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Situated not very far from Taroko Gorge, Eternal Spring Shrine was built in the memory of 250 workers who lost their lives while constructing a highway through Taroko Gorge joining the east and west coasts of Taiwan. Eternal Spring Shrine is a Zen monastery and has been built close to the waterfall. A solemn bell in Eternal Spring Shrine marks the approach of morning and also announces the closing of the day. In order to reach Eternal Spring Shrine, one has to follow the hiker’s trail. Frequent landslides have rendered the trail a little risky. The risk notwithstanding, Eternal Spring Shrine is a place worth visiting for the ravine stare across broodingly and the sight of the waterfall is enchanting. Lying behind the shrine is the stone called ‘Heavenly Stairs’, that reaches up to the Guanyin Cave and Changuang Temple. At the outset of the trail there is a placard that tells the story of the deceased workers. Standing next to Eternal Spring Shrine is Taroko Tower constructed by the provincial government to mark the visit by late President Chiang Kai-shek in 1982. In case the captivating beauty of Eternal Spring Shrine lulls you enough to prolong your stay in the place, there is a beautiful hotel, the only one around, called Grand Formosa Taroko Hotel. The hotel specializes in both Chinese and International cuisines.
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