Hey there, does anone know if the road from Taidong County to Yushan has been effected by Typhoon Morakat? Thanks…
What road is that? Do you mean the South Cross Island Highway? Yes, it is closed after around Wulu I think. Yushan itself is also still closed.
There is no road from Taidong to Yushan. You may be thinking of the Southern Cross Highway (numbered on maps as Highway 20) that skirts the southern edge of the Yushan National Park. It was badly damaged by Morakat and again in the heavy rains of the past few days. Before the most recent damage, news reports said it would be open in February.
It’s closed both on the Taidong side (above Wulu) and on the Kaohsiung side (at Baolai). This area is a real mess and should not be visited unless you are on foot and well prepared.
A general question, where can I find a Taiwanese web site telling me what roads are open and which are not?
I would like to drive over from Taizhong to Hualian next week, however there was a recent landslide.
[quote=“Mr He”]A general question, where can I find a Taiwanese web site telling me what roads are open and which are not?
I would like to drive over from Taizhong to Hualian next week, however there was a recent landslide.[/quote]
The Suao gonglu is closed until Wednesday after 5pm, and then only open around Nan-ao in one lane.
Taichung to Hualien is closed in so many places right now I wouldn’t even bother inquiring for the duration of the week.
They got like 1200mm of rain over the last 5 days in the area… 
The highway bureau has reports here in Chinese. Check the most recent report 芭瑪颱風公路災情快報. Paragraph 2.2 has the information you are looking for. The landslide is at km 168k+700 on Highway 8 just above Tianxiang. They expect it to be cleared by Oct. 18th. I would call the police stations in Wushe and Tianxiang the day before leaving to check on the latest local conditions.
I got the link it seems, and it would appear that things are not bad. Su-Hua open tomorrow, and Central Cross island hwy open Sunday.
What I will do is to call the missus once we are on the way, and see what she says.
We will go to Kenting first, and then off to Hualian later.
I am planning a bicycle trip in mid-March, 2010.
What is the current status of the Southern Cross Highway? Is complete transit on route 20 possible?
Is there an English website with up-to-date road conditions?
Thank you,
D
The Southern Cross (Highway 20) mid-March on bicycle…maybe possible, Chinese New Year less likely. By car at Chinese New Year close to no chance - and honestly, not to be recommended. Officially closed between Meishan and Siangyang (or possibly Wulu depending on conditions/enforcement).
See my observations on the road at aftermorakot.blogspot.com/2010/0 … -year.html
Not good. Not optimistic. Not wanting to see another Morakot!
Volviic, thanks for that very thorough, and thoroughly depressing, account of the current state of the Southern Cross. The one bright spot is that it might be closed permanently to traffic in those worst damaged sections, and be maintained solely as a hiking and biking trail. That’s something I’d heartily applaud, and I’d be itching to get out on it.