moved along at a good pace. Beautiful area, well worth seeing if you are in Hualien. Pickup was about 7:30am and we returned about 3:30 or 4 pm.

Great Taroko Experience. Superb Taroko experience, Allen was a great guide, a lot of information about local life and Taroko aboriginal tribe. Very comfortable van with AC, more than enough dinner included in the price of trip. Highly recommended tour agency in Hualien.

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Taroko Gorge Day Tour from Taipei

Due to damage from recent earthquake, Taroko National Park (Taroko Gorge) is temporarily closed and this tour is temporarily not available for booking. . Travel directly to Taroko Gorge from Taipei, with a quick stop at Qingshui Cliff on the way there and Nanfangou Lookout at the way back. Recommended 7am pick-up time in the morning to avoid heavy traffic.

• Child safety seat available
• English service available
• Private tour, flexible pick-up time
• Up to 8 guests per vehicle only. More than 8 guests require 2 or more vehicles.
• Pick up at Taipei City

Hotel, BnB or any place within the city

Always a good start for any trip in Hualien, this mountain-meets-the-ocean Qingshui Cliff is situated not far from the Taroko National Park.

Visit many places of Taroko National Park including Baiyang Waterfall (trail), Changchun Waterfall (trail), and Lushui Waterfall (trail), Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou), Tunnel of Nine Turns (Jiuqudong), Tianxiang, Buluowan

Take in the view of the whole Nanfangao Fishing Harbor and the Yilan coastline at this vantage point.

• Drop off at Taipei City

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Adventures in Destinations Unknown

The Taroko Gorge in Taiwan: A Day Trip Itinerary

Last modified on February 12th, 2024 at 21:09

Taroko National Park is one of Taiwan’s top tourist destinations. A spectacular area containing marble-walled canyons, emerald vegetation and picturesque shrines, the park is a dream destination for lovers of hiking, culture and splendid scenery.

The national park’s massive mountains are awe-inspiring. They tower over the chiseled Taroko Gorge, concealing temples and rivers and waterfalls. The national park—speckled with pagodas and surrounded by green forests—is a scenic wonderland that is worlds away from the bright city lights of Taiwan’s urban centers.

Bisecting this emerald wonderland is the Taroko Gorge–a masterpiece of geologic craftsmanship that, all puns intended, puts the ‘gorge’ in gorgeous. 

Table of Contents

TAROKO NATIONAL PARK IN TAIWAN

Taroko  National Park lies on the eastern coast of Taiwan, near the city of Hualien. Not only is the park one of the top places to visit in Taiwan, but it is also sometimes considered to be one of the most beautiful national parks in Asia.

A highlight of travel outside Taipei , Taroko’s scenery is varied and dramatic. Within an area of less than 60km, its landscapes rise from sea level to over 3,00o meters.

The Taroko Gorge is the national park’s landmark attraction. Its precipitous cliffs line the snaking Liwu River and practically beg to be photographed.

In addition to the gorge, Taroko National Park boasts waterfalls, shrines, sea cliffs, and 27 peaks over 3,000 meters in height.

TAROKO NATIONAL PARK DAY TRIP ITINERARY

Taroko National Park is a popular day trip destination from Hualien. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even visit as a day trip from Taipei.

We spent two nights in Hualien and explored the gorge over the course of a day. Taking a public bus through the Taroko Gorge meant adhering to posted timetables. Since we were visiting the Taroko Gorge as a day trip from Hualien, we didn’t have time to do extensive hiking in the area. With that in mind, we skipped the longer hiking trails in the park and opted to spend more time at viewpoints along the way.

Our itinerary consisted of five main stops along the tourist circuit: the Swallow Tail Grotto, the Tunnel of Nine Turns, Tianxiang, the Eternal Spring Shrine and Qixingtan Beach.

THE SWALLOWTAIL GROTTO

The Swallowtail Grotto was the first stop on our self-guided itinerary of Taroko National Park. The grotto derived its name from the eponymous swallows that have found a home in these sheer cliff walls. Sitting smack dab in the middle of the canyon, the grotto is a narrow stretch of gorge that affords jaw-dropping views at every turn. Sheer cliff faces soar skyward and plunge into the ravine below. At the Swallowtail Grotto, Taroko National Park is at its most dramatic. A narrow canyon has been chiseled by the blue-green Liwu River over millenia, creating one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Taiwan.

The Swallowtail Grotto Trail takes about half an hour to complete. The path runs parallel to the vehicular road that cuts through the canyon.

Beware of falling rocks. The path through the canyon has rocky overhangs that can potentially be dangerous. As a result, many pedestrians at the Swallowtail Grotto and nearby Tunnel of Nine Turns choose to wear hardhats for protection.

THE TUNNEL OF NINE TURNS

Just down the road from the Swallowtail Grotto, the Tunnel of Nine Turns is another must-see attraction along the Taroko Gorge.

The tortuous course of the Liwu River has carved a narrow canyon in the heart of the national park. A highway cuts alongside the canyon, winding along the precipitous cliffs, through a series of tunnels. This area of the park features vertical marble facades and some of Taiwan’s most astonishing natural craftsmanship. The path offers views of layered stone strata, narrow canyon walls and the snaking Liwu River below.

Like the Swallowtail Grotto, the Tunnel of Nine Turns takes about 30 minutes to walk and follows the main vehicular road through the park.

TIANXIANG PAGODA

From the dramatic and narrow gorge, we hopped back onto the 1137A and took the bus all the way to the final stop of Tianxiang–the largest village in Taroko National Park. Tianxiang offers limited food and accommodation options for those who choose to stay in the national park overnight.

Set amidst a dramatic mountainous landscape, Tianxiang is yet another highlight of the Taroko Gorge. The Xiangde Temple in Tianxiang is the centerpiece of of the area’s attractions and a popular spot for visitors and worshippers. A short steep trail leads to the temple and adjacent pagoda.

From the temple overlooking Tianxiang, 360 degree views of the chiseled limestone formations are nothing short of breathtaking.

ETERNAL SPRINGS SHRINE

After about an hour of soaking in the views of the surrounding mountains in Tianxiang, we continued our Taroko Park day trip with a stop at the Eternal Springs Shrine–a haunting memorial to the workers who died while constructing the park’s Cross-Island Highway. The shrine–one of the most photographed and beloved scenes of the park– sits atop a series of waterfalls that gush into the river below.

The Eternal Springs Shrine sits near the entrance to the park, just beyond the visitor’s center. Shuttle buses only stop by the site on their return trips from Tianxiang to Hualien. Thus, while the shrine is one of the closest park highlights to the entrance, it was the penultimate stop on our Taroko National Park itinerary.

The Eternal Springs Shrine is a ten minute walk from the parking lot and bus stop. Those wishing for a longer hike can follow a 2.2km trail behind the shrine. The uphill trail leads to the Guanyin Cave and Taroko Bell Tower.

QIXINGTAN BEACH

Qixingtan, about 3km north of Hualien, features a wild and rugged coastline of emerald cliffs and ebony shores. Lying just outside the Taroko National Park boundaries, this sweeping crescent of black pebbled beach was the final stop on our return journey from Tianxiang to Hualien.

Qixingtan isn’t a typical beach escape. The scenery is wild, raw and unforgiving. One of Taiwan’s most iconic beaches, Qixingtan is a force of nature. The sky-blue waters of the Pacific crash agains the black-rock beach, churning its waters into a frothy foam.

The water at Qixingtan Beach is too rough for swimming. Nevertheless, the rugged stretch of oceanfront is a fantastic spot to bring a picnic lunch and photograph the crashing ocean waves.

