24 Jun 2023

'Magnificent' 'Beautiful' Taroko National Park and Hualien Hospitality

As Heritage Adventurer arrived at the Port of Hualien early in the morning, we were anticipating our next destination Taroko National Park, a natural wonder established in 1986. Taroko National Park, spanning Hualien, Nantou and Taichung, is renowned for its breathtaking marble gorges. Following the scenic Limu Creek along the Central Cross-Island Highway, we were immersed in a visual spectacle of waterfalls, ponds, crevices, and marble formations. Taroko, meaning 'magnificent' or 'beautiful' in the local Truku language, perfectly describes the park. Remnants of gold mining trails from the Japanese era in 1918 could still be seen during our exploratory walks. The completion of the Central Cross-Island Highway in 1960, a monumental engineering feat, involved the tireless efforts of around 6,000 workers using hand tools and explosives to carve the highway through Taiwan's central mountain range. At the Eternal Spring (Changchun) Shrine, we paid tribute to the 226 men who tragically lost their lives in work-related accidents during the construction. We witnessed the impressive acrobatics of the Pacific Swallow in Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou) before exploring the eastern section of the Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail (Jiuqudong). The trail showcased captivating black and white marble patterns on the rock face, resembling an abstract painting. These marble formations were a product of intense temperature and pressure.

We enjoyed a unique dining experience at the Dajili Tribal House, savouring indigenous cuisine. The meal featured sticky rice cooked in bamboo cylinders, which we opened using supplied rocks. Along with specialty vegetables, meats, soups, and a sweet potato dessert, the flavours were delightful. Our shore excursion concluded at Qixingtan, one of Hualien's most popular beach spots. Located at the tip of a crescent bay, it offered expansive vistas of the Pacific Ocean. The pebble beach, adorned with a combination of schist, gneiss, marble, quartz, and even jade, provided a perfect opportunity for us to leave our own rock stack contributions before returning to Heritage Adventurer.

Image (c) by: F.Wardle