Itinerary
Highlights
~ Scenic stroll around Luodong Forestry Culture Park.
~ Leisurely pedal on Sanqi Beautiful Path and Dongshan River Bikeway.
~ Adventure ride through Old Caoling Tunnel and along the Pacific Coast.
~ Cycle to Taiwan’s northernmost location – Fugui Cape Lighthouse.
~ “Time-travel” rides around Taipei Riverside Parks.
~ Cable car journey to Maokong for panoramic views on the city of Taipei.
~ lots of photo opportunities for commemorating this cycling holiday.
Day 1 Arrive Taipei – Yilan
Upon arrival at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, meet the group and transfer to Luodong Forestry Culture Park 罗东林业园区.
The Luodong Forestry Culture Park was formerly the Luodong Branch Office and timber storage pond, where logs from the three major forest areas – Basianshan, Alishan, and Taipingshan – were transported and stored. Located in downtown Luodong, the park features a forest railway, the Zhulin Station, a steam locomotive, with dense greenery and a lake. Spend some time to take a scenic stroll along the park’s walking trail.
This evening, explore Luodong Night Market 罗东夜市. Surrounded by bustling shops and stalls, it offers a variety of traditional snacks and food that often leave visitors lingering for more – some of its dishes have even been served at presidential state banquets. The area grows livelier as the night progresses. Be sure to indulge in popular Taiwanese snacks.
Meal: Dinner
Stay: hotel, Yilan
Day 2 Yilan & Surrounds
Today’s ride will commence right from the hotel doorstep. The cycling route will past by/visit,
Suao Fish Market 苏澳渔市场 – primarily trading in fresh offshore catches when fishermen bring in their latest hauls.
The indoor section serves as a fish market for visitors, where food lovers and visitors can purchase fresh seafood – either to take home or have cooked on the spot by nearby restaurants for an immediate feast.
Sanqi Beautiful Path (Yilan’s Brown Boulevard) 三奇美径伯朗大道 – Sanqi Village in Dongshan Township primarily relies on rice farming as its main economic activity. The rural roads here retain their original charm, and the vast rice fields create a breathtaking landscape that attracts photographers and tourists alike, making it a must-visit destination. This scenic 2-kilometre-long, 5-metre-wide path features nine S-shaped curves – all without obstructive power lines. Cycle along the route, soaking in the picturesque rural scenery.
National Centre for Traditional Arts 宜兰传艺中心 – traditional arts embody the beauty of folk life and the cultural heritage passed down through generations. The centre is designed to ensure the preservation and continuation of these diverse and exquisite traditions. Its buildings and landscapes harmoniously blend traditional architectural aesthetics with eco-friendly green design.
Dongshan River Bikeway 冬山河自行车道 – stretching around 10 KM one way, it is one of Yilan’s most iconic cycling routes. Running from Wujie Tidal Barrier to Dongshan Train Station, this scenic path winds through picturesque landscapes and has been named one of Taiwan’s Top 10 Classic Bike Routes. More than just a cycling trail, it offers a perfect blend of nature and culture, allowing riders to enjoy lush riverside greenery, tranquil waterscapes, birdwatching opportunities in wetland areas and charming villages.
Finally arrive at our accommodation, Sanfu Leisure Farm 宜兰三富休闲农场 – a refreshing escape where every view is painted in soothing shades of green. With minimalist raw concrete (清水模) buildings that blend seamlessly into nature. Each guest room features floor-to-ceiling windows, inviting the tranquility and vibrant greenery of the forest indoors – making you feel as though you’re living deep within nature’s embrace. More than just accommodation, Sanfu is a model of eco-friendly practices. The farm maintains its land with low-impact, chemical-free methods, preserving the ecosystem in its purest form. The air is often fill with the sweet fragrance of pomelo blossoms during Spring season, while you may catch fireflies light up the nights in a magical dance (April & May in season).
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: farmstay, Yilan
Cycling Distance: 35 KM approx. Cycling Hours: 5 – 6 hours est.
Accumulated Elevation: +100 M
Day 3 Yilan – New Taipei City
Transfer to the ride’s starting location. The highlight ride of the day is Old Caoling Tunnel 旧草岭隧道.
The Old Caoling Bikeway Tunnel, a 2,167-metre-long historic passage that once connected Fulong (New Taipei) to Shicheng (Yilan). Built with red bricks and crowned with arched ceilings, its slightly weathered walls whisper tales of a bygone era. The tunnel’s rustic ambiance feels like a portal to the 1920s (it opened in 1924!). This was Taiwan’s longest tunnel during the Japanese era—engineered to bypass the treacherous Caoling Cape! A ride along the tunnel feels like a journey through time steeped in history. Admire passing vintage oil lamp fixtures and preserved tracks as you pedal.
Make a stop at a café overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Rest and relax before continuing the cycle journey.
Transfer to Shifen Old Street 十分老街 – this charming village stands as the earliest and largest mining-era town along the Pingxi Railway Line. Now it has transformed into a bustling cultural gem where trains rumble past storefronts and sky lanterns magic. Once a hub for coal transport, the town now thrills visitors with its historic arched bridge, mining relics, and stories of a bygone industrial era. Stroll alongside the rails, sip tea (own expense) as trains inch by just steps away! Soak in the nostalgic vibe that’s inspired countless films and dramas. If time permits, take a short walk to see the 20-metre Shifen Waterfall that cascades dramatically over layered rocks and Jingtong Suspension Bridge that offers panoramic views of the Keelung River valley.
Meal: Breakfast, (packed Lunch), Dinner
Stay: hotel, New Taipei City
Cycling Distance: 45 KM approx. Cycling Hours: 6 – 7 hours est.
Accumulated Elevation: +400 M
Day 4 New Taipei City – Taipei
Start pedaling from the accommodation. Along the route, we will past by,
Jinshan Old Street (also known as Jinbaoli Old Street) 金山老街 – ride into the past which was once a bustling commercial hub during the Qing Dynasty, Jinshan Old Street is a 300-year-old historic lane and the oldest street in the district, Cycling around feels like stepping back in time, with its well-preserved architecture and echoes of a prosperous mercantile past.
Shimen Sea Arch 石门洞 – standing proudly at 28.7-KM marker of Provincial Highway No. 2, the Shimen Sea Arch is a breathtaking 10-metre-high natural limestone arch, sculpted over millennia by relentless waves and tectonic uplift. This iconic landmark offers a dramatic gateway to the sea, blending rugged coastal beauty with serene vistas. See panoramic ocean views and capture the arch’s majestic curves against crashing waves.
Fugui Cape Lighthouse (Taiwan’s Northernmost Beacon) 富贵角灯塔 (台湾最北点) – perched at Taiwan’s northernmost tip, the Fugui Cape Lighthouse is a striking black-and-white octagonal tower with a storied past. Constructed in 1897 as Taiwan’s first lighthouse under Japanese rule, it safeguarded undersea cables and shipping routes between Taiwan and Japan. The lighthouse’s vintage aesthetics and remote location evoke a serene, end-of-the-world vibe.
Zhilan Park Seaside Observation Deck 芝兰公园海上观景平台 – nestled along the Tamsui-Jinshan Highway (Provincial Highway No. 2) at the 16-KM marker, the revitalized Zhilan Park Seaside Observation Deck rises like a gleaming ribbon over the waves. Originally built in 1992 as a two-tiered platform linking to Shallow Water Bay Beach, it was a beloved summer getaway and wedding photo hotspot until coastal erosion led to its demolition in 2015. Reconstructed in 2021 with durability and aesthetics in mind, the new deck blends environmental resilience and design poetry. Known as the “Ocean Catwalk”, a 3-metre-high, 43-metre-long walkway extending seaward, clad in shimmering blue tiles that mirror the sky. The deck’s sweeping curves and reflective surfaces create dreamy, minimalist backdrops great for pictures.
If time permits, make a stop at Cowboy Ranch Restaurant 牛仔庄园下午茶 – get transported straight to the American frontier in Texas-style with a sprawling outdoor ranch. A Wild West Oasis by the Sea – think wooden fences, rustic barns, and horses grazing under open skies – against a backdrop of rolling meadows and coastal breezes.
Transfer to Fisherman’s Wharf 渔人码头 – transformed into a vibrant leisure hub, Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf blends maritime charm with modern flair. With floating piers where sleek docks where boats bob against a backdrop of sunset hues. There is a Lover’s Bridge (196-metre long) with a sail-shaped pedestrian bridge offering panoramic views of the Tamsui River estuary. Stroll on the 330-metre wooden boardwalk along the waterfront, feel the sea breeze and watch fishing boats glide by.
Stroll Tamsui Old Street 淡水老街 – wandering Tamsui’s historic streets is like flipping through pages of Taiwan’s past. Here, colonial red-brick facades, temples with ornate carvings, and antique shops whisper tales of the town’s days as a bustling 19th-century port. Admire the architecture blended with layers of history with Spanish, Dutch, Qing, and Japanese influences. Walk Chongjian Street, one of Taiwan’s oldest lanes, with hidden teahouses and artisan studios.
Transfer to Taipei.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: hotel, Taipei
Cycling Distance: 50 KM approx. Cycling Hours: 5 – 6 hours est.
Accumulated Elevation: +200 M
Day 5 Taipei & Surrounds
Start pedaling from the accommodation. The finale ride brings you along Taipei Riverside Park 台北河滨公园 – a car-free bike paths with scenic river views and Gongguan 公馆 – Taipei’s lively university hub by the river.
Bitan Suspension Bridge 碧潭吊桥 – built in 1937 during the Japanese colonial era. With its elegant twin towers and single-span design, this 186.6-metre long, 3.5-metre-wide bridge is one of Taiwan’s few surviving historic suspension bridges, featuring dual-hinged steel cables for flexibility. The bridge’s design was inspired by Golden Gate Bridge principles – but on a smaller, poetic scale! Soak in panoramic views of the river and surrounding hills as you cross the bridge.
The ride will conclude at the Taipei Zoo MRT Station. Thereafter take a scenic ride by cable car to the misty hills of Maokong 貓空. You may see breathtaking views of tea plantations, forested slopes, and even glimpses of Taipei 101 on clear days.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay: hotel, Taipei
Cycling Distance: 30 KM approx. Cycling Hours: 4 – 5 hours est.
Accumulated Elevation: +100 M
Day 6 Depart Taipei
Simply rest and relax until it’s time for the transfer to Taipei Taoyuan International Airport and the tour concludes. Official check out time is 12 PM.
Meal: Breakfast.