HIKING IN TAROKO NATIONAL PARK

Admittedly, my visit to Taroko National Park consisted of very little hiking. Though my itinerary included short walks to some of the park’s highlights, I didn’t have the time to complete any of the longer treks in the area. Traveling to the Taroko Gorge by public bus meant I had to adhere to a strict transportation timetable. And so with only one day to explore the stunning gorge, I had to prioritize.

Based on my independent research prior to visiting the park, however, I gathered that there are quite a few beautiful trails along the Taroko Gorge. Most popular, are the Shakadang Trail, the Baiyang Waterfall Trail and the Zhuilu Old Trail.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR TAROKO NATIONAL PARK

Hualien’s proximity to the Taroko Gorge entrance makes it a logical place to stay while exploring the national park. We stayed at the Flower Time Guesthouse for two nights during our trip to the Taroko Gorge. The guesthouse– centrally located near the train station in Hualien—provides a clean and inexpensive base for exploring the area.

Other highly-rated places to Stay in Hualien include the Visual Range B&B and 1999 B&B for a budget room and the Kindness Hotel for a higher-end stay.

WHAT TO DO IN HUALIEN TAIWAN

Hualien was a delightful surprise. Though we primarily used the city as a launching pad for our day trip to the national park, we took the opportunity to wander the streets of Hualien during our free evenings in town.

If you’ve got only a day or two to explore Hualien’s surroundings, I suggest you focus your itinerary on the Taroko Gorge Attractions.

But if you have extra time to spare, you can check out some of the places to visit in Hualien that we couldn’t squeeze into our itinerary: Pine Garden, the Manor House, and Martyr’s Shrine.

Hualien’s undeniable highlight the Dongdamen Night Market. We found the market to be one of the best we visited during our short trip to Taiwan.

TRAVEL FROM HUALIEN TO TAIPEI

The train journey from Taipei to Hualien takes two hours. Due to its popularity, however, tickets sell out fast–usually two weeks in advance. For those who choose to map out their travel itineraries last-minute, bus/train combo tickets are a convenient and affordable alternative.

Since we planned on visiting Hualien a mere two days before departure, we had no choice but to purchase a combo ticket. From the Taipei City Hall Station, we took a bus to Luodong, followed by a local commuter train from Luodong to Hualien. The total journey took around three hours.

If you have limited time in Taiwan and don’t want to worry about planning and logistics, you can opt to join a day tour of the Taroko Gorge from Taipei.

GETTING AROUND TAROKO NATIONAL PARK

The scenic wonders of Taroko National Park are accessible by both public bus and private tour. There are several bus companies that travel through the gorge. We took Taroko Bus route 1133A, which departs from Hualien’s train station seven times a day.

The public bus is an affordable way of seeing the park’s highlights. An unlimited day pass on the 1133A costs NT$250.

Alternatively, you can join a tour of Taroko National Park from Hualien. Tours of the gorge provide reliable transport and bring you to all the main highlights in the park.

The Taroko National Park is one of the most beautiful attractions in Taiwan. From gushing waterfalls to black sand beaches to soaring granite peaks, the park affords photo opportunities at every bend.

Portuguese explorers in the 1500s landed in Taiwan and named the island ‘Ihla Formosa’ or ‘Beautiful Isle.’

By traveling to Taroko National Park and immersing myself in the island’s natural beauty, it was not difficult for me to understand why.

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A 2024 Guide to Taroko Gorge and Taroko National Park

Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you.

Taroko Gorge, named after the Truku or Taroko aboriginal tribe, is arguably Taiwan’s top scenic attractions. Few people visit without being blown away by its sheer magnificence and raw natural beauty. It is the star attraction of Hualien, Taiwan’s largest county (see my Hualien guide and other places to visit in Hualien ), on the wild and visually stunning east coast.

Taroko Gorge can be reached in a mere 2-3 hours from the capital, Taipei, yet it feels world’s apart.

I wrote this guide to Taroko Gorge based on many visits I’ve made over the last 15 years. In it, I’m going to cover all the main things to do in Taroko Gorge, how to get there, where to stay, how to do Taroko Gorge as a day trip from Taipei, and why I think Island Life Taiwan offers the best Taroko Gorge tours .

For more general information about traveling in Taiwan, also be sure to see my introduction to Taiwan travel .

2024 Update: On April 3, 2024, a massive earthquake struck the Hualien region. Taroko Gorge is heavily damaged and all of Taroko National Park (including Taroko Gorge and Hehuanshan) is totally closed to visitors. It is expected that the gorge will be closed for a full year. Trains are now running again from Taipei to Hualien and onward to Taitung. Damage in Hualien city is less serious, but some hotels have closed for repairs. See my newest guide: things to do in Hualien which are still currently open .

Table of Contents

Welcome to Taroko Gorge

Taroko Gorge is the country’s premier scenic attraction, along with Alishan and Sun Moon Lake . It is featured on my list of best places to visit in Taiwan and it is an essential stop on any Taiwan itinerary .

The area referred to as Taroko Gorge is a steep, dramatic valley created by the Liwu River (立霧溪), which flows from Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range east to the Pacific Ocean. The blue-green waters of the Liwu River have carved out immense, vertical cliffs of marble and gneiss.

The Japanese first made the area a national park, called Tsugitaka-Taroko National Park , during their colonial rule of Taiwan from 1895 to 1945. This was the first national park ever in Taiwan. After the Japanese left, the KMT government later abolished the national park, and it wasn’t reestablished again as Taroko National Park until 1986 (later than others, such as Kenting National Park ).

Many people don’t realize this, but Taroko National Park is much larger than just the famous tourist section called Taroko Gorge. In fact, the park extends all the way up to the Central Mountain range, including the famous mountain Hehuanshan , one of the best places in Taiwan to see snow .

Super-narrow Provincial Highway 8 runs up Taroko Gorge. The highway was first built in the late 1950s, and the 212 veterans who died while building it are today commemorated at Eternal Spring Shrine .

Highway 8 is actually the start of the Central Cross-Island Highway as it follows the Liwu River upstream and then continues over the high mountains all the way to Taichung City on the west coast. The first 19 kilometers or so of the highway are what we typically consider Taroko Gorge .

In the Central Mountain Range, Highway 8 also connects to Highway 14, which continues to famous attractions like Hehuanshan , Wuling Pass (Taiwan’s highest), Cingjing Farm , and Puli (access point for Sun Moon Lake).

2024 Taroko Gorge Closures

Taiwan’s high mountain roads are subject to frequent closures due to damage from typhoons and landslides. Several storms in 2022 and 2023 have caused multiple road closures on Highway 8, including one right in Taroko Gorge .

As of early 2024, there are five areas of construction on Highway 8, and two of these are inside Taroko Gorge.

For several months in 2023 and early 2024, one spot was only open to let cars pass five times per day. Because of this, bus 310 from Hualien city to Taroko Gorge and bus 302 from Xincheng to Taroko Gorge were reduced to only a few per day.

In March 2024, this was updated to 8 opening times per day (10 minutes every hour on the hour from 9 AM to 4 PM, then open all night from 5 PM to 8 AM and open on weekends and holidays). Bus 310 and 302 are back to normal schedule.

New updates about these road closures are released on the first day of every month on the Taroko NP park website (click small arrow beside Highway 8). However, this information can be difficult to understand. For interpretations of their information, including maps I made, please join my Taiwan Travel Planning group and see my most recent posts about Taroko Gorge.

These closures will also slow down anyone planning to drive from Taroko Gorge to Hehuanshan (or vice versa). The drive is still doable, but I suggest starting your day as early as possible because there are likely to be delays.

How Many Days for Visiting Taroko?

Most people spend one entire day visiting Taroko Gorge, whether they self drive, take a day tour , or hire a private driver for the day.

One option is to arrive in Hualien very early, do your day tour, spend the night, then continue to your next destination the next day. However, if you’re coming by train, note that even the first train of the day won’t get you there early enough to catch most tours .

