Cycling in Charming Taiwan, 5 days

This balanced cycling trip comprises of Taiwan’s 1st bike path, mountain and coastal sights of Taiwan, not forgetting the opportunity to savour local Taiwanese cuisine with strong Hakka influence.

Experience the natural beauty of Taiwan during Autumn on a bicycle. Cruise along the bike paths, ride along dedicated bike lanes and quiet mountain roads. Experience the true beauty, friendliness and simple gastronomy of Taiwan. Balance off your indulgence with a variety of cycling terrains that is bound to offer you some challenges to your satisfaction.

Duration: 5 days

Activity	Cycling
Country	Taiwan
Cycling Grade	Grade 2+ – Beginner Plus, Grade 3 – Intermediate
Season	03 – March, 04 – April, 05 – May, 06 – June, 07 – July, 08 – August, 09 – September, 10 – October, 11 – November

Itinerary

Day 01 Taipei Taoyuan International Airport – Tai Chung

Upon arrival into Taoyuan International airport, you will be transferred to Tai Chung at 2.30 pm. After checking in to our hotel, the day is free at leisure.

Our hotel is located right in downtown Tai Chung with the famous Yizhong Street, a shopping area and night market just a stone’s throw away. This street is often frequented by students from the nearby schools.

Why not visit the Yizhong Night market, located in one of Taichung’s famous commercial business districts. It is one of the best places for trendy and fashionable shopping and local street food delicacies. This is a wonderful place to shop and dine so you should not miss visiting Yizhong Night Market.

If time permits, you may wish to visit Fengjia Night market, covering approximately 1 KM in diameter. Indulge in delicious snack foods, quality apparels, footwear or phone accessories at reasonable prices.

Accommodation : Lai Lai Hotel or similar

Meals : Nil

Day 02 Tai Chung – Hou Feng & Dong Feng Cycling Green Way – Dong Shi Hakka Cultural Park – Ginger Garden

Transfer to Hou Feng / Dong Feng Cycling Green Way, the first cycling path established in Taiwan. This is a one-lane road that is used by bicycles from both directions. Cyclists can enjoy tree-lined ride, immerse in the changing landscape along this 20-KM cycling route.

And the end of the Dong Feng Cycling Green Way, we arrive at Dong Shi Hakka Cultural Park. The cultural relics of the park known as The Hakka Museum are converted from the old station of the east Railway Station. The railway platform waiting area has been rebuilt due to deterioration. However, the long bench inside the passenger waiting area has been painstakingly restored. At the back of the museum, you can admire the vast landscape of greenery and mountain scenery.

Located at an altitude of five to eight hundred metres above sea level, lies the mountainous ginger garden. As early as the Qing Dynasty, this area is renowned for its quality ginger due to its terrain, soil, climate and the hard work of the ancestors. Challenge yourself as you navigate the climb to the highest point. Be sure to make a stop athe the panoramic viewpoint to see over 20 peaks before you make a 5-KM descent over winding roads.

Tonight, we check in to a local homestay, nested in the forested Mao Li county. A sense of calmness and tranquility welcomes you as you settle into your room. Do take a walk around the homestay where every corner is worth a snap of picture.

Accommodation : Zhuo Ye Cottage or similar

Meals : Breakfast

Cycling Distance : 44 km

Terrain : mixture of flat terrain, rolling plains and hills.

Total uphill elevation : 801 m. Total downhill elevation : 631 m.

Day 03 Zhuo Ye Cottage Indigo House – Sheng Xing Railway Station – Long Teng Bridge – Miao 52

A relax start today. Before we go on the saddle again, visit the Indigo House located within the compounds of Zhuo Ye Cottage. The owner makes its own sustainable and eco-friendly dye from scratch from the indigo and Assam plants that grow well in this region. Put on our gloves provided and we will be taught to create our own blue Hakka inspired fashion in an indigo dyeing workshop.

Continue our ride along Miaoli Bike Way with undulation and ascent.

The Sheng Xing Railway Station is a Japanese style station built entirely with wood. The vicinity of the station is considered the steepest in this western line region. It ceased operation in 1998 when a more navigable section of the mountain line opened up. However due to its history and value to the local people, the station is kept as a tourist attraction and became a designated historic site.

Long Teng Bridge, built in 1906 during the Japanese Rule, was designed by two American civil engineers. An earthquake in April 1935 and following aftershocks in July during the same year damaged the bridge beyond repair. In 1999, the 921 earthquake caused one of the remaining piers of the bridge to collapse. As a result, the Mao Li County government decided to rededicate the bridge’s remains as a monument to the two deadliest earthquakes in Taiwan’s history to date. The ruined bridge piers are covered with white Tong Hua flowers every year from April to May, a sight not to be missed!

Complete the last 10 km of the day on Miao 52 Road – a scenic route on the traffic highway. Go slow and enjoy gentle undulation as you roll leisurely to end today’s cycling.

