Taroko National Park is one of Taiwan’s top tourist destinations. A spectacular area containing marble-walled canyons, emerald vegetation and picturesque shrines, the park is a dream destination for lovers of hiking, culture and splendid scenery.

The national park’s massive mountains are awe-inspiring. They tower over the chiseled Taroko Gorge, concealing temples and rivers and waterfalls. The national park—speckled with pagodas and surrounded by green forests—is a scenic wonderland that is worlds away from the bright city lights of Taiwan’s urban centers.

Bisecting this emerald wonderland is the Taroko Gorge–a masterpiece of geologic craftsmanship that, all puns intended, puts the ‘gorge’ in gorgeous. 

TAROKO NATIONAL PARK IN TAIWAN

Taroko  National Park lies on the eastern coast of Taiwan, near the city of Hualien. Not only is the park one of the top places to visit in Taiwan, but it is also sometimes considered to be one of the most beautiful national parks in Asia.

A highlight of travel outside Taipei, Taroko’s scenery is varied and dramatic. Within an area of less than 60km, its landscapes rise from sea level to over 3,00o meters.

The Taroko Gorge is the national park’s landmark attraction. Its precipitous cliffs line the snaking Liwu River and practically beg to be photographed.

In addition to the gorge, Taroko National Park boasts waterfalls, shrines, sea cliffs, and 27 peaks over 3,000 meters in height.

TAROKO NATIONAL PARK DAY TRIP ITINERARY

Taroko National Park is a popular day trip destination from Hualien. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even visit as a day trip from Taipei.

We spent two nights in Hualien and explored the gorge over the course of a day. Taking a public bus through the Taroko Gorge meant adhering to posted timetables. Since we were visiting the Taroko Gorge as a day trip from Hualien, we didn’t have time to do extensive hiking in the area. With that in mind, we skipped the longer hiking trails in the park and opted to spend more time at viewpoints along the way.

Our itinerary consisted of five main stops along the tourist circuit: the Swallow Tail Grotto, the Tunnel of Nine Turns, Tianxiang, the Eternal Spring Shrine and Qixingtan Beach.

• THE SWALLOWTAIL GROTTO

The Swallowtail Grotto was the first stop on our self-guided itinerary of Taroko National Park. The grotto derived its name from the eponymous swallows that have found a home in these sheer cliff walls. Sitting smack dab in the middle of the canyon, the grotto is a narrow stretch of gorge that affords jaw-dropping views at every turn. Sheer cliff faces soar skyward and plunge into the ravine below. At the Swallowtail Grotto, Taroko National Park is at its most dramatic. A narrow canyon has been chiseled by the blue-green Liwu River over millenia, creating one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Taiwan.

The Swallowtail Grotto Trail takes about half an hour to complete. The path runs parallel to the vehicular road that cuts through the canyon.

Beware of falling rocks. The path through the canyon has rocky overhangs that can potentially be dangerous. As a result, many pedestrians at the Swallowtail Grotto and nearby Tunnel of Nine Turns choose to wear hardhats for protection.

• THE TUNNEL OF NINE TURNS

Just down the road from the Swallowtail Grotto, the Tunnel of Nine Turns is another must-see attraction along the Taroko Gorge.

The tortuous course of the Liwu River has carved a narrow canyon in the heart of the national park. A highway cuts alongside the canyon, winding along the precipitous cliffs, through a series of tunnels. This area of the park features vertical marble facades and some of Taiwan’s most astonishing natural craftsmanship. The path offers views of layered stone strata, narrow canyon walls and the snaking Liwu River below.

Like the Swallowtail Grotto, the Tunnel of Nine Turns takes about 30 minutes to walk and follows the main vehicular road through the park.

• TIANXIANG PAGODA

From the dramatic and narrow gorge, we hopped back onto the 1137A and took the bus all the way to the final stop of Tianxiang–the largest village in Taroko National Park. Tianxiang offers limited food and accommodation options for those who choose to stay in the national park overnight.

