Baiyang Trail, which was closed due to a large number of landslides at the end of 2022, will reopen on August 15, 2023 after a period of monitoring and facility maintenance. Visitors can hike the trail all the way to the Water Curtain Tunnel (Shuilian Tunnel) to enjoy the waterfall and canyon scenery. However, the observation platform and suspension bridge below Baiyang Waterfall will not be open for the time being due to safety concerns because they are located below the collapsed area.
Taroko National Park Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as the Taroko N. P. HQ) stated that a large number of rockfalls and landslides occurred on the slope above the Baiyang Waterfall in the middle of the night on November 11, 2022. This caused damage to the observation platform and some facilities of the Baiyang Suspension Bridge and slab bridge. The first half of the path will be opened, and facility maintenance will be carried out. At the same time, the land management unit, Hualien Forest District Office, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (hereinafter referred to as the Hualien Forest District Office), immediately entrusted a professional team to conduct an investigation and assessment. This team determined that the collapsed debris accumulated in the river, which formed a natural dam, may affect the observation platform below the waterfall as well as the safety of visitors on the trails. The trail is being monitored on an ongoing basis.
The recent monitoring of the collapsed area by the the Hualien Forest District Office found that the soil and sand on the river of the collapsed area had been partially lost, and no more barrier lake was formed. The risk has been reduced, so it was decided to reopen Baiyang Trail. As for the observation platform and suspension bridge under the waterfall, there are still safety concerns, so it is temporarily closed.
Taroko N. P. HQ stated that after the opening of Baiyang Trail, the public can enjoy the scenery on the trail. Additionally a new public restroom has been built outside Water Curtain Tunnel (Shuilian Tunnel). A protective net and warning signs have been added to the slab bridge guardrail below the waterfall to strengthen the safety of the area for tourists. Follow the signs and guidelines, especially in areas where there is a risk of rockfalls, please pass quickly and do not linger. Please do not enter closed areas, and pay attention to your own safety at all times.