Taiwan's most dramatic marble canyon — but after the April 2024 earthquake, many famous viewpoints are still closed. We tell you honestly what's open, what's shut, and whether the 12-hour round trip is worth it right now.
A M7.4 earthquake on 3 April 2024 caused severe damage to Taroko National Park. Iconic viewpoints including Swallow Grotto (Yan Zikou) and the Tunnel of Nine Turns (Jiuqudong) remain closed — with no confirmed reopening date. Status can change at any time. Please check current conditions at the official Taroko National Park website before booking a tour or travelling.
Taroko National Park sits in Hualien County on Taiwan's east coast, about 170 km from Taipei.
Taroko National Park is one of Asia's most dramatic natural landscapes. The Liwu River has carved through marble and schist for millions of years, creating a sheer-walled gorge where cliffs rise more than 1,000 metres in places. The marble walls shift through grey, white and green depending on the light and time of day — a geological spectacle unlike anywhere else on earth.
The park covers roughly 920 square kilometres, rising from sea level to peaks above 3,700 metres. The indigenous Truku people have lived here for millennia, and the cliff-hugging highway built by hand in the 1950s remains one of the most remarkable feats of engineering in Asia — and the primary route through the gorge, currently only partially accessible after the earthquake.
The M7.4 earthquake of 3 April 2024 caused severe damage to park infrastructure and trails. The following reflects Wherebest's best information as of May 2026 — always verify before travel.
| Location | Status (May 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Taroko Visitor Center | Open | Main starting point — maps, info, toilets, tour pickup |
| Buluowan Recreation Area | Open | Elevated terrace with panoramic gorge views; Truku cultural exhibits |
| Cingshui Cliff (Qingshui) | Open | Viewed from the coastal road — outside the park proper, unaffected |
| Eternal Spring Shrine / Changchun | Partial | Viewable from below near the road; trail to the shrine itself closed |
| Swallow Grotto — Yan Zikou | Closed | The most-photographed spot — still closed, no reopening date confirmed |
| Tunnel of Nine Turns — Jiuqudong | Closed | The park's most famous walking trail — still closed |
| Baiyang Trail (Waterfall of the Wind) | Closed | Beloved trail to the underground waterfall — still closed |
| Shakadang Trail | Partial | Some sections open; check current access before assuming entry |
| Tiansiang (inner gorge) | Closed | The central/inner park area — road still under repair |
Status changes without notice: This information was compiled in May 2026. The park may open or close additional sections at any time based on safety assessments. Always verify at www.taroko.gov.tw/en before your trip.
Taroko from Taipei is not a quick outing. The transit time is substantial, and with reduced access inside the park right now, the value proposition is worth examining honestly.
Taroko day tours from Taipei come in three main flavours, trading flexibility against price and ease.
Bus groups of 15–30 people. Usually includes TRA train tickets Taipei–Hualien, a bus inside the park, and an English or Mandarin guide.
Approximate price: ~NT$3,500–4,500/person
Best for: solo travellers or couples who want a hassle-free day · Downside: fixed schedule, limited time at each stop, large groups
Minivan for 4–7 people, a dedicated guide, more flexibility over timing and photo stops.
Approximate price: ~NT$5,000–8,000/person (depends on group size)
Best for: families, friend groups, or those prioritising a higher-quality experience · Downside: significantly more expensive
Take the TRA train to Hualien yourself, then hire a taxi or rent a scooter/car to enter the gorge at your own pace.
Approximate price: ~NT$1,500–2,500/person (varies by group)
Best for: experienced independent travellers who want full control · Downside: taxis in Hualien are scarce; requires advance planning
Regardless of format: always check the current itinerary of your specific tour to confirm which stops are actually accessible. Read the most recent reviews to see what travellers experienced in the last few weeks — some listings still show closed sites without updating the listed itinerary.
Even with major sections closed, Taroko still has moments that can leave first-time visitors genuinely speechless — particularly the scale of the marble walls.
Every Taroko visit starts here. The Visitor Center at the park entrance has geology and Truku culture exhibits, up-to-date trail maps, and a team who can tell you exactly which sections are accessible on the day you visit.
Hours: 08:30–17:00 · Free admission
A wide terrace sitting 200 metres above the gorge floor with sweeping panoramic views of the marble canyon below. There's a Truku cultural centre with weaving demonstrations, local food stalls, and walking paths that are accessible for most fitness levels.
No steep climbs required — a good option for travellers who want the gorge experience without strenuous hiking.
A series of sheer marble cliffs dropping hundreds of metres directly into the Pacific Ocean — one of Taiwan's most jaw-dropping coastal views. Because Cingshui lies outside the park boundary, it was unaffected by the closures.
Best viewed by driving the Suhua Highway between Hualien and Suao. Some tours include a roadside stop here en route.
A white pavilion built into the cliff face with a waterfall streaming down beside it — one of Taroko's most recognisable images. You can still view and photograph it from the road below, which provides a solid vantage point.
The trail leading up to the shrine itself remains closed. The roadside view is still worth a stop and captures the spirit of the image most people associate with this spot.
If you want to make the most of limited time in Taiwan, these alternatives are fully accessible, closer to Taipei, and offer experiences many travellers rank above a partial Taroko visit right now.
A volcanic national park 30 minutes from Taipei — spring wildflowers, sulphur vents, silver grass meadows in autumn, and natural hot springs. Half a day is enough; no 12-hour commitment needed.
Yangmingshan Guide →Taiwan's most beautiful lake — boat trips, lakeside cycling, the temple where Xuanzang's remains are kept, and aboriginal cuisine. Fully open, about 2.5 hours from Taipei, and consistently ranked among Taiwan's best day trips.
Sun Moon Lake Guide →Historic narrow-gauge mountain railway, sea of clouds at dawn, ancient Japanese cedar forests and cherry blossoms in spring. Fully open and operating — a once-in-a-lifetime experience of a very different kind from Taroko.
Alishan Guide →Klook lists Group, Small Group and Private Taroko tours. Before purchasing, check the current itinerary on the product page and read recent reviews from travellers who completed the tour within the last few weeks — this tells you more than any listing description.
🏔️ Browse Taroko Tours on Klook →The complete roundup of the best day trips from Taipei — distances, travel times, honest comparisons and what each is best suited for.
See All 10 Day Trips →Taiwan's most iconic one-day outing — release a sky lantern on live train tracks in Shifen, then end at Jiufen's red-lantern lanes at dusk. Fully open, entirely classic.
Jiufen & Shifen Guide →Attractions, food, hotels, itineraries and practical info — everything you need to plan a Taipei trip in one place.
Open Taipei Guide →Staying a night in Hualien before entering Taroko? These 4 hotels are ranked by proximity to the park entrance + verified guest scores — so you can start early and skip the crowds.
See Taroko Base Hotels →Not sure which area to base yourself in? We compare both on distance, cost, convenience and 6 concrete trip scenarios — so you can decide in minutes rather than hours of Googling.
Read the Comparison →Taipei is the ideal base for all of Taiwan's great day trips — Taroko, Sun Moon Lake, Alishan and Yangmingshan all depart from here. Find the right accommodation to anchor your itinerary.