Taroko Gorge Day Tour from Taipei by Train
Overview
Famed for the stunning marble gorge, Taroko National Park is regarded as one of the top nature wonders in Asia. If you are traveling from Taipei, a train journey can be an attractive option to start your adventure, which offers you a chance to experience a different mode of transportation, and connect with the local people.
The awe-inspiring deep gorge cut by the flow of water for millions of years resulted in the natural masterpieces such as Swallow Grotto, Tunnel of Nine Turns, etc. On this one-day tour, you will ramble through the trails in the gorge while enjoying the stunning view of the soaring marble cliffs. Make sure you have enough storage space on your phone! The beauty of Taroko Gorge will make you want to capture every moment.
Additionally, you will also visit the classic attractions in Hualien County during this tour: the marble factory and Qixingtan Beach.
The awe-inspiring deep gorge cut by the flow of water for millions of years resulted in the natural masterpieces such as Swallow Grotto, Tunnel of Nine Turns, etc. On this one-day tour, you will ramble through the trails in the gorge while enjoying the stunning view of the soaring marble cliffs. Make sure you have enough storage space on your phone! The beauty of Taroko Gorge will make you want to capture every moment.
Additionally, you will also visit the classic attractions in Hualien County during this tour: the marble factory and Qixingtan Beach.
Inclusions
- Professional licensed tour guide (Mandarin/ English/ Japanese)
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Round-trip TRA express train ride between Taipei and Hualien
- Lunch - Dink is not included.
- Local General Liabilities Insurance
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (if private option selected)
- Entry/Admission - Taiwan Railways
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Taiwan Railways, Taipei Taiwan
Meet the tour operator's representative in the early morning, and then take an express train bound for Hualien on your own. Don’t worry! Just sit back and enjoy this 3-hour journey.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Taroko National Park, No.291, Fushi Fushi Vil., Xiulin 97253 Taiwan
Upon your arrival in Hualien, your tour guide will greet you at the train station. Your one-day tour to Taroko Gorge National Park will start from the Archway of Taroko Gorge, which is not only a gateway to Taroko Gorge, but also a landmark symbolizing the predecessors’ dedication to the Central Cross-Island Highway.
From the entry to Tianxiang, this 20km section of Central Cross-Island Highway winding through the steep marble cliffs and tunnels of the gorge will blow you away.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Shakadang Trail, Taroko National Park, Fushi Village, Xiulin Township, Xiulin 972 Taiwan
Your first stop is Shakadang Trail, one of the most popular hiking trails in Taroko National Park, also known as “Mysterious Valley Trail”.
The river gently flowing through the marble boulders as you meanders along the trail in parallel. The turquoise blue water of the river is crystal clear that you can see the riverbed from above.
Duration: 50 minutes
Stop At: Yanzihkou Trail (Swallow Grotto), Xincheng Township Xiulin Township, Hualien City Taiwan
The next stop of your Taroko Gorge tour is Swallow Grotto. The potholes on the cliff surface were created by the ground water and the rapid stream of the river. In the past, they were the natural nesting location of swallows, hence the name.
Walking through the tunnels, you will be amazed by the stunning views of the marble cliffs reaching up to the sky.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Cihmu Bridge, Xincheng Township, Xincheng Taiwan
After lunch, you will pass by Cimu Bridge (literally motherly devotion bridge), an H-shape hanging bridge built of marble and named by the late president Chiang Jing-guo, for a heart-touching story about a loving mother.
Stop At: Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail, Xiulin Taiwan
Your tour continues with a visit to Tunnel of Nine Turns. Hold your breath, because this natural masterpiece will take your breath away!
Tunnel of Nine Turns is considered the most scenic section of Taroko Gorge, which reopened to public in 2019 after years of repair works. As you walk along the trail, you can see the meandering river running through the deep and spectacular canyon from above, and you can also have a closer look at the faults and folds of the sheer marble cliffs, as well as the vegetation on the walls.
Duration: 40 minutes
Pass By: Eternal Spring Shrine, in Taroko National Park, Xiulin Taiwan
After that, you will pass by Eternal Spring Shrine, a memorial shrine established in 1958, to commemorate the 225 personnel (military veterans) who died during the construction of the Central Cross-Island Highway.
