Taroko National Park World Wide Web-English VersionTaroko National Park World Wide Web-English Version

***Due to the severe damage caused by the April 3 (0403) Earthquake and typhoons in 2024, trails and scenic spots in the Taroko Gorge area remain closed. The reopening dates for these areas are uncertain. Please adjust your plans and consider visiting other scenic attractions in Taiwan that were not affected by the earthquake, such as Yehliu Geopark, Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, Yangmingshan National Park, or Kenting National Park.

 Additionally, we recommend including some unique mountain and coastal village attractions around the area in your travel plans. These offer opportunities to experience both natural beauty and cultural heritage. Highlights include Chongde Village (Chongde Beach with views of the Qingshui Cliffs, indigenous art, and specialty dining), Fushi Village (Taroko Cultural and Creative Park and Asia Cement Ecological Park), Xincheng Old Street (featuring unique architecture, local shops, and the Xincheng Seawall), and Sanzhan-Pratan Village. These sites provide an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the region's natural and cultural charm. We suggest using the TaiwanTrip Tourist Shuttle Bus (Route 310) from Hualien Bus Station or Xincheng Railway Station to explore these attractions.

The Central Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway 8) has been cleared for passage by the Highway Bureau, but there are still traffic control measures in place due to ongoing road construction. Additionally, the highway surface and guardrails have not yet been repaired.  (Please check our website News> "Roads and Trail" > Central Cross-Island Highway >click once to expand all  for details.) The risk of rockfalls and mudslides along Provincial Highway 8 remains high.  Unless necessary, please do not enter for your safety. If entry is necessary, please carefully assess the risks and ensure your safety.  

Road users are encouraged to utilize the real-time information services provided by The Directorate General of Highways’ Intelligent Provincial Highway Information Network (http://168.thb.gov.tw), download the "Happiness Highway APP" on their mobile devices, and listen to traffic broadcast messages to stay updated on the latest road information. 

Currently, open areas of the park include the Shimen Mountain Trail, Hehuan North Peak Trail, and Hehuan East Peak Trail in the Hehuan Mountain area located on the western side of the park. (Please note that the Mt. Hehuan area is currently in the snow season. (January-February) Before traveling, check road conditions as Provincial Highway 14A may be closed due to snow or ice. Snow chains may also be required for vehicles.) Additionally, some high-altitude trails located in the park’s ecological protection areas are accessible, such as Mt. Nanhu and Qilai Main Peak trail, etc. Please note that a park entry permit, mountain climbing equipment, and trekking experience are required, and these trails typically involve 3-5 day itineraries. Exhibition halls at the Taroko National Park Headquarters Visitor Center on the eastern side of the park also remain open. 

Other locations (located at the east side of Taroko gorge 18 km section), such as Buluowan and Tianxiang, as well as trails like Shakadang, , Eternal Spring Shrine, Buluowan Suspension Bridge, Tunnel of Nine Turns, Swallow Grotto, Baiyang, and Zhuilu Old Road, ect. including the Chongde and Huide on the provincial highway 9, remain closed due to disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts. The reopening dates for these areas are uncertain. For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding road, trail and scenic spot accessibility, please refer to the official website (News > Roads and Trails). 

The fastest route:
Visitors are advised to take Freeway No. 3 in Taipei to connect Freeway No. 5 from Nangang, Taipei via Yilan to Su'ao then connect to the Provincial Highway No. 9 (Su-hua Highway) going from Su'ao to Taroko National Park Headquarters. It takes about 3-3.5 hours to drive from Taipei to Taroko during off-peak-hours.

Drivers are advised to check the [Road Conditions]  before your trips.

From North Taiwan-Taipei:

• Option 1: 
  Take Provincial Highway No. 9 from Xintian (New Taipei City), through Yilan and Su'ao to Taroko National Park headquarters.
• Option2: 
  Take Provincial Highway No. 2 from Rueifang (New Taipei City)) to Yilan, and then continue on Provincial Highway No. 9 to Taroko National Park.
• Option 3: (2-2.5 hrs/ The fastest route) 
  Take Freeway No. 3 in Taipei from Nangang or Muzha to connect Freeway No. 5 via Yilan to Su'ao, then from Su'ao connect to the Provincial Highway 9- Alternative Route (Su-hua Alternative Route opened on January 6, 2020) (Su-hua highway) to Taroko National Park Headquarters.

From South Taiwan-Taitung:

• Option 1 (Faster):
  Take Provincial Highway No. 9 from Taitung to the Taroko National Park. It takes about 3-3.5 hours.
• Option2 (Costal scenery) : 
  Take Provincial Highway No. 11 from Taitung to Hualien and then Provincial Highway No. 9 to Taroko National Park Headquarters. It takes about 3.5-4 hours.

