Taiwan - 5 day tour - Day 5 + 6.3 Earthquake :)

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Nǐ hǎo!

Hello from Taiwan

The main reason I booked the tour was for the last night and day visit to Taroko Gorge. I was not disappointed. The national park is spectacular and I will return to discover more of this amazing place. The Silks Place Hotel sits on the edge of the gorge and is 5 star all the way. Great hotel and well built because we had a 6.3 earthquake about 730pm at night. Everything was shaking for over thirty seconds and I was a little scared but had faith in the ability of the Taiwanese to provide a safe building. Earthquakes are common in Taiwan but a 6.3 only happens two or three times each year.

As shown in the photos we visited the usual tourist spots at the gorge to enjoy the environment and scenery. If you go to Taiwan it is easy to take a day tour or longer from Taipei. You can catch the train and book a taxi from the train station to show you around the park. Or just do the 5 day tour which I highly recommend for value and an excellent view of the highlights of Taiwan. You will also meet some great people along the way. Tip: sit on the right hand side of the bus or the back seat for the best views.

Itinerary from the Viatour website.

Day 5: Hualien – Taipei (B)
After breakfast, you’ll have the whole day visit to Taroko National Park with your guide. See Taroko Gorge, an exceptionally beautiful, narrow marble gorge created by the Liwu River and cut deep into the mountains. See the road that's carved into the rock walls, winding its way under forested peaks and towering cliffs.

Stop at several notable natural sites here, like Eternal Spring Shrine, Swallow Grotto, Tunnel of Nine Turns, Marble Bridge, Tienhsiang and even a marble factory.

At the end of your tour, you’ll head back to Taipei and arrive at around 7pm.

There are 30 photos. Click on each photo to get a larger view.

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Photos

Taroko Gorge
Silks Place 5 star hotel from the bridge to the local temple

To the temple
It was raining but not cold

Temple near my hotel
I went for an early morning walk across the bridge up many steps to the temple

Taroko Gorge
Amazing scenery

Taroko Gorge
The mist cleared later for a nice day

Taroko Gorge
Suspension Bridge - a quick walk across and back

Taroko Gorge
Lots of tunnels built at a huge cost of life to the construction crews working in a very dangerous environment

Taroko Gorge
The scenery is breathtaking here

Rock falls are dangerous
Tourists have been killed by rock falls - wear your hard hat

Taroko Gorge
Trek along the gorge

Taroko Gorge
Lots of overhanging rock

Eternal Spring Shrine
Shrine for those killed during construction work at the gorge

Comments

[antheadobbin]

Taroko Gorge
Beautiful pictures of the gorge and the East Coast glad to hear you were safe during the Earthquake. Just a bit bigger than the one we had in Adelaide last year !