Taroko National Park

Hualien on the east coast is the gateway to Taroko National Park and the Pacific coast, where the Central Mountain Range drops almost vertically into the sea. The city itself is relaxed and manageable; its appeal lies in its surroundings: pebble beaches, steep cliffs, and the famous Marble Gorge.The earthquake on April 3, 2024, severely impacted Taroko Gorge. Many well-known trails, such as the Shakadang Trail, Swallow Grotto, and Zhuilu Old Trail, remain closed even in 2026. Open areas include the visitor center at the park entrance with the Dekalun Trail and parts of the Tianxiang area. Before any excursion, check the latest information from the National Park Administration. Between the city and the gorge lies Qixingtan pebble beach.

Ita Thao, on Sun Moon Lake's southern shore, is the village of the Thao, one of Taiwan's smallest indigenous peoples. Many shops on the main street are owned by Thao families, and local eateries offer dishes like mountain pork, sticky rice, and millet wine. Boats run from Shuishe twice an hour, crossing in about ten minutes.

Sun Moon Lake in Nantou County, Central Taiwan, is the island's largest body of water, situated at 748 meters amidst forested mountains. Boats ferrying between piers, a cycling path around the lake, and temples with lake views make it a tranquil counterpoint to the cities.The lake owes its name to the shape of its two parts, resembling a sun and a crescent moon. Along its shores lives the Thao people, one of the smallest of the 16 recognized indigenous peoples, whose center is Ita Thao village. The Wenwu Temple on the north shore honors Confucius, as well as the gods of war Guan Yu and Yue Fei. A cable car connects the lake with the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village.

The East Coast between Hualien and Taitung is Taiwan's wildest part: steep cliffs where the Central Mountain Range drops almost vertically into the Pacific, the Taroko Gorge, and the tranquil East Rift Valley with its rice paddies.There is no high-speed rail here, but Taiwan Railway express trains connect Taipei with Hualien and Taitung. The region is home to many indigenous peoples, especially Amis, Truku, Puyuma, and Bunun. Following the April 2024 earthquake, many trails in Taroko Gorge are closed, but the coast and valley are easily traversable.

Central Taiwan stretches from the metropolis of Taichung into the Central Mountain Range, home to Sun Moon Lake and the Alishan mountain area. Those seeking lakes, forests, and tea plantations will find them here.Taichung, with its high-speed rail station and metro, serves as the region's transport hub, with buses departing from here to Sun Moon Lake in Nantou County. Further south, the historic Alishan Forest Railway runs from Chiayi to over 2,000 meters. To its east rises Yushan, Taiwan's highest mountain at 3,952 meters.