Liwu, River in Hualien County, Taiwan.
The Liwu is a river in Hualien County, Taiwan, cutting through marble rock as it crosses Taroko National Park from the Central Mountain Range to the Pacific Ocean. Along its course, it carves a narrow gorge with steep walls that rise directly from the water.
Spanish and Dutch sailors recorded the river in the 16th and 17th centuries under the name Tackili, noting that various groups lived near its banks. These records are among the earliest written references to the valley and the peoples who inhabited it.
The name of the river comes from the Taroko word Tkijig, which was first written as Takkiri during the Japanese colonial period. This shift in spelling reflects how different peoples who settled in the valley left their mark on the name over time.
A road runs along the river through the gorge, giving access to different parts of the valley. If you plan to walk near the banks, wear sturdy shoes since the paths can be slippery, particularly after rain.
The river has changed its course 3 times over the centuries, leaving behind flat terraces that now support several settlements. These terraces formed from sediment left after each shift, and today they are some of the most inhabited spots in an otherwise very steep valley.
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