Explore The east coast
Heading southwest from Hualien, Provincial Highway 9 cuts through the East Rift Valley National Scenic Area (花東縱谷國家風景區; huādōng zònggŭ guójiā fēngjǐngqū), a haven of hot springs sandwiched between the Coastal Mountain Range and the eastern fringe of the central ranges. The valley’s other claim to fame is whitewater rafting on the Xiuguluan River, but the valley also provides access to Yushan National Park and the Southern Cross-Island Highway.
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Rafting the Xiuguluan
Rafting the Xiuguluan
The Xiuguluan River (秀姑巒溪; xiùgūluán xī) is Taiwan’s premier whitewater rafting spot and, for many, a wet and wild trip down it is the highlight of their visit to the East Rift Valley. Running 104km from its source near Xiuguluan Mountain to the Pacific estuary at Dagangkou, it’s eastern Taiwan’s longest river, and the main 24km rafting route can be an exciting run for amateurs after prolonged rains or a typhoon. But the best bit is definitely the scenery – the river cuts through a deep gorge in the coastal mountains and is surrounded by steep vertical cliffs in many places, with your raft providing an unparalleled perspective on the immensity of it all.