Set amidst a dramatic mountainous landscape, Tianxiang is yet another highlight of the Taroko Gorge. The Xiangde Temple in Tianxiang is the centerpiece of of the area’s attractions and a popular spot for visitors and worshippers. A short steep trail leads to the temple and adjacent pagoda.

From the temple overlooking Tianxiang, 360 degree views of the chiseled limestone formations are nothing short of breathtaking.

• ETERNAL SPRINGS SHRINE

After about an hour of soaking in the views of the surrounding mountains in Tianxiang, we continued our Taroko Park day trip with a stop at the Eternal Springs Shrine–a haunting memorial to the workers who died while constructing the park’s Cross-Island Highway. The shrine–one of the most photographed and beloved scenes of the park– sits atop a series of waterfalls that gush into the river below.

The Eternal Springs Shrine sits near the entrance to the park, just beyond the visitor’s center. Shuttle buses only stop by the site on their return trips from Tianxiang to Hualien. Thus, while the shrine is one of the closest park highlights to the entrance, it was the penultimate stop on our Taroko National Park itinerary.

The Eternal Springs Shrine is a ten minute walk from the parking lot and bus stop. Those wishing for a longer hike can follow a 2.2km trail behind the shrine. The uphill trail leads to the Guanyin Cave and Taroko Bell Tower.

• QIXINGTAN BEACH

Qixingtan, about 3km north of Hualien, features a wild and rugged coastline of emerald cliffs and ebony shores. Lying just outside the Taroko National Park boundaries, this sweeping crescent of black pebbled beach was the final stop on our return journey from Tianxiang to Hualien.

Qixingtan isn’t a typical beach escape. The scenery is wild, raw and unforgiving. One of Taiwan’s most iconic beaches, Qixingtan is a force of nature. The sky-blue waters of the Pacific crash agains the black-rock beach, churning its waters into a frothy foam.

The water at Qixingtan Beach is too rough for swimming. Nevertheless, the rugged stretch of oceanfront is a fantastic spot to bring a picnic lunch and photograph the crashing ocean waves.

HIKING IN TAROKO NATIONAL PARK

Admittedly, my visit to Taroko National Park consisted of very little hiking. Though my itinerary included short walks to some of the park’s highlights, I didn’t have the time to complete any of the longer treks in the area. Traveling to the Taroko Gorge by public bus meant I had to adhere to a strict transportation timetable. And so with only one day to explore the stunning gorge, I had to prioritize.

Based on my independent research prior to visiting the park, however, I gathered that there are quite a few beautiful trails along the Taroko Gorge. Most popular, are the Shakadang Trail, the Baiyang Waterfall Trail and the Zhuilu Old Trail.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR TAROKO NATIONAL PARK

Hualien’s proximity to the Taroko Gorge entrance makes it a logical place to stay while exploring the national park. We stayed at the Flower Time Guesthouse for two nights during our trip to the Taroko Gorge. The guesthouse– centrally located near the train station in Hualien—provides a clean and inexpensive base for exploring the area.

Other highly-rated places to Stay in Hualien include the Visual Range B&B and 1999 B&B for a budget room and the Kindness Hotel for a higher-end stay.

WHAT TO DO IN HUALIEN TAIWAN

Hualien was a delightful surprise. Though we primarily used the city as a launching pad for our day trip to the national park, we took the opportunity to wander the streets of Hualien during our free evenings in town.

If you’ve got only a day or two to explore Hualien’s surroundings, I suggest you focus your itinerary on the Taroko Gorge Attractions.

But if you have extra time to spare, you can check out some of the places to visit in Hualien that we couldn’t squeeze into our itinerary: Pine Garden, the Manor House, and Martyr’s Shrine.

Hualien’s undeniable highlight the Dongdamen Night Market. We found the market to be one of the best we visited during our short trip to Taiwan.

