Welcome to Taroko National Park
Taroko National Park (太魯閣國家公園; Tàilǔgé Gúojiā Gōngyuán) is Taiwan's top tourist destination. With its marble-walled canyons, lush vegetation and mountainous landscape, Taroko really puts the formosa (beautiful) in Ilha Formosa.
Top experiences in Taroko National Park
Travel guides
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Taroko National Park activities
One day Hualien Taroko Gorge Tour from Taipei by Train
You'll be picked up from your hotel in Taipei City. Then, you will be transferred to Taipei Railway Station to take a train to Hualien. After arrival in Hualien, your friendly and professional local tour guide will take you to explore the amazing Taroko National Park. Taroko National Park is one of the nine national parks in Taiwan with many beautiful attractions. Your first stop is the Tunnel of Nine Turns with total length of 1.3 miles (2 km). Taroko Gorge is the most essential sections, leaning against the mountain trails and deep valleys and overlooking the rapids of a stream river. The gorge started over 200 million years ago as sediment on the bottom of the ocean. Later visit the Eternal Spring Shrine, one of the major picturesque points in the park. Enjoy the mesmerizing view of the mountains and waterfall. It also happens to be one of the main memorials for veterans. Next, continue to the Swallow Grotto. "Swallow" refers to the Cross-Island Highway from Jin Heng Park. Take a break, and enjoy some local Taiwanese cuisine for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, you will visit the beautiful beach at Cisingtan Scenic Area, and then proceed to Hualien Stone Sculptural Park to visit a marble factory. When the tour ends, you will be transferred back to the Hualien Railway Station to take the train back to Taipei by 7:00 PM, and then you will be dropped off at your hotel in Taipei.
Taroko Gorge Small-Group Full-Day Tour from Hualien City
You will be picked up from your hotel in Hualien city between 8:30 am to 9:00 am and pickup at Hualien Train Station or Hualien Airport are acceptable, as well. It takes around forty minutes from Hualien City to Taroko Gorge. One of the eight wonders in Taiwan, Qingshui Cliff (Ching-Shui Cliff) will greet you firstly. The marvelous cliff and emerald blue sea water, make Qingshui as a touristic highlight in Taroko National Park. Besides the abandoned old highway trace, you would be able to peep local traditional fishing culture.Keep going down through the East-West Highway (Su-Hua Highway; Hwy8), you will see the entrance of Taroko Gorge. The small archway was settled for more than fifty years. It is regarded as a landmark of Taroko National Park. Most of the passengers who have been to Taroko Gorge would take photos with this archway.The first trekking on the tour would be Shakadang Trail (Mysterious Valley trail), featuring for its crystal-blue stream water and amazing sedimentary colorful rocks. There’s no need to worry about the hike, it is flat and easy, suitable for a family. Besides, you will see local aboriginal wild vegetable farms. At the end of the trail, you can buy some beverage in the shop owned by local aborigines, and handicraft related to their culture. You can even take off your shoes and soak your feet into the clean and fresh stream. You will have a great experience of exploring the East Coast of Taiwan. The 3km trail takes around an hour to complete.After relax and light hiking on Shakadang trail, the other picturesque spot nearby is Eternal Spring Shrine. The shrine is built to commemorate the sacrificed workers during the construction. Everlasting spring symbolizes the promising future of this land. In addition, our driver can take you to some secret spots nearby and tell you more stories behind the scenes.After lunch, you are going to Swallow Grotto (known as Yanzihkou Trail), the must-see sight of Taroko Gorge. You will walk on the old Central Cross Island Highway, and you will be amazed by how the narrow tunnel goes through the marble mountain could be built. The dynamic geological activities and river cutting deepen the gorge day after day. For safety, our driver will borrow helmets for you during the walk in Swallow Grotto in the case of some small falling rocks. It takes around thirty minutes walking through this marble paradise. Besides the spots mentioned above, you could also visit Lushui Trail, Cimu Bridge, Chishingtan Scenic Area ... etc if time is allowed. For the lunch, your tour guide will take you to the best local restaurant which is owned by Taroko Tribal aborigines and will serve aboriginal-style cuisine.
Taroko National Park Classic Full-Day Tour
• Taroko Arch Gate: The gate that marks the entrance of the national park, welcoming the visitors from all over the world. • Shakadang Trail: Relaxing trail with grotesque rock formation and beautiful patterns on the cliff. The river by the trail remains crystal clear and turquoise throughout the year. • Swallow Grotto (Taroko Gorge): The most well-known attraction in the park. The combined forces of earthquake and river erosion take turns to form this amazing gorge. • Cimu Bridge: A perfect location to observe amazing white marble beside Liwu river. • Lushui Trail: 50 minutes trail with a gradual and easy slope. The middle part of the trail allows you to walk on the edge of a cliff. It’s railing protected to make this trail suitable for all ages. • Eternal Spring Shrine: Memorizing the loss of the heroes behind the establishment of Taroko National Park. An iconic spot full of history. • Qingshui Cliff: A must-visit spot with breathtaking cliff beside the Pacific Ocean.Please note that we may not follow the order to visit each attraction listed here, it depends on the traffic, weather and road condition. We remain the final decision to adjust the order. It's also possible that we may replace some of the attractions listed here with other attractions nearby if any of them is under maintenance or closed due to the damage from the weather.
Taipei Best of Taiwan 5-Day Tour, Sun Moon Lake, Taroko Gorge
Day 1: Taipei – Sun Moon Lake Pickup by your private guide at your hotel in Taipei. Hop in the comfortable private minivan and start with a drive south to Sun Moon Lake. Travel around this national scenic area and visit several temples including Wenwu Temple, also known as the Literature Warrior Temple — dedicated to Confucius and Kuan Ti, the Protector of Buddhism — as well as Holy Monk Shrine and Tse-En Pagoda. Continue to your hotel for check-in. Relax in the nearby natural hot springs or free time at the lake. Overnight: 5-star Fleur De Chine or similar near Sun Moon Lake Day 2: Sun Moon Lake – Kaohsiung (B) After breakfast at the hotel, head to Fo Guang Shan Monastery. Learn about Buddhism on a private walking tour. You have the opportunity to interact with monks and nuns during a visit to the Main Shrine. After a traditional vegetarian lunch (own expense) here, continue on to Kaohsiung, the second-largest city in Taiwan. Stop at the Former British Consulate at Takao and passes by Love River (Ai River) before a stroll through Lio Ho Night Market. Overnight: 5-star Grand Hi-Lai Hotel in Kaohsiung or similar Day 3: Kaoshiung – Kenting – Taitung (B) Private morning tour of Kenting National Park, located on the southern tip of Taiwan. Stop at notable attractions such as the Oluanpi lighthouse, the Maobitou scenic coastal area, Longpan Park and the forest recreation area. Travel via the Southern Cross-Island Highway to Taitung, where you’ll stay overnight in Zhiben and relax in natural hot springs at the hotel.Overnight: 5-star Hotel Royal Chihpen or similar in TaitungDay 4: Taitung – Hualien (B) Private tour of Taitung’s East Coast National Scenic Area. Explore scenic spots including Siaoyeliou, Sanxientai or Sanxiantai (Terrace of the Three Immortals). You’ll also see the Sanxiantai Bridge, Caves of the Eight Immortals and Shitiping — step-like rocks formed by coral reefs. Stop by a marble factory and showroom en route to Hualien for an overnight stay in Taroko National Park.Overnight: 5-star Silks Place Taroko or similar in HualienDay 5: Hualien – Taroko National Park – Taipei (B)Spend the day with your guide exploring Taroko National Park, whose marble formations are split by a road that winds under forested peaks and towering cliffs. Drive along the 11-mile-long (19-km) Taroko Gorge and look down hundreds of feet to the Liwu River, which roars past marble boulders - a sight to behold. Passing through the Tunnel of Nine Turns and crossing Cimu Bridge, your guide stops at notable natural monuments such as Eternal Spring Shrine and Swallow Grotto. Visit Changchun Temple and step onto the Shakadang Trail for an easy guided hike along a paved, flat path following the winding river. When your tour is concluded, you'll be dropped off at your hotel in the central Taipei area.
