Nine Turns Tunnel

Nine Turns Tunnel

Nine Turns Tunnel is one of the great wonders of the Central Cross-Island Highway, often leaving both domestic and international visitors in awe. The highway here was built by carving through mountains and drilling tunnels, with peculiar rocks, steep cliffs, and winding roads that twist through solid rock — a fusion of human engineering and nature’s breathtaking craftsmanship. Nine Turns Tunnel features countless corridors, all painstakingly chiseled out by those who built the Central Cross-Island Highway. Here, caves abound and cliffs loom at every step. Above Nine Turns Tunnel, rugged cliffs tower, while below lies a deep valley with rushing waters. After heavy rain, runoff forms numerous “rain showers” waterfalls that cascade dramatically down the canyon, creating a spectacular sight. Between the left bank of the Liwu River, from Swallow Grotto to Cihmu Bridge, lies the famous Cone Gorge Cliff. This cliff reaches a maximum height of 1,666 meters and juts almost vertically into the valley. A smooth path has been carved into the sheer cliff face, forming a section of the old trail known as the Hehuan Crossing — commonly referred to as the Cone Gorge Ancient Trail. The current Nine Turns Tunnel enforces a separation between vehicles and pedestrians. Visitors can park at the western entrance of the trail, get off, and walk along the pedestrian pathway through the Nine Turns Tunnel to the eastern exit, covering a total distance of 1.8 kilometers in about 40 minutes. Since falling rocks are common from the cliffs, it is mandatory to wear a safety helmet.