Taroko Gorge & Qingshui Cliffs tour: Marble landscapes

Marble canyons, a forest suspension bridge, and the Pacific from the cliffs

A nine to ten hour group tour from Hualien through Taroko National Park, featuring the marble gorge carved by the Liwu River, the Xiangde Suspension Bridge forest walk, the Qingshui Cliffs stretching 20 kilometers along the coast, and the quieter Xincheng Old Street. A professional English-speaking guide and driver handle transport and navigation. The itinerary adjusts for weather and traffic. Moderate physical fitness is needed for the walking involved.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Taroko and Coastal Highlights

• Visit Qingshui Cliffs viewpoint
• Learn at Taroko visitor center
• Explore Taroko Gorge and surroundings
• Walk to Xiangde Buddhist Temple
• Hike Wen Tianxiang Path trail
• Walk Tabido trail and visit Taroko Archway
• Stroll Xincheng Old Street
• Relax at Qixingtan Beach

The experience

Nine to ten hours means you move through several distinct landscapes in a single day. The tour starts at the Taroko Visitor Center, where exhibits and short films lay out the geology, wildlife and Indigenous culture before you step into the gorge itself. Taroko Gorge is the centerpiece: carved by the Liwu River over millions of years, it opens into towering marble cliffs and a turquoise river running through deep canyons. The time spent here includes traffic, so the actual walking and viewing varies with conditions.

From the gorge, the route takes you to the Xiangde Suspension Bridge, where you cross into a forest trail that climbs uphill toward Xiangde Buddhist Temple. The path offers views down to the marble cliffs and the river below. Later, the Wen Tianxiang Path offers a gentler alternative for those who want to experience Taroko's landscape without a strenuous hike. A short stop at the famous Taroko Archway follows, and the Tabido Trail introduces the connection between the Truku Indigenous people and the land. Your guide speaks English and Chinese, so context comes with the walking.

The day ends on the coast: Qingshui Cliffs stretch for over 20 kilometers along the east coast, and you get time to stand in front of them overlooking the Pacific. Qixingtan Beach, with its crescent shoreline and white pebbles, is the final stop. Xincheng Old Street, quieter than many tourist-heavy old streets in Taiwan, sits between the gorge and the coast, letting you see how a traditional Hualien town actually moves through its day.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide and driver.
• transportation for the full nine to ten hours.
• travel insurance.
• entry to Taroko National Park and access to all stops including the Xiangde Suspension Bridge, Wen Tianxiang Path, Tabido Trail, Taroko Archway, Xincheng Old Street and Qixingtan Beach.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by MyProGuide Inc.

Is this one for you?Book this shared group tour if you want to see Taroko Gorge, the Qingshui Cliffs, and coastal spots in one day with a guide handling the route. Note that parts of the national park remain closed since the April 2024 earthquake.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Qingshui Cliffs and why is it worth the drive?

Qingshui Cliffs is one of Taiwan's most spectacular natural landmarks, formed over millions of years through tectonic uplift and erosion. It stretches for over 20 kilometers along the east coast of Hualien, and the tour includes time to stand at the overlook and face the Pacific Ocean directly.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour includes a lot of walking, and you need at least a moderate level of physical fitness. Specific walks include the uphill forest trail to Xiangde Buddhist Temple across the suspension bridge, the Wen Tianxiang Path (a relatively easy trail compared to deeper park routes), and the Tabido Trail. The operator adjusts the itinerary for weather and traffic, so the exact distance varies.

What happens if there's bad weather or a typhoon?

Taroko National Park closes during typhoons or severe weather. The operator will either change the itinerary or cancel the tour entirely. Part of the park has been closed since the April 2024 earthquake for safety reasons, which may also affect the route on the day you visit.

Does the tour include meals?

Meals are not included in this tour. You'll want to bring snacks or plan to eat at Xincheng Old Street or another stop along the route.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes a professional English-speaking guide who may also drive for smaller groups, transportation throughout the day, and travel insurance for the tour. Infant car seats are available upon request for an additional fee of TWD 300.