Interesting Green: Journey through Taroko National Park (Part 10) - 太魯閣國家公園 (Tài lǔ gé Guó jiā Gōng yuán)

MY PAPER MONDAY OCTOBER 24, 2011, PAGE A11, TRAVEL
From http://epaper.mypaper.sg/cnd/fvxen/fvxp/fvxpress.php?param=2011-10-24
Source Website: http://sgtravellers.com/index.php?c=article&id=1280&title=Part-10:-Journey-through-Taroko-National-Park&type=1
By Joy Fang, joyfang@sph.com.sg

PHOTO: NATURALLY GORGEOUS: Taroko National Park’s valleys, gorges, hiking trails and suspension bridges make it a must-visit for tourists to Taiwan.

http://sgtravellers.com/index.php?c=article&id=1280&title=Part-10:-Journey-through-Taroko-National-Park&type=1
http://www.ctc.com.sg/imagelib/Taiwan/lb_Taroko%20-%201.jpg
http://www.ctc.com.sg/tour.php?tourcode=TW8WT

PHOTO: 圖片來源 : 維基百科 - Source: Wikipedia

《旅遊隨手記》太魯閣國家公園 (Tài lǔ gé Guó jiā Gōng yuán) 一日遊, - Travel diary, Taroko National Park Day Tour

Jul 14th, 2009, by Daisy
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http://www.daisy-online.net/blog/?p=5040

PHOTO: Taroko of Taroko National Park comes from the name of Aboriginaltribe called Taroko of this region. Taroko Tribe has based the village at Tian Sian where is the terminal and the Taroko sightseeing of present. Area of Taroko National Park is 38 km north and south, 41 km east and west, and gross area is 92000 hectare. It is a huge scale park.

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http://www.ne.jp/asahi/yume/dreams/main/English_taiwan_taroko.htm

In this instalment of a weekly series, my paper explores the wonders of Taiwan’s second-biggest national park

PHOTO: 圖片來源 : 維基百科 - Source: Wikipedia

《旅遊隨手記》太魯閣國家公園 (Tài lǔ gé Guó jiā Gōng yuán) 一日遊, - Travel diary, Taroko National Park Day Tour

Jul 14th, 2009, by Daisy
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http://www.daisy-online.net/blog/?p=5040

PHOTO: Taroko National Park tourist center
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IF CRAGGY, towering mountains and marble canyons are your thing, then Taroko National Park, with its spectacular 19km-long landmark gorge, will enthral (captivate) you.

PHOTO: TAROKO Gorge

Another breathtaking view of the Taroko Gorge. It consists of marble and granite rocks that were pressurized from limestone that was once sediment on the bottom of the sea over 200 million years ago.

By Jim Epler Jim Epler. This photo was taken on May 14, 2007 using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi.

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One of seven national parks in Taiwan, the popular attraction (291, Fushih Village, Sioulin Township, www.taroko.gov.tw/English) is the second-largest in Taiwan.

PHOTO: Taroko Gorge Another pretty view of the Gorge!

By Jim Epler Jim Epler. This photo was taken on May 14, 2007 using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi.

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First established in 1937 while Taiwan was under Japanese rule, the park was abolished in 1945 after World War II and was re-established only in 1986. And thank goodness that it was.

PHOTO: The amazing landscape of Taroko Gorge - Taroko Gorge in Hualien County

The scenery here is just magnificant. Beautiful marble canyon, deep valley and very tall cliffs.

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One can spend an entire day exploring this natural playground that is filled with breathtaking rugged cliffs, cascading streams, caves, steep canyons and elevated forests.

PHOTO: A gorge at Taroko National Park.
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Be warned, though: Wandering around on foot requires quite a bit of stamina, and can take the entire day, depending on which trail you embark on.

Alternatively, hire a taxi and visit each stop by car. But the gems along the way are worth any fatigue.

PHOTO: NATURE CALLING: The writer is pictured along Shakadang Trail. Her journey started at Tianxiang, where she visited the peaceful Xiangde Temple.

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TRANQUIL TIANXIANG

This reporter began her 19km journey almost at the end of the gorge, in the area of Tianxiang. To embark on this journey, follow the sole main road (the Central Cross-Island Highway) which has signs or side roads leading you to the various sights.

PHOTO: Bridge Over Marble Water

A view of the Tiansiang Suspension Bridge over the Liwu River in the TAROKO Gorge. Unfortunately, the suspension bridge was closed to hikers and other nature enthusiasts, so we were unable to cross it!

