by Hope Lee

Created on: March 03, 2011   Last Updated: March 06, 2011

Taroko Gorge is one of the most beautiful areas in Taiwan to visit.  It features a wide variety of beautiful sights, hiking, and other outdoor adventures.  Because this area has been designated as a National Park, it has been kept fairly unspoiled from development.  

Things to do

The most prominent thing to do in Taroko National Park is to hike and enjoy nature.  Trails come in a wide variety of difficulty levels and provide very different views; some highlight the sights of the gorge itself while others take visitors up into the mountains around the Taroko Gorge.  Easy trails include the

Tunnel of Nine Turns (Jioqudong) Trail, which follows the original road into the gorge along the banks of the river, the Shakadang Trail, which follows the easy course of a river, and the Baiyang Waterfall Trail, which includes multiple tunnels and highlights a beautiful waterfall.  More challenging hikes will take you to Lianhua (Lotus) Pond or Huoran Pavilion.  Trail closings are common and it is advisable to check the message boards for current warnings prior to visiting.  

Where to stay

The number of places to stay in Taroko Gorge is fairly limited given its rural nature.  However, there are places for type of traveler and every budget.  Reservations are needed during times of high travel, such as Chinese New Year or the summer months.  

The best combination of budget and services is found at the Kuanyin Youth Hostel, run by the China Youth Corps.  These hostels, found all over the island, provide quality accommodations at reasonable prices.  Rooms range from a double room with en suite bathroom facilities to a large ten person dorm with bathrooms on the hall.  The only downside for the single traveler is that, unlike many hostels, they only rent the dorms to one group for a flat rate; there is no per-bed price. Reservations can be made online if you can read Chinese or by emailing the youth hostel, where there is usually one person who speaks English well.  

The Catholic Hostel in Tienhsiang does rent beds by the night for NT$300-500.  It is clean and comfortable, but hot water is only provided at very limited times of day.  When coming in hot & sweaty or cold & muddy from a hike, this feature is not greatly appreciated.  

Silks Place Taroko is a very upscale place to stay, also in the small town of Tienhsiang.  In addition to providing

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