Taroko National Park - Hehuanshan Management Station

Taroko National Park was established in 1986 (Republic of China year 75) and spans Hualien, Nantou, and Taichung counties. Taroko National Park is renowned for its magnificent, nearly vertical marble canyon landscapes. Following the scenic Liwu River gorge, visitors are greeted by towering cliffs, precipices, canyons, winding tunnels, marble strata, and streams. Four million years ago, Taiwan was formed by the collision of the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. As the Central Mountain Range slowly uplifted, its surface rock layers were weathered and eroded, exposing the marble. The long-term erosion by the Liwu River, coupled with continuous crustal uplift, carved these marble formations into nearly vertical canyons. The park is characterized by towering peaks; from Qingshui to the summit of Nanhu Mountain, there's an elevation difference of 3,742 meters, creating complex plant communities and providing habitats for wildlife. Waterfalls are a significant feature of Taroko National Park. There are numerous waterfalls between Taroko Gorge entrance and Wenshan, with the most famous being Baiyang Waterfall, Yindai Waterfall, Changchun Waterfall, and Lushui Waterfall, along with many other unnamed smaller cascades. Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou) and Tunnel of Nine Turns (Jiuqudong) are among the most captivating natural wonders of Taroko Gorge, marking its two narrowest sections. Pedestrian paths have been constructed alongside the river for visitors to stroll and admire the scenery. Across from Swallow Grotto, numerous small caves can be seen on the marble cliffs. During spring and summer, swifts and swallows frequently dart among the cliffs, singing and nesting in the caves, hence the name Swallow Grotto. At the Tunnel of Nine Turns, with its 'intestine-like winding and river-like meandering' tunnels, visitors can follow a twisting, semi-lit path to appreciate the gorge's beauty. Additionally, the Taroko Archway is a small, distinctly Chinese-style archway, a popular spot for souvenir photos. The Eternal Spring Shrine (Changchun Shrine) stands quietly in a lush green valley, commemorating those who died during the construction of the Central Cross-Island Highway. A cascading waterfall flows beneath it, creating a harmonious landscape. The heroes of the road forever rest amidst the verdant mountains and clear waters, their spirits comforted. ※Recently, there have been incidents of Taiwanese macaques snatching food and accidentally injuring tourists in the Tianxiang area. To ensure visitor safety, Taroko National Park Headquarters is promoting a new 'Four No's' policy for harmonious coexistence with monkeys: 'Do not approach, do not provoke, do not feed, do not expose food,' to avoid human-monkey conflicts.