Another option is to arrive and check in to your hotel on Day 1, do your Taroko day tour on Day 2, then head on to your next destination in the evening. To make your visit more relaxed, spend two nights or more there , so you don’t have to do any traveling on the same day as your Taroko tour.

With a full day, you’ll be able to visit most of the places I describe in this article, including at least one or two short hikes. You’ll also most likely be able to visit Qingshui Cliffs and Qixingtan Beach, two attractions outside of the gorge that are included on most Taroko day tours. I’ll further introduce both of these places below.

Taroko can even be done as a day trip from Taipei , but it makes for a very long day. You can book this day trip with transportation from Taipei , but it makes for a very long day, with 8-10 hours of driving. A better option is to go to Xincheng on your own by train and hire a driver from there.

If you have even more time in the area, you’ll want to check out more things to do in Hualien here , my recommended Hualien itinerary , my two guides to the east coast of Taiwan, covering Yilan to Hualien and Hualien to Taitung and Kenting National Park , as well what to do in Taitung , the county below Hualien.

If you visit Taroko Gorge during a long weekend or especially the latter half of the Lunar New Year holiday in Taiwan , be prepared for some serious crowds! You can see more information on the best times to visit Taroko Gorge in my guide to when to visit Taiwan .

Also note that, like most of Taiwan, Taroko Gorge are very safe for solo or female travelers, as this female traveler reports in her Hualien guide .

Best Taroko Gorge Tours

The most convenient way to see Taroko Gorge, especially if you want to cover the main sights in one day, is by taking a tour from Hualien city. There are several cheaper options available on Klook, but I personally recommend Island Life Taiwan Tours .

The reason I recommend them is because they specifically design their tours to avoid the crowds everywhere they go, including starting a little earlier than other tours. Also, their groups are small and their tours are conducted in English. They are also highly reviewed and have a five star rating on Tripadvisor .

To cover the main sights described in this article, choose the Better Taroko Gorge Tour . The tour also includes some off-the-beaten-track spots that other tours don’t, such as the Changuang Bell Tower Trail, the Baiyang Waterfall Trail, and the Water Curtain Cave, which you will read about below. They even provide flashlights and raincoats for entering the Water Curtain Cave. Because the tour starts at 7:30 AM, you’ll need to sleep in Hualien City or Xincheng the night before.

They also offer fully customized tours and can arrange permits and guide you through the thrilling Zhuilu Old Trail (which I’ll introduce below).

Getting to Hualien

Hualien city is the capital of Hualien county and the main access point for Taroko Gorge.

Most people take the regular (TRA) train to Hualien city, but there’s also the option to fly from Taipei’s Songshan Airport. Going from Taipei to Hualien by bus is not easy, fast, or practical. Driving is slower than taking the train, but the drive is quite scenic.

If you’re starting your trip in Taipei, be sure to check out my Taipei 4-day itinerary , list of 50 things to do in Taipei , and guide to the best hotels in Taipei .

Flying from Taipei to Hualien

This flight from Taipei Songshan Airport to Hualien only takes 50 minutes. This is quite convenient because Songshan Airport is right in the Taipei City center and you can even get there by MRT.

However, this option is not necessarily faster than taking the train. If you factor in the time needed to get to Songshan Airport, check in for your flight, then get from Hualien airport to Hualien city center, flying would actually take a little longer than the fastest train to Hualien.

The fastest express train to Hualien can get you from Taipei Main Station to Hualien Station in a mere 2 hours 6 minutes (the last time I checked), or 2 hours 1 minute to Xincheng Station (the station closest to Taroko Gorge).

However, these express trains often sell out, and there are only a few per day. So if that happens, and you don’t want to take a slower train, you might consider flying.

Train from Taipei to Hualien

Taking the train is by far the most common and preferred method for getting from Taipei to Hualien. However, demand for these trains is very high, especially the express ones (called Puyuma Express or Taroko Express), and they often sell out, especially on weekends, long weekends, and holidays.

Therefore, it’s crucial to book your train in advance (up to 28 days) on the official TRA website . Note that these trains are not High Speed Rails ( the HSR only goes down the west coast of Taiwan). After you book and pay online, you can pick up your physical ticket from a convenience store iBon machine or at the ticket window at the station in Taiwan.

There are two train stops that are relevant for getting from Taipei to Taroko Gorge. Tiny Xincheng (Taroko Gorge) station is much closer to the gorge, but has few facilities and accommodations. The next stop, Hualien station in Hualien City, the county capital, is further away from Taroko Gorge, but has way more hotels, hostels, restaurants, night markets, and so on.

The fastest trains from Taipei to Hualien take just over 2 hours (TWD 440). For these trains, you must have a reserved seat. No standing tickets are sold. So once the seats sell out, it is not possible to ride these trains. These trains are called Puyuma, Taroko, or Tze Chiang 3000.

Slower trains take anywhere from 2 hours 15 min to 3 hours 30 min(TWD 340). They are called Chu-Kuang, Tze Chiang (all numbers except 3000), or Fast Local. For these trains, booking a seat is still recommended. But even if the train sells out, you can still buy a standing ticket. Then you’ll need to stand in the aisle or sit on the floor in the space between train cars (it’s not comfortable, but I’ve done it many times).

For more information, see my guide to taking trains in Taiwan .

Driving to Hualien

For total freedom, you can rent a car from various locations in Taipei or across Taiwan. However, driving from Taipei to Hualien is actually quite a bit slower than taking the train, even the slower trains.

The main reason you might consider doing this is because it is a beautiful drive from Taipei to Hualien, especially the coastal section from Su’ao to Hualien. You could easily make a full day of it, passing places like Jiaoxi Hot Springs , Su’ao Cold Springs, Nanfangao Seafood Harbor, and (just before reaching Taroko Gorge) the beautiful Qingshui Cliffs.

Another plus is that once you get to Hualien, you don’t have to figure out how to get to Taroko Gorge, because you can just drive through the gorge by yourself.

If you do drive, take care on the coastal highway, as it is narrow in parts, with steep cliffs down the sea. Once in a while (though not commonly), landslides destroy this highway and he can take a few days to reopen again, as happened most recently in early 2023.

See my guide to road tripping from Yilan to Hualien for more details.

Getting to Taroko Gorge on Your Own

Once you arrive in Hualien city, it’s a 30 to 40-minute drive back to Taroko Gorge, and most Taroko day tours start with pick-up in Hualien city.

Some people get off the train in Xincheng, a small town that is closer to Taroko Gorge (5-10 minutes), but has fewer services. If you have arranged a private driver, it makes sense to have them pick you up at Xincheng.

Private Driver

Getting a private driver is not a bad or expensive way to explore Taroko Gorge, especially if you have a few people to share the cost. Most drivers have a proposed itinerary for Taroko Gorge, but you can also make your own customized schedule. The drivers will even wait for your if you want to do one of the hikes in Taroko Gorge.

Most taxis drivers in Hualien can do this, or you can book a private driver online .

If you want to get to Taroko Gorge by scooter, there are scooter rental stations outside of Xincheng and Hualien train stations. Helmet and rain jacket are provided, and you’ll need a local Taiwanese scooter license or IDP (international driver’s license). Your home country’s license won’t be good enough.

Riding a scooter in Taroko Gorge gives you the freedom and flexibility to stop wherever you go. Riding through the tunnels and between the valley walls of Taroko Gorge is an incredible experience. However, it must be noted that there have been multiple scooter accidents in Taroko Gorge in recent years, some tragic, so you should do so at your own risk .

Having said that, we have even visited Taroko Gorge by scooter with our kids.

Taking the Bus to Taroko Gorge

Visiting Taroko Gorge by bus is the slowest and most inconvenient, but cheapest way. The buses are infrequent, so you really need to time it well. Still, the bus isn’t a bad option, and with some planning and an early start, you can still see a few of the main highlights of Taroko Gorge in a day.