From West Taiwan-Taichung:

• Option 1: 
  Taichung-- Provincial Highway 63 (Zhong-Tou Highway) - Provincial Highway 63A—Caotun -- Provincial Highway 14—Puli-- Provincial Highway 14A (14Jia) — Dayuling-- Provincial Highway 8 (Central Cross-Island Hwy.) --- Tianxiang ---Taroko National Park Headquarters.
• Option 2 (Faster):
  Taichung—Freeway #3 — Caotun -- Freeway #6 — Puli -- Provincial Highway 14A (14Jia) — Dayuling -- Provincial Highway #8 (Central Cross-Island Hwy.) – Tianxiang -- Taroko National Park Headquarters. It takes about 5.5~6 hours from Taichung to Taroko National Park Headquarters.

The fastest route:
Visitors are advised to take Freeway No. 3 in Taipei to connect Freeway No. 5 from Nangang, Taipei via Yilan to Su'ao then connect to the Provincial Highway No. 9 (from Su’ao to Chongde section called Su-hua Alternative Route completed on January 6, 2020) going from Su'ao to Taroko National Park Headquarters. It takes about 2-2.5 hours to drive from Taipei to Taroko during off-peak-hours.

Freeway No. 5 (The fastest route)

Taking Freeway No. 5 is the fastest way from Taipei to Su’ao (about 1.5 hrs). It goes through Xueshan Tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in Asia and the 5th in the world, which started service on June 16th, 2006. You can get the road condition from the real time national freeway traffic information system.
You can change to the Provincial Highway No. 9 (The mountainous section improvement project from Su’ao to Daqingshui are called Su-hua Alternative Route completed on January 6, 2020) from Su'ao to Taroko National Park Headquarters. (about 2-2.5hr from Taipei to Taroko Naional Park Headquarters driving time)

Provincial Highway No. 9 (Su-Hua Highway)

The Provincial Highway No. 9 (Su-Hua Highway) starts from Xintian Taipei to Taroko National Park Headquarters. The distance is about 189 kilometers (about 4.5-5 hours by car). The road condition of Provincial Highway No. 9 (Su-Hua Highway) is good. If there is heavy rain or during typhoon period (mostly in July and August), please contact the nearby visitor center of Taroko National Park or the Highway Bureau for road conditions.
*Taroko National Park Headquarters:03-8621100 ext. 811-812 or 360
*Highway maintenance Unit: Hualien section:03-8230570; Su'ao Section 03-9982161

From West Taiwan:

The main highway going into Taroko National Park is Provincial Highway. No. 8 (Central Cross-Island Highway). The highway is the main connection between Hualien and Taichung. The east entrance is next to Taroko National Park Headquarters (just 200 meters away). Due to the 1999 9-21 earthquake's damage, the highway is not accessible to Dongshi, Taichung because the west section is closed between Deji Dam and Guguan.
Visitors are recommended to take the highway No. 14A (14Jia) from Dayuling to Puli then change from Puli Freeway No. 6 to Nantou or Taichung.
Visitors are suggested to take warm or winter clothes. The highest point is 3,275 m at Wuling- the highest on any Taiwan Highway on the way to Taichung. It may snow during the winter so visitors should pay attention to the snow condition to decide if the snow chain for cars is necessary.
Provincial Highway No. 14A may be closed for the safety during snow season. Visitors are not allowed to drive from Dayuling upwards to Mt. Hehuan area. The traffic will be under control as long as the snow is heavy.
The snow period normally starts from December to February. Due to the global warming, it snows little during these years. Sometimes snow lasts for 3 days to a week.
*Highway Bureau Maintenance Unit: Taroko section: 03-8691311; Puli section: 049-2982066
*Mt. Hehuan Service Station (Taroko National Park) Tel: 04-25991195

Visitors with international licenses may drive a car in Taiwan. However, for those who are not familiar with the road conditions, it is recommended to rent a car with driver or take a local taxi. Cars can be rented at service counters in major airports, train stations and downtown locations. Some of international hotels also provide car rental service which is convenient to visitors who need just airport pick-up or a journey in a few hours.
Some car rental companies allow customers to return cars at more than just one outlet with additional service charge applied. Most car rental companies offer favorable rental packages, but most rental fees do not include insurance, so it is best to make sure of the company's particular policy before taking a car out.
In Taiwan, cars are driving to the right; drivers and passengers must fasten seatbelts. For car-rental traveling, visitors are advised to familiarize Taiwan's driving regulations. After obtaining legally effective drivers' license, an adventure in Taiwan is ready ahead of you.
Related websites: Replacing Drivers' License: Freeway Services: