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Taiwan Day 4 (Part 2) – He Huan Shan and Bilu Sacred Tree


16 December 2011

Sea of Cloud

This is a photo of the “sea of cloud” which I have been hoping to capture when I came to Cingjing. I managed to get this magnificent views as we left Cingjing and headed towards He Huan Shan. Part of the town of Cingjing where we came from could be seen in this photo.

We made the stop at the west entrance to the Taroko National Park.

Entrance to Taroko National Park from Highway 14

From here, we could see the winding mountain road (Highway 14) that took us here.

Highway 14 Mountain road


Panorama Sea od Cloud from Entrance to Tarako National ParkIn this panoramic photo (stitched from a series of photos), the whole town of Cingjing could be seen.

Cingjing town and Sea of cloud from entrance to Taroko National Park


Soon after shooting the photos above, clouds started to roll in from our left and would cover the beautiful view. 

We then proceeded to the next stop which was the highest point accessible by car in the Central Mountains of Taiwan. This is at 3278 metres above sea level.

Highest Point reachable by car in Central Mountain

We could see the clouds rolling in at the distance and would soon cover the west entrance of Taroko National Park, where we were about 5 minutes ago. I doubt anyone there would be able to get a good clear view of Cingjing and the sea of cloud in the distance at this moment. 

View of West Taroko Entrance from Hehuansan

On top of the world feelings. Almost.


Hikers at mountain peak

We could barely see a group of hikers on a mountain peak in the distance. This gave a sense of how small we are, in comparison to the mountain ranges that were before us.

Mr Li, our taxi driver, is a good guide and give us a lot of interesting information. For example, the red buildings in the picture below is an army base, used by the Taiwanese armed forces to train their national servicemen in mountain survival during winter. He told us about their training methods and the kind of hardship the men had to endure.

View at entrance to Taroko

We then proceeded on, this time downhill and stopped at a lookout point near He Huan Shan. This was the start point of trails for those interested to hike up the mountains.

We stopped to take the “mandatory” photos at this location, showing the date, time and temperature. Mr Li is so familiar which this electronic signboard that he could tell us exactly when the date, time and temperature would next appear so we could get the “perfect shot”.

HehuanSan Temperature

Temperature was 4.5 degrees C. We were comfortably dressed for the occasion, despite the wind, and were able to appreciate the view from the lookout point.

The clouds in the valley seen at this location (picture above) is Taroko Gorge, our next destination. 


Mountain PeekMountain peaks (peeks) peeking through the thick clouds as we descended towards Taroko Gorge. 


Mountain road pass

Mr Li pointed out a small police post along the way. This is the He Huan Police post, manned by 6 policemen. These guys were posted here because of disciplinary issues back in the cities. Sort of “solitary confinement” for them as there is practically nothing here to do when off duty, except the mountains and forest. We were joking that they are here mainly to guard the petrol kiosk located just opposite the police station. These guys have so much leisure time that they have a small vegetable plot next to the station for them to “farm”.

Highest police postHighest police post in Taiwan.

Petrol Kiosk in Taroko

Petrol kiosk located just opposite the police station


Going past the petrol station, the road started to become foggy. It was like flying into a sea of cloud on a jet plane, but actually, we were entering a sea of cloud in a moving taxi.

From the high mountain road that we were previously on, we were now travelling on a road that was carved out from the side of the mountain. Steep mountain on the left side, and the river and gorge on the right.  And many road tunnels as well.

Road clearing personnelMan on the motorbike – part of the road maintenance crew tasked to remove rocks that has fallen onto the roads from the steep cliffs above.

Tunnel and mist in Taroko


Our next stop is the Bilu Sacred Tree, which is a 3000 years old Fir. The fog actually made the tree appear more mysterious.

Bilu Sacred Tree Sign

Bilu Sacred Tree in mist at Taroko National Park.


Despite the foggy conditions, we were in the good hands of Mr Li, who is a very experienced and careful driver. He told us he had been driving this route for many, many years and had witnessed several horrendous accidents. We almost witnessed one ourselves. A car was travelling fast and sped past our taxi. A moment later, it jammed its brakes suddenly and had to reverse out of this narrow tunnel. Almost a head-on collision with a tour bus.

Near accident


After passing by a hairpin turn along the highway, known in Chinese as the Hui Tou Wan, we met up with Mr Li Te Ming’s wife, Tiffany Chang who is also a taxi driver. Tiffany would be our guide to show us the scenic spots in Taroko Gorge and also drive us the rest of way to Hua Lien. Mr Li will drive another group back up to Cingjing.

18 comments:

  1. Hi i was wondering where did you get your tour from during your trip at He Huan Shan! Thanks

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  2. My Taiwan vacation is free and easy i.e. not with any tour group. Prior to my trip, I booked a taxi to take us from Cingjing to Hua Lien. On the way, we stopped at the various places of interests, including He Huan Shan, Bilu Tree and Taroko National Park. Drop me an email and I can provide you with the contact for the taxi.

