Taiwan Holiday - Day 4

Day 4 - Taroko National Park

We took the 6.45am train from Taipei to Hualien. Wanted to take the 8am train but it was fully booked even though I purchased the tickets one week+ in advance.

I expected it to be dark when we left the hotel around 6am but it was totally bright already. Didn't realise that sunrise is earlier compared to M'sia! The train ride itself was about 2 hours 45 minutes. Pleasant journey with comfortable seats and nice scenery outside.

When we arrived at the Hualien train station, our tour guide, Mr Kang (I wanted to engage Mr Lu based on advice from travel forums. Called him about a week before flying off to Taipei. He was busy on the day we wanted but he arranged for his friend to take us instead) was already waiting for us. He took us to pack some lunch then we were on our way to the Taroko National Park.

My goodness.......... the Taroko National Park was absolutely AMAZING !!!! We just loved, loved, loved the place !!! Will just let the photos do the talking but seriously, nothing beats being physically there.

Cingshuei Cliff

Photo of us. Note the 2-tone water on the background

According to the guide, the part where the 2 tones meet represents the best fishing spot

Archway to the Park

We stopped at the Visitor Centre to eat the lunch we packed from Hualien. Yummy!

Nice picnic table to enjoy our lunch

Me enjoying lunch :)

Shakadang Trail

The water was just soooooo clear!

Just beautiful !!

Eternal Spring Shrine

It was so lovely to dip my legs in the coldddd water. So refreshing! If only I could go in for a proper dip.

Our tour guide sewing up our umbrella cos he said the strap was falling out. What a sweet gesture!

Swallow Grotto. Another lovely spot.

Mr Lu with Elyssa

We met up with him at most of the spots cos he was basically bringing his group to the same places as us. It was quite helpful cos he could explain things in basic English. Our own guide doesn't speak a work of English.

Another nice spot. (At this point, I lost track of the names)

See the giant frog like rock? The little pavilion is it's crown!

Hanging bridge

Tunnel of 9 turns.

Supposed to be one of the main attraction but there was a landslide earlier so most of the trail was closed. Only a short portion was accessible and visitors needed to wear hard hats.

We finished sightseeing around 5.30pm. What a fantastic day it was! I have soo many more photos. Had a hard time selecting photos for this post.

After the sightseeing, we checked into the Leader Village resort at Buluowan Recreation Area (within the National Park) and that experience itself will have its own post coming up next :)

- End of Day 4 (part 1) -