By Jim Epler Jim Epler. This photo was taken on May 14, 2007 using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi.

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PHOTO: Tiansiang Suspension Bridge

Another view of the impressive suspension bridge in Taroko Gorge. I'm not sure of the exact name of the bridge; it could also be named Lioufang Bridge?

By Jim Epler Jim Epler. This photo was taken on May 14, 2007 using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi.

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PHOTO: Dangling above the mountains, a suspension bridge leads to a mountainside shrine and a pagoda silhouetted against the sky.

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If you choose to visit the seven-storey Tianxiang Pagoda there, you would be treated to amazing views of the valley surrounded by forest-covered mountains.

PHOTO: Tienhsiang Pagoda

A view of the Pagoda at Tienhsiang in Taroko Gorge National Park. This area was the site of an old Atayal village and is located at the meeting of the Liwu and Dasha rivers.

By Jim Epler Jim Epler. This photo was taken on May 14, 2007 using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi.

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PHOTO: Tienhsiang
Another view of the Tienhsiang area of the Taroko National Park.

By Jim Epler Jim Epler. This photo was taken on May 14, 2007 using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi.

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PHOTO: Taroko National Park - Tienhsiang Pagoda
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A little way off you would get to admire the Pudu Bridge over the Liyu River and the peaceful Xiangde Temple – a Buddhist abode perched on a plateau.

PHOTO: The peaceful Xiangde Temple
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PHOTO: Visiting Taroko National Park, Taiwan
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While crossing Pudu Bridge, don’t forget to look down. Pebbles spelling out love messages from young lovers line the banks and can be seen at low tide.

PHOTO: Bridge through a tunnel at Taroko National Park, Hualien.
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TRAILS AND BRIDGES GALORE

Follow the highway, where you will find the entrance to the 2km-long Lushui Trail.

PHOTO: Taroko National Park

A view from the visitor's center at the entrance to TAROKO National Park 太魯閣國家公園 (Tài lǔ gé Guó jiā Gōng yuán) near Hua-lien, Taiwan.

By Jim Epler Jim Epler. This photo was taken on May 14, 2007 using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi.

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The trail yields views of cliff terrain and historical monuments, as well as a 30m-long tunnel.

PHOTO: Pretty Mountain
Another view from the visitor's center at the entrance to TAROKO National Park 太魯閣國家公園 (Tài lǔ gé Guó jiā Gōng yuán) near Hua-lien, Taiwan.

By Jim Epler Jim Eple. This photo was taken on May 14, 2007 using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi.

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Then, wander over to the Yue Fei Pavilion, a great spot to check out the waterfalls at Liyu River. A narrow suspension bridge hangs across the river. Crossing it isn’t for the faint-hearted, but brave the trip if you wish to get a good photo.

PHOTO: Yue Fei Pavilion
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Carry on to Cimu Bridge, a hanging bridge with stone lions standing guard at each end.

PHOTO: Cimu Bridge at the start of the walk: Typical Taroko scenery.
Taiwan Taroko National Park, Taroko Gorge, Zhuilu old trail

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PHOTO: Stone lions standing guard at each end of Cimu Bridge

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Travel to the end of the bridge, where you’ll see a gigantic rock beneath the bridge which looks like a sitting frog. A pavilion – built in the 1950s under the command of the late President Chiang Ching-kuo in memory of his mother – is perched on the frog’s head, resembling a crown.

Continue on the road until you see the entrance to the Jiuqudong (or Tunnel of Nine Turns) Trail. Two cliffs are situated close together, with only 10m of space between them.

PHOTO: The Tunnel of Nine Turns overlooks the beautiful Liwu River http://farm1.static.flickr.com/160/417496018_5303221eb2_o.jpg http://thedailybubbletea.com/2006/10/12/two-days-in-hualian/

PHOTO: Tunnel of Nine Turns
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Nearby, a winding trail resembling a coiled dragon was closed when this reporter visited. It was closed because of falling rocks, but check with the Visitor Service Station at Tianxiang (tel: 03-869-1162) to see if it has been re-opened.

For lunch, stop by Jinheng Bridge and grab a bite under wooden terraces. There, you’ll find snacks such as bananas and stewed-beef instant mee, and meals like rice with meat and vegetables.

PHOTO: Swallow Grotto

A view of the Taroko Gorge near Swallow Grotto. This walk used to be a roadway that was closed in the 1990's due to a rock avalanche. It is one of the prettiest walks you're ever likely to take.

By Jim Epler Jim Epler. This photo was taken on May 14, 2007 using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi.

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TRIBAL VISITS

After you’re sated, walk on towards the 0.5km-long Yanzikou (Swallow Grotto) Trail, which offers you another perspective of the magnificent Taroko Gorge.

The Yanzikou Trail gets its name from the many potholes that puncture the cliff’s face, making it resemble a swallow’s nest.

PHOTO: Marble and Granite

An interesting shape formed in the granite tunnel makes for another stunning view in the Gorge.

By Jim Epler Jim Epler. This photo was taken on May 14, 2007 using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi

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Visit Buluowan, a village formerly inhabited by the tribal Atayal people. It can be reached by a zigzag road.

The journey takes seven minutes by car.

Divided into two terraces, the upper terrace, where the Leader Village Hotel can be found, is simply gorgeous, with a postcard-perfect scenery of an expanse of mountains, greenery, valleys and bright, blue skies.

The lower terrace midway up the mountain has exhibition halls where you can check out handicraft from the Taroko, or Truku, tribe.

Head to Changchun (Eternal Spring) Shrine, a well-known landmark which doubles as a memorial to those who died during the construction of the Central Cross-Island Highway from 1956 to 1960.

PHOTO: Eternal Spring Shrine

The shrine pictured in the bottom left of this photograph is dedicated to the 212 workers who died building the Central Cross-Island Highway.

By Jim Epler Jim Epler. This photo was taken on May 14, 2007 using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi.

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Nestled in a cleft of the mountain, it is positioned right above the streams of a waterfall, offering a picturesque view. Visitors often wash their hands in the flowing streams, which are said to have healing properties.

PHOTO: Eternal Spring Shrine
A close up view of the shrine from the river bed.

By Jim Epler Jim Epler. This photo was taken on May 14, 2007 using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi.

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UP IN THE AIR

If you are adventurous, you can go on to make the climb up the “Stairway to Heaven”, a steep trail which leads you to the Bell Tower (the highest point of the mountain).

Pause here to take in the views before you cross a suspension bridge to the Changuang Temple. The journey takes about an hour.

Visit the Shakadang Trail, also known as the Mysterious Valley. It was built originally to transport materials for the construction of Liwu Power Plant during the Japanese Occupation.

PHOTO: Shakadang Trail which follows the Shakadang River
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PHOTO: The Shakadang Trail, also known as the Mysterious Valley
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PHOTO: A small stream up a mountain trail. Taking a break to pose for the camera.

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PHOTO: Nice water - Taroko National Park
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A 4.5km pathway is cut along the edges of the cliff, where one will pass by enchanting clear pools and fascinating rock faces. It’s a peaceful stroll, but takes four hours to complete.

PHOTO: Enchanting clear pools
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PHOTO: 太魯閣國家公園砂卡礑溪，Taroko National Park Shakadang River, 2006年6月(Dora photo)
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Finally, take a cab to Qingshui Cliff – a personal favourite.

The scenic Su-Hua Highway is carved right at the cliff’s edge and is the only coastal road which leads to Taroko Gorge, offering an unobstructed view of the sparkling Pacific Ocean.

PHOTO: Taroko Gorge Road, Taiwan (Chungheng)
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Stop at one of the many lookout points to admire the heart-stopping views. Journeying along this road makes you feel like you are flying – a feeling you’ll never forget.

This page is brought to you by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau and Taiwan Visitors Association.

PHOTO: There are great names for the sights in Taroko National Park, straight from children’s adventure stories – such as Swallow Grotto, Taroko Gorge, the Tunnel of Nine Turns and Eternal Spring Shrine.

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PHOTO: A deep, narrow gorge under the Badagang Suspension Bridge. Taroko gorge zhuilu old trail, Taiwan taroko national park.

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GETTING THERE

TO GET to Taroko Gorge from Taipei, take a train ride from Taipei Main Station to Hualien train station.

From there, take a bus from the Hualien Bus Company. The bus will go through the Taroko National Park Headquarters and various sights before ending at Tianxiang (this journey takes about 11/2 hours).

PHOTO: Taroko National Park - Tianxiang
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From now until Dec 31, visitors to Taiwan are entitled to gifts, while stocks last.

Simply flash your air ticket and hotel confirmation to redeem them from Taiwan Visitors Association Singapore at 5 Shenton Way, UIC Building, #31-11. Call 6223-6546/7 or e-mail tbrocsin@singnet.com.sg