Hualien county runs regular buses (NT170 per person, no change given, four per day) and tourist shuttles (NT 250 day pass, 13 per day) from Hualien through Taroko Gorge to Tianxiang, the village at the head of the Gorge, stopping at Xincheng station on the way. The whole drive takes about 1.5 hours one way (but you’ll likely get off sooner). Here are the schedules for route 310 from Hualien and route 302 from Xincheng .

Here’s the most recent Taroko Gorge bus route and schedule . When you land on the page, it might revert to Chinese. So you need to switch the language to English, click on Hualien on the map, then click on “Taroko Route”.

Cycling to Taroko Gorge

Cycling Taroko Gorge is the most adventurous way to take in the dramatic scenery that Taroko Gorge has to offer. You might want to avoid weekends and holidays, when traffic is much heavier.

Be warned that some of the roads in Taroko Gorge are very narrow and don’t provide much space between you and passing tour buses. Also, don’t go cycling in Taroko Gorge during or after heavy rain or a typhoon during summer in Taiwan . In 2017, a Japanese cyclist died from a landslide in Taroko Gorge for this reason.

You can rent bicycles around Hualien and Xincheng stations for about NT250 per day, but I’d suggest not wasting your time riding all the way from Hualien station to the entrance of Taroko. A smart thing to do is to rent a Giant bicycle near Hualien station, take your bike on the local train to Xincheng, the ride on from there.

From Xincheng station, it only takes 15 minutes to cycle to the entrance of Taroko, or you can take the bus to the entrance and rent a bike there.

Cycling into Taroko Gorge, the road is going to be uphill the whole way, but it’s not super steep. If you’re a beginner biker, you may find it tough, but for experienced cyclists, it should be a breeze.

Where to Stay in Taroko Gorge

Choosing where to stay when you visit Taroko Gorge can be a tough decision. Three main options are staying right in Taroko Gorge, staying in Xincheng (the small town near the entrance to Taroko), or staying in Hualien city.

Hotels in Taroko Gorge are limited and pricey. Xinxheng is very convenient and close to Taroko, especially because it has its own train station (Xincheng station, which is one stop before Hualien City). Hualien City is the furthest, but it has the best choice of budget accomodations and many things to do .

Hotels inside Taroko Gorge

For the full Taroko experience, you can stay right inside the gorge. Driving there is best, but the hotels can also arrange pickup from Xincheng or Hualien.

Silks Place Resort ( see on Booking / Agoda / Klook / TripAdvisor ) at Tianxiang, the small village at the top of Taroko Gorge, is the only 5-star hotel in Taroko Gorge National Park. It’s got a fancy swimming pool and incredible views. See my other recommended 5-star hotels in Taiwan .

Taroko Village Hotel ( see on Booking / Agoda / Klook / TripAdvisor ) offers wooden huts and aboriginal buffet dinners. We stopped here for a lavish feast when we camped at Heliu campground to enjoy the best of both worlds! (If you want to learn how to cook aboriginal cuisine, check out this cooking course in Hualien !)

If you want to spend a night at the head of Taroko Gorge without breaking the bank, try the Tienhsiang Youth Activity Center ( see on Agoda / TripAdvisor ). You’ll need to get there on your own. From the hostel, you can walk to a few (but not all) of Taroko’s attractions.

Hotels in Xincheng

If you want to stay very close to Taroko Gorge, but also have train access, then staying in Xincheng is best. Get off the train at Xincheng (Taroko Gorge) station.

Taroko Liiko Hotel (see on Booking / Agoda / Klook / TripAdvisor ) is an excellent choice very close to the train station. Most rooms come with beautiful views.

Liwu Hotel ( see on Booking / Agoda / Klook / TripAdvisor ) is the closest you can get to Taroko Gorge without actually being inside the national park. It’s a 6-minute drive (or 45-minute walk) from Xincheng Station.

From a very quiet stay in a beautiful local house, try Crossing the Rainbow B&B ( see on Booking / Agoda / Klook / TripAdvisor ). This is a simple local guesthouse. It is slightly closer to Xincheng but further from Taroko. It’s a 30-minute walk out of town in the direction of Qingshui Cliffs.

For an off-the-beaten track experience, try Songyue Guesthouse (see on Booking ). It is located in Sanzhan, a small aboriginal village 10 minutes’ drive from Xincheng. Sanzhan is a great spot for swimming and jumping into the river (see the end of the article for pictures).

Hotels in Hualien City

Hualien City offers by far the largest range of accommodation options, but it is furthest away from Taroko Gorge. Staying in Hualien allows you to enjoy the city’s restaurants and night markets at night. Taroko Gorge is a 30-40 minute drive away.

If going by public transportation, choosing something near Hualien train station is smart.

Two of the best hostels in Hualien are Just Walk Backpacker Hostel ( see on Booking / Agoda / Klook / TripAdvisor ) and View Hostel ( see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ).  

For a good mid-range option, Happiness is My Home ( see on Booking ) lives up to its name – the owners of this guesthouse are super welcoming and helpful. Another excellent choice near Hualien night market is 1999 B&B (see on Booking / Agoda ).

Hualien Farglory Hotel ( see on Booking / Agoda / Klook / TripAdvisor ) is the best resort option. It features both ocean and mountain views and swimming pool, in a quiet, remote location south of Hualien City.

Camping in Taroko Gorge

16.5km up the valley, Heliu Campground offers 12 wooden platforms for first-come-first-serve camping at NT200 per space. There is also overflow camping at nearby Lushui Campground. There’s are very basic campgrounds with limited amenities, so you need to bring everything you need, including food and water. There’s a self-pay system at Heliu, while the even more basic Lushui is free.

I stayed here with my family several years ago, and while the facilities are lacking, it was an awesome setting. If you need to pick one up before your trip, this guide covers some recommended tents . The campgrounds are close to a few attractions and a hike, which I will cover below.

Things to Do in Taroko Gorge

Taiwan is a geologically active island, and in few places is this more apparent than at Taroko Gorge. Earthquakes, typhoons, and landslides regularly destroy roads and trails in the gorge, continually reshaping its landscape. For this reason, you must keep in mind that one or more of the attractions or trails in Taroko Gorge might be closed when you go.

Every time I’ve ever been to Taroko Gorge, at least one or more of the main sights or trails has been closed. One time when I visited many years ago, the entire highway was closed for set times every day past the Swallow’s Grove, which meant I couldn’t make it to several spots.

You can avoid disappointment by checking what’s open and closed before you go on the Taroko Gorge National Park website . Click “News” then “Roads and Trails”. Under Road Conditions Highway 8, you can find out if any sections of highway are closed. Then, Level 0 to 5 refers to the various hikes in Taroko Gorge by difficulty.

Having said all that, here are the main things to see and do in Taroko Gorge, in the order you would encounter them going in. More places to visit near Taroko Gorge will be covered in the next section below.

Taroko Gorge Entrance Gate

Welcome to Taroko Gorge! Tacky as it may seem, we can never resist stopping here for a photo, and you will probably want to do the same 🙂

The entrance gate (called 東西橫貫公路牌樓 on GoogleMaps) officially marks the entrance to Taroko Gorge . Just past the gate, turn right and cross the bridge over the river to reach Shakandang Trail (see below) or the Taroko National Park Visitor’s Center. You can see the bridge on the right side of the above photo.

For all other sights in Taroko Gorge, keep to the left, passing through the iconic rock arch visible in the photo above.

If you stay at one of the hotels I mentioned in Xincheng, like Liwu Hotel , you would be only five minutes’ walk from here.

Shakadang Trail

Shakadang Trail (砂卡噹步道), or “Mystery Valley Trail”, is an easy trail that follows a creek with crystal clear, sapphire pools of water. You WILL want to jump in, but you aren’t technically allowed to swim or go off the trail since people have died here.

