Taiwan 12-Day Vacation - Day 2 Part C - Baiyang Trail, Taroko Gorge

A visit to the Taroko Gorge will not be complete without walking one of the many magnificent trails available. We choose the Baiyang Trail (白楊步道) which is relatively easy going. The entire trail to a beautiful high Baiyang waterfall at the end and back is 3.6km and takes about two hours to complete. 

 The trail starts about 500m up the road from Tienhsiang. Look for the tunnel on the left; you have to go through this to get to the trail on the other side. Bring a torch as it's 380m long!

Entrance to the Baiyang Trail. Watch out for traffic when walking along the road!

Baiying Trail Entrance

Start of the 380m long tunnel walk. Bring torches. Can be rather dark.

 The Baiyang Trail features valleys, cliffs, waterfalls, rivers, tunnels, and a huge range of flora and fauna along the way. 

After the 380m tunnel walk, we emerge into this setting and the trail begins!

And we cross the bridge

Over the bridge, a beautiful stream flows.

 At first glance, Baiyang may appear to be a mini version of the main gorge above Liwu River, but surprises await for the adventuresome. The two-step Baiyang Waterfall (白楊瀑布) and Water Curtain (水濂洞) are the must-see spots while hiking this trail.

This is just a short distance from the entrance

Nice easy walk

Serene environment

A place to rest our tired legs

There are many tunnels, some can be rather long and this is one of them

The sound of gushing waters from the river beside is always present

 On the way to the Baiyang Waterfall, there are several tunnels you need to pass through. A flashlight is needed, otherwise you may find the pitch-black tunnels a bit too spooky and disorientating. 

Another view of the tunnel

Enthuse ourselves with building some mini stone formations

Beyond the tunnels, we arrive at the spectacular Baiyang Waterfall which comes into view with its two-step drop from a 200 meter high cliff. Nearby is an observation deck reached by bridge where you can fully enjoy the majesty of the falls.

Suspension bridges abound in the Taroko Gorge and this is the main one in the Baiyang Trail

They are perfectly safe to cross

Another view of the bridge

 

The spectacular Baiyang Waterfalls

 

Another view

Shortly after the falls, continuing another 300 meters further you will reach the Water Curtain, which is created by spring water falling from the tunnel roof. If you would like to experience a natural shower, be sure to bring a raincoat with you! 

the water curtain is in the tunnel

End of the trail and time to turn back.

 

HINTS

1. Water, snack, flashlight, and raincoat should be prepared for the 2 hour hike.

2. Be cautious of falling rocks when walking on the trail. Park authorities provide hard hats for visitors free of charge.

To check My Taiwan 12-Day Vacation Itinerary - See Link

Taiwan 12-Day Vacation - Day 2 Part B - Taroko Gorge

After the Qingshui Cliffs, Tiffany our guide and driver took us to Taroko Gorge.

Taroko Gorge (太魯閣: Tàilǔgé)  is an impressive 19-km-long canyon, situated near Taiwan's east coast. The area of the gorge is also identified as Taroko Gorge National Park. Taroko Gorge and its surrounding area are well known for their abundant supply of marble, leading to its nickname, "The Marble Gorge". The name, Taroko, means the "magnificent and splendid" in the language of Truku, the aboriginal tribe who resides in the area.

The most phenomenal aspect of the park is the amazing relief. In a single afternoon you can travel from rugged coastal cliffs through a maze of subtropical forested canyons to high elevation sub-alpine coniferous forests.

In about 60 kilometers the landscape rises from sea level to some of the tallest peaks in Taiwan at over 3400 meters. That's steep!

The scenery is breath-taking. The good thing about going with a fre and easy guide is that one can come out of the vehicle and experience the air and the landscape without any constraints.

The next stop-over is Swallow Grotto (燕子口) which is where most visitors walk through to appreciate the marvel of Taroko Gorge. This older portion of the highway diverges from the new thruway that services vehicular traffic and is meant to be walked to fully appreciate this marvel of nature. The Grotto trail is interspersed with tunnels and overlooks the narrowest portion of Taroko Gorge where the river is most rapid. Here one can appreciate the awesome power of nature that carved its path. 

Swallow Grotto - a wonderful walk through amazing scenery

Swallow Grotto - for better protection against falling rocks, wear helmets

Swallow Grotto - watch out for the many tourists buses

While walking on the Swallow Grotto trail, we challenge you to find the Chieftain's Profile Rock that bares an uncanny likeness to that of an Indian Chief. Can't find it? You're not looking hard enough! Many visitors miss this secret, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.

Next, we went to Tianxiang (天祥) for lunch. This is a large river terrace located on the eastern section of the Central Cross-Island Highway, features architecture from different cultures, including a Chinese temple, Western church, and traces of a Japanese Shinto shrine. It is the largest recreational area in the Taroko Gorge area and most visitors break to have a meal or stay overnight here. Friendly local food vendors often set up shop here to cater to park staff and visitors.

Local beef noodles and vegetable for lunch

Spoilt for choice

Tianxiang - Steel bridge leading to a temple

To check My Taiwan 12-Day Vacation Itinerary - See Link