RSSTaroko Gorge Travel
Mar 20
Asia Asia, destination, Hualien, Taiwan, taroko, taroko gorge, travel No Comments
On the eastern coast of Taiwan sits beautiful Hualien, a small city that is mainly known as being a starting point for anyone visiting Taroko National Park. Inside the park lies Taroko Gorge, a 19km-long canyon that twists and turns through jagged cliffs.
Taroko, Taiwan was established as a national park while the country was still under Japanese rule in the 1930s. To get here from Taipei, you can get a direct two-hour train to Hualien. 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.
With the Portuguese name, Ilha Formosa, beautiful island, Taiwan doesn’t disappoint, and Taroko Gorge is no exception. There is plenty of scope for exploration in the area of the canyon along hiking trails, many of which are marked as closed, but still get visits from backpackers. Fog often descends over the canyon and covers the gorge, creating a wonderful effect. If you are interested in wildlife, Taroko Gorge is a good place to indulge that interest, as it is home to several varieties of fauna, including several species of boar.
There are three main options for getting to Taroko, Taiwan. The first option is to sign up and ride one of the tour buses lined up outside the station. Several companies will compete for your business to charter you to the gorge. This approach is easy but lacks freedom.
Second is to rent a scooter. Taroko Gorge is only twenty minutes from Hualien and many tourists feel this is a great option for seeing the gorge. You may not be able to rent a scooter without providing an adequate Taiwanese operating license, but it is still worth a shot.
Finally, finding a taxi is not difficult at all. There are several drivers who speak English and are more than welcome to take you to stunning lookout points along the coast as well as Taroko Gorge itself. A full eight-hour day with a personal chauffeur will run to around US$20.
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