East Rift Valley National Scenic Area

As the East Rift Valley's Provincial Highway No. 9 goes through 323 kilometers, it joins up with Provincial Highway No. 20– A. and then Provincial Highway No. 20, which is also the South Cross-Island Highway. The South Cross-Island Highway follows the Sinwulyu River going west. As it does so, the surrounding landscape changes from open and wide to deep and remote. After passing through various Aboriginal settlements, such as Chulai, Sinwu, Siama, and Wulu, one then reaches the majestic scenery of "Wulu Gorge".


Wulu Gorge is located between the South Cross-Island Highway and Lidao, and is a large S-shaped gorge cut by the Wulu River, (which is the upper section of the Sinwulyu River). It is about 4 kilometers in length. Due to the fact that the Guanshan Mountain peak in the Central Mountain Range forms broken ridges at this point, and also due to the long-term erosion caused by the flow of the high mountain rivers, the Wulu Gorge is made up of steep precipices, resulting in a very majestic landscape.


In Wulu Gorge, the Tianlong Suspension Bridge crosses over the Wulu Stream. It is about 110 meters long and less than 1.5 meters wide. It connects the precipices on each side of the gorge. Looking down at the landscape from the suspension bridge, one can see the surging, rushing waters of the Wulu River, 80 meters below. The Tianlong Suspension Bridge was a part of the "Guanshan Mountain Crossing Trail" built during the Japanese occupation era. After walking from the South Cross-Island Highway, and crossing the Tianlong Suspension Bridge, one can walk along this trail build by the local people of that time, and enjoy some healthy walking. The length of the trail is around 1 thousand and 89 meters, it connects once more with the South Cross-Island Highway, and this is the best place to view the Wulu Gorge scenery!


In addition to the gorge with its suspension bridge, another unique natural resource in this area is the Wulu Hot Springs. The spring water of the Wulu Hot Springs is of a low alkaline, carbonate, hydrogen-sodium quality. The water contains fluoride, and is crystal clear, colorless, and odorless, with a heat ranging from 70°C to 80°C. The most unique feature of the Wulu Hot Springs is that the water does not emit from underground, but gushes out from the narrow crevices in the mountain cliffs located in the Wulu Gorge. If you go along Wulu Gorge via the South Cross-Island Highway, take a look at the rock crevices along the river gorge. You can see water gushing out, producing thick, dense steam that curls upwards. The mineral qualities of the spring water have caused the colorful waterlines found on the cliff walls. The colors of these waterlines include yellow, black, brown, and blackish green. These cliff walls look like a natural mural, creating an unusual appearance.