Taroko Gorges: the Eternal Spring Temple.

The Changchun Shrine, or Eternal Spring Shrine, was built in the Taroko Gorges in the late 1950’s to honour the souls of the workers who died building the Provincial Highway 8. These roads were built in less than 4 years only, with an economic and military purpose in mind. They cross the island’s central mountains, which are both very high and very steep. This was so dangerous that within those four years a total of 226 men died, and 706 were injured during the construction works. The Directorate General of Highways, in charge of the works, built the shrine in their memory and the names of those who died building the roads is engraved on the temple’s wall.

The area is so dangerous that the temple itself was destroyed twice by landslides since it was built. This one is the third version… for now.

The water flowing from the shrine comes from two natural springs located right beneath the building. More information about the temple and its surroundings can be found on the official Taroko Gorges website.