Taroko Gorge adjusts road access from 24 to 26 October
Published on 10/11/2026 at 01:33 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSKey points in brief
- Taroko Gorge will adjust road access from 24 to 26 October 2026 during Taiwan’s Retrocession Day holiday weekend.
- The Central Cross-Island Highway will allow two-way traffic between Guanyuan and Tianxiang from 6.30am to 4.30pm during the adjustment.
- The Tianxiang to Taroko Gorge Entrance section will allow two-way traffic from 6.30am to 6pm before nightly closure resumes.
- Several trails and scenic spots between Taroko and Tianxiang remain closed while repair and reconstruction work continues.
Taroko Gorge will adjust road access from 24 to 26 October 2026 during Taiwan’s Retrocession Day holiday weekend. The change affects the Central Cross-Island Highway through the gorge in Hualien, Taiwan, while repair work continues on slopes, roadbeds and pavement.
Taroko Gorge changes traffic controls from 24 October
The official October notice from Taroko National Park says the adjustment will run from Saturday 24 October to Monday 26 October 2026. It responds to increased travel demand during the public holiday weekend and applies to the highway sections between Guanyuan, Tianxiang and the Taroko Gorge Entrance.
Between Guanyuan and Tianxiang, two-way traffic will be permitted from 6.30am to 4.30pm each day. From 4.30pm to 6pm, vehicles may leave the controlled section but may not enter it. The route will then close overnight from 6.30pm to 6.30am the following morning. The official October traffic notice says regular controls will resume on 27 October.
Between Tianxiang and the gorge entrance, two-way traffic will be allowed from 6.30am to 6pm. An exit-only period will follow from 6pm to 6.30pm, before the nightly closure begins. The park warns that traffic releases may be delayed or suspended if weather or road conditions change.
Repair work still shapes access through the gorge
The revised holiday schedule does not mean that every trail or viewpoint is available. Taroko National Park says the section between the Taroko area and Tianxiang remains affected by damage from the earthquake of 3 April 2024 and later typhoons.
The park’s visitor centre remains open for indoor interpretation, but outdoor guided interpretation along Provincial Highway 8 is unavailable. The same visitor centre information states that the Buluowan and Tianxiang service stations, trails and scenic spots between Taroko and Tianxiang remain closed, and that bus services between the visitor centre and Tianxiang are suspended.
This creates a practical distinction for the holiday weekend: the road timetable becomes more flexible during daylight, but the main gorge experience remains shaped by construction controls and restricted access. Travellers can therefore reach the area under the adjusted schedule without assuming that closed trails have reopened.
What the October timetable means for a Hualien visit
The changed hours apply only from 24 to 26 October 2026. From 27 October, the regular October controls return, including five scheduled release periods between Tianxiang and the Taroko Gorge Entrance and a nightly closure.
The route is part of a mountain road system with active worksites. The national park notice identifies construction areas near the Jiuqudong Tunnel, Zhuilu Tunnel, Jinheng Tunnel and Ning’an Bridge. It also keeps a diversion route in operation between the gorge entrance and Changchun Tunnel.
Visiting Taroko Gorge: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The special access period runs from 24 to 26 October 2026. Guanyuan to Tianxiang allows two-way traffic from 6.30am to 4.30pm, while Tianxiang to the gorge entrance allows it from 6.30am to 6pm.
- The adjustment changes road access, not the trail situation. The Buluowan and Tianxiang service stations and the trails and scenic spots between Taroko and Tianxiang remain closed.
- Vehicles must follow the controlled release system and overnight closures. The park says adverse weather or unexpected road conditions can delay or cancel a release.
- The Taroko Visitor Centre is in Fushi Village, Xiulin Township, Hualien County. Bus services between the centre and Tianxiang are suspended, according to the park.
- Taiwan’s official language is Mandarin Chinese and its national currency is the New Taiwan dollar.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Taroko Gorge
When does the Taroko Gorge road access adjustment take place?
The special timetable runs from 24 to 26 October 2026 during Taiwan’s Retrocession Day holiday weekend. Regular controls resume on 27 October 2026.
What has changed at Taroko Gorge?
Two-way traffic receives longer daytime access on the main controlled highway sections during the holiday weekend. Trail and scenic-spot closures caused by earthquake and typhoon damage remain in place.
Where is Taroko Gorge and how do you get there?
The gorge is in Hualien County, Taiwan, and the Central Cross-Island Highway runs through the national park. Bus services between the Taroko Visitor Centre and Tianxiang are suspended, so road access remains subject to the park’s controlled timetable.
