wanderlust: t a r o k o

Morning in Hualien as we fuelled up for the trek ahead.

Taroko Gorge was voted top spot to visit in Taiwan in many travel recommendations we read and I had high expectations for it.

But it turned out to be so huge we had to engage a taxi and visit the site in parts. Six to be exact (many more were closed due to tremors and rockfalls). It is not that it is not spectacular, it’s just that the way to see it turned out feeling a tad bit too touristy.

Warning.

More warnings.

Exercise caution.

Steep cliffs.

Beware of killer bees
and poisonous snakes

and wild animals

and falling rocks

Welcome to Taroko Gorge
and have a nice day :D

The first site was the Shakadang trail, a path sliced into the mountain rocks.

Following the path as it snaked into the depths of the gorge.

Halfway, we came across some kind of river bed and what is it about people and water? Here, a crowd basked in the autumn sun despite no entry signs.

Let’s join in!

Next stop is the Eternal Spring Shrine.

Not really a fan of shrines but the view out of this one is quite nice. I love the layering of the terrain as the mountains peeled open to reveal more mountains behind.

A pink van moving through the mountains. Lovely :)

Don't look down!

3^rd stop, Swallow Grotto. I like the name.

It’s rather apt as you tunnel through the mountains with opening that were rather like holes for birds, occasionally opening to views of mountains of marble and blue water below.

Erm, more warnings.

Ok. Time for short lunch break.

Take a breather...

...And moving on! There are more sites to cover!

Along the way, the cab driver stopped us by this supposedly highest peak as the mountains rose next to the road we were travelling on. My camera wan't wide enough.

This next stop, Cimu Bridge, was a short one. Something about a mother and child, I wasn’t really paying attention :b Anyway, this rock formation next to the bridge was suppose to look like a frog. Do you see it?

Some spectacular views from the bridge, a road sliced into the mountain rocks dividing green foliage above and blue waters below, wrapping around the mountain side and disappearing around the bend.

A short stop at a suspension bridge. You probably can’t tell but the bridge was shaking and so were my knees.

Steady Poon Pee Pee.

I said don't look down!

Having cleared that roadblock, we now fast forward to a short forest trek that led us to the beautiful Lushui Heliu Trail, which was my favourite part of the trip.

The narrow path like a secret passageway around the mountain range.

With lush greenery and the sound of the river, Lushui Heliu, which translate to “green water river flow”, felt more natural, more like the wilderness compared to the other stops. Less touristy.

Taking a break to enjoy the scenery.

This, I will say, after a little bit of climb, is breathtaking.

The last stop was Tianxiang. A climb to a pagoda at the top.

Along the way, a Guanyin statue exudes a certain calm as the sun shone through the tree canopy.

More climbing.

Going up the pagoda.

And looking down.

This feels kinda like Europe doesn’t it?

A golden Buddha statue at nearby temple looking mythical among the mountain rocks.

Paying a visit to the Hsianghe Temple before bidding the place farewell.

With its unpredictable tremors and weather, many had been hurt in accidents at Taroko Gorge. Trekking along forest tracks and paths around the mountainsides, this experience felt very delicate and precarious. But I guess that’s part of the appeal.

A quick advice. Check out information on marathons happening in Taroko which are held annually before visiting as roads leading into the gorge will be closed.