Coastline
from US$2665
Tour Overview
This 12 days tour will be cycling all along the most beautiful coastlines in Taiwan, combining the introduction of history and culture when in Taipei and Tainan.
In Taipei, we will visit the famous Daoist Bao'an Temple and well-known National Palace Museum.
Our first day of cycling will start after taking a train from Taipei to Taroko Gorge National Park. Continue cycling along the West Pacific to one of the most famous hot springs called An Tong where you can enjoy it and refresh yourself.
We will then go through the long narrow East Rift valley that lies between the Central mountain and coastal mountain ranges, which is the most famous rice paddies in Taiwan, and you will experience making Tofu in a traditional way there.
Keep riding through the peaceful and rural highway 23, and you will see the endemic Formosan Macaques all the way through.
Continue cycling down to the most southern tip of Island to relax at famous beach resort Kenting National Park.
The last stop of the trip is Tainan, the former capital of the island. A professional guide will show you around the city and the architectures presenting history traces of the Dutch, Chinese and Japanese.
Difficulty
★★★
Avg. Daily Mileage
64.5 Km
40Miles
Tour Duration
12 days
Suitable for
Age 15 above
Total Mileage
Max. Altitude
809 m
2654 Feet
580.5 Km
360.7Miles
NOTE: You will always be followed by a support vehicle providing snacks, fruits, drinks and emergency first aid service while cycling.
Highlight
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UNESCO Asia-Pacific heritage: Daoist Baoan Temple
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One of the most unique marble gorge in the world: Taroko National Park
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Famous hot spring Chalet: An Tong Hot Spring
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Making Tofu by yourself in a traditional way at a Hakka agriculture village.
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Kenting National Park: Sandy beach and coral sea cliff
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Unique wind blows sands in the most southern peninsula
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Tainan: The old capital of four dynasties
Itinerary
Day 1
Flight to Taipei
Our friendly guide will meet you at Taoyuan International Airport and transfer you to check-in the hotel. (Opntional)
Lunch : On your own Dinner : On your own
Day2
B：Hotel buffet / L：Free on your own / D：Local cuisine (A welcome event)
Taipei Sightseeing with Metro and Bike
Today is a day of touring in Taipei. We are going to go around Taipei with the clean, fast and highly convenient Metro.
Attractions include:
Designed in 1910 by Japanese architects during their colonial period in Taiwan through the first half of the 20th century its eclectic style blends traditional European architectural elements, including Renaissance, Baroque and neo-Classical.
This impressive building is based on monumental Chinese architectural design.
Awarded the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage in 2003, the grand and stately Baoan Temple is famous for its elaborate decoration and Daoist architecture.
The most important repository of Chinese arts in the world.
B：Hotel buffet / L：Traditional local cuisine / D：Taiwanese cuisine
Taipei Train station -- Xincheng --Hualien
Our First day of riding will be a classic climb with magnificent views of the mountains. After an early breakfast at our hotel, we will transfer to the Train Station for a 1 hour and 52 minute train ride to the east coast, where we officially begin the cycling part of the trip.
We ride up from the coast along Provincial Highway 8 and into Taroko National Park, which features high mountains and sheer gorges. It is also renowned for its marble gorges, with walls rising hundreds of meters high. No other places in the world match Taroko Gorge in its spectacular and dramatic marble cliffs, deep canyons, and wild waterfalls.
Our turnaround point is Tiansiang. We will start to descend back down Taroko Gorge to the Provincial region of the east coast, riding to Hualien city with some brief stretches to tree shaded bicycle paths.
Day3
Day4
Hualien--Jici-- An Tong Hot Spring
The day begins with cycling all along East Coast Highway 11.
The east coast road stretches south along a long, narrow band situated between the steep Pacific ridge and the ocean. The geology is unique with the broken ridges, steep cliffs, and meandering coastline. As we enjoy the sea breezes, we will continue to cycle south and pause at the Jici Overlook Platform, the best place to take in the famous and breathtaking view of the Pacific Bay.
We then resume riding on past the Siouguluan River and fishing village, famous for locally caught seafood. After lunch, we continue along the Jade road up through a 2660m/1.55 mile tunnel (450m/1445 feet high) over the Coastal Mountain range, which has a distinctive bowed shape, making it perhaps the most instantly recognisable range in all of Taiwan.
A steep climb brings us to An Tong Hot Springs. This alkaline spring is clear, with a distinctive hydrogen sulphide odour as the water emerges at 66 degrees Celsius. Make sure you try the hot spring and let nature ease away the aches and pains from the day long ride.
B：Hotel buffet / L：Local restaurant / D : Traditional Taiwanese cuisine
Day5
An Tong-Fuli-Chihshang
Today we will cycle along the East Rift Valley that lies between the Central Mountain Range and the Coastal Mountain Range. This long and narrow valley is home to some beautiful countryside such as tea farms, waterfalls, and green rice fields.
We will visit a Hakka village, a traditional farm, where people still make tofu in the traditional way. They use natural ingredients found in the mountains such as the water from the volcano. This place is run by pleasant people from whom you can learn about the tofu production. You’ll also have the opportunity to make it yourself.
Afterwards, we will pedal along a countryside road and later rest at Da-Po Pond, which is the largest lake in Taitung Province, with fine views of the East Rift Valley. The abundance of water chestnuts, water bamboo, lotus, reeds and water willows at the lake attracts more than ten different types of birds to visit all year round.
