Taroko Gorge, Marble canyon in Xiulin Township, Taiwan.
Taroko Gorge is a marble canyon in Taiwan where the Liwu River has carved its way through rock over millions of years. The steep vertical walls stretch for about 19 kilometers, with the deepest sections reaching around 1,200 meters down.
The area was designated Taiwan's first national park during Japanese rule in 1937 and later closed. It reopened in 1986 as Taroko National Park and has been preserved as a major nature reserve since then.
The name comes from the Truku people who lived in this region for generations, and their heritage remains visible in the landscape today. Walking through the gorge, you encounter places that mark where these communities established themselves and moved through the terrain.
Access is available through multiple trails and entrances with paths of varying difficulty levels. Wear proper shoes and bring plenty of water, as trails can be narrow and the sun is intense within the gorge walls.
The gorge was created by a collision of tectonic plates about 4 million years ago, showing how dynamic Earth's movements remain. This geological force shaped not only the canyon itself but also Taiwan's entire mountain range.
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