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  3. Hello, can i have your driver contact from cingjing to hehuanshan and back to cingjing? :) jinjin_lim_88@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My driver is based out from Hua Lien. We engaged him to take us from Cingjing to Hualien. If you are thinking of doing a day-trip to HeHuan San from Cingjing and back to Cingjing, I suggest that you consult your Cingjing hotel or minsu owner for recommendations. They should be able to help book or recommend a taxi that is based out from Cingjing or nearby town.

      Delete
  4. hi~ could i have the contact for the driver as well? we are planning to engage him from cingjing to hualien, and bring us around hualian. my email is book_worms85@hotmail.com, also could you let me know the price you engaged the taxi for? thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have sent you an email with the contact details. Have fun planning and have a good vacation in Taiwan.

      Delete
  5. hi jeff, may i have the contact for the driver to hualian. Going there in mid feb wit hubby and 2 year old daughter and i haven't plan anything yet. Thanks in advance. My email: jutsai@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have sent you an email with the contact details for Tiffany Chang. I have also included the contact for a taxi driver in Taipei, in case you are staying there also and planning day trips out to see the places of interests and small towns outside Taipei.

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  6. Hi Jeff, could I have the contact details of the taxi driver from Cingjing to Hualien? And how much does it cost? Can the driver speak English? Thanks a lot in advance! my email: winter_wishes89@Hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have sent you an email with the contact details for Tiffany Chang. She can communicate in simple English. She is excellent guide for touring Taroko Gorge from Hua Lien.

      For the trip from Cingjing to Hua Lien, her husband Mr Li Te Ming would be the one taking you. He communicates only in Chinese.

      Delete
  7. Hi, may i have the contact of the taxi driver from cingjing to hualien? My email address is wstay@hotmail.com. thanks in advance.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have sent you an email with the contact details. Have fun planning and have a good vacation in Taiwan.

      Delete
  8. Hi, my family and I will be going to Taiwan in September 2013. Can I Mr. Li's contact number. Plan to stay a nite at CingJing and another nite at Hualien. What do you think? Enough time to visit HeHuan Shan and Taroko Gorge? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Min Mei,
      I think you should spend at least one whole day in Cingjing to enjoy the place. I believe most people would arrive in the afternoon given the time taken to travel there from your previous location. Then you are left with the remaining daylight to do your walks and sightseeing. A bit too short in my opinion. 2 nights would be best, like what I did on my trip. You can arrive in the late evening, rest at night and have the whole day to explore Cingjing. You can then leave early the next day and spend the whole day travelling to Hua Lien and do the He Huan Shan and Taroko Gorge sightseeing along the way to Hua Lien.

      One night in Hua Lien should be enough. I did two nights at Hua Lien because I took a day trip to visit the eastern coastal highway using Hua Lien as base. Then I took the train back to Taipei.

      This is Tiffany's facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Tiffanytaxi). She and her husband (Mr Li) were my taxi drivers for my trip.

      Delete
  9. Hi Jeff

    Wondering if there is a need to walk of even climb vigorously when touring in CingJing as well as going to HeHuanShan? Does the cab bring you from places to places with minimal walking? I am planning a trip with my family and my mum cant walk too long distances. And is it very cold at the mountain? How long did you all stay in the area, is there a need for thick clothing? Thanks in advance :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cingjing area has several attractions e.g. Green Green Grassland, tea plantations and many hiking trails. Most trails would be difficult for your mum. GreenGreen Grassland has some slopes but most parts are generally accessible to see the animals. http://igoiseeishoot.blogspot.sg/2012/02/map-of-cingjing-with-english-chinese.html

      Get your hotel or minsu to arrange for taxi to bring you around Cngjing as it is difficult to flag a taxi on the roadside. Cingjing is a nice place to laze around and relax, without too walking if you choose to do so. Enjoy the weather, scenery and fresh air.

      HeHuanShan is mountainous but the taxi would take you to the lookout points to enjoy the views. Walking would be minimal from carpark to the lookout points.

      Cingjing weather is not very cold in December (winter), except at night but you should be back in your room to relax by nightfall. No need for thick clothings.

      The temperature on HehuanShan is colder than Cingjing since it is higher up in altitude. It was 5 degrees C when we went. If there is no strong wind, you don't need thick clothings since you are not out in the open for a long time. 10 to 15 minutes per stop to take photos and view the scenery.

      I recommend you dress in layers. Have a windproof jacket to put on top of a normal shirt and sweater.

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  10. hi..may i know whether u still have the contact number of the taxi driver? I would like the taxi driver to drive us from qing jing to hualian, taroko national park and he hua shan.. and back to qing jing(maybe) may i know how do the cost?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is Tiffany's facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Tiffanytaxi). She and her husband (Mr Li) were my taxi drivers for my trip. They are based out of Hua Lien. For pricing and trip planning, I suggest you contact Tiffany (via the facebook contact). Enjoy our planning and holiday. I suggest that you stayed at Hua Lien instead of going back to Cingjing again. From Hua Lien, you can get Tiffany to send you back to Taipei or go via the Taroko Express train to Taipei. Alternatively, go explore the east coast of Taiwan (see the later posts in my blog)

      Delete

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