Taroko Gorge

Taroko is the #1 destination for most tourists to Taiwan.
It was 30 years ago this week that I first arrived in Asia. On Tuesday I finally visited this Taiwan National Park. It is their Yosemite with lots of similarities: geology, hiking, climatology and an interesting dose of history that is not well-known, but in the tropics with completely different flora and fauna.

I chose to do the cheap backpacker approach – arrived by train in Hualien and bought the $8 all-day pass shuttle loop to the park. Got off at several stops to do short hikes (Fitbit said 25,000 steps). The pics are from the hikes. Others more talented than me have published great images of the park so I took some videos from my phone to capture my experience instead. Here is the link to the photos and videos that I did not delete (and one poorly done selfie to prove it):
Taroko Gorge pictures and videos
I was very lucky to go in January and have good weather. It is the low point of the tourist season and because China is mad at Taiwan again now there are almost no tourist groups from mainland China. Cheap hotel with great service. There were a few times while hiking that I was alone – that is normal for me but apparently very unusual at Taroko and that unique experience really unnerved all my Taiwan friends who know more about the dangers of the gorge than me and who also grew up with the legends about the people and history of the place.
Great adventure.
PS – I also saw one of these in person for the 2nd time (not my pic). Like the last time it was a park ranger displaying one in the wild for professional photographers but it was still really cool. Bamboo Viper – very poisonous shake – but a bright electric green color.