Yagoukou Introduction
The Yabkou on the Southern Cross-Island Highway is a must-visit spot during the journey on this route. It is located at the boundary between Taitung and Kaohsiung counties, at an elevation of 2,722 meters. The Yabkou is most well-known for the Daguanshan Tunnel, which traverses the main ridge of the Central Mountain Range. It is the highest point on the Southern Cross-Island Highway and the highest tunnel in Taiwan. The Daguanshan Tunnel divides Taiwan into eastern and western halves: to the west is Meishan Village in the Taoyuan District of Kaohsiung City; to the east is Lidau Village in Haiduan Township, Taitung County. The landscapes and climates of these two areas differ significantly. The eastern entrance of the Daguanshan Tunnel, located within Taitung County, often experiences the formation of sea of clouds at around 2,500 meters due to moisture carried by the monsoon, along with rising air currents and terrain obstacles, particularly in the afternoon. Travelers can enjoy spectacular sights along the route to the Yabkou, including scenic views of the sun-facing cliffs of Xiangyang Mountain, deep valleys filled with clouds, towering peaks, lush giant trees, and clusters of highland waterfalls. The rich natural environment and biodiversity in the area offer opportunities for sightseeing and mountain climbing, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the fresh air and forget the hustle and bustle of urban life. The Southern Cross-Island Highway is conditionally open for traffic, but there are fixed road control times. Due to the frequently changing conditions of mountain roads, please remember to check real-time road conditions on the Intelligent Provincial Highway Real-Time Information Service website of the Directorate General of Highways before your trip to avoid disruption to your travel plans.