This easy 4km walk takes about 2 hours return if you go the whole way (when the whole trail is open – check the national park site for current opening situation). This trail is a great one for visitors with kids , as it is mostly flat and you only need to walk as far as you want then turn back.

The trail passes through a Truku aboriginal village, where locals sometimes sell crafts or snacks along the trail.

To get there, cross the bridge that goes over the river at the Taroko Gorge Entrance Gate. Just turn right after the entrance gate from the previous entry. Turn left after crossing the bridge, and drive about five minutes past the Taroko National Park information center .

Buses also stop at the start of Shakadang Trail. If you come here with a private driver, they will be willing to park and wait for you while you do the hike. Note that the trail is sometimes closed for maintenance, so it’s best to find out before you come.

If you’ve walked into Taroko Gorge, you can walk from the Visitor’s Center to the start of Shakadang Trail on a trail along the river (also called Shakadang Trail on GoogleMaps), which is nicer than walking along the road.

Eternal Spring Shrine

The Eternal Spring Shrine (長春祠) is probably the most recognizable sight in Taroko Gorge and often crowded with tour groups. A picturesque waterfall streams out from the mountain, with a large colorful shrine built up around it to honor the many who died when the highway was first carved out by the Japanese in the 1910s.

From the large parking lot, the walking trail to the shrine goes through a tunnel that contains some smaller shrines. However, these tunnels and access to the shrine are sometimes closed due to damage by landslides.

When accessible, you can walk right up to the stream that runs through the shrine before it spills down to the valley floor below. If that part is closed, you can simply admire the shrine from the viewpoint next to the large parking lot.

Changuang Temple

A lesser known stop right next to the famous Eternal Spring Shrine is Chuanguang Temple (禪光寺). Although it looks very large in the above photo (shot by a drone), you won’t actually notice it when you drive through Taroko Gorge or visit Eternal Spring Shrine. That’s because it is uphill from the main road and hidden by the trees.

The easiest way to get to Changuang Temple is by walking up the car road to it. Going this way, it only takes about 15 minutes to walk from Eternal Spring Shrine to Changuang Temple . It is also possible to take a longer but more scenic hiking route there via Eternal Spring Bell Tower (see below), but the trail is partially closed as of 2024 (see link in next entry for latest info).

Eternal Spring Bell Tower

Although you can’t actually see Changuang Temple from below, you can see the beautiful Eternal Spring Bell Tower (長春鐘樓), also sometimes called Changuang Bell Tower (禪光鐘樓) from the Eternal Spring Shrine area, as in the above photo. On GoogleMaps , the bell town might look very close to the main highway, but it’s actually far, far above the highway on top of a cliff.

The Bell Tower is on a hiking trail called Eternal Shrine Trail (Changchun Shrine Trail) that starts at Eternal Spring Shrine and ends at Changchun Temple, so you can normally get to the Bell Tower from either. However, both ends of the trail appear to be closed due to landslide damage as of early 2024.

If you walk to the Bell Tower from Changuang Temple, the steep trail takes approximately 20 minute . This trail crosses a suspension bridge before getting there. If you start from Eternal Spring Shrine, the trail is longer (approximate 1 hour) but more scenic. The trail passes Guanyin Cave (觀音洞), which seems to be currently closed, and Taroko Tower before reaching the Bell Tower.

This guide to Eternal Spring (Changchun) Bell Tower Trail on the official Taroko website has a map of the trail and information about current closed sections (although the information is a little confusing). If you manage to reach the Bell Tower from either side, please let me know in the comments!

For temples lovers, be sure to check out my guide to the top 30 temples in northern Taiwan .

Buluowan is a grassy terrace sitting above the highway. It used to be the site of a real Truku (Taroko) aboriginal village . Today, the Buluowan Service Station (布洛灣遊憩區) has some small exhibits on Truku culture and handicrafts, sculptures, and simple lunchboxes and other snacks.

From the service center, you can follow a walking trail to Buluowan Terrace and Buluowan Suspension Bridge (布洛灣吊橋). At 152 meters above the Liwu River and 196 meters in length, it is the tallest and longest suspension bridge in Taroko National Park . The trail there is flat and easy to walk.

Taiwan tourist shuttle 310 (when running) makes a stop at Buluowan Service Center as it drives through Taroko Gorge.

Taroko Village Hotel sits on another plateau a little higher up from the service center. This is the only place where you can stay in cabins with aboriginal design in Taroko Gorge.

During one of our trips to Taroko Gorge, we visited here to enjoy an aboriginal buffet meal for dinner, which was excellent.

Swallow Grotto

Swallow Grotto/Swallow’s Grove (燕子口 or Yanzikou) is a stretch of road that veers off from the main highway and through multiple tunnels . You can park at the side then walk along the road, peering over sheer vertical drops to the river far below—classic Taroko Gorge scenery.

The vantage points and short walking trail here get their name from the swallows who build nests in the cliff face. You can also cross Zhuilu Suspension Bridge nearby, which is the start of the Zhuilu Old Trail (see next entry).

You’ll want to take caution here, as most of the walking path shares the road with vehicles, including a series of dark tunnels. If driving though, do so very slowly and watch for pedestrians.

The road that goes through these tunnels continues for one kilometer (one way direction for vehicles) before joining up again with the main highway. Because the road is prone to landslides, don’t be surprised if it is closed when you visit.

There’s a cliff that looks like a Native American chief , small cafe named “The Chief” after it, and a spot where if you look up, the rock cliffs make a Taiwan shape in the sky.

Taroko National Park headquarters suggest wearing helmets when visiting Swallow’s Grotto, which are available for free at the visitor’s center and at the spot marked “Free Helmet Rental” (太魯閣峽谷安全帽發放處) on GoogleMaps, on the main road about 1 km before Swallow Grotto.

Zhuilu Old Trail

Taroko Park’s most exhilarating hike, Zhuilu Old Trail or Zhuilu Old Road (錐麓古道), features narrow trails along sheer 500m+ cliffs and expansive, bird’s eye views over Taroko Gorge. This fairly tough 6-km hike takes 2-6 hours (depending on how much of it is open) and officially requires a permit and guide . Also, you must begin before 10am.

To arrange a guide and permit, simply book the tour online with Island Life Taiwan Tours and they will arrange it for you. This hike is still on my Taiwan bucket list, so I’ve used a friend’s photo above.

At the time of writing, only the first 3.1km were open, so definitely check the status on the national park website or with the tour company before you go. Sometimes, even though it says “open”, only a small part of the trail is open.

The trail starts by crossing Zhuilu Suspension Bridge (錐麓吊橋) across the Liwu River just before Swallow Grotto. If you don’t have a permit, you can still cross this bridge, but you can’t go any further up the trail.

Liufang Bridge Observation Deck

Stop at this small parking lot and observation deck, called Liufang Observation Deck (流芳橋觀景台), for a unique and impressive view.

Climb the wooden stairs up to the observation deck and you can look down on the highway as it emerges from two tunnels through the mountain, one for traffic in each direction, and then crosses Liufang Bridge (流芳橋).

Unfortunately, there is no bus stop here.

Tunnel of Nine Turns

The Tunnel of Nine Turns (九曲洞隧道 or Jiuqudong ) is a dramatic stretch of walking-only tunnels that was closed for six years due to major damage from a landslide. Fortunately, the tunnel was finally reopened to the public in 2019 , after being fully renovated and made safe.

The 700-meter pedestrian-only road features several tunnels and used to be a part of the original highway through Taroko Gorge. It features some of Taroko Gorge’s most epic views and definitely should not be missed. Watch for the beautiful waterfall between the cliffs on the other side.

