We left the city of Taipei in hopes of seeing nature, Taroko National Park is just what we needed. Steve and I spent a full day driving the entire park, checking out nature trails, and enjoying the scene.
How We Got There and Around
We took the express train from Taipei to Hualien. The train took just over two hours and took us on a scenic route through the mountains. We had booked the train about a week ahead and were surprised we were able to get a seat. We had read that the train is very popular for city goers to leave for the mountains. We left on a Tuesday which probably why we were able to get seats.
Once we arrived in Hualien we had planned to get a scooter to drive to the park, however, the weather made a turn, and we ended up renting a car. It was the better choice, as the roads were wet and rained throughout the day.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at Cullinan Hotel. The hotel was simple, but met our needs. There was no free breakfast, which was the only bummer.
What We Did
We spent a full day exploring the park. The park is free, however certain hikes require permitting which costs money. We decided to do the scenic drive and free nature walks, as it rained most of the day. The biggest bummer was that some of the nature walks were closed due to heavy rains which had wiped out the trails. Some of the highlights was checking out the gorge, and the many cliffs along the ocean. Here are just a few of our favorite sites:
What’s Next