TRAVEL FROM HUALIEN TO TAIPEI

The train journey from Taipei to Hualien takes two hours. Due to its popularity, however, tickets sell out fast–usually two weeks in advance. For those who choose to map out their travel itineraries last-minute, bus/train combo tickets are a convenient and affordable alternative.

Since we planned on visiting Hualien a mere two days before departure, we had no choice but to purchase a combo ticket. From the Taipei City Hall Station, we took a bus to Luodong, followed by a local commuter train from Luodong to Hualien. The total journey took around three hours.

If you have limited time in Taiwan and don’t want to worry about planning and logistics, you can opt to join a day tour of the Taroko Gorge from Taipei.

GETTING AROUND TAROKO NATIONAL PARK

The scenic wonders of Taroko National Park are accessible by both public bus and private tour. There are several bus companies that travel through the gorge. We took Taroko Bus route 1133A, which departs from Hualien’s train station seven times a day.

The public bus is an affordable way of seeing the park’s highlights. An unlimited day pass on the 1133A costs NT$250.

Alternatively, you can join a tour of Taroko National Park from Hualien. Tours of the gorge provide reliable transport and bring you to all the main highlights in the park.

****

The Taroko National Park is one of the most beautiful attractions in Taiwan. From gushing waterfalls to black sand beaches to soaring granite peaks, the park affords photo opportunities at every bend.

Portuguese explorers in the 1500s landed in Taiwan and named the island ‘Ihla Formosa’ or ‘Beautiful Isle.’

By traveling to Taroko National Park and immersing myself in the island’s natural beauty, it was not difficult for me to understand why.

______________________

Did you find this Taroko Gorge National Park Guide helpful? Pin it! 

The post The Taroko Gorge in Taiwan: A Day Trip Itinerary appeared first on Erika's Travels .

Taipei’s beauty lies in its blend of ancient history and modern design. A living museum of East Asian civilization, Taiwan’s capital city boasts intricate temples, bustling markets and innovative architectural feats. Currently a de facto independent state with a functioning government but limited international recognition, Taiwan has a long history of occupation by vying empires. As a result, Taipei is a curious fusion of Japanese anime curiosities, deep-rooted religious tradition and foodie flair. The city’s temples buzz with the pious; its Japanese-era houses have been restored to their former glory; and its markets serve up everything from fried crab to bubble tea.

THE BEST OF TAIPEI: A THREE DAY ITINERARY

Taipei is Taiwan’s capital, as well as its largest city.  and the first stop on almost every Taiwan itinerary. Taipei is such a dynamic and multifaceted city that, even after three days, we felt we only skimmed the surface of things to see. With more time, we would have loved to hike Elephant Mountain, ride a cable car to Maokong, or take a day trip to Jiufen.

Nevertheless, our visit to Taipei was filled with both hot-ticket attractions and unexpected surprises. During our three days in Taipei, we reveled in all that makes the city such a dynamic place to visit–beginning with Taipei’s ancient heritage, continuing with its its triumphant and tragic past and finishing at the top of the world with its cutting-edge architecture.

ITINERARY DAY 1: THE CHARMS OF OLD TAIPEI

We began our three day Taipei itinerary with a visit to the city’s temple-laden streets. Many of Taipei’s most beautiful temples reside in the Wanhua District of Old Taipei, a stone’s throw from the excellent and affordable Ximen 35 Hotel.

Taipei’s temples are ornate and colorful incense-filled places of worship. Most of the temples in Taipei combine Buddhist, Taoist and Confucianist influence–lending them unique in their intricacy and design.

• WANHUA DISTRICT TEMPLES

The Longshan Temple–Taipei’s most famous– is one of the oldest and largest religious structures in Taiwan. A 1738 building that has withstood wars and natural disasters, the temple was originally constructed as a gathering place for Chinese settlers from Fujian.

The revered Longshan Temple is one of the three most important religious sites in the Wanhua District, alongside Banka Quingshui Temple and the Tianhou Temple.

