Heliu Campground
Heliu campgroud, located at 170 km (15 km/25 minutes by car/30 minutes by bus from Taroko National Park Headquarters) on Provincial Highway 8, is located at the east Lüshui Trailhead, 3km away from Tianxiang. At Heliu, the Liwu and Laoxi River turn 90 degrees and Laoxi River flows into Liwu River. Therefore, Heliu (meaning "confluence" in Chinese) gained its name due to the confluence of the two rivers right here and won its status as one of Hualien’s eight most scenic wonders.
In the neighboring area, the valley is tranquil with boundless clouds and trees, while the stones are in bizarre shapes and the trees are beautiful. Heliu Campground, is comprised of 12 wooden tent platforms (3.7*4.2 square meters), restrooms (including cold showers), and washstands, and is equipped with running water and lighting. The use of campsite is free of charge. It is first-come, first-served.
The site used to be a timber distribution area. In the past, Forestry Development Office of Veterans Affairs Council (today's Forestry Bureau) harvested the forest on Yanhai Logging Road along the Liwu River, and transported the logs via a cableway. Then the lumber were delivered to other places via the Central Cross-Island Highway. After the logging was ceased, Taroko National Park transformed this area into a campground.
A second campground (Lushui campground), is 800 meters west of Heliu. The floor of Lushui campground is earth and grass, and the camp site offers lighting and waterstands. This campground is not equipped with tent platforms nor showers. Campers are free to use toilets of Lushui Highway History Exhibition Hall (next to the shop at the basement 1). No booking is required and use of campground is free of charge.
Lüshui Trail
Lüshui Trail used to be a part of the Old Cross-Hehuan Mountain Road. Because this part of the old trail is in good condition and possesses rich a landscape and ecosystem, National Park Headquarters designed a trail out of it. The trail is approximately 2m in width, which is about the same as Cross-Hehuan Mountain Old Road's width during the Japanese colonial period. The entire route is level and easy to traverse, making it a scenic trail suitable for the whole family.
The trailhead is located next to Lüshui Geological Exhibition Hall. The trail features dense forests, cliffs, lithophytes (plants growing on rocks), and historic relics.