Highway 24


The last section of Hwy 24 is a gorgeous winding highway that leads you deep into the mountains. Not for the fainthearted, some parts of the road run along very steep cliffs. Do check the road conditions before setting off, as the area is inaccessible during heavy rains. You have to register at the police station (at the Km26.8 mark) before entering the Wutai area.

This section of the road, between Sandimen and Wutai (霧台; Wùtái), is 18km long and the altitude changes from 100m to above 1000m. Expect head-spinning views of the river, valleys, waterfalls, cliffs and indigenous villages. Wutai (after the Km39 mark) is an attractive Rukai settlement, with an unusual Catholic church and traditional slate-walled houses.

From Wutai, you can continue the last 8km to the abandoned village of Ali, or head back and make a detour to Dewen (德文; Déwén), a pretty coffee-growing village sitting 800m to 1200m above sea level. To get to Dewen, switch to County Rd 31 (northbound) before you reach the police station (if you're going downhill). From this turnoff, it's a 6km drive to the village.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

2.81 MILES

If you manage to enter this Rukai Catholic church (c 1959) – it sometimes closes when there's no mass – you'll see some unusual religious art. Rukai…

2. Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park

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The park, set in forested mountains, displays true-to-life examples of traditional indigenous houses and communal structures. A museum near the entrance…

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4. Purple Butterfly Valley

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5. Maolin Gorge Waterfall

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6. Duona

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Duona village, lying in a river gorge, is home to the Rukai tribe. Though not many traditional houses remain, the village is worth visiting to see how the…

7. Choose Chius

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8. East Gate

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Meinong's (heavily restored) 18th-century East Gate was one of many structures built for defence against invaders and wild beasts.

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