The Grand Formosa Taroko for five-star service in the park

Whether you decide to hike in Shakadang Valley or challenge yourself to stream-tracing at a nearby river around the national park, an ideal place to stay a couple nights or longer is the Grand Formosa Taroko, the only five-star resort inside the park.

It's located in Tian Hsyang (天祥), which is just an hour' s drive from Hualien International Airport, and is close to the starting point of nine of the best-known scenic trails, such as the Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail and the Baiyang Waterfalls Trail.

The hotel rooms are spacious and clean and the rates are reasonable. Conference rooms, which can accommodate up to 380 people, are part of the hotel's facilities for business guests.

Both Chinese and Western food are served. In addition to stream-tracing, the hotel also offers Taroko Gorge one-day tours, trail hiking with guides, whale-watching from Hualien harbor, city tours, and more.

Should you have extra time or energy, there are good indoor recreational facilities such as spas, a swimming pool and gym. Outdoor activities include rock climbing and paintball courts.

Many of the hotel employees are local Taroko tribal youths and the hotel also organizes an Aboriginal culture show performed by them every evening.