Taroko Gorge

Taroko Gorge

Taroko Gorge is a cultural tourism attraction.

Known as the "Mysterious Valley of Taroko," it is a famous tourist destination in Taiwan, located in the northwest of Hualien County on the eastern part of the island. Stretching for 20 kilometers, it is part of Taroko National Park. The cliffs on both sides rise thousands of feet high with jagged peaks piercing the sky; the mountains are steep and rugged, scattered with oddly shaped rocks. The valley features winding streams with rapid waters, tranquil woods, and secluded springs, exuding the continuous grandeur reminiscent of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. It is hailed as the “Three Gorges of the Treasure Island” and is considered the crown jewel of the Eight Scenic Spots of Taiwan. The great gorge was formed over millions of years by the ceaseless cutting of torrential streams. The waters in the gorge rush down from Hehuan Mountain, which stands over 3,000 meters above sea level, and flow to the river mouth just around 100 kilometers away. In many sections, the elevation drops by 20 to 30 meters per kilometer. The constant erosion by the flowing water has made the canyon deeper and deeper, eventually forming this world wonder — Taroko Gorge.

Geographic Overview: Taroko Gorge is located in the northwest of Hualien County on the eastern part of Taiwan, stretching for 20 kilometers, and is part of Taroko National Park.

Taroko Gorge was formed over millions of years by the ceaseless cutting of torrential streams. The waters in the gorge rush down from Hehuan Mountain, which stands over 3,000 meters above sea level, and flow to the river mouth just around 100 kilometers away. In many sections, the elevation drops by 20 to 30 meters per kilometer. The constant erosion by the flowing water has made the canyon deeper and deeper, eventually forming this world wonder — Taroko Gorge. Building a road through this gorge was extremely challenging, and workers had to carve out niches in the cliffs, dig tunnels, and construct bridges. The Central Cross-Island Highway, which runs through Taroko Gorge, stretches 300 kilometers in total. Among these, the 1.9-kilometer-long Swallow Grotto is the most iconic attraction within Taroko Gorge.

Route Suggestion: You can take a vehicle from Taipei along the eastern coast of Taiwan to Taroko National Park in Hualien. The most popular attraction to visit is the Waterfront Trail. This trail branches off from a side road inside the Changchun Tunnel near the Central Cross-Island Highway’s Changchun Shrine, leading to the entrance at the bridgehead of the gorge. The path is built along the mountain wall, offering breathtaking views of white marble cliffs and serene, crystal-clear pools along the way. The area is also abundant in butterflies and birds, making it a great spot for enjoying nature and wildlife. The trail is nearly 5 kilometers long.