Taroko National Park
Taroko Gorge, a marble canyon cut by the Liwu River in eastern Taiwan, is the main reason to visit.
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Taroko National Park sits in eastern Taiwan, mainly within Xiulin Township in Hualien County, and also reaches into Taichung City and Nantou County. Its best-known feature is Taroko Gorge, a marble canyon carved by the Liwu River and more than 1,000 meters deep in places. The park's name comes from the Truku people, an Indigenous group who still live in Hualien County and inside the park boundary.
The Central Cross-Island Highway runs through the park, passing from subtropical forest to high-mountain pine and cedar forest. Along the gorge you can visit the Tunnel of Nine Turns, Eternal Spring Shrine and Swallow Grotto, a marble cliff with many small caves. Most visitors reach the park from Hualien City, and the nearest train station is Xincheng Station, about 7 km from park headquarters. Many trails and roads were damaged by the 2024 landslides, so check which routes are open before setting out. Summer is hot and humid in the lowlands, and typhoons are most likely then.
Taroko National Park in five
- Check which trails are openReopened sites include Taroko Terrace, the Tiansiang and Dacingshui areas, and the Chongde, Dali-Datong, Liwushan and Cianyanlishan trails.Roads and trails
- Do not plan on Shakadang or Swallow GrottoFamous trails such as Shakadang and Swallow Grotto may stay closed for a long time. Check the park roads and trails page before you plan.
- Take the train to Hualien or XinchengTrains from Taipei take about 2–2.5 hours. Buses and taxis run into the gorge.
- Watch for rockfallKeep to open trails, follow closures and wear a helmet where the park asks. Avoid the gorge after heavy rain or earthquakes.
Things to do in Taroko National Park
See all attractions in Taroko National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- No entrance fee; some trails need advance permits
- Permits
- Check the park site for trail permits and closures Read more
- Season
- Open all year; typhoon season can close roads
- Nearest town
- Hualien, or Xincheng near the park entrance
- Getting there
- Train from Taipei 2–2.5 hours, then bus or taxi
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain22 rainy daysHigh19°Low15°Cool, dampJanuaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 316 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, damp
- FebruaryRain20 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°CoolFebruaryRain
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 270 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- MarchRain20 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°MildMarchRain
Good
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 350 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilRain20 rainy daysHigh24°Low19°MildAprilRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 281 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- MayRain26 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Rainy seasonMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 543 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JuneRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°HotJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 581 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°HotJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 426 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- AugustRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Typhoon riskAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 344 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Typhoon risk
- SeptemberRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Typhoon riskSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 520 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Typhoon risk
- OctoberRain22 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°ClearOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 584 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear
- NovemberRain20 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°MildNovemberRain
Good
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 332 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- DecemberRain20 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°CoolDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 183 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
Average daily high and low in Hualien, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Taroko National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
17
- Feels like
- 19°
- Humidity
- 99%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Taroko National Park
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today18°17°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed18°15°100%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu22°14°4%Thursday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Fri21°16°100%Friday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sat18°16°99%Saturday: Rain. High 18°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Sun21°15°90%Sunday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Mon19°16°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 04:15 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 32.64 TWD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Taroko National Park
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Rules for Taroko National Park, checked
- Check entry requirements for your nationality with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan before you travel.
- Closures have changed often since 2024. Check current road and trail status with Taroko National Park Headquarters before you go.
- Do not pass closure barriers or walk onto closed trails. Rockfalls and landslides are frequent in the park.
- Follow Central Weather Administration typhoon and rain warnings, and expect road and trail closures in heavy weather.
- Dial 110 for police and 119 for an ambulance or fire service in Taiwan.
Plan around Taroko National Park
Trains to Hualien leave from Taipei Main Station
Read the guideTainanPair the gorge with the south on a rail loop
Read the guideAll of TaiwanRail, entry rules and when to go
Read the guideGetting around TaiwanEast coast trains and buses explained
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for closures, quakes and typhoons
Read the guideTaroko National Park FAQ
Is Taroko Gorge open in 2026?
Partly. The visitor center, Taroko Terrace, Tiansiang and several trails have reopened, but well-known trails like Shakadang and Swallow Grotto may stay closed. Check the park page.
Can I visit Taroko as a day trip from Taipei?
Yes, with an early train to Hualien or Xincheng. With fewer sites open, a day covers what is currently accessible.
When is the best time to visit Taroko?
March, April, October and November. Summer brings heat and typhoons, which can close the road through the gorge.
Is Taroko worth visiting after the earthquake?
Yes, if you accept fewer trails: the marble canyon scenery along the open road and terrace areas is still among Taiwan's best. Check the park's trail page before you set your day.
How do you get to Taroko without a car?
Take a train from Taipei to Hualien or Xincheng in about 2 to 2.5 hours, then use a bus or taxi into the gorge. Check current bus timetables and road status before you go.