Cycling In Taiwan: 10 MUST Visit Classic Bike Routes 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️

📷 Taiwan Tourism Bureau

“Driving? Too fast. Strolling? Too slow. Cycling is the way to go!” Pushing down the pedals with our feet allows us to make the most out of the beautiful sceneries—completing our minds, soothing our souls🤗.

Have you EVER want to cycle while traveling but don’t know where to go? Well, look no further because Taiwan is just the place for YOU!!!

Over the past twenty years, Taiwan has become a significant destination for bicycle tourists because of the stunning sceneries and being a cyclist-friendly country. Why? The cycling culture in Taiwan is so strong that it has support from the government, which is evident in the excellent road conditions and bicycle infrastructures. There are countless yet easily understandable helpful road signs for the riders. Most road signs are translated into English, and there are dedicated bike lanes and rest stops for cyclists.

Now enough with the introduction, let me show you the 10 BEST bike routes for you to cycle into relaxation!!!

1. 🚴‍♀️Riverside Bike Paths, Taipei City

(河濱自行車道)

📷 Photo Taken from PLAYing

Riverside Bike Paths is a pleasure to cycle, offering a well-mapped, mostly level spot connecting 28 riverside parks. It is suitable for cyclists of all ages. Following the river system, it can be divided into six riverside bike routes. Here we will show you one of the most famous riverside bike routes, Keelung Riverside Bikeway.

Keelung Riverside Bikeway

📷 Taipei Citi Cycling Map

Length:

Left bank — 22.2 km

Right bank — 20.6 km

Riding Time:

Left bank — 90 min

Right bank — 80 min

Bicycle Rental:

YouBike Public-Rental Stations / Taipei Riverside Bike Rental Centers

Location:

Along the Keelung Rivers.

Wayside Attractions:

i. Dajia Riverside Park

📷instagram.com/lewisxnina/

📷instagram.com/hannahxpeng/

ii. Rainbow Bridge

📷instagram.com/becky.612/

iii. Lin-Antai Historic Home

The southern Fujian style building adjoined the Xinsheng Park boasts ideal ventilation and the ability to ward off the chilling wind during wintertime. It demonstrates a combination of Chinese feng-shui, as well as scientific and pragmatic functions.

📷instagram.com/masa105_jp/

📷 instagram.com/wasivvn02101314/

2. 🚴‍♀️Tamshui River Left Bank Bike Path, New Taipei City (淡水河左岸自行車道)

📷 instagram.com/pangahong/

📷 instagram.com/popopo.poey/

Along the left bank of Tamsui River, there are separated bikeways and the walking way’s concept design. This design is helpful because riders will not affect other people who are walking. Besides that, the bikeway also housed many food stores and shops. If you are cycling in the evening, you can even enjoy the beauty of the sunset.

📷 Taipei Citi Cycling Map

Length:

11.9 km

Riding Time:

About 40 min

Bicycle Rental:

YouBike Public-Rental Stations / Taipei Riverside Bike Rental Centers

Location:

Along the Danshuai Rivers

Wayside Attractions:

i. Guandu Bridge

📷 instagram.com/chotata/

📷 instagram.com/chiisaiflower/

ii. Guandu Nature Park

Covering 57 hectares, this collection of ponds, marshes, and mudflats is a haven for waterfowl and shorebirds. It’s also an important wintering and breeding ground for many species. As a result, over 250 bird species have been documented here, making it a hotspot for birdwatching.

📷 instagram.com/suntoplin/

📷 instagram.com/taiwantravel/

📷 instagram.com/patienceshen/

iii. Guandu Plains

Guandu Plains represents the simplicity and purity of country life. Incredibly, it is within accessible distance from the hustle and bustle of a busy city.

📷 instagram.com/travelwen/

📷 instagram.com/chenyiting616/

📷instagram.com/yochendai0405/

iv. Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology

Opened in 2003, the museum exhibits their findings, providing a fascinating look into the lives of this early Taiwan indigenous people and into the archaeological process itself.

📷@Maggie Song

📷 instagram.com/ching_chinng/

📷 instagram.com/ruywin50/

3. 🚴‍♀️Dahan and Xindian River Bikeways, New Taipei City (新北市大漢及新店溪自行車道)

📷Taiwan Tourism Bureau HK

The Xindian River Dahan River Bike Trail comprises two bike trails: Xincheng Line and Yinsan Line, connected by the Hsin-hai Bridge and Cheng-Lin Bridge. This long bike trail passes through many Taipei districts, including Xindian, Yonghe, Banciao, Tucheng, and Yingge. Through the bike tour, you will find the distinctiveness of each Taipei district.

