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Taroko Gorge: what's open and how to visit

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Go from Hualien with a hired car, scooter or tour, and time it to the road windows. The 2024 earthquake shut the gorge’s best-known trails, Shakadang, Swallow Grotto and Baiyang, until 2031 or later. Tianxiang, the visitor centre and the Qingshui Cliffs are open.

How are you getting around?

  • Car or scooter: drive up Provincial Highway 8 to Tianxiang in a road window. This month the longest are 06:30 to 08:00, 12:00 to 13:00 and 17:00 to 18:00.
  • Tour from Hualien: the simplest way to reach Tianxiang without driving.
  • Bus only: take bus 310 to the Taroko Visitor Center and walk the Taroko Terrace Trail. It goes no further. Details.

When are you going?

Whatever you choose

  1. Check the park’s news page (opens in a new tab) the day before. Trails close after heavy rain and earthquakes.
  2. Take the train to Hualien or Xincheng (Taroko).
  3. Walk the open trails: Taroko Terrace at the visitor centre, Tianxiang, Xiangde Temple, Dali–Datong, and the open part of Lushui.

If it doesn’t go to plan

  • Missed a road window? Wait for the next one. The road closes from 18:30 to 06:30, so don’t miss the 17:00 window out.
  • Your trail closed on the day? Walk the Taroko Terrace Trail at the visitor centre, or see the Qingshui Cliffs from Chongde and Dacingshui.
  • No car or tour? Take bus 310 to the visitor centre (details).

What’s open

OpenClosed
Taroko Visitor CenterShakadang Trail (not before 2031)
Taroko Terrace TrailSwallow Grotto (not before 2031)
Tianxiang Recreation AreaBaiyang Trail (not before 2031)
Dacingshui and Chongde (Qingshui Cliffs)Changchun Shrine (2029 at the earliest)
Dali–Datong Trail (on foot)Buluowan (access road under repair)
Xiangde Temple
Lushui Trail (in part)

Sources: Taipei Times, March 2026 (opens in a new tab); CNA, February 2026 (opens in a new tab); CNA, May 2026 (opens in a new tab).

Road windows

Provincial Highway 8, from the park entrance to Tianxiang, opens only at set times since the earthquake.Liberty Times, October 2026 (opens in a new tab)news.ltn.com.tw

  • This month: 06:30 to 08:00, 10:00 to 10:05, 12:00 to 13:00, 15:00 to 15:05 and 17:00 to 18:00.
  • Don’t miss the last window. The road closes overnight from 18:30 to 06:30.
  • On long weekends it stays open both ways from 06:30 to 18:00.
  • Check the times before you go. They change monthly: see the Highway Bureau’s notice (opens in a new tab).

If you’re going by bus

Take bus 310 (Taroko Line) from Hualien Transfer Station, platform 6, to the Taroko Visitor Center, via Qixingtan and Xincheng. It costs NT$154 one way, or NT$250 for a day pass.Taiwan Tourist Shuttle (opens in a new tab)taiwantrip.com.tw

  • Going back by bus too? Buy the day pass: two singles cost NT$308.
  • Coming from Taipei by train? If your train stops at Xincheng (Taroko) station, get off there and catch bus 310 into the park, NT$42, instead of riding on to Hualien.timetable (opens in a new tab)taiwantrip.com.tw
  • Watch the times. Buses leave Hualien at 07:10, 08:30, 11:40 and 13:00, and reach Xincheng about 70 minutes later. The last bus back leaves the visitor centre at 15:20.timetable (opens in a new tab)taiwantrip.com.tw

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