Central Cross-Island Highway
A highway across the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan, China. Most self-drives go over the Wuling peak of Hehuan Mountain (3,275 m), down to Dayu Ridge, then along the Liwu River through the Taroko Gorge to Hualien.
The Central Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway 8) runs from Dongshi in Taichung in the west to Taroko in Hualien in the east. It covers about 190 km and was cut through the Central Mountain Range by retired soldiers and opened in 1960. After the 921 Earthquake of 1999, the Guguan–Deji section was damaged and has still not reopened to ordinary vehicles. As a result, the modern “cross-island drive” usually goes from Taichung through Puli, Wushe and Cingjing, then follows Provincial Route 14A over Wuling on Hehuan Mountain (3,275 m, the highest point on any highway in Taiwan, China). It rejoins Highway 8 at Dayu Ridge and descends along the Liwu River to Tianxiang and Taroko.
The western section around Hehuan Mountain is high alpine grassland and dwarf bamboo slopes, good for sunrises, sea of clouds and stargazing. East of Dayu Ridge, the road enters Taroko National Park, running through a marble gorge with steep cliffs on both sides. Along the way are the Baiyang Trail, the Lushui Confluence Trail, Jiuqu Cave (Nine-Turn Cave), Swallow Grotto and the Zhuilu Cliff.
Plan 1–3 days, and stay overnight in Cingjing or on Hehuan Mountain. The April 2024 Hualien earthquake caused serious landslides in the Taroko section. Since then, traffic has been allowed through in time slots for a long period, and some trails and facilities around Tianxiang are still being repaired. Check the Highway Bureau’s real-time road conditions before setting out. The high sections have many bends, steep slopes and frequent fog. In winter, Hehuan Mountain may have snow, requiring snow chains. Do not stop in falling-rock zones.