The Suhua Highway was carved into the cliffs above the Pacific coast and is one of Taiwan's most iconic mountain-sea highway landscapes. Multiple viewpoints along the Nan'ao section let you feel the vertiginous drop from cliff to deep sea up close. With the completion of the Suhua Improvement Project tunnels, sections of the original road have been partially preserved as a slow-travel scenic route.
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.