Dear Valued Travelers,
Regrettably, we must inform you that, in light of the recent 7.2 magnitude earthquake on April 3, 2024, which has caused significant damage to Taroko National Park’s trails and facilities, we are temporarily suspending our day tour to the park. This decision is made with the utmost concern for your safety and well-being. As we witness Taiwan’s resilience and commend the swift actions of its rescue and recovery teams, we remain committed to the safety of our guests. We deeply appreciate your understanding and support during this challenging time. Rest assured, we will closely monitor the situation and provide updates as the park reopens for exploration. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to welcome you back to experience the splendor of Taroko National Park once again.
Sincerely,
Get Me To Taiwan Tour Planning Team
About this activity
| Operation Day | Mon, Tue, Thu and Fr |
| Departure | 6:10AM; Meet up at Taipei Main Station, East Exit 2 (near the train locomotive installation) |
| Duration | 14 hrs |
| Group Size | Public Tour; Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 1 participant |
| Language | English / Mandarin / Japanese |
Overview
Famed for its stunning marble gorge, Taroko National Park is regarded as one of the top natural wonders in Asia. If you are traveling from Taipei, a train journey can be an attractive option to start your adventure, which offers you a chance to experience a different mode of transportation, and connect with the local people.
The awe-inspiring deep gorge cut by the flow of water for millions of years resulted in the natural masterpieces such as Swallow Grotto, Tunnel of Nine Turns, etc. On this one-day tour, you will ramble through the trails in the gorge while enjoying the stunning view of the soaring marble cliffs. We say without exaggeration: the beauty of Taroko Gorge will make you want to capture every moment, so make sure your phone is fully charged!
In addition to this tour, you will also visit the classic attractions in Hualien County during this tour: the marble factory and Qixingtan Beach.
Highlight
- Discover the wonders of the world’s biggest marble gorge—Taroko Gorge
- Take in stunning views of soaring marble cliffs while hiking Taroko’s prettiest trails
- Enjoy a scenic train ride along the east coast of Taiwan
- Witness the beauty of the most romantic beach in Taiwan—Qixingtan Beach
- Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 1 participant
Description
Meet the tour representative in the early morning, then you will take an express train bound for Hualien by yourself. Enjoy this 3 hour scenic journey, experience the local train ride. Your tour guide will greet you at the train station when the train arrives in Hualien.
Your one-day tour to Taroko Gorge National Park starts from the Archway of Taroko Gorge, which is not only a gateway to Taroko Gorge, but also a landmark honoring the workers who sacrificed their lives to build the monumental Central Cross-Island Highway.
From the entry to Tianxiang, this 20 kilometer long section of Central Cross-Island Highway winds through lower Taroko Gorge’s steep marble cliffs, roadside waterfalls, exposed tunnels, and sheer marble walls. This will wow your eyes and drain your camera battery.
Today’s first stop is the Shakadang Trail, one of the most popular and accessible hiking trails in Taroko National Park. Due to its wild beauty, it is also known as the “Mysterious Valley Trail”.
Follow the trail as the Shakadang River flows directly below you. Take in the beautiful marble walls, tremendous boulders, and crystal clear water as you work your way up the relatively flat path. Unless a typhoon has just passed, the water is generally so clear that even the bottom of deep pools is completely visible.
Today’s second stop is Swallow Grotto. In this area of Taroko Gorge, the cliff sides are decorated by naturally carved potholes. The trail gets its name from the swallows that have been known to nest in this portion of the gorge. Walking through the tunnels, you will be amazed by the stunning views of the marble cliffs reaching up to the sky.
Your lunch will be served in a restaurant in Taroko National Park.
After lunch, you will pass by Cimu Bridge, literally “bridge of motherly devotion”, an H-shaped hanging bridge built of marble. The bridge was named by the late president Chiang Jing-guo, and is inspired by a heart-touching story about a loving mother.
Your tour continues with a visit to the Tunnel of Nine Turns. This trail, considered the most scenic section of Taroko Gorge, only recently reopened to the public after years of repair works.
This section of the gorge offers particularly thrilling views of the erosive power of Liwu River. Peering into the spectacular canyon from above, take in the power of the rapids and the sheer marble walls below. Don’t forget to look around at the unique vegetation growing around you.
On your way out of Taroko Gorge, you will pass by Eternal Spring Shrine, a memorial shrine which commemorates the 225 personnel (military veterans) who died during the construction of the Central Cross-Island Highway.
From afar, you can see a waterfall cascading over the sheer cliff below the shrine, which may remind you of a scene out of a classical watercolor painting.
On the way back to the train station, you will visit a local marble factory, where you can get some marble handicrafts or souvenirs featuring the local characters to enrich your travel collection. (Marble Factory is no longer included in the itinerary from April 1, 2024)
You will also visit the most romantic beach in Taiwan. Qixingtan Beach, a crescent-shaped beach covered with sprawling pebbles.
Here you can take a walk, chill yourself and enjoy the sea breeze along the beach, or challenge yourself to stack a stone tower with the pebbles.
After the beach, you will return to the train station for your train back to Taipei and your jaw-dropping 14-hour adventure will end at Taipei Main Station.
<< READ LESS >>Inclusions
- Professional licensed tour guide (Mandarin / English / Japanese)
- Local transfer by air-conditioned vehicle
- Round-trip TRA express train ride between Taipei and Hualien
- Lunch
- Local general liabilities insurance
Exclusions
- Beverage
- Gratuities
Remarks
- Tour commentary will be provided in Mandarin, English and Japanese. (Please note that Japanese commentary will only be available on Mondays and Thursdays.)
- Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
- The sequence and time of stay at tour stops may be adjusted according to the traffic/weather conditions.
- If the tour has to be canceled due to bad weather, we will contact you no later than the evening before the excursion day by email or SMS.
- Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes earlier than the pick-up time.
- Each guest is allowed to bring one piece of carry-on baggage.
- This tour is not recommended for wheelchair users and people with physical disabilities.
- Ensure you carry enough cash with you to cover your expenses for snacks, beverages, souvenirs, tips, etc. Convenience stores and most of the eateries in Taiwan don’t accept credit cards as a form of payment.
Rescheduling, Cancelations and Refunds
If you need to cancel or reschedule the activity for any reason, please contact us via email at info@getmetotaiwan.com. If you have any other questions, feel free to get in touch.
Cancelations made 48 hours or more prior to the departure time will be fully refunded.
Cancelations made less than 48 hours prior to the departure time will not receive refunds.
Please be aware Taiwan Time is (UTC +8 CST)
