National park · Taiwan
Taroko Gorge太魯閣國家公園
Go only if the official trail status page is green on the morning: the gorge is partly closed after the April 2024 earthquake, so check before you commit a day from Hualien.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
920 km²355 sq mi
approximate
Established
1986
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Taiwan ↗Check visa-exemption length, passport validity and the online arrival card (TWAC) on the official sites before you fly.
- Taiwan ↗An EasyCard (or iPASS) covers MRT, buses, local trains and many convenience-store purchases; buy one at the airport or a station.
- Taiwan ↗When a local government declares a typhoon day, transport and sights can close for the day; follow the official notice, not the forecast alone.
At a glance
- Country
- Taiwan
- Area
- 920 km²355 sq mi
- Park area is about 920 km², of which the gorge is a narrow 19 km section (check).
- Established
- 1986
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Taroko Gorge is a 19 km marble canyon cut by the Liwu River through the mountains of Xiulin Township, protected since 1986 as Taroko National Park. A magnitude 7.4 earthquake in April 2024 damaged roads, tunnels and trails across the park; as of early 2026 several areas remain closed or restricted while reconstruction continues. The park itself is free to enter — you pay for transport, parking and a few permits, not a gate ticket. What you can actually walk changes month to month, so the official status page decides your day, not this page.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1986.
Size and age
920 km²355 sq mi · national park since 1986
Park area is about 920 km², of which the gorge is a narrow 19 km section (check).
Why go
- A marble canyon 300 m deep in places, with the road and old trails cut into the cliff.
- Trails from flat riverside walks to the cliff-edge Zhuilu Old Trail, all within one bus ride of Hualien.
- Subtropical forest, monkeys and 144 recorded bird species on quiet trails.
- The gorge is free to enter; your money goes on the bus, scooter or taxi, not a ticket gate.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCool and often wet; rockfall risk after rain
- FebDrizzle; slippery marble
- MarDrier, mild, clear gorge views
- AprWarm and clear; still check closures
- MayWarm; afternoon showers build
- JunHot, humid, heavy rain spells
- JulTyphoon season; trails and roads close
- AugTyphoon peak; landslide risk
- SepStorm tails; closures possible
- OctDry, clear, best walking
- NovDry and mild
- DecCool, often clear; short days
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formosan macaquesAll year · Common around Zhuilu and quiet trails; do not feed them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Forest birds (144 species recorded)Mar–May · Best on quiet trails early in the day. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| ButterfliesApr–Jun | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Landslide and rockfall riskJul–Sep · Typhoon season; roads and trails close. | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Hualien
Shuttle bus from the TRA station to the park HQ, then on to Tianxiang; or a taxi about 1 hour to Tianxiang.
40 min to HQ, 1 h 15 min to Tianxiang
From Taipei
Express train to Hualien, then bus or taxi into the gorge.
2 h by express train, then 40 min
Open the page →
From Xincheng
Closest station to the park entrance; shuttle, regular bus or a short taxi ride to the archway.
