Suhua Highway is a coastal road running from Su'ao in Yilan County to Hualien City, opened in 1932 with an original length of 118 km (now about 102.4 km); carved into the cliffs above the Pacific coast, it is one of Taiwan's most iconic mountain-sea highway landscapes. Multiple viewpoints along the Nan'ao section let visitors feel the vertiginous drop from cliff to deep sea up close, and with the Suhua Improvement Project tunnels now open, sections of the original road have been preserved as a slow-travel scenic route.
The Suhua Highway originated as the 'coastal road' developed from a Qing-dynasty northern route during the Japanese colonial era, opening in May 1932; it runs from Baimi Bridge in Su'ao to Zhongshan Road in Hualien City, with an original length of 118 km, now reduced to about 102.4 km after realignment. The 21-km Heren-to-Chongde section, known as the Qingshui Cliff section, is composed mainly of marble, gneiss, and green schist, with near-vertical cliff faces dropping straight to the sea.
Highlights of the Suhua Highway Scenic Overlooks
The Suhua Highway runs about 118 km from Su'ao in the north to Hualien in the south, tracing the boundary between the Central Mountain Range and the Pacific coast — sheer rock faces plunge directly into the sea, with sky and ocean stretching to the horizon. The Su'ao-to-Nan'ao section in Yilan County marks the beginning of the highway; the geology is primarily gneiss and marble, with cliffs rising hundreds of metres. This route was once a vital land link between eastern and western Taiwan, with a long construction history and formidable engineering challenges.
Since the Suhua Improvement Project (the Suhua Highway Improvement Plan) was completed, traffic on parts of the original alignment has dropped sharply, allowing a more relaxed drive with opportunities to pull over at viewpoints. Some sections are narrow with many curves — drive with care. The road may close during typhoons or heavy rainfall; check road condition announcements from the highway authority (Directorate General of Highways) before departing, and do not attempt the route in unsafe conditions.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There
- By car: drive south from Su'ao along Provincial Highway 9 and you enter the Suhua Highway. Viewpoints are signposted along the road.
- By public transit: check whether the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Suhua coastal route is still running, or take the TRA to Nan'ao Station and plan from there.
- Road conditions are subject to the Directorate General of Highways' daily announcements via 1968 or the official website. Do not proceed in bad weather.
Nearby Connections
- Nan'ao Township marks the southern end of the Yilan section of the Suhua Highway. Options include the Nan'ao Ancient Trail hike or seafood at Nan'ao Fishing Harbor — combining mountain forest and coastal experiences.
- Su'ao Cold Spring is at the northern starting point of the Suhua Highway — a natural sequence: morning cold spring soak, then drive south along the Suhua in the afternoon for sightseeing.
Source: Directorate General of Highways Suhua Highway related data. Road condition information is subject to official announcements. Photos pending Dio's on-location shoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Suhua Highway?
The Suhua Highway originally measured 118 km; after realignment projects such as the Suhua Improvement Project, its current length is about 102.4 km.
When did the Suhua Highway open?
It opened in May 1932, evolving from a coastal road built during the Japanese colonial era.
What is the geology of the Qingshui Cliff section?
The 21-km Heren-to-Chongde section is composed mainly of marble, gneiss, and green schist, with cliffs dropping almost vertically into the sea.
Sources
- 蘇花公路 - 維基百科 — 全長、通車年份、清水斷崖段地質構造
- 認識蘇花改 - 公路局東區養護工程分局 — 蘇花改工程改善路段資訊