Taroko Gorge

With no game plan at all I hopped on the first train of the morning to Hualien on the east coast of Taiwan. Upon arrival I sought information on how to get to Taroko Gorge National Park but there was no information to be found. Luckily some very kind people from Beijing were also trying to get to the park without being ripped off by a taxi and helped me break the language barrier and we all headed to the park entrance via the inexpensive public bus.

Upon arrival an overly friendly and excited old park ranger was eager to explain the rock formations of the gorge, show us his pictures of the insects, samples of the wood and more.  It was very warm welcome indeed but could have lasted all day so we were forced to kindly excuse ourselves and begin the short trek through the jungle to get down to the gorge. The others decided to take the tour bus through the gorge while I decided on trekking the 17km to the end, feeling the need to take in all the awe-inspiring sights and sounds of the park.

Impressive sheer rocky cliffs rose high above the rushing blue water of the Liwu River lined by the weaving and winding Central Cross-Island Highway and topped by green jungle. Down the highway only the sound of rushing water slamming against rocks could be heard and every twist and turn of the gorge brought new and inspiring sights. Only the occasional passing of a tour bus or taxi going to the major tourist lookout spots or having to walk extended distances through dark highway tunnels broke the deep connection with nature.

Along the way turquoise pools formed below, birds flew overhead, cascading waterfalls emerged from the jungles and an occasional foot bridge spanned the gapping gorge. Temples and pagodas dotted the misty mountains as butterflies swirled about in the breezy air.  Flowers were in full blossom and the sound of the jungle was the only companion necessary. Upon reaching Tiangxiang at the end of the 17km of gorge I set up my tent at the campsite and was confused as to why I was the only one camping in this simply heavenly place. Exhausted I fell asleep to the sounds of the jungle and watching the flowing river cutting through the gorge from my tent door, an experience simply incomparable to anything else.