Scenic Taiwan on 2 Wheels, 6 days

Have fun cruising around the scenic north and northeastern part of Taiwan on 2 wheels. From cycling on dedicated bike paths, through bike tunnels to whisky tasting, this trip provides an interesting mixture of experiences and sights. Riding a bicycle allows us to cruise along the extensive bike paths and lanes in Taiwan while enjoying the views. If you want a unique way to experience the true beauty, friendliness and culinary of Taiwan without compromising on your exercise regime, hop onto a bicycle and ride with us.

Duration: 6 days

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

Itinerary

Trip Highlights

~ Cycle through tranquil parks, all connected with designated cycling path.
~ Visit King Car Whisky Distillery with whiskey tasting, first local company devoted in brewing Taiwan whiskey.
~ Cycle through Cao Ling Tunnel, a tourist biking trail also serving asan open-air railway museum featuring the local
history and culture.
~ Admire the views of the Pacific Ocean to Jin Gua Shi Ying Yang Sea via Long Men Yan Liao biking lane.
~ Visit the rock landscape of Yeh Liu Geopark, one of most famous wonders in the world.
~ Ride along the Tam Sui River enjoying the refreshing scenery and attractive natural landscape.

Day 1 Taipei Taoyuan International Airport – Yi Lan City

Upon arrival into Taoyuan International airport, you will be met on arrival and transfer to Yilan. After checking in to our hotel, the day is free at leisure.

Yilan county is surrounded by mountains. With its natural environment, cold and hot springs, wealth of ocean recreation activities and scenic countryside, Yilan offers the perfect setting to slow down and enjoy nature at its best. Yilan is also a county that’s almost as perfect for cycling as one could ask for.

Stay: Yilan Yue Chuan Hotel or similar

Meal: Dinner

Day 2 Yi Lan City – Dong Shan Railway Station – Roannon Creek Bald Pine – Annong River Flood Diversion Weir Scenic Area – King Car Whisky Distillery – Jiao Xi

Transfer to Dong Shan Railway Station to start our cycling journey in the beautiful Yi Lan countryside. Cycle through Dong Shan river park to Luo Dong Sports Park. Enjoy the tranquility of the parks as you cycle through the designated
cycling paths.

We will make a stop at Annong River Flood Diversion Weir Scenic Area. This area is known for its beautiful scenery and natural ecology which attracts many birds to inhabit here. Besides, the cycle path on the Annong riverbank from Shuiyuan Bridge to Annong River Flood Diversion Weir is the best place for seeing the pastoral landscape.

Last highlight of the day is a visit to King Car Whisky Distillery. It is the first local company devoted to brewing Taiwan whiskey. The most important ingredient, water, is the reason why the distillery is built in Yi Lan. The water sourced from Syue Mountain and Central Mountain is the top choice for brewing whiskey. Not only are you going to tour the distillery, there will be whisky tasting after the visit! For those who prefer non-alcoholic drink, King Car is also well known for their coffee. So make sure you try it!

Enjoy the lovely hot springs this evening in your hotel as we call it a day. You can either soak yourself in the hot spring in your room, head to the outdoor spa pool or jump into the indoor (naked) pools. You will be spoilt for choice!

Stay: Kavalan Hot Spring Hotel or similar

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cycling Distance: 45 KM Total Cycling Elevation: + 11 M

Terrain: generally flat with occasional gentle undulation.

Day 3 Jiao Xi – Fu Long Old Cao Ling Tunnel – Long Men Yan Liao – Jin Gua Shi Ying Yang Sea – Kee Lung

Head north to the famous Fu Long Old Cao Ling tunnel to start off the day’s ride. It was built during the Japanese Occupation as part of a railway project to ease traffic difficulties between Yi Lan and the greater Taipei area. When the new Cao Ling tunnel is built to support the heavier traffic, the government agency spent years of effort to turn the Old Cao Ling Tunnel into a tourist biking trail featuring the local history and culture. The tunnel also serves as an open-air railway museum. Not only does the biking path looks like a railway track, the tunnel lights with oil lampshades are also of a retro-style. Riding through the Old Cao Ling Tunnel is like riding on an early-day railway. The ride will be fun and nostalgic!

