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Things to Do in Xiulin (2026)
Xiulin is the gateway to Taroko National Park, and the gorge itself is the main draw. Start at the visitor center (open daily 8:30am to 4:30pm) for maps and trail conditionβ¦ ποΈ Explore Taroko Gorge
Xiulin is the gateway to Taroko National Park, and the gorge itself is the main draw. Start at the visitor center (open daily 8:30am to 4:30pm) for maps and trail conditions. The Shakadang Trail, a 4.5 km round-trip along a turquoise river, is an easy walk with tribal food stalls at the entrance. For a bigger challenge, hike the Zhuilu Old Trail, which requires a permit (NT$200) and offers dizzying cliff views.
π Getting Around
Public buses from Hualien to Xiulin run hourly on the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle (about NT$100). Within the gorge, the shuttle stops at major trailheads, but services are limited, so check the schedule at the visitor center. Taxis from Xincheng Station (the closest train station) cost around NT$300 to the gorge entrance. Renting a scooter in Hualien (NT$400-600 per day) gives you the most flexibility.
π Qingshui Cliff Viewpoints
The Qingshui Cliff is a 21 km stretch of sheer marble cliffs dropping into the Pacific. The best viewpoints are along the Suhua Highway, with pullouts at 171.5 km and 176.5 km. Early morning offers the clearest views before clouds roll in. There's no public transport directly to the viewpoints, so you'll need a car or taxi.
π Local Eats and Snacks
Inside Taroko, the Tianxiang area has a few restaurants serving simple meals like beef noodles (NT$150) and wild vegetable dishes. The Taroko Visitor Center cafe sells light snacks and coffee. For a more local experience, stop at the indigenous stalls near the Shakadang Trail entrance for grilled mountain pork and bamboo rice. Most places close by 6pm, so plan an early dinner.
π¨ Where to Stay
Accommodation inside the gorge is limited to a few hotels like the Silks Place Taroko (from NT$8,000 per night) and the Taroko Lodge (NT$2,500). Budget travelers often stay in Hualien City and day-trip into Xiulin. Camping is available at the Heliu Campground (NT$400 per pitch) but requires advance booking. Book at least a month ahead for weekends and holidays.
π₯Ύ Hiking and Trails
Beyond Shakadang and Zhuilu, the Lushui Trail (2 km) offers a gentle walk with panoramic views and is accessible from the Lushui service area. The Baiyang Trail (4.2 km round-trip) leads to a water curtain cave where you'll need a raincoat. Permits for Zhuilu and other restricted trails can be applied for online up to 30 days in advance. Always check trail closures after heavy rain.
β¨οΈ Hot Springs and Relaxation
The Wenquan Hot Springs, about 30 minutes from Tianxiang, has outdoor pools with views of the gorge. Entry is NT$250 for adults and includes access to both public and private baths. The springs are open from 9am to 9pm, with last entry at 8pm. It's a perfect way to soothe sore muscles after a day of hiking.
πΈ Photo Spots and Culture
The Eternal Spring Shrine (Changchun Shrine) is one of the most photographed spots, especially when the waterfall is flowing. The Xiangde Temple, reached by a short walk from Tianxiang, offers a quiet place to learn about local Buddhist culture. For indigenous culture, visit the Taroko Cultural Center in Tianxiang to see weaving demonstrations and traditional crafts. Bring a tripod for low-light shots inside the gorge.
solid writeup, covers the big stuff well. one thing id add is the zhuilu permit system changed recently, you now apply through the official taiwan parks portal and weekend slots for the 6am entry batch vanish fast, like weeks out. also if u dont have a car the 302 bus from hualien gets u to tianxiang but the last one back is mid afternoon so dont get stranded. and for food, the stalls at shakadang are cash only, no cards, bring small bills
nice writeup, covers way more than most guides do. one thing nobody ever mentions is the road conditions up to the gorge after a typhoon. the central cross island highway section through taroko gets closed a lot in summer and fall, sometimes for days, so check theε
¬θ·―ζ»ε± site before you commit to staying inside the gorge. if it closes while you're in there you can get stuck at tianxiang for a while, happened to a friend last september.
also for the eternal spring shrine, most people just shoot from the parking lot and leave. walk up the steps behind it to the changuang temple, the view down over the shrine and the gorge from up there is way better and there's basically nobody around.
really thorough post, you got the essentials down. one thing i'd add that almost no guide mentions: the Xiangde Temple has a free guided meditation on weekday mornings around 7am, you just show up, no booking. its mostly locals and a few monks, super quiet, and you get tea after. way more memorable than the tourist stuff at the cultural center imo.
also for the hot springs, locals actually prefer the wild riverside pools near Wenquan over the paid one. you scramble down a short path behind the main complex and theres natural rock pools right by the river, free, but obviously no facilities and you gotta be careful when the water level is up.
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3 Days in Xiulin: Itinerary 2026
Start at 8:00 AM at the Taroko National Park Headquarters (address: 291 Fushih Village, Xiulin Township) to pick up maps and check trail conditions. From there, take the freβ¦ ποΈ Day 1: Taroko Gorge
Start at 8:00 AM at the Taroko National Park Headquarters (address: 291 Fushih Village, Xiulin Township) to pick up maps and check trail conditions. From there, take the free shuttle bus to Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou) for a 1-hour walk through the marble cliffs. After lunch at the Taroko Village Hotel (open 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, set meal about NT$350), hike the Shakadang Trail for 2 hours. Return to Xincheng Township by bus 302, which runs every 30 minutes and takes 20 minutes.
π Getting Around Xiulin
Xiulin is long and narrow, so buses are your main option. The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle (Taroko Route) stops at major sights every 20 to 40 minutes from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. A one-day pass costs NT$250, or use an EasyCard for NT$20 to NT$50 per ride. Taxis from Xincheng Station to Tianxiang take 40 minutes and cost about NT$800. Renting a scooter in Xincheng (NT$500 per day) gives more flexibility but requires an international license.
π Where to Eat
For breakfast, try the traditional Taiwanese danbing and soy milk at Xincheng Market (open 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM, around NT$50). Lunch options are limited inside the gorge; the best bet is the Tianxiang Convenience Store (7-Eleven, open 24 hours) for bento boxes at NT$80. Dinner in Xincheng offers fresh seafood at Qixingtan Beach stalls (open until 9:00 PM, grilled squid NT$150). Vegetarian meals are available at the Taroko National Park visitor center cafe (NT$200 per plate).
π Day 2: Qingshui Cliff
Leave Xincheng at 7:30 AM by bus 1132 toward Qingshui Cliff, a 30-minute ride. Walk the Qingshui Cliff Trail (open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) for panoramic Pacific views; the full path takes 1.5 hours. Then take bus 1141 to Chongde Beach for a 1-hour stop. Have lunch at the Chongde service area (NT$120 for a pork chop rice). In the afternoon, visit the Xincheng Catholic Church and Qixingtan Scenic Area, then return by bus 105 before 6:00 PM.
π Evening in Xincheng
After a day of hiking, head to Qixingtan Beach for sunset around 6:00 PM (free entry). The night market at Dongdamen in Hualien City is 30 minutes away by train (NT$25), but if you stay local, Xincheng's small night stalls open at 7:00 PM with skewers and bubble tea for under NT$100. For a quieter evening, the Chishingtan Scenic Area has a boardwalk lit until 10:00 PM. Buses back to Xiulin run until 8:30 PM, so plan accordingly.
π¨ Day 3: Tianxiang & Baiyang
Start at 7:00 AM from Xincheng and take bus 1133 to Tianxiang (40 minutes, NT$60). Visit the Tianxiang Recreation Area and the 400-year-old Tianxiang Temple, then walk the Baiyang Trail (2 hours round trip, free) to see the Water Curtain Cave. Have lunch at the Tianxiang post office cafe (NT$150 for a sandwich). In the afternoon, take the shuttle to Lushui Trail (1 hour) and return to Xincheng by 5:00 PM.
π° Costs and Tips
Expect to spend about NT$2,500 per person for three days, covering transport (NT$600), meals (NT$900), and entry fees (NT$200). Most trails and parks are free, but the Taroko shuttle day pass is NT$250. Bring cash because ATMs are scarce in Xiulin; the only 7-Eleven ATM is in Tianxiang. Book accommodation in Xincheng or Tianxiang at least one month ahead for 2026, as rooms fill quickly during weekends and holidays.
π Best Time to Visit
The dry season from November to April offers the clearest skies and safest hiking conditions. Avoid July to September due to typhoons and heavy rain, which often close trails like Shakadang and Baiyang. Weekdays are less crowded, so you'll have shorter waits for shuttle buses. Check the Taroko National Park website for real-time closures before you go, especially after earthquakes.
solid writeup, covers the big stuff well. one thing I'd add from living here: trail closures after quakes are no joke. After the April 2024 one, Shakadang and Baiyang were shut for months and some sections still come and go, so check the park site the morning of, not the night before, since status changes fast.
Also the 302 and 1133 buses fill up quick in the morning. If u miss one at Xincheng you're waiting a while. I usually grab the 7:00 or 8:00 departure to Tianxiang and just accept the early alarm.
For food, the Tianxiang 7-11 bento is fine but the little stalls near Tianxiang selling η«Ήηι£― (bamboo rice) for like NT$100 are way better if they're open. Cash only though, which fits your ATM warning.
the guide's cost breakdown is pretty accurate but it misses one thing that bites people: the ε°η£ε₯½θ‘ taroko route day pass is only worth it if you're doing 4+ rides, otherwise just tapping easycard is cheaper. i've done the math a few times and a typical day 1 (HQ to yanzikou to shakadang and back) comes out under NT$200 with easycard, so the NT$250 pass is a small loss unless you're hopping constantly.
also nobody mentioned the helmet situation if you rent a scooter. you need to bring your own or buy one, the rental shops in xincheng charge extra and the cheap ones are sketchy. and the gorge road gets slick fast after rain so factor that in
one more thing for day 3, the lushui trail has a section that was rerouted after the quakes and the new path is steeper than the old one, so give it more than an hour if you're not in great shape. the sign at the trailhead still shows the old timing
this is a really thorough plan, saving me a lot of the usual trip research. one angle nobody covered yet is the weather up in Tianxiang versus down at the coast. it can be pouring at Qixingtan and totally clear up in the gorge, or the reverse, so dont bail on a hike just cause Xincheng looks grim.
also fwiw the Xiangde Temple out toward Tianxiang is worth a quick stop if you have slack in day 3. its a Buddhist monastery with a huge golden statue and the bus will drop you close. not many tourists bother so its quiet.
last thing, the 7-Eleven ATM in Tianxiang is inside the store, not outside, so dont wander around looking for a machine after dark.