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Taroko National Park Facts

Taroko National Park Facts
Taroko National Park is a 920 square kilometer park located in Taiwan. It was originally established as a national park - Tsugitaka-Taroko National Park - in 1937 by the Governor-General of Taiwan. Taiwan was part of the Empire of Japan when the park was established and at the end of World War II China took control of Taiwan and the park was abolished. In 1986 Taroko National Park was finally re-established. The park was named after the expression used by a Truku tribesman when he saw the Pacific from the gorge. He exclaimed 'Taroko' which means 'magnificent and beautiful'.
Interesting Taroko National Park Facts:
Taroko National Park is also known as 'The Beautiful Island of Taiwan'.
Famous sites in Taroko National Park include Taroko Gorge, Swallow Grotto, Baiyang Waterfall, Qingshui Cliffs, Eternal Spring Shrine, Tunnels of Nine Turns, Golden Canyon, Bulowan, and Hsiangte Temple.
There are 144 bird species, 30 mammal species, 32 reptile species, 251 butterfly species, and at least 18 fish species found in Taroko National Park.
Taroko National Park is the second largest park national park in Taiwan.
Some of the peaks of the mountains of Taroko National Park reach as high as 3700 meters.
The most prominent and famous feature of Taroko National Park is Taroko Gorge. The gorge has an 18km gorge for hiking along.
Birds that can be seen in Taroko National Park include 14 species that are only found in Taiwan, such as the Formosa Blue Magpie, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, and the Swinhoe's Pheasant.
Large mammals that can be found in Taroko National Park include the Formosan wild boar, black bear, Formosan Macaque, Formosan serow, Formosan sambar deer, and many others.
Visitors to Taroko National Park can enjoy hiking, bicycling, driving, river tracing, camping, and staying in lodging facilities. Visitors can also rent scooters, taxis, buses, or ride the train.
When heavy rainfall occurs the park is subject to rock falling and landslides.
Visitors to Taroko National Park can visit Hsiangte Temple which is reached by crossing a suspension bridge. It is located on a ledge of a gorge and named after a Buddhist monk. He was known to pray for those working on the Central Cross Island Highway while it was being built. 450 people died during its construction.
Taroko National Park is subjected to landslides, typhoons and earthquakes, which can result in falling rocks. Helmets are free to those who wish to wear them at Taroko Gorge.
Taroko Gorge has walls made of marble, which makes it a popular site with tourists.
The subtropical climate at Taroko National Park means that rain can occur all year long.
Taiwan's second largest tribe of aboriginal people lives in the area of Taroko National Park. They are called the Atayal people.
Taroko Gorge is Taiwan's top tourist destination, making it a very busy place to visit when people are on holidays.
Some of the attractions in Taroko National Park have been closed due to falling rock tragedies. One person was killed in Wenshan Hot Springs when a slab fell on them in the hot springs.


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