📷 Taipei Citi Cycling Map

Length:

Xindian River right bank —18.6km

Xindian River left bank + Dahan River right bank —30km

Dahan River left bank —16km

Riding time:

Xindian River right bank — about 30 min.

Xindian River left bank + Dahan River right bank — about 120 min.

Dahan River left bank — about 65 min.

Location:

Along Dahan River and Xindian River (two main tributaries of Tamsui River)

Bicycle Rental:

YouBike Public-Rental Stations / Riverside Bike Rental Centers (Bitan or others)

Wayside Attractions:

i. Dadaocheng Wharf

Dadaocheng Wharf thrived in earlier years as an entrepot for trade along the river. However, this area has experienced a revival as a tourism destination, bicycling spot, and departure point for boat tours along the Tamsui River in recent years.

📷instagram.com/h.x.h.pic/

📷 instagram.com/rho._.film/

📷 instagram.com/linyyoo/

ii. Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park

The vast stretch of sandbars and wetlands near Huajiang Bridge has long been a habitat for various migratory birds. Primarily designed for family recreation and bird watchers. The park installed a duck-watching trail, a bird observatory square, and a family-friendly zone, where people can enjoy outdoor activities with relatively little environmental impact.

📷 instagram.com/dino0805/

📷 Taken from website

iii. Yongfu Bridge

📷instagram.com/dun.liu.77/

📷 instagram.com/yutingliiin/

iv. Taipei Water Park/Museum

This area/destination includes The Nursery in Water Source Site, Mt. Guanyin Hiking Trail, Water Distribution Materials Exhibition Area, Museum of Drinking Water, and the Water Country Park. Among these, the historically significant Museum of Drinking Water is definitely worth a visit.

📷instagram.com/suimin_n/

📷 instagram.com/hanrong___/

4. 🚴‍♀️Northeast Old Caoling Tunnel Bikeway, New Taipei City (舊草嶺環狀線自行車道)

📷@Spectralcodex

Crossing Xinbei City and Yilan County, the 18.1 km long Old Caoling Tunnel Bikeway passes by the railway line, offering views of the railway countryside, the historic Old Caoling Tunnel, and the Lailai Marine Erosive Platform, also known as the “Devil’s Laundry Board.” Along the way, you can look out over Guishan Island and the vast Pacific Ocean.

📷@Cycling Taiwan

Length:

18.1 KM

Riding time:

About 90 min

Location:

Fulong village, moving in a generally south direction (Start from Fulong Railway Station)

Bicycle Rental:

Private rental shops outside Fulong Railway Station

Wayside Attractions:

i. Old Caoling Tunnel

The Old Caoling Tunnel was the inspiration for the well-known Taiwanese folk song “Train Passing.” The tunnel invites cyclists on a trip back in time to the railway’s earliest days, from the entrance brickwork and train track design to the coal-shaped lamps and train sound effects.

📷 instagram.com/ni___how/

📷instagram.com/josephine.chou/

ii. Sandiao Cape Lighthouse

Sandiao Cape Lighthouse looks out to the Pacific Ocean from the easternmost tip of Taiwan. This is an excellent spot to take in the sea horizon and view of Turtle Island. The white tower of the lighthouse contrasts strikingly.

📷instagram.com/wenwen88520/

📷instagram.com/qiuung/

iii. Fulong Beach

Fulong Beach is divided by the Shuangxi River into inner and outer parts spanned by an arched bridge. The beach is a good spot for kayaking.

📷instagram.com/penny9964/

📷instagram.com/oxana_mini/

📷 instagram.com/jhen_520/

5. 🚴‍♀️Dongshan River Bike Path, Yilan County (冬山河自行车道)

📷 Yilan Tourism

Riding a bike here and enjoy the fantastic scenery. The river view can keep you accompanied along the road. Besides the Dongshan River’s view, the Red Lizejian Bridge and the green grass will make your riding journey more beautiful and full of surprises.

📷@Tony的自然人文旅记

Length:

20 KM

Riding time:

About 120 min

Location:

Follow both banks of the Dongshan River

Bicycle Rental:

Private rental shops at Dongshan River Water Park

Wayside Attractions:

i. Dongshan River Water Park

Dongshan River Water Park has been designed to rebuild the natural relationship between man and water. This park simulates the natural landscapes and incorporates elements of the native culture of Lanyang.

📷 instagram.com/wantingtsai173/

📷 instagram.com/liu9318/

ii. National Center for Traditional Arts

National Center for Traditional Arts in Dongshan River Scenic Area has added several pieces of installation art, such as Misty Forest and Tunnel of Leaping Fish. The place is an attraction suitable for the whole family to enjoy the cultural tour together.

