Established on November 28, 1991, Buluowan Service Station located 10 km from Taroko's entrance and 13 km from Tianxiang on the Central Cross-Island Highway at 177.8 km. Turn off the highway near the east entrance of Xipan Tunnel and follow the gently ascending road for 2 km. The station sits on a nearly 9 hectare doubled-terraced terrain that is 370 m above sea level. It has facilities providing administration and information services, simple meals, and more.
The Buluowan terraces were once home to the Truku tribe, and were even inhabited during the Neolithic Period. It is now a recreation area and native plants restoration area.
Services
Tourist information center, administration offices, Truku Tribe Handicrafts Exhibition Hall, briefing room, Idas Hall, a souvenir shop, and the Meander Core Scenic Trail and
Buluowan Suspension Bridge (no needs for reservation, opening hours 08:30 - 16:30, last admission at 16:00) are found on the lower terrace.
Taroko Village Hotel is situated on the upper terrace. It offers lodging in unique steel-beamed, wooden cabins for groups of 2, 4, or 8 people with a capacity of 32 cabins. There is also a restaurant serving aboriginal cuisine and a conference room.
Contact information for accommodation or dining
Buluowan Recreation Area Travel Services & Information
Telephone: (03) 861-2528
Buluowan Service Station
1. The Briefing Room, Idas Hall
The briefing room and Idas Hall are the multimedia and film facilities at Buluowan. The music documentary Echoing‧Taroko introduces the dances, ceremonies, culture, and traditional arts of the Truku people. Landscapes of Taroko is a short film that tells the story of a Truku stone sculptor who meets a girl studying geology. It is entertaining and suitable for the whole family. English subtitles can be provided.
Operating Hours: 08:30-16:30
Closed every first and third week Monday of the month (NB: All weeks begin on a Sunday) and Chinese New Year's Eve (All services will be open if the Monday falls on a public holiday, postponed the closure day on Tuesday); also closed if the Provincial Highway 8 is closed.
2. Truku Tribe Handicrafts Exhibition Hall
The Truku Tribe Handicrafts Exhibition Hall showcases the Truku people's beautifully hand-woven textiles and rattan works, with a souvenir shop on the second floor.
3. Meander Core Trail
This trail follows the edge of Buluowan's lower terrace, providing a clear view of the layers of gneiss formed by the Liwu River. The wooden walkway circles around the Meander Core, with an observation deck and pavilion to rest at along the way. From the trail, visitors can not only observe the terrain, but also various insects and plants such as lilies. Overlooking Xipan and the Liwu River Gorge, Meander Core Trail has developed into a natural recreational area.
4. Upper Terrace
Located at the upper terrace of Buluowan, just go through Taroko Village Hotel reception hall. Behind the cabins, there is a short 300 m nature path through cool bamboo groves. Beautiful plants, birds and insects can be seen here as well as the magnificent "strangling fig trees".
Films Times
1. Briefing Room
Title: Echoing Taroko, 18 minutes
Seating Capacity: 78
Showtimes: 09:30 / 10:30 / 11:30 / 13:30 / 14:30 / 15:30
2. Idas Hall
Title: Forests of Taroko, 18 minutes
Seating Capacity: 179
Showtimes: 10:00 / 11:00 / 14:00 / 15:00