19 Nov - For this trip, we have planned to go to attractions which are not easily reached by public transport. Hence, we decided on chartering a vehicle with driver to drive us around the country. So for the next 4 days, we will be covering about 75% around the coast of Taiwan. Before having our homemade breakfast by the Mingsu owner, with some time to spare, we ventured out to take some final photos before we move out of Shifen.
静安吊桥
十分老街
Our first destination of the day is the Qingshui Cliff. This location has been designated as one of the Eight Wonders of Taiwan and is the only place in Taroko National Park where you can witness the three distinct color tones that make up the Pacific Ocean.
瞭望无际的太平洋
清水断崖
After staying at the Qingshui Cliff for about 1 hour, we move off next to the Taroko Gorge, another tourist attraction in Hualien. The Taroko Gorge is famous for its natural marble landscape. Be it a bicycle-riding through Tunnel of Nine Turn, an overlook from Lushui Trail, or paddling a canoe on the Pacific Ocean looking up the Qingshui Cliff, you can feel the extraordinary workmanship of nature. Wear a helmet and step on the road built by ancestors with bare hands, you can have a close-up look on Swallow Grotto. We are fortunate that we have a driver with us and we do not need to do all the walking as the distance between the various attraction in the national park can be quite challenging.
太鲁阁国家公园入口
A view of the gorge
Swallow Grotto （燕子口）
The Eternal Spring Shrine (長春祠) was built in 1958 to commemorate the 212 workers who died during the construction of the Central Cross-Island Highway. Its unique location recessed into the side of the mountain and Tang Dynasty architectural style makes this shrine one of the most famous scenic spots in Taroko National Park. Natural spring water empties into the Liwu River below through the front of the shrine, giving it a surreal look, as if it were actually pouring forth from the heavens above. In 1987, the cliff by the river collapsed and destroyed the old pavilion next to the Eternal Spring Shrine. It was reconstructed and opened to the public again in 1997.
燕子口長春祠
View from the Bell Tower after climbing vertically 30m
For the night, we visited the Hualien night market consisting of 福町夜市 and 东大门自强夜市. These night markets offers the typical food you will find in other night market such as BBQ Grill, juice bar, grilled corn, braised snacks, and steaks, but served with unique different taste and flavor.
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