Suhua Highway Monument

About

This roadside monument is paired with the nearby Kailua Xianfengye Temple, both honoring the lives of 13 workers who died while constructing the road from Su’ao to Hualien. The construction was initially completed in 1932, but the road was further widened later in the 1980s. Throughout this time, 13 construction workers died due to the incredibly dangerous working conditions around the road. The road’s location subjected it to frequent landslides, and it was deemed one of the most dangerous roads of the time. The local folklore states that the ghosts of the construction workers protect the lives of others by preventing further building along the highway. The memorial is free to visit and rests on one of the most scenic passages of this stretch of highway, making it a peaceful place to stop along your journey.