The Xinwulü River basin is a traditional Bunun hunting ground and living territory on the eastern slope of the Central Mountain Range in Haiduan Township, Taitung, with old-growth forest well preserved on both banks of the gorge. The eastern segment of the Southern Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway 20) winds up along the valley; severed for nearly 13 years after 2009's Typhoon Morakot, it fully reopened on May 1, 2022, offering one of the few routes in eastern Taiwan into the interior of the Central Mountain Range.
The eastern segment of the Southern Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway 20) was severely damaged by Typhoon Morakot (the 88 Flood Disaster) on August 8, 2009, closing the section between Meishankou in Kaohsiung and Xiangyang in Taitung. After nearly 13 years of repair work, the highway fully reopened on May 1, 2022, becoming one of Taiwan's few roads crossing the Central Mountain Range — though it is still occasionally closed after typhoons or heavy rain, so checking road conditions in advance is recommended.
Highlights of the Xinwulü River basin
The Xinwulü River is one of the major tributaries of the Beinan River, rising from the main ridge of the Central Mountain Range and flowing east through all of Haiduan Township. The valley walls are steep on both sides, with deeply incised channels forming the classic V-shaped gorge terrain typical of eastern Taiwan. Bunun communities are distributed across valley terraces and hillsides, having long coexisted with the local ecosystem. The eastern section of the Southern Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway 20) runs along the river and is the main route into this area.
The eastern segment of the Southern Cross-Island Highway was heavily damaged in the 2009 Typhoon Morakot (88 Flood Disaster) and remained closed for years. Portions have since been partially reopened, but road conditions remain unstable due to typhoon damage — always confirm traffic control information before setting out. Bunun villages along the route include Haiduan, Wulu, and Lidao, with significant elevation differences between communities. Old-growth broadleaf and conifer forests intermix, supporting high biodiversity. This corridor is a vital ecological passage on the eastern slope of the Central Mountain Range.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there & time
- From Taitung City, head north along Provincial Highway 9 to Guanshan, then turn onto Provincial Highway 20 heading west into the Southern Cross-Island Highway eastern section — about 1.5 to 2 hours in total.
- The Southern Cross-Island Highway is frequently closed temporarily due to typhoons or heavy rain. Check the Directorate General of Highways website or call 1968 to confirm road conditions before departing.
Nearby connections
- Guanshan Township is the eastern gateway to the Southern Cross-Island Highway; stock up here before heading into the mountains. On the return trip, the Guanshan Township Cycling Trail is worth a stop.
- Villages such as Guangyuan and Xinwu in Haiduan Township also hold Bunun cultural events; ask at local tribal offices along the way.
Sources: Directorate General of Highways, Southern Cross-Island Highway information; Haiduan Township Office. Photos pending Dio's on-site photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the eastern Southern Cross-Island Highway fully reopen?
After Typhoon Morakot severed it in 2009, it fully reopened on May 1, 2022, following nearly 13 years of repairs.
Where is the Xinwulü River Bunun hunting ground?
It is in Haiduan Township on the eastern slope of the Central Mountain Range, Taitung County — the traditional territory of the Bunun along the Xinwulü River.
What should travelers check before visiting?
The road can still close temporarily after typhoons or heavy rain, so check the Directorate General of Highways website or call 1968 before departing.
Sources
- 搶修13年終通車，看見南橫公路大地的傷痕｜報導者 — 2009年封閉與2022年全線通車經過
- 南橫公路 - 維基百科 — 通車時間軸