• DATONG TEMPLES

From the Wanhua District, we continued our Taipei temple-hopping itinerary with visits to the most beautiful temples in Datong. The Datong District houses two of Taipei’s top attractions–the Taipei Confucius Temple and the adjacent Dalongdon Bao’an Temple.

The Dalongdon Bao An Temple, in particular, is an exquisite UNESCO World Heritage Site covered in ornate paintings and intricate floral motifs.

Temples are everywhere in Taipei–lining busy streets, quiet lanes and forgotten alleyways. Though one could spend days meandering from one temple to the next, we contented ourselves with a half day of religious sightseeing before continuing to Dihua Street.

• DIHUA STREET TAIPEI

Dihua Street is one of the best-preserved streets in Taipei. Situated in the heart of Datong, the area’s restored buildings date back to the 1800s. Dihua’s historical buildings house traditional storefronts and apothecaries that are overflowing with loose-leaf teas, herbal medicines, sundries and spices.

Following a whirlwind tour of Old Taipei’s highlights, we spent the evening near our hotel in Ximending.

• XIMENDING TAIPEI

Bright lights and color characterize Ximending. It is a youthful and exuberant district, similar to Tokyo’s quirky Harajuku Street. With billboards displaying cartoon characters, stores selling the latest fashion trends and floods of people milling about, Ximending is worlds away from the incense-filled places of worship nearby.

TAIPEI ITINERARY DAY 2: MEMORIALS AND MUSEUMS

Our second day in Taipei introduced us to the island’s historical and artistic heritage. We began our sightseeing itinerary with a visit to the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial and ended it at the National Palace Museum.

• CHIANG KAI SHEK MEMORIAL

The massive consortium of buildings consists of a memorial hall, the National Theater, the National Concert Hall and an imposing gate. All buildings encircle Liberty Square–a vast symmetrical gathering place that has been the epicenter of Taiwan’s liberation struggles.

Erected in honor of former Chinese president-in-exile, Chiang Kai Shek, the stately memorial is one of the most prominent symbols of Taiwan. Chiang was a nationalist leader who ruled China between 1928 and 1949. When Mao Zedong’s communist party usurped power, Chiang retreated to Taiwan. There, he established a government in exile.

A controversial figure in Taiwan, some view Chiang as a hero who fended off the communists and recovered Taiwan from Japanese colonial rule. Others view him as the face of a party that seized Taiwan’s sovereignty and attempted to squander its culture.

Despite the controversy surrounding Chiang Kai Shek himself, the impressive memorial is one of Taiwan’s most recognizable attractions and a noteworthy place to visit.

• HUASHAN 1914 CREATIVE PARK

From the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, we hopped back on the MRT metro and headed to the Huashan 1914 Creative Park. The winery-turned-boutique-area is one of Taipei’s best spots for shopping and picnicking.

Built in 1914 as a Japanese sake brewery and later repurposed as a camphor refinement mill, the facility has more recently transformed into an arts and culture center. The Creative Park is home to a large grassy area suitable for recreation, as well as an indoor shopping complex that consists of niche stores and eateries. It is a wonderful place to spend the afternoon and get familiarized with Taipei’s modern creative impulses.

• NATIONAL PALACE MUSEUM OF TAIPEI

We rounded out our second day in Taipei with a visit to the National Palace Museum. We only had a few hours to dedicate to the exhibition halls of the museum. But like the world’s other great museums, one could spend the better part of a day admiring its pilfered treasures.

The National Palace Museum houses over 700,000 permanent Chinese artworks spanning 8,000 years of history. Sometimes referred to as the Louvre of the Chinese-speaking world, the National Palace Museum hosts an exquisite collections of carvings, ceramics, paintings and calligraphy. Entrance to the museum costs NT$350. Those who are planning on visiting the Taipei 101 observatory, should consider buying a combination pass for NT$800.

