Taroko National Park 太魯閣國家公園

Some photos of Taroko National Park

Introduction to Taroko National Park
Along with Alishan and Sun Moon Lake, the Taroko Gorge is one of the must-sees on your trip to Formosa, and is considered by many to be the Grand Canyon of Taiwan (after Little Hawaii, no doubt!). It was carved out by a river that cut through the mountains, forming marble cliffs (the highest in the world) and granite. The park stretches nearly 20 km inland to the sea, into which the cliffs plunge, offering a spectacular view.
Once you arrive, you’ll have a choice of how you want to explore the area: on foot, by bike, by scooter, or by bus (though this is not recommended due to the rather inconsistent schedules). You can also use the services of a local agency, which will take you off the beaten track and provide flashlights and other shoe covers to explore the caves safely. While there are quite a few trails, they don’t allow you to see the entire park.
If you have more than one day to spend in the Taroko region, you can also admire the Qingshui Cliffs by kayak (with a guide). And if getting up early is not a problem, you can also come and admire the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean.

Following the earthquake of April 3, 2024, Taiwan remains accessible to travelers. The city of Hualien, the epicenter of the earthquake, is once again accessible by road!

In 2025, the Taroko Gorge, a major tourist attraction in the country, remains closed. The park’s trails and hiking trails are still prohibited.

It will take several months to explore the gorge trails again. If that ever happens, it will likely be short, quick walks to viewpoints. Apparently, no more. The trails/mountains are badly damaged. The Taroko Village hotel is out of service; it may not reopen!

The road through the park is open, but with several checkpoints that only open 3 times a day, it is still strongly advised not to use it as the area is still not stabilized.