10–15 min
From Taiwan trip plan
Where Taroko fits into a first Taiwan itinerary.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance and HQ | Archway, visitor centre, free maps and current trail closures. | Open; no ticket. |
| Lower gorge (Shakadang, Changchun Shrine) | Riverside trail and the shrine on the cliff, closest to the entrance. | Check status; the shrine walkways close after storms. |
| Mid gorge (Swallow Grotto, Tunnel of Nine Turns) | The narrowest, most photographed section of the canyon. | Frequently closed for rockfall work; check before travelling. |
| Tianxiang and upper gorge | Village with a 7-Eleven, hotel and the Baiyang trailhead. | Open; the road beyond can close after quakes. |
Sketch map
- 1Taroko Archway (park entrance) · Gate≈24.159, 121.621Map ↗
- 2Visitor Centre / park HQ · Headquarters≈24.162, 121.618Map ↗
- 3Shakadang Trail · Trail≈24.163, 121.613Map ↗
- 4Changchun Shrine · Viewpoint≈24.161, 121.603Map ↗
- 5Swallow Grotto · Viewpoint≈24.173, 121.560Map ↗
- 6Tunnel of Nine Turns · Viewpoint≈24.172, 121.530Map ↗
- 7Lushui · Trail≈24.177, 121.514Map ↗
- 8Tianxiang · Village≈24.186, 121.489Map ↗
- 9Xincheng Station · Ranger station≈24.128, 121.641Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No gate ticket for the park or the gorge. |
| Zhuilu Old Trail permit | TWD 100–200 | person | Paid on arrival; student rate lower. |
| Hualien–Taroko shuttle bus day pass | TWD 250–400 | person | 1-day pass NT$250, 2-day pass NT$400. |
| Taxi, Hualien station to Tianxiang | TWD 1,200 (≈ US$40) | car | About 1 hour. |
| Scooter rental in Hualien | TWD 400–500 | day | A local licence may be required; passport deposit at Xincheng rentals. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Zhuilu Old Trail permit or guide
Trails away from marked paths permit or guide
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Check closures first
- After the April 2024 earthquake, trails and road sections open and close with reconstruction and weather. Confirm on the official park site the morning you go.
- Stay on marked trails
- Leaving prepared paths needs permission from the park administration.
- Helmets in rockfall zones
- Some sections require a helmet; rental points are signposted where they apply.
- No drones
- Flying drones in the park needs permission.
- No litter or fires
- Carry out everything you bring in; fires are not allowed.
Where to stay
In the park
Tianxiang
One hotel and simple guesthouses deep in the gorge; the only place to sleep inside it.
Near the park
Xincheng
Hotels and shops by the closest train station, minutes from the archway.
Near the park
Hualien
Full range of hotels and hostels; 40 min to the park HQ by bus.
Safety
Rockfall and landslides high
Typhoons high
Scooter riding in the gorge medium
Getting caught out after dark medium
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, park HQ area and the first part of the Baiyang trail are step-free or close to it.
- Most gorge trails are stairs, narrow ledges or unlit tunnels; not suitable for limited mobility.
- Shuttle buses include some wheelchair-accessible departures — check the timetable for the marked runs.
Visiting lightly
- Take the shuttle or a full bus instead of adding another car to the narrow gorge road.
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are scarce inside the park.
- Do not feed the macaques — it changes their behaviour and puts them at risk.
- Buy food and supplies in Xincheng or Tianxiang so the villages near the park benefit.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Taroko Gorge?
Nothing. There is no gate ticket for the park or the gorge. You pay for transport instead: a Hualien shuttle day pass is NT$250 for one day or NT$400 for two, a taxi from Hualien station to Tianxiang about NT$1,200, and the Zhuilu Old Trail permit about NT$100–200. Prices are 2026 estimates — check current fares.
What are the best hikes in Taroko Gorge?
Shakadang Trail for an easy riverside walk, Baiyang Waterfall for tunnels and the Water Curtain Cave, and the Zhuilu Old Trail for the cliff-edge route with a permit. Swallow Grotto and the Tunnel of Nine Turns are short walks, not hikes, and are often closed for rockfall work. Always check the official status page first — after the April 2024 earthquake, openings change.
When is the best time to visit Taroko Gorge?
March to May and October to November: drier, clearer and milder. July to September is typhoon season, when the gorge road and trails close at short notice. Rain falls year round, so start early — afternoon showers often build around 15:00.
Is Taroko Gorge open after the 2024 earthquake?
Partly. The April 2024 magnitude 7.4 earthquake damaged roads, tunnels and trails, and as of early 2026 some areas remain closed or restricted while reconstruction continues. Check the official Taroko National Park site on the day you plan to go.
Can I visit Taroko Gorge as a day trip from Hualien?
Yes. The shuttle bus takes about 40 minutes to the park HQ and 1 hour 15 minutes to Tianxiang, so a day trip works. Start early, know the last bus back, and accept that you may only cover the sections that are open.
Do I need a permit for the Zhuilu Old Trail?
Yes. Apply online in advance; daily numbers are capped and slots can go quickly. The permit costs about NT$100–200, paid on arrival.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go