Start of the Zhuilu Old Trail

Taroko Gorge

Taroko National Park


This 18km marble-walled gorge is Taroko National Park's crown jewel. It's a must-see attraction whether you're hiking its trails, peering at its geological features or simply driving along the road that runs right through the middle (albeit much of the way in tunnels), wondering just how high are those mountains floating so vertiginously far above.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Taroko National Park attractions

1. Eternal Spring Shrine

0.63 MILES

Picturesque for its setting, backed by toweringly steep mountainsides, this small shrine sits above a gushing spring that pours out onto the rocks below,…

2. Bulowan

1.85 MILES

Nearing completion at the time of research, a breathtaking new suspension footbridge at Bulowan will soon cross the gorge, dizzyingly high above the river…

3. Swallow Grotto

2.25 MILES

This half-kilometre slice of gorge-side old road twists and turns between rock-cut pillars and minitunnels, reminding visitors of how the Taroko route…

4. Qingshui Cliffs

4.1 MILES

Very steep rock-and-forest mountainsides north of Taroko descend directly into the sea from several hundred metres' altitude. That means that roads and…

5. Xibao Viewpoint

7.55 MILES

Driving beyond Tianxiang, the zigzagging road climbs steadily up through the forested mountainsides, with many appealing vistas. One of the best that also…

6. Baiyang Waterfall

7.94 MILES

Falling a total of around 200m, this waterfall is in fact a pair of cascades, only parts of which are visible from the viewing bridge. To get there, you…

7. Qixingtan

10.17 MILES

Qixingtan (Chihsingtan) is a former fishing hamlet whose few remaining, old, tin-roofed shacks are outnumbered by a gaggle of small but fanciful hotels…

8. Fogstand

10.62 MILES

An ambitious little gallery that showcases edgy and experimental works by Taiwanese, Asian and Western artists. Fogstand also has an artists-as-resident…