Taroko Gorge
From World travel guide
Taroko Gorge is an impressive 19-km-long canyon, situated near Taiwan's east coast. The area of the gorge is also identified as Taroko Gorge National Park.
Contents |
Understand
The Taroko Gorge is composed mainly of marble and granite.
Get In
The nearest major city is Hualien.
By bus
There are numerous bus tours visiting the gorge every weekend. And, while the buses are comfortable and air-conditioned, the tours tend to have a tight itinery (including, of course, the obligatory stop at some local gift shop), leaving little time for extended hiking.
By car
Renting a car in Hualien is definitely an option, though be very cautious; the roads through the gorge are extremely narrow with numerous bends. In addition, there are pedestrians, scooters, cars and massive tour buses all vying for the tight space.
By scooter
The Gorge is not the best place for a first scooter experience. However, scooters are available to rent in Hualien. If you run low on fuel, the locals often stock a small supply that they'll part with for a miraculously uninflated price.
By bicycle
For the truly adventurous, cycling is a wonderful way to traverse the park. However, before slipping on cycling pants and helmet, the road conditions referred to in the 'car' section (above) should be seriously considered. Traffic is much lighter on week days.
Eat
Although western tourists are few and far between, this area is still rather a tourist trap. In spite of this, restaurants are in short supply.
There is the occasional souvenir shop and snack bar along the way, with slightly inflated prices.
There are also a couple of options in the Grand Formosa Hotel. The café there is reasonable for a snack and an air-conditioned break from the heat if you are so inclined, but prices are high. The restaurant proper is quite fancy and expensive.
Sleep
The only accommodations within the gorge are at the five-star Grand Formosa Hotel, with prices to match.
Stay Safe
In May, 2004, the Hualien area experienced an earthquake, killing two people in the Taroko Gorge area (due to rockfall). As a result, the mountain-side remains unstable in several locations. Be careful.
The river that winds its way through the gorge is extremely swift and dangerous in locations. .
External link
- Official government information page for Taroko Gorge.
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