TAIPEI ITINERARY DAY 3: OUT OF THE CITY AND UP IN THE SKY

We began our third day in Taipei with a trip to the top of the Taipei 101—Taiwan’s tallest skyscraper and an impressive feat of modern engineering.

Following our ascent into the clouds, we we spent a few hours enjoying some of the top sights in Beitou.

In the evening, we rounded out our itinerary with a tantalizing sampling of Taipei’s best street food.

• THE TAIPEI 101

The bamboo-shaped Taipei 101 is the world’s second-tallest building, having lost the number one spot to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai  in 2004.

Tickets to the top of the Taipei 101 are pricey. Originally, we weren’t sure if we wanted to pay the steep entrance fee. However, since climbing the Taipei 101 is considered to be one of the top things to do in Taipei, we eventually caved.

We’re glad we did.

From the Taipei 101 observation deck, the world below looks like a miniature toy city.

• THE BEITOU SPRINGS

Following our tour of the Taipei 101’s observation deck, we took the MRT to Xinbeitou, the last stop on the red metro line.

Beitou is a small Japanese-style resort town renowned for its hot springs. First developed during the Japanese colonial occupation of Taiwan, the hot spring village around Xinbeitou MRT is a popular half-day trip from Taipei’s downtown.

Top sights and activities in Beitou include the Beitou Hot Spring Museum, the Taiwan Folk Arts Museum, the Beitou Geothermal Valley and, of course, the popular soaking springs themselves.

We didn’t actually take the time to soak in the springs, though we enjoyed walking the streets of Beitou and learning a bit about the area’s geothermal activity. The tranquil streets of town are a calm juxtaposition to the lights and traffic and constant bustle of Taipei’s urban core.

• THE TAIPEI NIGHT MARKETS

There are a million reasons to visit Taiwan, but the diverse food scene is one of the country’s primary appeals. Perhaps more than any other city in the world, Taiwan is known for its night markets. Forget clubs or bars. In Taipei, the best place to spend an evening out is in one of the city’s street food hotspots.

So after admiring the world below from the top of the Taipei 101 and walking the streets of sleepy Beitou, we took the MRT to the Rahoe Night Market in order to indulge in Taipei’s street food offerings.

Though the Rahoe Night Market was one of our favorites foodie hotspots in Taipei, fantastic street food accompanied us everywhere we went. There are dozens of night markets scattered around Taipei. Each offers a smorgasbord of tantalizing goodies. During our three days in Taipei, we indulged in food from morning to night–devouring tapioca waffles, softshell crab, bubble tea and dumplings like it was our job.

There are a thousand and one things to do in Taipei, and sampling the city’s culinary delights ranks somewhere near the top of the list.

The proliferous presence of tasty food was a reminder that, in Taipei, sightseeing and eating go hand in hand.

****

Taipei takes great pride in celebrating its history. It is a city of temples that showcase the city’s heritage, and modern buildings that push the limits of possibility. It is at once traditional, cutting edge and downright wacky. It is a Shanghai meets Tokyo, with its own Taiwanese twist. A place that houses both one of the world’s largest art collections and what is, undoubtedly, one of the world’s largest concentrations of cartoon characters.

In this bustling Asian metropolis that defies categorization, I’m sure of one thing:

No matter how many days you spend in Taipei,  you’ll never run out of things to do, places to see, or delicious foods to eat.

______________

Additional Resources and Tips for Visiting Taipei:

• I split my three day Taipei itinerary in half with a two day trip to the Taroko Gorge National Park. While the gorge can be visited as a day trip from Taipei, the spectacular national park is best explored in two or more days
• Hotel prices in Taipei skyrocket on the weekends. I recommend securing weekend accommodation in advance. For budget travelers, I wholeheartedly recommend the centrally-located Ximen 35 Hotel.

______________

Did You Enjoy This Taipei Itinerary? Pin It! 

The post Three Day Taipei Itinerary appeared first on Erika's Travels .