📷Yilan Tourism

6. 🚴‍♀️Jiji Green Tunnel and Around- Town Bikeway, Nantou County (集集綠色隧道暨環鎮自行車道)

📷instagram.com/cccheng0813/

📷instagram.com/hongruru0526/

Jiji Green Tunnel and Around – Town Bikeway is a long and challenging bike path. Because it has 30 min hill slope along the way. So this bikeway is recommended for those who are seeking challenges and excitements.

Length:

About 20 KM (Jiji town bike route + Jiji Green Tunnel)

Location:

Jiji is located in central Taiwan’s Nantou County, west of Sun Moon Lake

Bicycle Rental:

Private rental shops along Jiji’s main road

Wayside Attractions:

i. Jiji Green Tunnel

Jiji Green Tunnel is one of the most popular bikeways. The tunnel has a total distance of 4.5 km, which is the length of 1000 Cinnamomum Camphora trees planted by the civilians in 1933. You may take a rest there and take some beautiful photos.

📷 instagram.com/outdoorkaphotos/

📷 instagram.com/pjohn300/

ii. Jiji Railway Station

If you are lucky, you can see a Jiji train pass by. The Jiji Train Station was built in 1933. It is the Jiji Township landscape and the most well-known terminal station on the Jiji route, and it has attracted lots of tourists. Coming to the Jiji Station, you can enjoy the railway culture and beautiful scenery along the route.

📷 instagram.com/j.koblog/

📷 instagram.com/rebekahh.yi/

📷 instagram.com/kelly.chun.1025/

7. 🚴‍♀️Sun Moon Lake Bike Route, Nantou County (日月潭自行車道)

📷 instagram.com/wei800605/

📷Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area

Sun Moon Lake Bikeway was selected by CNN Travel as the world’s top 10 most beautiful bikeways. Biking along with beautiful views, tasting delicious Ita Thao indigenous cuisine, enjoying stunning sceneries from morning to evening are all great reasons for embarking on the Sun Moon Lake Bike tour. The bikeway terrain along the lake rises and falls and can be challenging at times, but it is suitable for those who like a little challenge. Come and enjoy the scenery while biking and explore the beautiful things in the Sun Moon Lake area!

📷Sun Moon Lake Fun Ticket

Length:

30 KM

Riding Time:

About 3.5 hours

Location:

Sun Moon Lake

Bicycle Rental:

Private rental shops close to Shuishe Wharf

Wayside Attractions:

i. Wenwu Temple

Wenwu Temple, built-in 1938, is located at the shoulder of a mountain on the north of Sun Moon Lake, with the gate facing to the north. The temple is famous among students.

📷Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration

📷 instagram.com/witandfolly/

📷 instagram.com/phiteao/

ii. Xiangshan Visitor Center

The Xiangshang Visitor Center is both for tourism and administration use. The uniquely designed building has wood-patterned exteriors and wings that stretch like human arms embracing the earth. In addition, the two giant canopy structures, 34 meters long and 8 meters tall each, allow people to enjoy beautiful views of the Sun Moon Lake from the top.

📷 instagram.com/zzz_noname_x_x/

📷 instagram.com/elena_0921/

📷 instagram.com/simple1229/

iii. Ci En Pagoda

Ci En Pagoda was completed in April 1971 and sits on the 954 meter-high Shabalan Mountain. The pagoda is 46 meters tall, bringing its top to 1,000 meters above sea level. You can climb to the top, where they have a magnificent view of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

📷 instagram.com/wanderwithsky/

📷 instagram.com/danibram.photo/

📷instagram.com/sim.sim170/

iv. Ita Thao Village

Ita Thao is called Barawbaw in thao language. Barawbaw is the last residence of the thao people at Sun Moon Lake. On account of the continuous stream of tourists, many Han people moved here to go into trade. Therefore, Ita Thao becomes the most populous area around Sun Moon Lake. Also, the thao people establish the "thao Cultural Village" for tourists to appreciate the traditional culture, songs, and dancing of the thao tribe.

📷@Gotraveltipster

📷instagram.com/miyuki031333/

v. Splendid lake view

📷instagram.com/hh12034/

8. 🚴‍♀️Dongfeng Bicycle Green Way – Houfeng Bike Path, Taichung City (東豐自行車綠廊－后豐鐵馬道)

📷 Tourism Bureau

Dongfeng Bicycle Green Way was the first revamped bikeway based on the abandoned railway. It has been turned into a bikeway abundant in amazing natural landscapes, ample Hakka culture, and endless greenery. Besides that, this trail has many unique scenic spots such as Meiji Bridge, Dajia River, and waterfalls plunge over the fault lines cause by the 921 Earthquake along the bike path.

