Photo Gallery

Cross-island Highway (built 1956 onward)

The Central Cross-Island Highway (Chungheng) links the east and west coast of Taiwan and is one of Taiwan's major tourist attractions. Much of Taiwan is mountainous, and the highway cuts through some of its most rugged land, including the famous marble Toroko Gorge (Tailuge="beautiful" in the Ami dialect) where the highway is literally carved through solid marble with the assistance of 38 tunnels. One passes through tropical forests and valleys, terraced orchards and plantations, 12,000 ft. snow-capped peaks, fascinating birds and mammals, mountain trails, waterfalls and invigorating hot springs. Much is now protected from destruction because of its designation as part of Taiwan's national park system in 1984, so there will be no giant dam built here to flood the area as once was proposed.

It is also a scene of some danger with frequent land- rock- and mud- slides. The devastating earthquake of September 21, 1999, did much damage to the area and a number of places, particularly in the western sections, that were growing into tourist centers were totally destroyed. Continued instability of the land suggests that much of this limited development—a boon to the aboriginal tribes in the area—will not be rebuilt.

The highway had its serious beginnings in 1956 as a military route to link the east and west coasts. Perhaps 10,000 workers—many of them from the failed military campaigns on the mainland—worked on the highway for four years. At least 450 lost their lives in the initial phase of construction of the original one lane highway with sidings for passages both directions.

The highway in places remains somewhat of a tedious—or moreso—passage, depending on the seasons. Heavy spring and summer rains can wash out roads overnight, and the potential for earthquakes remain. Still it is a most fascinating and exhilarating venture through rugged beauty and unique vistas that is both an architectural and engineering marvel.

(text by Robert D. Fiala)