Taroko National Park in Hualien slated to partially reopen by end of year
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A pavilion covered in mud at the Taroko National Park on April 4, after an earthquake in Hualien, Taiwan.
PHOTO: AFP
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The Taroko National Park Headquarters in Hualien, Taiwan, on June 11 said it hopes to reopen some of the park’s safer trails and picturesque spots by end-2024, the Taipei Times reported.
The sprawling attraction has been closed to the public since the 7.2-magnitude earthquake of April 3
Restoration contracts will be awarded in July for the less severely damaged spots which pose fewer safety risks, added the headquarters.
Parts of the park slated to open earlier are Taroko Terrace, the northern section of the Taroko Terrace trail, Changchun Shrine, Buluowan Lower Terrace, the Buluowan suspension bridge, the Tunnel of Nine Turns trail, the Tianxiang area, the Chongde trail and the Huide trail along Suhua Highway.
Some of these areas could reopen before the turn of the year if repair works go smoothly, the authorities said, though the upcoming typhoon season and continuing aftershocks could hamper efforts.
The reopening timeline will be longer for the more notable spots that took bigger hits – Swallow Grotto trail, Shakadang trail, Lushui trail and Zhuilu Old Road, according to Taipei Times.
