Story: The Taroka Gorge National Park in Taiwan

This area of Taiwan has more than its share of rivers, gorges, beaches, mountains, and culture. The Taroko Gorge, with 2700-foot high cliffs lined with marble is a “must-see.” Visitors walk through the famous “tunnel of nine turns” created by the men who built the highway. The Liwu River runs through the gorge where you can spot caves and imagine who may have used them as an overnight resting place.

At one point along the walk, you can see where the first cut was made into the marble walls that started the Central Cross-Island Highway and at another, you can actually see the shape of Taiwan between the tops of the mountain. And if waterfalls, clinging trees and vegetation that looks like Chinese calligraphy isn’t enough, then visit the nearby Changchun Shrine, built to commemorate the 212 workers who died during the construction of the highway and the Changuang Temple, where spring water flows all year long. This is an area where you should stay overnight and there are accommodations for all budgets, ranging from $20 a night at the local hostel to $200 a night at the five star Grand Formosa Hotel.