Our ride continues towards the west on Provincial Highway 20, with a challenging climb the Southern Cross-Island Highway. (Optional)
B：Hotel Buffet / L：Famous traditional Hakka meals / D：Famous local cuisine
Day6
Chihshang-Coastal Mountains-Donghe-Taitung
We will follow country bike paths through bountiful rice fields of Golden Rape today (if in season). We continue to travel through the central mountain range to a typical country village where we may have the opportunity to see how farmers plant rice or harvest crops.
We resume our ride through highway 23, which starts from the East Rift Valley and cuts through the Coastal Mountain Range. It is a particularly peaceful rural road, which is home to the Formosan Macaques.
Natural wonders and wild sceneries abound here, giving proof to the old saying that this scenic view makes for the most rewarding alpine passes in Taiwan – surely worthy of the challenging ride.
B：Hotel buffet / L：Traditional Taiwanese Lunch Box / D：Local cuisine
Day 9
Kenting
The Kenting area features two prominent peninsulas on its south side. Today, we will ride through both of the peninsulas and visit the Southernmost Point. Gaze southward from the Point, you will be looking at the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines.
Kenting is well known for the beach resort with clear and azure sea water. You will
have the entire afternoon doing water activities such as surfing and swimming,
sunbathing or just strolling along the beach.
B：Hotel buffet / L：Free on your own / D: Free on your own
Day10
Kenting- Fangliao- Kaohsiung City
Today we cycle along the west edge of the southern Peninsula to view Taiwan Straits. We will pass numerous plantations growing pineapples, bananas, mangos, papayas.
Next, we will visit the Fangliao Arts Village, an out-of-commission former train station located
along the lane of terraced houses. Now it turned into an arts village by a few art enthusiasts
and have gradually become decorated and attractive.
We will, later on, take an hour and a half train from Fangliao to Kaohsiung City, where we are going to explore the local Night market and the fascinating Formosa Metro Station.
B：Hotel buffet / L：Local dish at arts village / D: Typical Taiwanese dish
Day11
Kaohsiung City-Tainan
Our final day of cycling will continue further to Tainan. The city plays an important role in Taiwan’s history and many cultural and historical sites still remain today.
Tainan was the capital of Taiwan between the era of Dutch colony and Qing dynasty. The most famous landmark of Tainan is Chihkan Tower, which was previously named “Fort Provintia” and built by the Dutch in 1653.
We will then visit one of the largest, oldest temples and the first officially-built Conficious Temple in Taiwan. The National Museum of Taiwan Literature and Anping Tree House, where aerial roots and branches of banyan trees wrap around the building, are all worthwhile places to see.
B：Hotel buffet / L：Traditional meal / D: Local meal
Hotel：Fushin Hotel (http://www.fushin-hotel.com.tw/tainan/tw/)
Total distance：61.9 KM/38.46Miles
Total climb：3393M/ 11132Feet
Difficulty Level：★★★
Total distance：112.3 KM/66.8 Miles
Total climb：2290 M/7513 Feet
Difficulty Level：★★
Total distance：90 KM/55.92 Miles
Total climb：1021 M/3350 Feet
Difficulty Level：★★
Day 7
Taitung-Jinlun-Shouka-Mudan-Sihchongsi- Checheng
Today we will cycle along Southern Highway 9, and visit Jinlun St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, which was inspired by the aboriginal Paiwan culture and by Catholic missionaries. Inside, you will see cultural artefacts and pictures that result from this unique blending of the aboriginal culture and western religion.
After lunch, we will follow the direction of the sunshine along the coast with views of the Pacific Ocean and ride through the scenic east-west mountains cross road.
B：Hotel buffet / L：Local seafood restaurant / D：Hotel restaurant or Local restaurant
Total distance：115.4 KM/71.7 Miles
Total climb：1919 M/6296 Feet
Difficulty Level：★★
Day 8
Checheng-Hengchun – Jialeshuei-Eluanbi-Kenting
Today we will head along the eastern side of Hengchun Peninsula to a place called
Fongchueisha, which means “the wind blows sand.” When it rains, sand is washed
down onto the seashore. When the wind blows, which it does quite often, the sand
is propelled back inland and upward, forming sand dunes.
Afterwards, we will ride along Road 26, via Banana Bay, to Eluanbi, the very
southernmost point of Taiwan. This grass-covered promontory is fringed by slumping
cliffs, where situated a picturesque heritage-site lighthouse. There is no scheduled
itinerary in the afternoon. This allows you to spend the afternoon leisurely exploring or
getting around Eluanbi.
B：Hotel buffet / L：Local dish / D: Hotel restaurant
Total distance：55.4 Km/34.42 Miles
Total climb：383 M/1257 Feet
Difficulty Level：★
Total distance：41.4 KM/25.7Miles
Total Climb：468M/ 1535Feet
Difficulty Level：★
Total distance：63.5Km/40 Miles
Total climb：287 M/ 942 Feet
Difficulty Level：★
Total distance：58.4KM/36.3Miles
Total climb：893 M/2930 Feet
Difficulty Level：★
Total distance：52.7 Km/32.8 Miles
Total climb：152 M/500 Feet
Difficulty Level：★
Day12
Tainan- - Taoyuan International Airport Departure
(Optional) We will transfer to Tainan to take HSR (High-Speed Rail) train (Tickets excluded) to Taoyuan to connect shuttle bus to the international airport when we reach the end of our Taiwan cycling adventure.
At this point, we hope that as we bid you farewell, you have come to think of the cycling tour in Taiwan as an unforgettable and pleasant experience.
Transfer to airport to take a flight for your journey home. Bon Voyage!
B：Hotel Buffet / L：Free on your own / D: Free on your own