The trail is about 700 meters and most visitors spend around 30 minutes here. Unfortunately there’s no parking lot here. If you have a driver, the driver will drop you off and pick you up. There’s also a bus stop nearby. If you’re driving and really want to see it, you could park around Lushui and walk there, about 30 minutes each way.

Cimuting, Lanting, Heliuting, and Lushui Trail

There is a small collection of sights around Cimu Bridge (慈母橋). I don’t really consider these essential stops in Taroko Gorge, but if you have more time, or are staying at one of the campgrounds nearby, you may want to visit them.

Cimuting (Cimu Pavilion or 慈母亭) and Lanting (蘭亭) are two small pavilions next to the bridge, but they are a little old and not easy to stop at, as there is very little parking. Further down the road, Yuewangting (岳王亭) is another one, which most people stop at for walking across yet another suspension bridge there.

A little further down the highway, Heliu Campground and the overflow Lushui Campground are the two main campgrounds in Taroko Gorge (see the “where to stay in Taroko Gorge section above”).

Heliu Campground is the start of the Lushui Trail (綠水步道), a pleasant trail that includes sections of forest, a 30-meter cave, a spirit tablet, and river views. It’s an easy trail that takes about an hour.

Tianxiang (Tienhsiang) Recreation Area

Tienhsiang (Tianxiang) is the only “town” in Taroko Gorge, if we could even call it that. It is the terminal bus stop of buses running up the gorge, beside which you can find a few aboriginal and Taiwanese food stalls and the only 7-Eleven in Taroko Gorge (often low on supplies).

The view from the grassy area marked Tianxiang Recreation Area (天祥遊憩區) on GoogleMaps is good. A short walk from town, can cross Taroko Pudu Bridge (太魯閣菩渡橋, pictured above) and walk up many stairs to the Buddhist Xiangde Temple (祥德寺) and the towering Tianfeng Pagoda (天峯塔, visible at the top of the above photo). There’s a small vegetarian restaurant (素食義賣) on the way up – opening hours may be limited.

Tianxiang is also the location of Silks Place , the fanciest hotel in Taroko Gorge by a long shot, as well as the budget friendly Tienhsiang Youth Activity Center . You can walk to the following trail from this town.

Baiyang Trail and Water Curtain Cave

Baiyang Trail (白楊步道) is another easy trail starting 900 meters past Tianxiang , taking you to gorgeous Baiyang Waterfall (白楊瀑布). Past the falls and requiring a little more uphill of a hike is Water Curtain Cave (水濂洞), a tunnel in which water spills down on top of your head as you walk through.

The trail takes less than an hour each way. Parts or all of the trail are sometimes closed for maintenance, so do check on the official site before you go. For most of 2023 and going into 2024, the trail has been open up to Baiyang Waterfall only .

On this tour , you can get flashlights and raincoats for entering Water Curtain Cave, so you don’t get too wet. If you visit on your own and want to walk through the tunnel, it’s a good idea to bring an umbrella or raincoat like we did (see image below).

Wenshan Hot Spring

Wenshan Hot Spring (文山溫泉) was once the most famous wild hot springs in Taiwan , being located right inside Taroko Gorge. Destroyed by a typhoon in 2005, it is now technically closed and not recommended to visit by the offiicial Taroko National Park headquarters.

However, by sneaking around a few fences, you can still visit what’s left of it. You can still bathe here, but the conditions are not ideal. To find out exactly how to do so, see my guide to visiting Wenshan Hot Spring .

The hot spring is located 2.5 kilometers past Tianxiang, and is probably the furthest point that you will consider going in Taroko Gorge unless you are planning to on traveling up the long, winding, and often closed road to Hehuanshan (see below).

If you’re looking for a longer hike in Taroko Gorge with virtually no people on it , check out the Lushui Wenshan Trail , which starts around the same point as the trailhead for Wenshan hot spring.

Things to Do around Taroko Gorge

Besides all the sights mentioned above inside Taroko Gorge, there are several other attractions near the gorge that can be combined with your day trip to Taroko Gorge.

You can find more information about these sights, plus many more things to do, in my guide to Hualien and recommended Hualien itinerary .

Qingshui Cliffs

The dramatic Qingshui Cliffs are on the Suhua Highway, which leads from Hualien to Su’ao in Yilan County . The cliffs are located on a stretch of the coast just 10 minutes’ drive north of the entrance to Taroko Gorge, with a few different spots along the coast where you can pull over to see them.

If you’re driving through Taroko Gorge on your own, it would make sense to see them in at the end of your visit. You could also walk to them in about an hour if you’re staying in Xincheng.

Most tours to Taroko Gorge, such as this one , this one , and this one , include a visit to Qingshui Cliffs, but sometimes only if there’s enough time at the end of day.

You can also go whale watching off the coast of Hualien!

Qixingtan Beach

Gorgeous Qixingtan is a beautiful pebble beach between Hualien and Taroko Gorge, so it’s easy to stop there where traveling between the city and the gorge. Most day tours to Taroko Gorge stop at the beach on the way to or from the gorge. You can’t swim there because the tide and waves are very strong, but the views are unbeatable.

There are usually some stalls selling food and drinks at Qixingtan. At busy times you can also rent bikes there to ride along the coast or all the way back to Hualien City, where you can arrange for them to meet you and pick up the bike (some Mandarin skills may be necessary to arrange this).

Qixingtan is included on this tour and this tour .

Hehuanshan and Cingjing Farm

It is even possible to continue further up Provincial Highway 8, the highway that runs through Taroko Gorge, to the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan.

Eventually the highway splits, with Highway 8 continuing across the Central Mountains to Taichung (called the Central Cross Island Highway). Highway 14 goes south and then also traverses Taiwan via Wuling Pass (the highest navigable pass in Taiwan, at 3275 m) and Hehuanshan (Hehuan Mountain). This 3416-meter mountain is considered one of the best places to see snow in Taiwan.

People don’t often realize this, but Hehuanshan is actually in Taroko National Park. Learn all about visiting it in my Hehuanshan guide .

A lot of visitors to Taiwan want to visit Hehuanshan, but it’s not easy to get to. There is no public transportation going from Taroko Gorge to there (there used to be a private shuttle bus from Hualien and Taroko Gorge to Hehuanshan, but it’s no longer running). What’s more, the highway above Taroko Gorge is often closed due to damage by landslides/typhoons (see the section about this at the top of the article).

Therefore, it is much easier and safer to visit Hehuanshan from Taichung on the west side of Taiwan. You can do so by joining this  Hehuanshan tour. There’s only one hotel at Hehuanshan and its hard to book – read about it in my guide to staying at Songsyue Lodge .

After Hehuanshan (if you are able to get there from Taroko Gorge), the highway continues on to the popular Cingjing Farm , a gorgeous high-mountain, European-style farm. Again, it is best to get to Cingjing from Taichung , not from Taroko Gorge.

If you keep going, you can continue all the way to Sun Moon Lake and Alishan and then descend to the west coast of Taiwan.

Find all the information about this area in my guide to Cingjing Farm and how to get from Taichung to Cingjing and Hehuanshan .

The small aboriginal village of Sanzhan (三棧) is only about 10 minute’s drive from Xincheng Train Station and the entrance to Taroko Gorge. The Sanzhan River, which runs past the village, has several great spots for jumping into the water. This is a real treat after a long day of hiking in Taroko Gorge, especially in summer.

To find the jumping spots, search “Sanzhan River Playing Area ( 三棧溪戲水區 )” on GoogleMaps. You can also jump in from the rocks below the bridge just before town, which is where I shot the above photo. There are even more spots around here and a little further up on the Sanzhan River, which is the start of the route to Golden Grotto (see below).

Sanzhan is the starting point for the infamous river trace to Golden Grotto (黃金峽谷), a long, difficult, and at times unsafe river trace that is considered one of the best in Taiwan.

