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Taroko Gorge, also known as “Marble Gorge” because of
the abundant supply of marble in the area, is an impressive 19-km-long
canyon, located north of Hualien on Taiwan's east coast, not far from
the Pacific Ocean.
This part of Taiwan is rising because of the subduction of Philippines
Sea Plate under the Eurasian Plate. Some 100 million years ago, the
enormous pressure lifted the area above the surface of the ocean and the
heat and pressure turned the limestone rocks into marble.
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Eventually, the erosive power of Liwu River carved a path through the
marble to create Taroko Gorge. The gorge is located just 60 km from the
coast, but is home to some of the tallest peaks in Taiwan at over 3,400
meters.
Until the 1950s only a trail ran through the gorge. Today the Central
Cross-Island Highway runs across the wall of the gorge.
Despite its name, the Central Cross-Island Highway is a narrow and
winding mountain road with numerous bends.
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The Tunnel of Nine Turns, is a popular spot that takes drivers
dramatically close to the edge of the gorge. This part is now strictly
pedestrians only as vehicular traffic is routed through another tunnel.
The Central Cross-Island Highway is listed as one of the most dangerous
roads by the website dangerousroads.org because of the rugged and
unstable terrain. Heavy rain from typhoons often dislodge soil and rocks
onto the highway making sections of it unpassable.
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Flooding occurs widely both as a result of the increased discharge of
the river and as a result of water cascading onto the road from the
adjacent cliffs. The area is prone to seismic activity.
As one drives through the gorge, they will encounter numerous tourist
spots including a Zen monastery, and an old settlement of Truku
aboriginals now with museums and handicraft shops. |
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The gorge terminates at a tiny village of Tiansiang where there is a
beautiful pagoda and a temple. |