Taroko Gorge is one of Asia's great natural wonders — towering marble cliffs, a jade-green river, and a landscape so dramatic it almost doesn't feel real. If you're planning a Taiwan trip and wondering whether it's still worth visiting after the 2024 earthquake, the short answer is: yes, absolutely. It just takes a little more planning than it used to.

Here's everything you need to know before you go.

What Happened?

On April 3, 2024, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Hualien, causing significant damage to the roads and trails inside Taroko National Park. Subsequent typhoons in 2024 and 2025 added to the challenges. Restoration work is ongoing — some areas have already reopened, others will take years.

The gorge itself — the marble canyon, the river, the sheer scale of it all — is as breathtaking as ever. What's changed is how you move through it.

What's Open Right Now ✅

Despite the ongoing repairs, there's still plenty to see:

• Taroko Entrance Archway & Visitor Center — The iconic gateway into the gorge is open and as photogenic as ever. The Visitor Center has exhibits on the geology, the Truku indigenous culture, and park history. From here you can also walk the Dekalun Trail (德卡倫步道) — a rewarding forest hike with gorge views, but be prepared: it involves a significant number of stairs, so wear suitable shoes and take your time.

• Scenic gorge drive along Highway 8 (中橫公路)— Driving through the marble canyon is still possible during designated release times (more on this below). The views from the road are spectacular.

• Tianxiang Recreation Area (天祥遊憩區)— The heart of the park is open, including the Tianxiang Visitor Center, the Tabido Trail (approx. 50 min), and the Xiangde Temple trail (approx. 1 hr round trip) with its stunning canyon views.

• Lushui Recreation Area (綠水步道) — Partially reopened in February 2026. The first section of the Lushui Trail (to the small suspension bridge, ~250m) and the start of the Lushui–Wenshan Trail (~450m) are now accessible.

• Silks Place Taroko — The only five-star hotel inside the national park remains open, making it the best lunch stop in the gorge.

What's Still Closed ❌

Be aware that many of Taroko's most famous trails and landmarks remain closed for reconstruction:

• Shakadang Trail (砂卡礑步道)

• Yanzikou / Swallow's Grotto (燕子口)

• Tunnel of Nine Turns (九曲洞)

• Zhuilu Old Road (錐麓古道)

• Baiyang Trail / Water Curtain Cave (白楊步道)

• Eternal Spring Shrine / Changchun Shrine (長春祠) — visible from the road but not accessible to visitors

• Buluowan Terrace (布洛灣) — upper and lower terraces remain closed

Some of these may not reopen for several years. Plan your visit around what's open — and you won't be disappointed. The gorge road alone, with its towering white marble walls and rushing river below, is a world-class experience.

The Daily Access Windows — Read This Carefully

This is the most important thing to know for your visit. Highway 8 through Taroko Gorge is not open 24 hours. Due to ongoing road repairs and rockfall risk, vehicles are only permitted to pass through during five designated release times each day:

From 17:30 to 18:00, vehicles may exit but not enter. After 18:00, the road is fully closed overnight.

The 5-minute release times are not flexible. Release times 2 and 4 (10:00–10:05 and 15:00–15:05) are very short — officers at the gate count vehicles through and close the barrier when time is up, regardless of how many cars are still waiting. If you're not already queued at the waiting point before the release time opens, you will miss it and have to wait for the next one. For these short access windows, especially, aim to arrive at the gate at least 15–20 minutes early.

Also note: The schedule is reviewed and updated every month by the Highway Bureau. The times above reflect the current schedule but may change. Always check the latest on the Taroko National Park website under Roads and Trails, or the Highway Bureau 168 Real-Time Road Conditions platform, before you depart.

How to Get There

Most visitors to Taroko arrive via Hualien — either staying in the city overnight, or coming in from Taipei on a day trip by train.

Getting to Hualien from Taipei The express train from Taipei Main Station to Hualien takes about 2 hours and runs multiple times daily. It's by far the most comfortable and scenic option — the route hugs the dramatic northeast coastline before dropping into Hualien. Driving from Taipei is possible (about 3.5–4 hours each way) but it's a long, tiring day before you've even reached the gorge.

Getting from Hualien into the gorge This is where it gets tricky. Public bus services between the Taroko Visitor Center and Tianxiang remain suspended — a shuttle (Route 310) runs from Hualien city to the Visitor Center only, and won't take you deeper into the park. Self-driving is possible, but Highway 8 inside the gorge is narrow and winding, and the release time schedule adds an extra layer of stress for unfamiliar drivers.

The recommended option: join a guided tour based in Hualien A private guided day tour departing from Hualien Station removes all the logistical headaches. Your guide meets you at the station, handles the driving and the release time schedule, and takes you through the best of what's currently open — including lunch at Silks Place Taroko. You focus on the scenery; they handle everything else.

The Bottom Line

Taroko Gorge in 2026 is different from the Taroko of a few years ago — but it is still magnificent. The marble, the river, the scale of the canyon, the lunch at Silks Place, the serenity of Tianxiang — all of it is still there.

Go informed, go prepared, and go with someone who knows the road. You won't regret it.

Coming from Taipei or already in Hualien? Our Taroko from Hualien in a Day tour picks you up at Hualien Station and handles everything — private vehicle, expert local guide, daily release times, and lunch at Silks Place Taroko. Train tickets from Taipei can also be arranged upon request.