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A deteriorating ecological system reminds people the importance of protecting natural resources. Please let us make every effort to preserve the beauty of nature.

When Taroko National Park was eventually established on November 28 l986, it was of special significance for the environmental protection movement in Taiwan: it showed that both the public and the government agencies had realized despite the nation's four decades of extraordinary economic success, serious damage was being done to its natural resources.

According to the National Park Act of the Republic of China (passed in l972),parks are established to protect the natural scenery, historic relics and wildlife; to conserve natural resources; and to facilitate scientific research and Promote environmental education.

There are now six national parks in Taiwan：

Kenting National Park, the first to be established, includes a beautiful coast line, beach area and tropical forest.

Yushan National Park, the largest, includes the mountain area of Taiwan.

Yangmingshan National Park, the smallest, has a volcanic landform.

Taroko National Park is famous for its marble gorge.

Shei-Pa National Park is famous for brook masu salmon (Oncorhychus masou formosanum).

Kinmen National Park, the park land area is the smallest  one among all the national park in Taiwan and its main goal to preserve historical  battle-fields and traditional villages.   

The total area of these six national parks is more than 239,407,000 hectares (about 227,336 acres), approximately 8.43 percent of Taiwan's total area.

The eastern borderline - the Ching-Shui Cliff between Hojen and Chungte is the only place that borders the ocean.

Taroko National Park, in the north-eastern part of the island, faces the Pacific Ocean on the east and covers an area of more than 92000 hectares in the northern section of the Central Mountain Range. The Park is 36 kilometers from north to south and 42 kilometers from east to west. It is situated at the Nantou. The park has many high mountains and steep gorges, with many peaks towering above 3,000 meters in height, and with many natural watersheds. The spectacular Taroko Gorge and the scenic beauty of the Liwu River can be viewed conveniently from the Central Cross Island Highway. The many waterfalls, diverse forms of plant and animal life, and the indigenous Atayal people, together create the rich texture of this unique natural ecosystem．

The southern borderline - is formed by the Chilia Peaks Series.

The park is bounded by the Tachia River in the north, the Chosui River in the west, and the Sanchan and Mukua Creek in the east. The Liwu River is the widest in the area; its drainage basin covers two-thirds of the park.

Mountains over 2,000 meters high cover half the park area. Of the peaks listed in ''Taiwan's One Hundred Peaks, ''twenty-seven are in Taroko National Park Of these, the most renowned are the majestic Nanhutashan Mountain, Hohuan Snow Cap and the rugged Chilai Peaks.

The park rises to a height of 3,740 meters above sea level and is influenced by the North-East monsoon. This causes a gradual change in both temperature and climate. The great diversity in the landform causes many beautiful sunrises, sunset clouds, peaceful snow scenes, and mountain fogs. These features are scenic resources bestowed by nature.

Facing the lofty peaks and precipitous gorges of the park, we can proudly say, "Taroko is one of the world's loveliest sites!"



291 Fu-su Village, Hsiulin Township, Hualien 972, Taiwan, R.O.C.
E-mail：tarokonp@taroko.gov.tw