Nature Meets Engineering Marvel 🚂 Qingshui Cliffs & The Northlink Railway

#mytraveldiary #september2025 #naturalwonders
Standing at Qingshui Cliffs, you are greeted with one of Taiwan’s most breathtaking coastlines — towering marble cliffs plunging dramatically into the Pacific Ocean, waves crashing against the rocks below, and endless shades of turquoise stretching to the horizon. It is a scene of raw natural grandeur, where land and sea meet in spectacular harmony.

But the view here holds another fascinating layer: the Northlink Railway Line, a triumph of engineering that runs precariously along the cliffs. Looking down, you may catch sight of trains slipping in and out of tunnels carved into the sheer rock faces — a mesmerizing contrast between the stillness of nature and the rhythm of modern transport.

🚂 A Railway with History
Construction of the Northlink Railway began in 1973, and by 1980 it opened as part of Taiwan’s Ten Major Construction Projects. For the first time, it linked Yilan and Hualien, dramatically reducing travel time between northern and eastern Taiwan. Over its 79.2 kilometers, the line features 31 tunnels, including the Xinguanyin Tunnel, the longest in Taiwan at 10.3 km. Electrified in 2003 and fully double-tracked by 2005, it remains one of Taiwan’s most scenic railway routes.

✨ Why Visit?
• 🌊 Natural Wonder – Gaze upon the soaring cliffs that plunge 800 meters into the Pacific.
• 🚆 Iconic Railway View – Watch trains weave in and out of tunnels against a backdrop of sea and sky.

Post by _Traveltastic_ | Sep 21, 2025