Continue cycling along the north eastern coastline admiring the views of the Pacific Ocean to Jin Gua Shi Ying Yang Sea via Long Men Yan Liao biking lane. As the name suggests, Jin Gua Shi is a gold and copper mining area in the earlier days.

The area boasts exceptionally beautiful scenery as well as an abundance of historical relics from the mining days. As you ride along the coastal road, you will see a bay where the sea is a mix of yellow and blue. This is Yin Yang Sea. It was initially believed that the sea color was the result of pollution from the mining activities. Although the mining company has stopped its activities more than 10 years ago, Yin Yang Sea still exists today.

Stay: Kee Lung Kodak Hotel or similar

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cycling Distance: 42 KM Total Cycling Elevation: + 501 M

Cycling Terrain: biking paths/lanes and some road cycling, occasional undulation.

Day 4 Kee Lung – Yeh Liu Geopark – Lao Mei Green Reef – Lin Shan Bi Trail – San Zhi District – Tam Sui

The rock landscape of Yeh Liu Geopark is one of most famous wonder in the world. The costal line, influenced by wave attack, rock weathering and earth movement contribute to the formation of such a rare and stunning geological landscape.

As we cycle towards Tam Sui, make brief sightseeing stops along the way. The volcanic eruption of Datun Mountain formed a bizarre but spectacular natural wonder – Laomei (volcanic) Green Algae Reef by the seashore. Centuries of sea erosion has left neat trenches in the reef. Lin Shan Bi (nose), known as the Northern tip of Taiwan. Its beautiful coast was also created due to the eruption of the volcano, and a headland extending to the sea was formed.

Admire the golden hue on the Tam Sui River as the light of the setting sun casts over the waters as we arrive into Tam Sui Fisherman’s Wharf.

Stay: Tamsui-Chengyi Culture Hotel or similar

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cycling Distance: 56 KM Total Cycling Elevation: 501 M

Cycling Terrain: biking paths/lanes and some road cycling, occasional undulation.

Day 5 Tam Sui – Da Dao Cheng

It’s a slow start and relaxing day as we discover Tam Sui and its vicinity on 2 wheels. Ride along the Tam Sui River enjoying the refreshing scenery and attractive natural landscape as we explore the area.

Our ride will end as we arrive Da Dao Cheng in Da Tong district – an important trading port in the 19th century and a major historical tourist attraction and shopping area even up to this day. Visit Dihua Street, with its Chinese food and herb shops, Yongle Market for its textiles, and the surrounding alleys for craft workshops, boutiques, and coffee shops.

There are lots of trendy cafes serving modern Taiwanese and fusion food. If time permits, visit Xiahai City God Temple which is filled with sacred statues, and AMA Museum which pays tribute to “comfort women” kept as slaves for Japanese colonial soldiers during the Japanese Occupation period.

Stay: Taisugar Taipei Hotel or similar

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Cycling Distance: 25 KM Total Cycling Elevation: + 70 M

Cycling Terrain: biking paths, generally flat.

Day 6 Taipei – Taoyuan International Airport

Choose to sleep in or simply rest and relax until check out and transfer to Taoyuan International Airport.

Meal: Breakfast

Inclusions

~ 5 nights accommodation;

~ 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners;

~ return group transfers at specified timings;

~ use of bicycle for 4 days (Day 2 to 5) inclusive of helmet;

~ service of an experienced Cycling Lead and support vehicle;

~ snacks and water for enroute consumption during cycling days;

~ service of a bilingual 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.

~ 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.

Scenic Taiwan on 2 Wheels, 6 days