📷Taichung City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau

Length:

12.4 KM

Riding Time:

About 1 ~ 2 hours

Location:

In Fengyuan and Houli districts, Taichung City (Follow a former railway line)

Bicycle Rental:

Private rental shops near Shigang Dam Bus Stop

Wayside Attractions:

i. Hou – Feng Bike Path

Hou- Feng bike path was built along the old Mountain Railway Line. It crosses an iron bridge over the Dajia River and goes through the old railway tunnel. Riding there can enjoy countryside scenes and natural scenery.

📷instagram.com/energy.520707__/

ii. Dongfeng Bicycle Green Way

Shigang Dam and Lingdan (Zero Egg) Platform are renowned attractions along the way. Sceneries change from lavishly shaded green tunnels to fruit gardens, offering cyclists picturesque views of the countryside.

📷instagram.com/jessiejane_24/

📷 instagram.com/sylvvvvvia_/

9. 🚴‍♀️Dapeng Bay Bike Path, Pingtung County (大鵬灣環灣自行車道)

📷 https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/local/paper/928179

📷Photo was taken from the website

Dapeng Bay Bike Path has a separate lane for cyclists. You can ride along the lagoon. Setting out from Dapeng Bay, you will pass by a Yingxia Bridge, Donglong Temple, Zhenhai Temple, the Jialian neighborhood, Hua Qiao Market, and the Qingzhou Rest Area. Taking a day to take a leisurely bike ride there!

📷Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area Administration

Length:

11.9 KM

Riding Time:

About 1 ~ 2 hours

Location:

Dapeng Bay Lagoon, Southeast of Kaohsiung in Pingtung County

Bicycle Rental:

Private rental shops at the entrance to The Penbay National Leisure Zone

Wayside Attractions:

i.Dapeng Bay Bridge

Dapeng Bay Bridge links up Nanping and Jialian Neighborhoods. It is 579 meters long and 30 meters wide, inaugurated in March 2011. A unique three-dimensional cable-stayed bridge looks like a sailing boat from the sides and a letter A from the back. Most importantly, it is Taiwan's first bridge that can open up and fold down.

📷instagram.com/dragonbon/

📷 instagram.com/nora19930726/

ii. Qingzhou Coastal Recreation Area

Qingzhou Coastal Recreational Area is located on the southwestern side of the lagoon outlet. Visitors can overlook Little Liuqiu, sailing boats, and the extensive sea that joins the sky. This is the best place to cool off in the scorching summer.

📷 instagram.com/lentorchen/

📷 instagram.com/la_la_xu/

📷 instagram.com/gaga0098/

10. 🚴‍♀️Chishang Dapo Pond and Blue Line Path, Taitung County (池上大波池及蓝线自行车)

📷Taitung Travel

Chishang Dapo Pond and Blue Line Path is a famous scenic spot in Chishang Township. You can ride your bike among the paddy fields and enjoy the water landscape. Besides that Mr. Brown Avenue is a ‘must’ to visit. Many tourists visit there to take photos. The bikeway is also very smooth and easy to ride, it is suitable for family activities.

📷@Cycling Taiwan

Length:

17.6 KM （Including Mr.Brown Avenue）

Riding Time:

About 2 ~ 3 hours

Location:

Around Dapo Pond and along narrow roads through photogenic rice paddies

Bicycle Rental:

Private rental shops at Chishang Railway Station

Wayside Attractions:

i. Dapo Pond

This sag-pond is home to an abundance of plant and animal life. The lakeside trail/bikeway is a good route for bird watching, fishing, hiking, and other leisure activities.

📷 instagram.com/yuefangluo/

📷 instagram.com/wangdali0718/

📷 instagram.com/yukina413_/

ii. Mr. Brown Avenue

This small country road meanders through the rustic country and, on a clear day, offers vantages of the entrance to the Southern CrossIsland Highway and distant peaks. The road earned its nickname as “Mr. Brown Avenue” after prominently featured in a Mr. Brown Coffee ad.

📷 instagram.com/yueyue1106/

📷 instagram.com/jean__chuang/

🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️

Of course, this list barely scratches the surface. If you've been cycled in Taiwan, let us know in the comment section below (or tell us your favorite route).

If you want to have a cycling experience in Taiwan, you also can go to FB page https://www.facebook.com/tbrockl or official website https://social.taiwan.net.my/

to get more information about the best bicycle spots in Taiwan!