Accommodation : F San Yi Hotel or similar

Meals : Breakfast

Cycling Distance today : 22 km

Terrain : rolling road.

Total uphill elevation : 331 m. Total downhill elevation : 456 m.

Day 04 Mazu Temple – Cape of Good Hope – Coastal Scenic Area – Xinfeng Mangrove Nature Reserve – Mona Coffee House

Transfer to a Mazu Temple located at the northern tip of Miao Li county. A short ride brings us to Cape of Good Hope. Experience gust of strong winds as you admire the gigantic windmills that lined the west coast of Taiwan.

Continue along the road that form part of round island of Taiwan route as we transverse across the county of Hsinchu.

A network of coastal bicycle paths linked by 5 new bridges, the 17 km Coastline Scenic Area in Hsinchu county boasts eight spectacular scenic spots.

The Xingfeng Mangrove Nature Reserve is the only mangrove in Northern Taiwan to host a mix of Kandelia and balck managrove. It is also one of the best wetlands in Taiwan. Take as many social media worthy pictures as you walk along the picturesque mangrove lined boardwalk.

Our cycling rendezvous will end shortly after we entered into Taoyuan county, at Mona Coffee House – a Balinese inspired café where it is also a meeting place for many motor enthusiasts. It has a large outdoor seating area and indoor area. Take a lovely break here and enjoy a celebratory cup of cappuccino or a glass of ice coffee as we conclud our 3-day cycling here.

Accommodation : Diary of Taipei Hotel or similar

Meals : Breakfast

Cycling Distance today : 64 km

Terrain : generally flat with gentle undulation on biking lanes and roads.

Total uphill elevation : 79 m. Total downhill elevation : 76 m.

Day 05 Taipei – Taoyuan International Airport

Choose to sleep in or simply rest and relax before your transfer to Taoyuan International Airport at 11.30 am.

Meals : Breakfast

Inclusions

~ 4 nights hotel accommodation;

~ 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners;

~ group arrival and departure airport transfers;

~ self-handmade indigo dye handkerchief;

~ provision of bicycle for 3 days (day 2 to day 4) inclusive of helmet;

~ service of an experienced (mostly Mandarin speaking) Cycling Lead and provision of support vehicle for 3 days (day 2 to day 4);

~ provision of water and energy supplement snacks for enroute consumption during cycling days;

~ service of a bilingual (English / Mandarin) Travel Wander Trip Facilitator.

Exclusions

~ air travel to Taipei, Taiwan;

~ comprehensive personal travel insurance;

~ expenditure of personal effects;

~ tipping for Cycling Lead and support assistant(s);

~ anything not specified in the trip inclusion and itinerary.

Important Notes

~ Non – refundable deposit, 30% of total tour price is required at the time of booking. Full or balance payment is 60 days prior to departure.

~ This trip is good for minimum 4 cyclists to go.

~ Should you require a visa to enter Taiwan, it is your responsibility to obtain such document before departure. Check your entry requirement and apply your visa HERE if you require.

~ All cyclists are strongly required to wear helmets and covered shoes when cycling.

~ Because cycling requires certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it is not suitable for participants with chronic and/or acute disease. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Cyclists must ensure they are medically and physically able to ride.

~ Trip grading is an indication on the difficulty of the activities included. Preparation and engaging in regular exercise to maintain good physical condition and active lifestyle prior to the trip will be most beneficial in ensuring you have full enjoyment of the trip. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries.

~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the cyclists. Therefore inclusion of the itinerary may be altered by the Travel Wander due to (not limited to) bad weather, local conditions, accommodation book out, the skill levels of the cyclists and/or other unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue with the trip.

~ Every effort is made to ensure the trip and included experiences take place during the ideal time or period of the year, however certain sights are subject to weather conditions and seasonal variations that are not within the control of Travel Wander. Although you may get to see and/or experience, we cannot guarantee the sightings.

~ Provision of meals during the trip showcases local authenticity, cuisine and food culture of the places we are visiting. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to Travel Wander at the time of booking. We will use reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and availability of options. We cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. Travel Wander is not liable for failure to accommodate or fulfil such requests. Meal supplementary charges may be imposed to meet your dietary needs.

~ Trip grading is an indication of the difficulty of the activities included. Preparation and engaging in regular exercise to maintain good physical condition and active lifestyle prior to the trip will be most beneficial in ensuring you have full enjoyment of the trip. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries.

~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the cyclists. Therefore inclusion of the itinerary may be altered due to (not limited to) bad weather, local conditions, accommodation book out, the skill levels of the cyclists and/or other unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue with the trip.

~ Because cycling requires a certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it is not suitable for cyclists with chronic and/or acute disease. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Cyclists must ensure they are medically and physically able to cycle.

~ There is no refund for uncompleted cycling distances or missed inclusions.

~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.

~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.

Cycling in Charming Taiwan, 5 days