Taroko Gorge — the National Park

Taroko Gorge National Park is the main reason to visit Hualien, a city on Taiwan’s eastern side. Spanish prospectors knew of its golden bounty before it became one of Taiwan’s top tourism spots, but you certainly don’t go there for a history lesson. The town, only 150 years old, is the gateway for stunning Taroko Gorge where you’ll find 19km of river lying below forested slopes.

From Taipei catch the easy, two hour train to Hualien. If you can, sit on the left side of the train to get clear views of the stunning coastline. Taiwan is not called the beautiful island for nothing! In Taroko Gorge itself, you’ll see waterfalls, vegetation coming down the cliffs and the blue river running throughout. Hiking trails abound, meaning you can easily find your own secluded spot. There are also plenty of chances to see animals throughout the park, and maybe even encounter one of several species of boar.

There are several budget hotels and hostels in Hualien, which allow easy access to Taroko Gorge. There are no hotels within the national park itself. There are many mid-range Hualien hotels which have good prices and, even during the weekend, they don’t fill up too quickly.

From Hualien to the Taroko Gorge, you have three options:

1. Take a coach tour. Most companies do not offer guides in English, so brush up on your Mandarin!

2. Use a scooter. It will take around 1/3 of an hour to make the journey. Have an international, or preferably a Taiwan driving licence.

3. Rent a taxi. You can shuttle between Taroko gorge and Hualien easily by taxi. Negotiate a deal to have your driver act as a tour guide and you’ll be able to investigate some narrow roads that bus tours certainly can’t navigate!

Learn more about Taroko Gorge. Stop byIndie Travel Podcast where you can find out all about Taroko and independent travel.