When traveling from Hualien to Taroko, you will inevitably pass through the East-West Cross-Island Highway archway. This is the entrance to Taroko on the Central Cross-Island Highway, and also the starting point of the eastern section. It is commonly referred to as the Taroko Archway, marking the entrance to Taroko from this direction. Almost all visitors stop here to take photos. It’s the first photo spot in Taroko. To exaggerate a bit, if you don’t take a photo here, it’s as if you haven’t been here at all.
I vaguely remember coming here a very long time ago when I was very young, and my impressions of Taroko are quite blurry. I just have a vague memory of having been here. This time is my first self-driving trip along this route since the Central Cross-Island Highway reopened (I came before the earthquake on April 3, 2024, and the future condition of this route remains uncertain). To be honest, it might also be the last time, as the uncertainty of this route is very high, even though some parts of the scenery are quite beautiful. The route is too susceptible to natural disasters, and each restoration requires a lot of manpower, resources, and money. Driving on this section of the highway is nerve-wracking, with a constant state of tension, especially after it rains when it’s impossible to predict if there will be falling rocks.
The Taroko Archway, also known as the East-West Cross-Island Highway Archway, is located at the southern bridgehead of Jinwen Bridge in Fushi Village, Xiulin Township, Hualien County. It serves as the entrance archway to Taiwan's Central Cross-Island Highway and is one of Hualien County's well-known tourist attractions.
Standing 60 meters tall, the archway is designed in a traditional Chinese style with three sections, four pillars, and three floors. The roof features a single-eave hip-and-gable style topped with golden glazed tiles. The front plaque of the archway bears the inscription "East-West Cross-Island Highway," handwritten by the renowned contemporary calligrapher Wang Zhuang-Wei.
The Taroko Archway marks the starting point of the Central Cross-Island Highway and serves as the gateway to Taroko National Park. Its grand and majestic appearance, complemented by the stunning backdrop of the Taroko Gorge, creates a magnificent scene that attracts many visitors for photos.
Moreover, the Taroko Archway is an important transportation landmark in Taiwan, symbolizing the achievements of Taiwan's infrastructure development. As a result, the archway has become a must-visit spot for many tourists traveling to Hualien.
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