Wildlife and stunning landscapes in Taroko National Park
In addition to the great beaches, Taiwan also has some jaw-dropping scenery with the lush jungle, mountainous region running down the backbone of the island, with 286 peaks over 3000 metres above sea level! Plenty of hiking trails await, with some great opportunities for bird watching and spotting wildlife. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the endangered black-faced spoonbill or possibly a Formosan black bear!
Taroko National park, on the east coast, is arguably Taiwan's most beautiful park, with the 18-kilometre marble-walled canyon running through the middle. To get here by road you will end up going through the Hsuehshan Tunnel, which is just shy of 13 kilometres and is currently the 7th longest tunnel in the world!
There are a number of walking trails that range from short and easy to longer and more challenging. Afterwards, why not unwind in a nearby hot spring to relax your aching muscles after a long day’s walk? Taroko is also home to the Taroko tribe, who is one of the 16 colourful indigenous tribes making up 2% of the population.
The east coast of Taiwan also offers the opportunity for some world-class whale and dolphin watching. The best time for whale-watching in Taiwan is between April and November when the waves are calmer and whales more plentiful. The popular places for whale-watching tours in Taiwan include Xingang and Fugang ports of Taitung, Hualien Harbour, and Wushih Port of Yilan. It is possible to spot humpback, killer, sperm, false killer and pygmy killer whales, as well as dolphin species such as spinner, bottlenose, pantropical spotted and Chinese white dolphins!