Where is Taroko Gorge?
Taiwan, asia
118 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Cruising through Taroko Gorge in Taiwan's Hualien County is an experience you won't soon forget! Picture this: you're snaking your way through a canyon carved by nature, with views so gorgeous the local Truku tribe named it "magnificent and splendid."
This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. The Zhongbu Cross-island Highway, a 118 km (73-mile) paved path from Xincheng Township to Ren'ai, has some serious personality. We're talking blind curves, hairpin turns, and spots so narrow you might have to hold your breath!
Imagine this: you're sharing the road with tour buses, scooters, pedestrians, and trucks hauling marble (yes, marble!). It's a tight squeeze! The road itself is a marvel, slicing through the mountains and offering insane views of the Liwu River way, way below.
But let's be real, this route isn't for the faint of heart. Heavy rain from typhoons loves to send rocks tumbling onto the road, and the gorge walls are prone to seismic activity. Plus, the road's seen better days. Think unlit tunnels, constant rockfalls, and landslides after heavy rain. The weather can shut things down at any moment. It's best to travel only when there are no typhoons or earthquakes.
Despite the hazards, trucks use it to deliver crops and supplies! Built by Nationalist Army soldiers between 1956 and 1960, the Zhongbu Cross-island Highway is a true engineering feat, and the views are unreal.
Road Details
- Country
- Taiwan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 118 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
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