Accra:Taroko Stays at the newly opened Qilai Mountain Cabin in Taroko National Park may soon incur fees of NT$800 (US$24.65) per person for weekday nights and NT$1,200 for holidays, as per a proposal announced on Friday. This proposal also suggests a rate increase at Paiyun Lodge in Yushan National Park.
According to Focus Taiwan, the Ministry of the Interior's National Park Service stated that the proposed fees are open for a 60-day public consultation period, with an implementation date to be determined later.
Situated at an elevation of 3,345 meters in Hualien County near the Nantou County border, the Qilai Mountain Cabin offers 40 beds for hikers navigating the challenging routes of Taroko National Park. Since its trial opening on August 21, stays have been free. The cabin incorporates renewable energy and eco-friendly features, constructed to reduce environmental impact.
The proposal includes raising Paiyun Lodge fees from NT$480 per night, unchanged since 2013, to NT$1,000 on weekdays and NT$1,500 on holidays. This adjustment accounts for the high maintenance costs at the lodge's 3,402-meter elevation, where resupply and upkeep are challenging. Upgrades such as solar power, drying rooms, and communication equipment have been implemented to improve the facility.