Haiduan Township sits on the eastern side of the Central Mountain Range. The Xinwulü River basin is the traditional hunting ground and living territory of the Bunun people, with old-growth forest well preserved on both sides of the gorge. The eastern segment of the Southern Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway 20) winds up along the valley, offering dramatic high-mountain gorge scenery along the way. It is one of the few routes in eastern Taiwan that allows deep access into the interior of the Central Mountain Range.
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.