Taroko National Park : An Enchanting Place to Polish Your Soul

Important – status after the 2024 earthquake: the magnitude 7.2 earthquake of 3 April 2024 caused severe landslides in Taroko Gorge. Parts of the park (such as the Taroko visitor centre area and Tianxiang) have reopened, but many famous trails – including Shakadang, Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou) and Baiyang – are closed for long-term repairs that are not expected to finish until around 2031, and other sections of the gorge road open only under traffic control. Before you go, check the latest announcements on the Taroko National Park website, and consider going with a local guide who knows which areas are currently safe.

Twirling and swirling, tossing and turning. Within Taroko National Park, rests the grand canyon of Taiwan. Located in east Taiwan, featuring high mountains and sheer gorges, Taroko National Park is home to many animals and the Taroko tribes.

With Liwu river running and cutting through lands, the water polishes the rocks as it passes by, leaving a trail of Taroko blue colored water and polished shining river along, making mesmerizing sceneries and eventually forming marble gorges that become the grand canyon of Taiwan, Taroko National park is highlighted with numerous waterfalls, and diverse plant forms. Taroko National park has twenty seven high peaks of the “Taiwan’s One Hundred Peaks,” people who are fond of climbing mountains can book customized tours to climb these mountains (high-mountain routes need permits and change with trail conditions).

Jimmy has been tour-guiding customized tours for a few years, and his favorite place to be is Taroko National Park.  Climbing mountains since 18, Jimmy is amazed by the history and geographic of mountains. Having all sorts of international certificates for mountain climbing, Jimmy chooses to do customized tours and climbing tours in his most loving homeland.

Customized tours around east Taiwan is fun, but climbing tours through Taroko National park is his passion. Jimmy has been to the park countless times, yet every visit is another surprise. Following are some of the best attractions Jimmy recommends:

1. Zhuilu Old Trail (closed after the 2024 earthquake – check for reopening)

If you’re here for the breath-taking marble gorges of the grand canyon of Taiwan, Zhuilu Old Trail  is a one-day hike that you would want to take once it reopens (it requires a permit booked in advance).  Zhuilu Old Trail is a path less taken by tourists, so customized tours like Jimmy’s are a great option while getting a glance at the famous gorges, safety and guidance is important. On this trail you will be able to admire the marble gorges of Taroko National park and have a closer look at the soothing Taroko blue water among tall massive marble cliffs.

2. Swallow Grotto (trail closed for repairs)

Swallow Grotto is where the both sides of the gorge rocks of Liwu river narrow down to meet, forming a small yet steep gap showing the greatness of nature itself. With the Taroko blue river flowing toward its end joining the the big blue sea of freedom, Swallows fly above and nesting on the near cliffs is how Swallow Grotto got its name. The walkway here was badly damaged in the 2024 earthquake and is expected to stay closed for several years.

3. Water Curtain Cave (closed)

Named after the cave where the Monkey King lives in the famous Chinese novel Journey to the West. It is described that the cave he lived in had a waterfall over it like a curtain made of water. The cave, at the end of the Baiyang Trail, has a Taroko blue waterfall curtain pouring over its entrance. Note that the cave section was closed because of rockfall risk even before the 2024 earthquake, and the Baiyang Trail itself is now closed for repairs, so treat it as a place to read about rather than a must-see for now.

4. Chingshui Cliff

A steep coastal cliff that plunges straight into the Pacific Ocean. A trip to Hualien is not complete without seeing this dramatic drop into the ocean, usually admired from the roadside viewpoints along the Suhua Highway. Do look out for falling rocks, and check the daily road conditions and whether the viewpoints are open before setting out.

5. The Eternal Spring Shrine

One of the main tourist attractions inside the Grand Canyon of Taiwan. The shrine is built right above a waterfall, the running water of waterfalls in Chinese culture represents life and everlasting. Hence the shrine is called Eternal Spring Shrine. Viewing from the bottom, you can see the shrine above, and the water flowing underneath making it a fairy-like scenery. Access to the shrine and its trail has been restricted since the 2024 earthquake – check whether it is open before you plan your day.

We recommend travelers to visit during spring and summer, since you can escape the hot air of the city while seeing the amazing view of flowers in the mountains, flowers blowing in the chilly valley breeze, swaying to the rhythm of nature as if a parade to welcome you to their homeland, reflecting on the hospitality in every Taiwanese culture. And to heal our soul, satisfying sceneries is what our heart wants.

Watching the Taroko blue water rushing and polishing the marble gorges, as if telling you that life is going to be ok, time is like the water and we are the gorges, it takes time to mold ourselves into who we are, and hence we will become a masterpiece just like the grand canyon of Taiwan.

So when the gorge reopens, consider a customized tour of the grand canyon of Taiwan. Tours with a local guide are great because you can learn new knowledge from the locals, see great sceneries, make new friends, and after a day in the Taroko National Park, he can end the tour with some famous dishes around the area.
After all the walking and climbing, some Taiwanese food is the best thing to soothe your belly.