If you want to stay in Sanzhan, perhaps as a very quiet and off-the-beaten-track alternative to Xincheng and Hualien, or because you plan to do river tracing or enjoy jumping in the water, you can spend the night at Songyue Guesthouse . There are a few very basic restaurants in town.

Well, I hope you’ve found all the information you needed for planning your trip to Taroko National Park. Let me know how your trip goes, and be sure to check out my other articles below on the area!

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33 thoughts on “A 2024 Guide to Taroko Gorge and Taroko National Park”

This is an awesome guide! Wish we would have had this before we visited Taroko Gorge last year. We’d love to go back and camp inside the park, and to do more hiking!

Wow! Grand Canyon indeed. What a magical place. I’d enjoy doing it by scooter. A simple rental than off I’d go, with wife in tow. Amazing experience because it mixes such lush greens with dramatic mountain and canyon scenery. Taiwan has much to offer. I feel the place is still well off the tourist beaten path in many regards. Rocking post dude!

Your post makes me SUPER excited about my upcoming trip to Hualien! I’ll be there for five days and will be exploring the area. Never heard of Shakadang Trail before your blog post but it’s now on my to-do list!

Do you need a license to rent a scooter and are there a lot of bugs? I ask because I just came from NZ and they had crazy, crazy sandflies at gorges!

Great post avout Taroko Gorge! Just wondering if the places you’ve mentioned here are the exact order from the start of the Gorge until Tianxiang? If not can you give me a rundown of places to see starting from the start until the end? And if you rent bicycles, do they also give you a helmet and a lock for the bike? Hoping for your response!!!

Yes, the order of sights above is pretty much exactly as you would encounter them. Only Shakadang trail is off the main road. Right after the Taroko Gorge entrance gate, the main road continues on the same side up Taroko Gorge. But for Shakadang trail, you have to cross a bridge right after the entrance gate to the other side of the gorge, where you’ll find the visitor’s center, and a little further down, the Shakadang trail. Everything else after that is in order, on the main side of the road. As for bicycles, I haven’t personally rented from those shops myself, so I can’t say for sure. I would hope they offer helmets. In Taiwan, it’s fairly common, outside of cities especially, for people to not bother using locks though. It’s really quite safe. Please let me know when you find out though, so I can know in the future!

Hello Nick,

Thanks for the awesome post about Taroko Gorge. I’m planning to visit Taiwan in August and would like to spend a weekend in Taroko Gorge. I’ve been researching on the NP and find your website super useful. I’d like to bring my camping gear from US to camp at the Heliu Campground. There’re 2 things I’m trying to figure out:

1/ As I read about the Heliu Campground, it is on 1st-come 1st-served basis. So what times would the campground be opened for walk-up and how would I pay the fees (in cash)?

2/ Is it safe to claim a campsite, set up my tent, and hop on the shuttle bus for day hikes in the Gorge, leaving my camping gears at the campsite to come back later at night? This is quite normal in the US but I’ve never had a chance to camp anywhere else so I’m a little bit worried about the safety.

Hoping for your response!!!

Hi Huy, Sounds like you’ve got an awesome trip planned. I’ve only stayed at the campground once, but it was way back in 2008, so I can’t guarantee nothing has changed. When I stayed there, I remember we just walked in, chose a platform, and set up our tent. There was nobody even working there. I don’t even remember paying the fee, but maybe somebody came around later to collect it. For best luck to get a spot, you should try to come early, especially on weekends. Taiwan is extremely safe, and I think you can leave your things and not worry about them. Taiwan is the kind of place where people leave their laptops unattended for half an hour in a cafe. It’s probably smart to keep your most important valuables on you though, because you never know.

Hi, I am drawing an itinerary for Taiwan trip (Oct 14th morning – 19th afternoon) with my family – twin (26), my parents (55 & 65) who are not the most active adults. Thinking of sightseeing Taipei on 14,15 and spend 16 at Taroko Gorge. Should I arrive from Taipei in the evening of 15th, stay overnight at Taroko and start early 17th oct at the national park and take train back or stay at Hualien. Take train back to taipei 18th morning/afternoon. Or take a train in the morning 17th and leave bags at hotel, continue to Taroko during midday and rest overnight at Taroko. Take train back to taipei 18th morning/afternoon. (Is there much to see at Hualien or worth skipping?) I wish to continue to Sunmoon lake next morning… but realise there are no trains connecting Hualien/Taroko to Sunmoon Lake. I realise driving from Taroko would take 5-6 hours and it would be too much for elderys their age. Do you think it’s worth doing another one-day trip down there from Taipei-Taichung-(bust) Sun Moon Lake? If so how long would it take? Please kindly advise. Many thanks

Hi Nick, do you know by chance if Island Life tours in Hualien/Taroko are still operating? I tried to contact them via multiple channels to arrange a private tour or two, but no luck. It’s weird that most recent reviews they have on FB and Google maps are from 2020 :-/

Hey Ivan, Island Life Tours, like most tour companies in Taiwan, relied on foreign tourists. Their business has been devastated by the lack of tourists coming to the island, so it’s not at all surprising that they aren’t running tours right now. We can only hope that they will manage to get their business back up and running again after Taiwan starts allowing tourists to come.

Hey Nick! Thank you for the comprehensive guide to a Taroko tour. I’m hoping to do it by bike and so far research hasn’t shown us a giant station next to xincheng. Have you had any experience with this?

Greetings from a Belgian traveller!

Hi Elise, sorry for my belated reply, I just saw this! At Xincheng Station you can rent bikes at “TR9-Xinchengzu Station” or “太魯閣車頭前機車腳踏車出租”, both right outside the station. I’m not sure whether the have Giant brand, but they definitely rent bikes. Best of luck!

Hi Elise, Happy New Year 2023. I plan to go to Taiwan this Feb. Did you have great time in Taiwan? Stefan – also from Belgium [email protected]

Hi Nick, where do you think is a good base to visit Taroko Gorge when travelling with a 3 year old and a 1 year old? My kids do not do great on long car rides. I am planning to drive through from Hualien to Cingjing, visiting Taroko Gorge in between. Obviously with kids, I am not going to be able to visit Taroko in single day. I do not mind too not visiting all of it. If you have any suggestions on how to make this visit to Taroko the most workable and ‘pain-free’ for parents with little kids, I’ll be most grateful. Thank you!

Hi Mel, and sorry about my slow reply. Please also see the Taroko Gorge section of my article “Taiwan with kids”, in which I describe our visit with kids and some kid-friendly hotels in the area. Hualien City has the best selection of rooms, but it also the furthest away. You said obviously you can’t visit taroko in a single day, but I feel you actually can. Simply driving through, you get to see a lot of the scenery. Stop at a few of the main stops, like Eternal Spring Shrine, Tunnel of Nine Turns, and Swallow’s Grotto, each which require a very short or almost no walk, and you’ve essentially seen the best of Taroko Gorge. As for your drive to Cingjing with kids, I would say that if you’re kids are prone to car sickness like mine, expect an extremely winding road. Let me know if you have any more questions!

Hi Nick Thanks for all the info you provide on your various blogs ! it has been super helpful in planning our taiwan trip. We need to travel from Sunmoon lake to taroko gorge- and we were considering renting a car and driving between the 2 locations and stopping at cinqing farm for 1 night. I am a bit concerned after reading your comment about the road being closed due to land slides? What would your back up options be ? is this not recommended? we are planning to visit in Late sep- oct. Thanks

Highway 8 above Taroko Gorge was badly damaged in three different spots several months ago in 2022. Right now the construction crews are still fixing the road, but they let cars pass through at some specific times every day. The exact times and locations are listed on the Taroko Gorge National Park website (click news, roads and trails, small arrow beside Highway 8 for updated details). It could be totally fixed before your trip, but also possible it’s not. It’s also possible that another typhoon could strike this year and cause more damage again (typhoon seasons is July to October). So this part is impossible to predict. So I suggest you plan to do it, but also have a backup plan in case it’s not possible. Maybe book a hotel in Cingjing that has a cancellation policy. And if you can’t go, you can just drive from SML to Taroko via Taipei, which will take longer, but still possible.

