Beautiful Taroko Gorge
December 11th, 2009 by Mark Edwards, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
Spanish prospectors first came to Hualien, Taiwan in around 1600AD. For the last 150 years, it’s been inhabited, but that’s not why you visit. Come to Hualien to encounter the stunning Taroko Gorge: long winding cliffs cut by a stunning river in kilometers of national park. Taroko Gorge is probably the biggest travel target in Taiwan, even though the park was only set up in the 1930s.
Getting to Taroko Gorge is not difficult at all. If you are coming from Taipei, you can get a direct two-hour train to Hualien; the best time to arrive is during daylight. Try to get your train ticket for the left-hand side of the train as the tracks follow the coastline for a majority of the ride and offer excellent views of the ocean. The “Beautiful Island (Ihla Formosa)” does not leave you wondering about its name. The river cuts between steep cliffs and waterfalls. There are dozens of hiking trails that allow you to find your own way and your own favourite spots. Taroko Gorge National Park also offers plenty of scope for wildlife viewing, with plentiful bird life and even boar!
Accommodation options in Hualien are rather varied, but there are no Taroko Gorge hotels! Hualien seldom fills up and there are good prices to be found within walking distance of the train station. Hostels are also available for people on a major budget.
From Hualien to the Taroko Gorge, you have three options:
1. Use a tour company. Dozens of tour companies offer bus or coach tours from Hualien. They’re not hard to find.
2. Hire a scooter from the town. It takes around 20 minutes to drive from Hualien to Taroko Gorge by scooter. Be warned that you may need a valid Taiwanese driving permit, but ask around.
3. Taxi as tour guide. Hualien taxi drivers will be happy to drive you to the Gorge. In fact, for around twenty US dollars you can probably find an English speaker to be your private Taroko Gorge tour guide for the day.
Learn more about Taroko Gorge. Stop byIndie Travel Podcast where you can find out all about Taroko and independent travel.
