Qingshui Cliffs Introduction
Qingshui Cliffs is a natural landscape extending 22.7 kilometers, located between HePing and Qingshui in Hualien County's Xiulin Township. The cliffs are composed of limestone, gneiss, and schist, and represent the most magnificent scenery along the Suhua Highway, symbolizing the spirit of the Suhua Highway and recognized as one of Taiwan's eight wonders. In addition to being the most spectacular sight along the Hualien-Taitung coast, Qingshui Cliffs are also an excellent spot for watching the sunrise. Visitors marvel at the views while partaking in kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding in the blue Pacific Ocean below, getting closer to appreciate the beauty of Qingshui Cliffs. The cliffs drop directly into the sea, with a height difference of over 800 meters. This impressive cliff was formed by the Philippine Sea Plate pushing up the Eurasian Plate, while rainwater and wind have eroded the softer surface materials, exposing the harder granite and marble beneath. Qingshui Cliffs are sea cliffs formed approximately 250 million years ago by faulting. As organisms like coral, shellfish, and algae accumulated on the seabed, they gradually formed limestone through lithification. Over time, the burial of the upper rocks transformed the limestone into marble, and around 9 million years ago, the collision between the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate gradually lifted the sea cliffs, which, together with rain erosion and weathering, created today’s spectacular marble cliff faces. Standing on the platform looking at the strange rocks and the sparkling waves crashing against the cliffs of Qingshui Cliffs, one cannot help but feel a sense of wonder and admiration for nature, as well as humility and reverence for such a beautiful and perilous natural landscape. The viewing platform next to the Chongde Tunnel at kilometer 176.4 of the Suhua Highway is the best observation point, where one can look at the coastal road of the Suhua Highway and the tunnels carved into the cliffs, feeling the hardships faced by the pioneers of highway construction at that time. These road pioneers risked their lives, struggling between the vast ocean and the perilous cliffs, to open this magnificent cliff road, a challenging task indeed. Transportation methods: ● Public Transport - Hualien Bus (North Line via Taiwan Route 9, Taiwan Route 8, Central Cross-Island Highway) - Get off at Chongde Station for access to scenic spots along Qingshui Cliffs. ● By Car - Address: North side of Chongde Tunnel on Suhua Highway, 182.5 kilometers along Suhua Highway, Xincheng Township, Hualien.
Qingshui Cliff
Jiazuo / Cai Mengzhang / Morning Awakening at Qingshui Cliff
