Gorgeous.
Edited: We visited this place in November 2023, a few months before the major earthquake occurred at Taiwan.
What else, as a city girl, could I use to describe such beauty hiking trail that the Mother Earth has given us?
Coming from a country that the tallest nature peak is only our Bukit Timah Hill, Taroko Gorge National Park was simply breathtaking. Couple it with cool autumn weather and a little sunshine, the day was a perfect formula to visit this majestic scenery.
If I can have my way, I’ll definitely be staying there for as long as I can.
Taroko Gorge is a valley between 2 mountains that has Liwu River flowing through. It is located between Nantou and Hualian County.
There are many hiking trails to choose from. The shortest being about 30-40 min to 2-3 hours trail. Having 2 young children, we have chosen 2 trails. A 30 min trail and 1.5hr trail at Shakadang.
The easiest way to reach the various spots at the national park (which we took) is to engage a driver to drive us around. This is also the more expensive option.
If cost is a concern, they have an hourly bus to bring you around to the different attractions. It runs from Hualien Bus Station. However, as mentioned, bus comes every hour. While some places requires more than an hour of hiking like the Shakadang, some attractions may required probably 10 min stroll. Therefore you may encounter waiting for the bus for a very long time each time.
The most gorgeous scene comes from Shakadang. We spent approximately 1-2 hours walking the entire trail.
The huge marble stones towering you with blue flowing river below your feet, I was blown away. I felt that my worries and sorrows are so tiny compared to what Mother Nature has given to us, In the midst of the hike, you will encounter some food stall selling wild boar sausages by the aborigines.
It’s a must try.
Initially, we were very skeptical when they claim to be the best Taiwanese sausage. However after trying the same dish at a few night markets around Taiwan, we concurred.
Have you visited Taroko Gorge? Share with me how you feel in the comments below.
If this is next on you travel bucket list, here are to deets
1. Private Driver from Klook – https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/434-hualien-taroko-national-park-private-car-charter-hualien/?spm=SearchResult.SearchResult_LIST&clickId=cf1e22a457
2. Public information– https://www.taroko.gov.tw/en/cp.aspx?n=7970