Rockfall protection work has been completed on the Tunnel of Nine Turns (Jiuqudong) Trail and the Trail is schedule to open on 09:00 AM on Monday, 24 June 2019.
The entrance to the Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail is located at the west entrance of the Tunnel of Nine Turns Tunnel on the Central Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway 8, 173.7K). The out-and-back trail is 700 m in length one-way. The Taroko National Park Headquarters highlights the Tunnel of Nine Turns for its landscape, running above the Liwu River that, through millions of years, sliced through the thick layer of marble creating an extremely narrow valley with steep vertical slopes on both sides of the Gorge.
Although the site is extremely popular with tourists, due to the steep terrain there has been frequent rockfall in the area. Therefore, in order to provide visitors with both higher safety and higher recreational quality, the entire trail was reinforced with safety structures and public facilities were built. The opening of the trail will hopefully help disperse visitors more evenly throughout the Taroko Gorge.
Before the opening of the The Tunnel of Nine Turns (Jiuqudong) Tunnel in 1996, the Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail was part of the Central Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway 8). This section of the Old Highway was subsequently converted to a trail following the completion of the tunnel. In addition to the trail, there is a scenic tunnel constructed below the original trail that leads tourists closer to the Liwu River rapids, enhancing its turbulent sounds and representing the strong, erosive force of the Liwu River. In this respect, the Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail is popular with tourists and is an ideal outdoor geological classroom.
Only temporary parking (pick-up/drop-off) for cars and buses are available for the Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail, due to the proximity of the trail to the Highway and the steep gorge terrain in the area. Visitors to this Trail are encouraged to use public transport and to enter during off-peak hours and days. Please pay attention to the following traffic information and suggestions:
- Public transport to Jiuqudong Bus Station: Buses 1133, 1126, 1133(A), 1141 from Hualien and Buses 302, 1133, 1133(A) from Xincheng Train (TRA) stations
- Individual and group tours: Cars and buses are able to drop-off/pick-up tourists at the West Entrance of the Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail. The nearest parking lots are at Heliu (171.4K, 2.3 km away) and Lushui (170.4K, 3.3 km away) for drivers to wait for tourists.
- Private vehicles: Please park at the nearest parking lots at Heliu (171.4K, 2.3 km away) and Lushui (170.4K, 3.3 km away), and then take a bus to the Tunnel of Nine Turns entrance.
To help maintain the safety of pedestrians crossing the Highway to enter the Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail, Zebra Crossings and Traffic Lights were installed at the Trail Entrance. Please pay attention to these facilities, and drive according to the speed limits when passing the Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail on the western side of the Tunnel.
The Taroko National Park Headquarters will monitor the flow of tourists visiting the Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail and may make necessary adjustments and improvements to the Trail in the future.