Taiwan East Coust Cycling Tour

The Presidential Office Building
Since it was completed in 1919, the Presidential Office Building and the people of Taiwan have witnessed the historical changes of our nation over time. Since the advent of democracy, the Presidential Office space has gradually been opened up to the public, shedding its authoritarian character.
National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is located in the heart of Taipei City. The area is 250,000 square meters and it is the attraction most visited by foreign tourists. Outside the gate of Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, there are poles carrying the sign of true rightness. The architecture of Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is inspired by Tiantan in Beijing. The four sides of the structure are similar to those of the pyramids in Egypt. The material is white marble. The roofs are decorated with deep-blue glass as part of the reflection of blue sky and bright sun. It adds a touch of grandeur. The garden is planted with red flowers. As a whole, the colors of blue, white and red express the National Flag and the spirit of freedom, equality and brotherhood.
The great building has become a landmark of Taipei City. There are also places for international art performances.
Master Daoist Temple–Baoan Temple
Awarded the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage in 2003, the grand and stately Baoan Temple is famous for its elaborate decoration and Daoist architecture
National Palace Museum
The Taipei National Palace Museum is a world-class museum that hosts an eclectic collection of treasures kept by generations of Emperors ruling from the Forbidden City. In WWII, Nationalist troops seized the most important pieces in order to prevent invaders from ransacking China’s national treasures. A twist of fate eventually brought these treasures to Taiwan.

Our First day of riding will start with a classic climb with magnificent views of the mountains. After having breakfast, we will transfer to the Train Station for a 2 hour and 20 minute train ride to the east coast, where we 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.
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.

Taroko National Park
When Taroko National Park was established on November 28, l986, it was of special significance for the environmental protection movement in Taiwan: it showed that both the public and the government agencies had realized that against the background of the nation’s four decades of extraordinary economic success, serious damage was being done to its natural resources. According to the National Park Act of the Republic of China (passed in l972), parks are established to protect the natural scenery, historic relics and wildlife; to conserve natural resources; and to facilitate scientific research and promote environmental education.
Taroko National Park, situated in the eastern part of the Taiwan and established on November 28, 1986, covers more than 92,000 hectares in the northern section of the Central Mountain Range. This park features high mountains and sheer gorges. Many of its peaks tower above 3,000m in elevation, with many natural wonders. The spectacular Taroko Gorge and the scenic beauty of Liwu River can be conveniently viewed from the Central Cross-Island Highway. The varied mountain peaks, numerous waterfalls, diverse plant forms and animal life, together with the indigenous Taroko people, create the rich texture of this unique natural ecosystem.Hualien
Hualien is a county on the east coast of Taiwan. It is the largest county by area, yet due to its mountainous terrain, has one of the lowest populations in the country. The county seat and largest city is Hualien City.
Most of the population resides in the Huadong Valley, which runs north to south, sandwiched between the Central and Hai’an mountain ranges. Due to the rural nature of the county, Hualien attracts many visitors for its natural environment, which includes Taroko Gorge, Qingshui Cliff, and Qixingtan Beach.

The day begins with cycling all along East Coast Highway 11.
The East Coast Highway 11 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 along the Xiuguluan River to have lunch at a fishing village. 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.
A steep climb brings us to An Tong Hot Spring. This alkaline spring is clear, with a distinctive hydrogen sulphide odour. Make sure you try the hot spring and let nature ease away the aches and pains from the day-long ride.

Jici
Jiqi Beach has up to 3 km of soft sandy beach. In the winter when at high tide the sand is washed up and makes the beach black, but when summer comes the low tide makes it a beautiful golden beach. It is a recreational place for water activities. Some areas have been developed for waterfront recreation, such as the beach area, the camping area, the restaurants and some other leisure facilities. It is certainly a great place for summer fun at the beach.
Xiuguluan River
The Xiuguluan River originates in the Central Mountain Range, flows along the East Rift Valley through Rei Shui, turns east, cuts through the coastal range and empties into the Pacific Ocean at Da Gangkou. At 104 km long, it is the longest river in eastern Taiwan and the only river that cuts through the Coastal Mountain Range. It’s a great classroom for geology and topography.
The Xiuguluan River from Rei Shui to Da Gangkou is known as the Xiuguluan River Canyon. Here, the river has over twenty sets of rapids and is a popular spot for river-rafting
An Tong Hot Spring
The Antong Hot Springs are located on the north bank of the Antong River, which is on the border between Yuli Township and Fuli Township. They are situated in a secluded valley in a mountainous forest area, among beautiful scenery. In early years, the “Antong Warm Wash” became one of the eight great scenes of Hualien.

Today we cycle along the East Rift Valley. This long and narrow valley is home to some beautiful countryside such as tea farms, waterfalls, and green rice fields – Fuli.

Afterwards, we will pedal along Provincial Highway 9 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.

Fuli
Fuli is the southernmost township of Hualien County. Fuli is located in the fertile valley of the water source. It is a typical rural type tribe. In addition to the development of agriculture, the beautiful natural ecological landscape has also gradually promoted the tourism industry. A large number of people are attracted to pilgrimage by its famous flower -Orange daylily.
Chihshang
Chihshang is a rural township in Taitung County. It’s famous with rice. It’s a must-visit attraction of East Rift Valley.
Surrounded by rice paddies swaying on both sides, Mr. Brown Avenue is a small country road in Chishang Township. A series of commercials for Mr. Brown Coffee made the road incredibly famous and therefore received another nickname, the “Green Road of Paradise.”

We will follow country bike paths, traveling through the central mountain range to a typical country village where we have the opportunity to see how farmers plant rice or harvest crops (if in season).
We resume our ride through highway 23. It is a particularly peaceful rural road, which is home to the Formosan Macaques. Then we will get to Donghe, Taitung.

Donghe
Donghe is located in the northeast of Taitung, and the east side of Coastal Mountains. There are many famous attractions, such as Donghe leisure farm, Dulan Ruins, Jinzun beach, Donghe bridge, Dulan bay.

Today we will cycle along Southern Highway 9, and visit Jinlun St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, which was inspired by aboriginal Paiwan culture and by Catholic missionaries. Inside, you will see cultural artifacts 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. We will pass Shouka, Mudan, Sihchongsi to Checheng.

Our last day will be cycling along the west edge of the southern peninsula (Provincial Highway 26). We will pass numerous tropical plantations and will also have a chance to view the Taiwan Strait.
Next, we will visit the Fangliao Arts Village.
We will take an hour and a half train from Fangliao to Kaoshiung City, where we are going to explore the local Night market.

Fangliao Arts Village
An out-of-commission former train station located along the lane of terraced houses. These houses have now been turned into an arts village by a few art enthusiasts and have gradually become decorated and attractive.