Datong Village - The Mountains Above Taroko

Taroko Gorge National Park, Hualien County, Taiwan

Datong and Dali villages are nestled in the mountains of Taroko Gorge National Park. Tucked away from the tourist location below, the people are able to live their life unobstructed. With views overlooking the Shakadang Gorge, the Pacific Ocean, and the rest of Taroko, you will find peace and relaxation here. People get away from their devices and connect with one another in the mountains of Taroko. Coming here you will learn about the history of the tribe, the self sufficient nature of those still around, and soak in the pure beauty of this special location.

 Take a train down the east coast of Taiwan until you reach Xincheng Station in Hualien County. Transfer to Taroko Gorge National Park, either via taxi outside the station, or by shuttle bus, where varied mountain peaks, numerous waterfalls, diverse plant forms and animal life, together with the indigenous Taroko people, create a rich texture of a unique and natural ecosystem.

There are a couple different ways to reach the villages. If you would like to explore Dali Village, you will begin from the Taroko Visitor Center and hike the Dekalun trail, to Dali Village. This is a steep hike, full of stairs through the jungle. Keep your eyes out for Formosan Rock Macaques, various bird species and reptiles! After roughly 2.5 hours you will come to Dali Village. Dali is a great stop for lunch and views. Still standing are old houses and a landscape full of vibrant flora and vegetable crops.

From Dali Village there are two ways to get to Datong Village, and the beautiful DaDaoDeJia (達道的家) overlooking Datong. The more intense hike involves the TongLi trail, linking Dali village and Datong Village. This trail winds along the mountainside, in more overgrown vegetation and unstable ground. The second option is to go back the way you came until you reach the old logging road. This will take you directly to the homestay.

All in all, its about a 4 hour hike to DaDaoDeJia (達道的家), the indigenous homestay, for the night. The best part is the welcome feast and views like no other within Taroko Gorge.

There isn’t much of a plan while up here. Just relax, break out that book you’ve been reading, drink some tea and decompress. Walking around the vegetable gardens and the cliff views is always nice. At night relax and keep warm by the fire while gazing at the stars above.

Early morning wake up for a short hike up the mountain cliff to view sunrise over the Pacific Ocean. The vista sits over 1,000 meters above the ocean below, with the lights of the coastal towns lighting up the night while awaiting the sun’s arrival.

After sunrise, take a slow walk down the slippery mountainside to the homestay for breakfast, coffee and tea before packing up and saying goodbye the hosts, Amay and Dingxi.

This is a truly incredible trip in Taiwan. If you are looking to get away from the crowds, connect with a culture of old, and relax in stunning nature, this is your best bet!

How Much

The home stays in Dali and Datong villages are at a fixed price. Per person the cost is 1200 NT. Inclusive of dinner and breakfast, bedding, tea, water and coffee. My favorite place is DaDaoDeJia (達道的家), as it overlooks all the other houses and gorge.

How to Get There

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How to Travel Responsibly

How to Travel Responsibly

Traveling abroad is important for many reasons. Personal growth, broadening your horizons, building self confidence, and more. Your travels abroad should also benefit the communities you visit. Make sure to travel responsibly on your next trip. Below are some pointers on how to do so. 

Tips on How to Travel Responsibly

Before Traveling

Find out as much as possible. The more you know about an area before arriving, the more the area will come alive. Look into the area’s history, culture, natural environment, customs, legends, advisory notices and more.

Learn a few words in the local language. Making an effort to speak the local language allows you to interact with the people who know the site best. People appreciate your efforts and your interest in learning. Simple words like ‘Hello’, ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’ can go a long way.

Pack light. It is tempting to pack everything you think you might need, but remember to be smart about your necessities. Packaging items like the paper box to your film or the plastic wrapping of your new toothbrush simply consume space in your bag and can create excess trash for local area.

Lodging choices. Look for hotels that have a written policy covering their environmental impact, employment and cultural policy.

Explore transportation options. Remember that traveling affects the environment. Wherever possible, try to minimize your pollution and impact on the environment by looking to alternative transportation and off-setting your carbon emissions.

While Traveling

Engage in local culture. The saying, ‘While in Rome do as the Romans’ still applies today. Your trip provides a unique opportunity to explore a new culture and to see the world through a different perspective. Remember that eating local foods, shopping in local markets, and attending local festivals are all part of experiencing the culture.

Buy local products and services. Choosing to support locally owned businesses, community tour operators, and artisans means that you’ll have a one-of-a-kind experience and your money will go directly to the community. Before purchasing goods, ask about their origin. Avoid buying products made from threatened natural resources and report poaching and other illegal activities to the local authorities.

Refrain from aggressive bargaining. It’s often difficult to know your limits in bargaining so if you’re not sure, ask your local hotel for tips. Remember that the purchases you make directly affect vendors’ livelihoods, so decide if you really need to hang onto that extra dollar or if it could impact the vendor more.

Hire local guides. Enrich your experience by choosing local guides who are knowledgeable about the destination. Ask local tour operators and hotels for good recommendations.

Tread lightly. Destinations are exceptional due to their natural or cultural splendor. Do your part to keep them that way by following designated trails, respecting caretakers, and not removing archaeological or biological treasures from sites.

Respect the natural environment. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Even though you are just visiting and not paying the utility bill, disposing of your garbage properly and minimizing your consumption of water and energy will benefit the overall destination.

After Traveling

Distribute your responsible travel tips. In addition to telling family and friends about the wonderful memories you made, also consider sharing tips on how they too can positively impact the World while having an amazing journey.

Share your photos. Pictures can say a thousand words.

Explore more. Traveling is just the start of learning. Once you return home continue exploring and being involved with the issues or region that captured your attention. Build upon your knowledge and also learn about another fascinating place.

Give back. Traveling often opens your eyes and heart to something new. You can continue to preserve inspirational areas for generations to come by making a donation to a local charity.

Options will vary in each country you visit. Rest assured though, as you can always choose to travel responsibly on your next adventure! We hope to see you in Taiwan for your next trip abroad. We promise to ensure you travel responsibly.