To allow the public to experience the unique beauty of Taiwan, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications specially planned the “Travel Taiwan·Touching 100” campaign in conjunction with the centennial celebration of the Republic of China. This initiative brings together ten touching elements to create a collection of 100 top travel routes, inviting you to share these touching stories that belong to all of us.
Cycling with the wind, wandering through forests and mountains—this is a globally popular new concept of sporty, leisurely living. Among the Tourism Bureau’s thoughtfully designed “Travel Taiwan·Touching 100” top ten themed tours for the year, the “cycling” category has been widely embraced. Among them, the “Daxi Sankeng–Shimen Reservoir Lakeside Highway” is a popular route suitable for family outings and endurance challenges.
The romantic night view of Daxi Bridge
Start your cycling journey from the “Yue Mei Parking Lot” on the right bank of the Dahan River, ride through the pedestrian walkway under Wuling Bridge, and enjoy the charm of the river along the way. This area was once a bustling wharf, teeming with activity. During the peak of water transport, even large cargo ships used to dock here. The visible erosion of the riverbed indicates that the river is undergoing downcutting.
The Daxi Bridge, with its Baroque-style archway, spans both banks. Its nighttime light changes create a magnificent and splendid atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for couples to enjoy a romantic night view. After traversing this Yue Mei riverside green corridor, turn left after crossing the bridge to begin the 12-kilometer family-friendly cycling route along the left bank of Daxi Sankeng.
Along the way, you’ll pass vast fields of fragrant Chinese chives, flocks of egrets, and the irrigation channels of the Shimen Irrigation System. The winding paths feel like a hidden paradise. Finally, take on a gentle yet steep slope to reach Sankengzi, known as the “Number One Street of Longtan.” Here, you can admire century-old traditional houses like Qingqian Mansion and Yongfu Temple, and experience the historic “Black-and-White Wash,” a place where locals once washed their clothes.
Family Cycling, Immersed in Togetherness
From Sankeng, continue south along Provincial Highway 3B. After nearly 2,000 meters of downhill, turn left onto Provincial Highway 4. Ride downhill past Xizhou Bridge, covering a total distance of about 8 kilometers. At this point, the view opens up, with the right side leading into the Shimen Reservoir restricted area gate. The Shimen Dam and Houchi Weir welcome you with open arms. This dedicated 3-kilometer cycling path around the Houchi Weir of Shimen Reservoir offers beautiful scenery. Riding slowly together as a family creates a sense of immersive happiness. This marks the distinction between family leisure activities and endurance/muscle-strength challenge routes for younger cyclists.
Staff from the Shimen Management Bureau mentioned that skilled road cyclists can complete the Shimen Reservoir loop in about two hours, while the steep slope of Xizhou Avenue is a challenging route for serious cyclists.
Lakeside Cycling, Breathtaking Scenery
In June 1964, Vice President Chen Cheng inscribed a stone tablet at the dam-top bridge. Next to the bridgehead is the visitor center “Huan Cui Lou.” Starting from the beginning of the lakeside cycling route, the winding path goes up and down, twisting and turning for nearly 10 kilometers—a test of both spirit and stamina. About 300 meters toward the lakeside cycling route from Huaide Bridge, you’ll find a lakeside café overlooking the vast waters of Shimen Reservoir, with the beautiful Ernai Mountain on the opposite shore, offering a full view of the stunning lake and mountain scenery.
At the end of the lakeside cycling route lies the A’muping Ecological Park, adjacent to the waterfront. With its pristine and magnificent scenery, the lake and mountains are spread out before your eyes. Boosted by the popularity of TV dramas, it has become a new attraction.
From here, head to Donghu Café, then turn left onto County Road 63. Connect to Provincial Highway 7 at Baiji Elementary School, then turn left again toward Daxi and the Two Chiangs Cultural Park. After cycling about 4 kilometers, you’ll reach the Old Baiji Tunnel, stepping back into the historical and cultural setting of the Two Chiangs era. Nearby, there’s also the Governor-General’s Office Hiking Trail and the Baixin Forest Trail leading to Back Cihu, making it a new landmark.
The Cihu Visitor Center, with its classic southern Fujian-style architecture, displays a rich collection of cultural relics and historical films from the Two Chiangs period.
Chiang Kai-shek Statues, Surrounded by Greatness
The Daxi Cihu Memorial Sculpture Park features a pathway lined with over a hundred Chiang Kai-shek statues donated from across Taiwan. The “Touluo Ecological Trail,” 1.2 kilometers long, takes visitors from the Daxi Visitor Center through the Cihu Memorial Sculpture Park and Visitor Center to Cihu Mausoleum and Back Cihu.
Finally, follow Cikang Road downhill for about 8 kilometers to enter the historic city of Daxi. The world-renowned Daxi Old Street retains its well-preserved architectural facades and traditional archways.
Fragrance Travels Far—Renowned Local Delicacies
Top Daxi souvenirs include dried tofu products. Well-known brands such as Huang Rixiang, Huang Damu, Liao Xinlan, and Dafang Dried Tofu are famous throughout Taiwan, with black dried tofu as their signature specialty.
It is said that “Huang Rixiang” was the first shop in Taiwan to produce black dried tofu. Its founder, Huang Wu, began making and selling it in 1924 (the 13th year of the Taisho era).
Thanks to Daxi’s sweet and delicious water, its dried tofu, tofu skin, vegetarian chicken, vegetarian tendon, fermented tofu, fresh tofu, tofu pudding, stinky tofu, and soy sauce are all sweet, tender, chewy, and delicious. Not only are they exceptionally flavorful and refreshing, but they’re also very affordable—absolutely not to be missed.
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle – Cihu Line
Taoyuan Bus Zhongli Terminal → Indigenous Culture Hall → Yue Mei Parking Lot → Daxi Old Street → Cihu Mausoleum → Huaide Bridge → Shimen Reservoir Dam Top → Pinglin → Sankeng Old Street → Shengyu Road Live Fish Street → Shimen Big Lawn → (Return via the same route)
Tourism Services
Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications 24-hour toll-free travel hotline: 0800-011765 Zhongli Railway Station Tourism Service Center: 03-4266216
Transportation Information
Public Transport: High-speed rail, Taiwan Railways, passenger transport, or transfer via public transportation or Taiwan Tourist Shuttle buses.