Qingshui Cliffs in Taroko Gorge
Part of the Taroko Gorge travel guide — see every topic in All Taroko Gorge Guides.
North of the Taroko Gorge entrance, the Central Mountain Range meets the Pacific Ocean in a wall of steep cliffs. These are the Qingshui Cliffs, one of the most striking coastal views in Taiwan. Green mountains rise straight from a narrow strip of pebble beach, and the sea below is a deep blue. The cliffs are seen best from viewpoints on the Suhua Highway, Provincial Highway 9. This road was also affected by the 2024 earthquake, so check road conditions before you go.
The view
The Qingshui Cliffs stretch for several kilometres along the coast between Chongde and Heping. The mountains here rise to well over 2,000 metres, and their lower slopes drop almost straight into the sea. On clear mornings the water near the shore turns a bright blue-green, and white waves break on the grey pebble beaches. Clouds often gather on the upper slopes by late morning. For the best light and the clearest view, aim to arrive early in the day. The scene changes a lot with the weather, so a second visit on a different day can look very different.
Where to see it
The main viewing area is at a roadside platform on the Suhua Highway near the Chongde section. It has space to stop and look along the coast to the south. Other short pull-outs along the highway also give views of the cliffs. Some tours and drivers stop at Chongde Beach, a pebble beach just south of the cliffs, where you can stand at the water's edge and look up at the mountains. The beach slopes steeply, and the waves can be strong. Do not swim here, and stay well back from the water when the sea is rough.
Road access
The Suhua Highway is a mountain road cut into the cliffs. It has tunnels, sharp bends and long sections with rock above and sea below. Rockfalls are a risk after earthquakes and heavy rain. The 2024 earthquake damaged parts of this road, and some sections have had closures and traffic controls since then. Before you go, check the Highway Bureau's road condition information for Highway 9 and any notices from Taroko National Park. If the road or viewpoint is closed, do not try to reach it by other routes. Conditions can change in one day, so check again in the morning.
Getting there
The viewpoints are a short drive north from the Taroko area and Xincheng. There is no train stop at the cliffs. Most visitors come by taxi, private driver, tour or rental car. A taxi for half a day can combine the cliffs with Qixingtan Beach and other coast stops, if access allows. Scooters are popular, but this road has heavy trucks, tunnels and falling rock risk, so it is not a good choice for new riders. Renting any vehicle needs a licence that Taiwan accepts, such as an International Driving Permit with your home licence. Drive slowly and do not stop inside tunnels.
Qingshui Cliffs at a glance
| Getting there | Taxi, tour or car north from Xincheng and Taroko |
|---|---|
| Road | Suhua Highway (Highway 9); check Highway Bureau road conditions |
| Cost | Viewpoints are free |
| Swimming | No; beaches are steep with strong waves |
| Best time | Clear early mornings; avoid rain and typhoon warnings |