From afar, you can see the waterfall cascading over the sheer cliff below the shrine, creating a picturesque view.
Stop At: Chishingtan Scenic Area, No. 5_, Lane 79, Qixing Street, Xincheng Taiwan
Before you return to the train station for your train back to Taipei, you will visit the most romantic beach in Taiwan. Qixingtan Beach, a crescent-shaped beach covered with sprawling pebbles.
Here you can take a walk, chill yourself and enjoy the sea breeze along the beach, or challenge yourself to stack a stone tower with the pebbles.
Duration: 15 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Taiwan Railways, Taipei Taiwan
Meet the tour operator's representative in the early morning, and then take an express train bound for Hualien on your own. Don’t worry! Just sit back and enjoy this 3-hour journey.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Taroko National Park, No.291, Fushi Fushi Vil., Xiulin 97253 Taiwan
Upon your arrival in Hualien, your tour guide will greet you at the train station. Your one-day tour to Taroko Gorge National Park will start from the Archway of Taroko Gorge, which is not only a gateway to Taroko Gorge, but also a landmark symbolizing the predecessors’ dedication to the Central Cross-Island Highway.
From the entry to Tianxiang, this 20km section of Central Cross-Island Highway winding through the steep marble cliffs and tunnels of the gorge will blow you away.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Shakadang Trail, Taroko National Park, Fushi Village, Xiulin Township, Xiulin 972 Taiwan
Your first stop is Shakadang Trail, one of the most popular hiking trails in Taroko National Park, also known as “Mysterious Valley Trail”.
The river gently flowing through the marble boulders as you meanders along the trail in parallel. The turquoise blue water of the river is crystal clear that you can see the riverbed from above.
Duration: 50 minutes
Stop At: Yanzihkou Trail (Swallow Grotto), Xincheng Township Xiulin Township, Hualien City Taiwan
The next stop of your Taroko Gorge tour is Swallow Grotto. The potholes on the cliff surface were created by the ground water and the rapid stream of the river. In the past, they were the natural nesting location of swallows, hence the name.
Walking through the tunnels, you will be amazed by the stunning views of the marble cliffs reaching up to the sky.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Cihmu Bridge, Xincheng Township, Xincheng Taiwan
After lunch, you will pass by Cimu Bridge (literally motherly devotion bridge), an H-shape hanging bridge built of marble and named by the late president Chiang Jing-guo, for a heart-touching story about a loving mother.
Stop At: Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail, Xiulin Taiwan
Your tour continues with a visit to Tunnel of Nine Turns. Hold your breath, because this natural masterpiece will take your breath away!
Tunnel of Nine Turns is considered the most scenic section of Taroko Gorge, which reopened to public in 2019 after years of repair works. As you walk along the trail, you can see the meandering river running through the deep and spectacular canyon from above, and you can also have a closer look at the faults and folds of the sheer marble cliffs, as well as the vegetation on the walls.
Duration: 40 minutes
Pass By: Eternal Spring Shrine, in Taroko National Park, Xiulin Taiwan
After that, you will pass by Eternal Spring Shrine, a memorial shrine established in 1958, to commemorate the 225 personnel (military veterans) who died during the construction of the Central Cross-Island Highway.
From afar, you can see the waterfall cascading over the sheer cliff below the shrine, creating a picturesque view.
Stop At: Chishingtan Scenic Area, No. 5_, Lane 79, Qixing Street, Xincheng Taiwan
Before you return to the train station for your train back to Taipei, you will visit the most romantic beach in Taiwan. Qixingtan Beach, a crescent-shaped beach covered with sprawling pebbles.
Here you can take a walk, chill yourself and enjoy the sea breeze along the beach, or challenge yourself to stack a stone tower with the pebbles.
Duration: 15 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Each guest is allowed to bring one piece of carry-on baggage.
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Ensure you carry enough cash with you to cover your expenses for snacks, beverages, souvenirs, tips, etc. Convenience stores and most of the eateries in Taiwan don't accept credit cards as a form of payment.
- Not recommended for travelers with physical disabilities.
