Hualien · Central Cross-Island
Bortle 2 · Pristine dark sky ｜ Elevation 2565m ｜ SQM ~21.7 ｜ Best view South
A high mountain saddle where the Central Cross-Island Highway meets Highway 14A (~2,565 m) — a dark-sky gateway between the Hehuanshan massif and Taroko, drive-up with open views, easily combined with a Hehuanshan trip.
Last reviewed: 2026-07
Dayuling is a high pass between Hehuanshan and Taroko, defined by intersecting mountain roads rather than a single platform. It links gorge landscapes, ridgelines and high-elevation sky in one itinerary, best for drivers already comfortable in mountain nights.
Dayuling sits around the junction of Highway 8 and Highway 14A. It is reachable from Qingjing, Lishan or Taroko, but every approach has rockfall, works and night-visibility concerns. Check live road status and decide your exit route first.
Nearby lodging and small settlements make it less isolated than Wuling, but there are occasional headlights and sign lights. Choose safe parking first; do not stop on curves, narrow passing zones or rockfall-warning stretches.
The altitude gives Dayuling strong sky potential. South and southeast views can show the Milky Way core clearly when traffic is low. Because there is no formal platform, use a star app and terrain to check which ridges block core rise.
Dayuling suits mountain-road images: curving pavement, distant walls, occasional light trails and the Milky Way. Move away from traffic for clean astro frames, or use headlights deliberately while controlling exposure.
Night driving risk on the Central Cross-Island and Hehuanshan roads is serious: rockfall, fog, black ice and fatigue matter more than sky quality. If conditions turn, retreat to Qingjing, Lishan or booked lodging.
🌌 Tonight the Milky Way core climbs to a shootable altitude around 20:13, sinks back near 02:33, and peaks around 22:23 at roughly 37° in the South.
At the Highway 8 / 14A junction; observe roadside. Alpine cold — mind driving and rockfall.
A small cluster of eateries and guesthouses; easy parking.
Mar–Oct Milky Way season; clear and stable but cold in autumn/winter.
See the nearby city's stargazing calendar
Bortle class and SQM are estimates for well-known sites, used to compare darkness — not on-site measurements.
Related tools: Taiwan Dark-Sky Map · Stargazing & Moon Viewing Score · Meteor Showers