When summer vacation arrives many people in Taiwan visit national parks or cool off in rivers and creeks. Shakadang Trail in Taroko National Park is a scenic spot that is very popular with park visitors. To ensure visitor safety during summer vacation Taroko National Park Headquarters is specially posting additional river wardens along Shakadang Trail. A Taroko National Park Headquarters spokesperson said that 1.5 kilometers of Shakadang Trail is open to the public, along which the crystal clear river water and beautiful rock folds can be admired, as well as the trail’s ecological richness. However, the river itself is not open to visitors and it is out of bounds for any activity. To protect visitors during summer vacation, in addition to erecting warning signs, the national park HQ is also posting extra river wardens along the trail; the wardens warn visitors of the potential dangers of entering the river, persuade visitors already in the river to leave the water, and also protect the river’s rich ecological resources. . Also, prior to summer vacation, the national park HQ completed loose rock clearance along Swallow Grotto (Yanzihkou), Eternal Spring (Changchun) Shrine and Shakadang trails to reduce the danger to visitors, however, visitors are reminded to wear a hard hat when entering Swallow Grotto Trail, to avoid entering the gorge after typhoons, heavy rain and earthquakes, and to not forcibly enter the trail when it is officially closed. The most beautiful place can also be the most dangerous. Wild areas are potentially dangerous; visitors to Taroko are asked to pay attention to their own safety and that of companions at all times. Photo: The Shakadang River News issued by Taroko National Park Headquarters Translated by Kevin Lax