- A small amount of walking is involved; comfortable shoes are recommended.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 41 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 7 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
robwooding
January 2020
A wonderful experience, well worth the 3 hours of train travel to the start of the tour. We felt that we saw as much of Taroko Gorge as would be possible in a day. Apart from being quite a character, Josephine the tour guide was very well organised and made sure we had enough time at each stop ...
A wonderful experience, well worth the 3 hours of train travel to the start of the tour. We felt that we saw as much of Taroko Gorge as would be possible in a day. Apart from being quite a character, Josephine the tour guide was very well organised and made sure we had enough time at each stop to experience the beautiful gorge. The tour also featured a superb lunch at a five star hotel. Some minor quibbles. As the tour company is selective about which hotels it would collect guests from (apparently refusing to go to some quite close to the centre), it might be good if they offered the option of joining the tour at Taipei Main Station rather require us to travel to another hotel, which would have allowed us another half hour's sleep in the morning. Also, the last two stops on the tour - a marble factory and the local beach - were not that exciting and perhaps there are better options. But, overall, the tour was excellent, hence my high rating.Dakota_M
August 2023
Was an absolutely great day out, very relaxing and heaps to see. The tour guide was awesome! Would definitely recommend
Was an absolutely great day out, very relaxing and heaps to see. The tour guide was awesome! Would definitely recommendRyan_B
December 2022
If you're looking to get out of Taipei for a day to visit a new region of Taiwan, and have a knack for the outdoors (but not excessive physical activity), highly recommend this tour. Taroko is a beautiful park and Josephine was a very knowledgeable guide who is from the Hualien area and typically...
If you're looking to get out of Taipei for a day to visit a new region of Taiwan, and have a knack for the outdoors (but not excessive physical activity), highly recommend this tour. Taroko is a beautiful park and Josephine was a very knowledgeable guide who is from the Hualien area and typically called the "Queen of Taroko." Through this tour, you are able to see all the major areas of this beautiful national park.Joe_M
August 2020
We had a great time at the Taroko Gorge. It was incredibly beautiful and the tour was really well organised and without any difficulties at all. We really didn't have to worry about a thing all day, it was great value. Josephine was a wonderful guide for the day, we had a fantastic time.
We had a great time at the Taroko Gorge. It was incredibly beautiful and the tour was really well organised and without any difficulties at all. We really didn't have to worry about a thing all day, it was great value. Josephine was a wonderful guide for the day, we had a fantastic time.Elisabeth_K
September 2019
In general it was OK, but I wouldn't recommend it. It is a very long time to go there. Three hours train ride and also quite a time by bus. It always was stressful. Our guide was nice but also stressed all the time. She reminded us all the time how little time we had. I couldn't enjoy the stops t...
In general it was OK, but I wouldn't recommend it. It is a very long time to go there. Three hours train ride and also quite a time by bus. It always was stressful. Our guide was nice but also stressed all the time. She reminded us all the time how little time we had. I couldn't enjoy the stops therefore a lot. Lunch was good, but such a noble restaurant is not necessary . If it would be a cheaper tour, snacks would be enough, in order to save a bit money. The worst part was that we went to marble factory/souvenir job. There we had to do a walk and guided tour through the shop, where they try to convince us professionally to buy expensive stuff. It felt like a rip of. I pay a lot of money to get to a place to spend even more money ( I am still a student). Before we had to stress in nature, but for that we had enough time. The beach was OK, but also would prefer to walk more in Taroko. Taroko itself is very nice and beautiful. Maybe you can organize a car to go there.mariairenec2015
August 2019
A nice family tour .just rent a car with driver for easy access without a huge tourist crowd.Driver will take you on all tourist attractions and point some informations.Direct you on spots good for taking pictures and area where to eat local foods.Avoid sakadang trails for family with small child...
A nice family tour .just rent a car with driver for easy access without a huge tourist crowd.Driver will take you on all tourist attractions and point some informations.Direct you on spots good for taking pictures and area where to eat local foods.Avoid sakadang trails for family with small children.These long walks tires them easily and parents won’t enjoy the walk holding the kids.Taroko offers lot of tourist attraction so it is worth the visit .