Nature, Spirit & Stone — Explore Taroko National Park
From Marble Canyons to Eternal Shrines — Taiwan’s East Coast Wonder
Why Take This Hualien Shore Excursion?
If your cruise stops in eastern Taiwan, a Hualien shore excursion to Taroko Gorge National Park is an absolute must. One of Asia’s most breathtaking natural landscapes, Taroko is a wonder of marble cliffs, turquoise rivers, and mist-draped mountains. The park’s name, “Taroko,” means “magnificent and beautiful” — and this excursion lives up to it at every turn.
This full-day Taroko Gorge tour takes you deep into the heart of the park to see its most famous sights — the Nine Turns Trail (Tunnel of Nine Turns), Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou), the Taroko Gorge Gateway, and the Eternal Spring Shrine (Changchun Shrine). Each stop reveals a new facet of the gorge’s beauty — from narrow marble canyons and hanging bridges to tranquil shrines built to honor workers who carved the road through the cliffs.
Your private driver and English-speaking guide ensure a comfortable, scenic journey with time for photos, walks, and short breaks. By the end of the day, you’ll understand why Taroko is often called the jewel of Taiwan’s east coast — a place where raw nature and quiet spirituality blend perfectly.
Sample Itinerary: Hualien Shore Excursion
Discover the marble cliffs & sacred shrines of Taroko Gorge on a breathtaking day from Hualien Port
08:30 – Pickup at Hualien Port
Meet your private driver/guide at the cruise terminal. Depart for Taroko National Park, about 40 minutes away, traveling along the coastal highway with mountain and ocean views.
09:15 – 09:45 – Taroko Gorge Gateway
Enter the park through its iconic marble gate, framed by traditional Chinese architecture and surrounded by forested slopes — a great first photo stop.
10:00 – 11:00 – Nine Turns Trail (Tunnel of Nine Turns, 九曲洞步道)
Walk along this scenic trail carved into marble cliffs above the rushing Liwu River. The winding tunnels and rock walls showcase Taroko’s geological grandeur at its most dramatic.
11:15 – 12:00 – Swallow Grotto Trail (燕子口步道)
Marvel at steep canyon walls where swallows nest in cliffside caves. The narrow gorge and roaring river create one of the park’s most iconic vistas.
12:15 – 13:15 – Lunch in Tianxiang Village or Local Restaurant
Enjoy Taiwanese mountain cuisine — noodles, vegetables, and local specialties — surrounded by serene mountain views.
13:30 – 14:15 – Eternal Spring Shrine (長春祠)
Visit this picturesque shrine perched on a cliffside, where a waterfall cascades beneath it. Built to commemorate the workers who lost their lives constructing the Central Cross-Island Highway, it’s one of Taroko’s most spiritual and photogenic sites.
14:30 – 16:00 – Scenic Stops & Drive Back to Port
Optional brief stops at Cimu Bridge, Shakadang Trail, or a souvenir shop near the park exit, depending on time and traffic.
16:30 – Return to Hualien Port
Relax on the return drive with ocean and mountain scenery before re-boarding your cruise ship.