Hi Nick, thanks for all the recommendations and info provided! They are so useful! Can I check if any of the following trails at taroko is doable with a baby stroller? Do these trails have stairs such that bringing a stroller along will cause problems? 1）Baiyang Trail 2）Buluowan Suspension Bridge 3）Eternal Spring Shrine 4) Taroko Shakadang trail

All four of these are pretty flat and easy enough with kids. However, the ground is sometimes bumpy, and there could be a few stairs on all of them. So it’s better if you can bring a baby carrier, not stroller, like we did. If you have a small stroller that is easy to push over bumps or carry sometimes, then it would probably be OK.

Hi Nick, good day. grateful for your blog on Taroko gorge. I would like to enquire are there any options to go Taroko from Taichung using public transportation or tours? Instead of the usual route from Hualien to Taroko. I understand the mountain route from Taroko to Hualien is commonly closed due to natural disasters. I would be coming from the south and its quite troublesome to go to taipei and then go to hualien to taroko. Thank you.

There is no faster or easier way to do this. The cross-island highway is damaged and repairs are not finished yet. Even when it’s open, there are no buses or tours going across the mountain range. The faster way from Taichung to Taroko is HSR to Taipei (1 hr) and express train to Hualien (2 hrs). Even if the road is safe to pass, it would take longer to drive across the mountains than going via Taipei.

Hi Nick! Do you know of any taxi services I can book that will take me from Hualien back to Taipei after my day tour?

You can use the Tripool app, contact Steven Hsieh (search “drivers” on my website’s search function to find my article with his contact info), or you can take the train, which is faster than driving.

Outstanding guide. What a legend. Thank you very much for the huge effort!

Good afternoon,

First and foremost, we wanted to express our gratitude for your detailed blog post about Taiwan. It has proven immensely helpful while planning our upcoming trip to Taiwan in November.

While your blog suggests touring Taroko Gorge either with a guided tour or a private vehicle, we’re more inclined towards using public transportation for our travels. We find comfort in buses and the freedom to explore at our own pace. Could you please advise if it’s possible to visit Taroko Gorge in a day using public transportation? If so, we would greatly appreciate guidance on where we can find information such as timetables, station details, and other relevant transport-related details.

Additionally, for context, we’ll be arriving in Hualien and plan to depart for Yuli on the same day after our visit to Taroko Gorge.

Thank you very much for your assistance. We’ll wait for your answer. Have a nice day!

I almost always feel the same, but this is one case when I would personally go for the driver. The thing about bussing to Taroko is that it’s slower, and you’re coming to spend your whole day watching the bus schedule, trying to visit places fast or slow enough to catch the next bus, and waiting for the bus. There are at least half a dozen spots you’ll want to see in Taroko, so to heave to catch a bus to and between each of those will be tedious. By hiring a driver, you can create a customized tour, and not worry about how much or how little time you spend at each stop. If you decide to go by bus, it’s surely still doable, but I think you just have to accept that you’ll be able to see as many spots as if you have a driver. Having a driver also allows you to tack on Qingshui Cliffs, Qixingtan Beach, and if you want to swim in a lovely river, the Sanzhan swimming spot. By bus, you’ll probably have to leave these three spots out, too.

Thank you for the great blog post! My friend and I were planning on getting the train then bus to get to takoro gorge on a DIY day trip from Taipei. Once we get off the bus at the Takoro stop, is it going to be easy to see the main sights on foot or are there busses or taxis available to take us around? Thank you!

Seeing the gorge by bus is not ideal. There are around half a dozen main stops/hikes in the gorge (and many smaller ones) spanning a distance of about 20 kilometers. So definitely you can’t walk to all of them, or even a few, and there will definitely be no taxis there. You will be at the mercy of the bus to get between stops. The bus is infrequent, so you’ll need to figure out the schedule, then try to always be at the bus stop for catching it to your next stop. It means you’ll probably only be able to see 2-3 stops in the gorge, and miss out on some of them. This is why I usually recommend splurging on a tour or private driver for Taroko Gorge, even though I normally always prefer to do things DIY or just drive there myself. Having a driver or joining a tour means you’ll be able to see all the main stops with ease.

Hi Nick, Thank you so much for an incredible post. It is very helpful and detailed. I’d like to ask if it’s safe to drive to taroko by ourselves from Hualien. We’re thinking of driving from Taipei to Hualien for the view and since the car will be there anyway I figured we could do a chill tour at Taroko by ourselves but I’ve heard from other travelers that it might not be the easiest road. Also we usually drive on the right side so if the road is too difficult that could be a problem?

I think under normal times the road in Taroko is fine. It’s a little narrow and winding in some places, but as long as you drive carefully, it’s OK. However, the biggest problem now is that the road in Taroko is damaged from landslides and under construction around Xipan Dam, in the middle of the tourist visiting part of the gorge. The road is only open 5 times per day for cars to pass. So you must know those times and plan accordingly. Please join my Facebook group “Taiwan Travel Planning” where we have many posts and updated information about this.

hmm, is there any food in taroko?

Yes, there are some snacks and lunchboxes for sale at Buluowan Terrace and an aboriginal restaurant in the hotel there. Option two is the 7-11 and some simple restaurants at Tianxiang.

Hi Nick, hopefully you and your family are safe and not affected by the earhquake this morning. My family booked tickets to visit Taipei and Hualien, supposed to take train on 7 April from taipei to Hualien. Taroko was our main destination in Hualien (booked private driver from klook), with the earthquake this morning, do you know whether it is still open for visit ? I tried googling for any information on this but couldnt find any reference. Thank you in advance! Also, thank you for your comprehensive information on Taiwan! It helps me a lot in planning my family trip 🙂

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HUALIEN TAROKO GORGE TOUR

花蓮 太魯閣（タロコ）観光 1 日ツアー

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Drop-off to Hualien Hotel or Train Station

We focused on a day trip to Taroko National Park

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Taroko Gorge with our exclusive tour service. Explore the stunning marble cliffs, walk across suspension bridges, and marvel at cascading waterfalls. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself in nature's wonders. Book your Taroko Gorge tour now and create memories that will last a lifetime!

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What to expect in Taroko National Park?

Shakadan trail

Swallow grotto trail

Shanyue Suspension Bridge

Tunnel of 9 turns trail

Baiyang Trail

Lushui Trail

Water curtain cave

Eternal spring shrine

Aboriginal Lunch (optional)

Qingshui cliff

Qixingtan beach

Sometimes will encounter scenic spots closed maintenance

Experience the beauty of Taiwan's most scenic destination, Taroko National Park, on a private day tour. With its diverse range of nature and wildlife, you'll travel through rugged coastlines, luscious forests, and dramatic cliff faces along the 19km Taroko Gorge. The highlight of the tour is the Swallow Grotto Trail, where you'll explore the heart of the park, passing through tunnels and witnessing the narrowest part of the gorge. From here, you'll have the best viewpoint for admiring the dramatic river and its surrounding landscape. After the hike, you'll enjoy a scenic lunch in Tianxiang before visiting the beautiful Changchung Shrine (also known as the Eternal Spring Shrine). This temple is nestled within the hillside and sits atop a waterfall stream that never stops running, giving the shrine its name. The tour will end at Qixingtan, a stunning pebble beach with fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean. Whether you're a nature lover, wildlife enthusiast, or simply seeking a peaceful escape, Taroko National Park is not to be missed. Join us on this private day tour to experience its stunning beauty firsthand.

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