4-Day Eastern Taiwan Tour: Yilan Hualien Taitung
Day 1: Taipei / Taiwan Railway Experience / Hualien / East Coast Scenic Area / Taitung Depart from Taipei in the morning and take the TRA train to the east coast to discover the last unspoiled land of Taiwan. Upon arrival in Hualien, drive south through East Coast Scenic Area which faces the Pacific Ocean. Visit Shitiping, a marine abrasion platform with coral reefs and potholes and Amis Folk Center, which is a cultural center that introduces the customs, architecture, art and music of the Amis – an indigenous people of Taiwan. Today’s highlight will be Sanxiantai (literally meaning terrace of the three immortals), composed of offshore islands and coral reefs. The most famous landmark is the cross-sea bridge, which connects the mainland and the island.Hotel: Sheraton Taitung Hotel (5-Star) or similarDay 2: Taitung / East Rift Valley / Hualien Travel along the East Rift Valley, a long and narrow valley extending from Hualien to Taitung. The three natural river systems including the Hualien River, Xiuguluan River and Beinan River run through the valley and create different types of land forms. The first stop is Luye Gaotai. The unique geographical conditions offer an ideal location for tea cultivation and paragliding. Mr. Brown Avenue is famous for their TV commercial of Mr. Brown Coffee (a local coffee brand). The “avenue” is a single lane pathway in the middle of the green paddy fields. Matai'an Wetland Ecological Park is the biggest natural wetland in Hualien and also the traditional homeland of the Ami people.Hotel: Promisedland Resort & Lagoon (5-Star) or similar Day 3: Hualien / Taroko Gorge / Jiaoxi Visit the world-famous Taroko National Park, which was selected by Virgin Travel Insurance as one of the top 10 best global sights. Here you will experience the power of nature’s masterpiece and mankind's great engineering achievement. The national park was well-known for the soaring cliffs and plunging valleys of solid marble carved by a torrential river. Central Cross-Island Highway is a narrow and winding mountain road made by carving out rocks. Pass by CingShuei Cliff and admire the scenery of the cliffed coastline to Jiaoxi, Yilan. Tonight you will stay in a hot spring resort in Jiaoxi. Hotel: Hotel Royal Chiaohsi, Yilan (5-Star) or similarDay 4: Jiaoxi / Taipei This morning you will have a nostalgic tour at the National Center for Traditional Arts. Experience the traditional handicrafts, folklore, puppetry, and delicacies of old Taiwan. Taiwan is well-known for orchid breeding cultivation. Visit King Car Yuanshan Orchid Garden, experience the graceful elegance of the orchids. The last stop is King Car Kavalan Distillery, the first whisky distillery in Taiwan. Here you are offered a sip of different types of whisky.
Zhuilu Old Trail Hiking Day Tour in Hualien
From the trail • 0 km: Zhuilu Suspension Bridge – Green long suspension bridge above Liwu river, giving you a unique perspective of the gorge. Exclusive to the hikers only. • 1 km: Badagang Outpost– Historic aboriginal settlement. It used to be the biggest Japanese checkpoint in Zhuilu Old Trail. • 1.2 km: Badagang Suspension Bridge – Another suspension bridge where travelers rest. It’s enjoyable to stand/sit on the bridge for the breeze and the view down to the gorge. • 2.4 km: Zhuilu Old Trail Cliff Path– From here it begins with the highlight of the tour. A long and narrow path on the edge of the cliff. The view up here is simply astonishing. It's once in a lifetime experience. After the trail (bonus) • Swallow Grotto – The most well-known attraction in Taroko National Park. From here you are able to see how the erosion separated the mountain to form the greatest marble gorge in Asia. • Chingshui Cliff – A secret and epic attraction to understand how the cliff got elevated from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean by the force of the earthquake.Please note that the itinerary is subjected to change due to the potential interferences like weather, road traffic control, road damage and condition of each attraction. Under the above circumstances, the tour guide might alter the itinerary and find other attractions to replace.