Top 5 tunnel attractions in Taiwan that remain popular for Instagram check-ins

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

The ancient old tunnels offer a serene historical ambiance. Walking through them feels like an immersive experience of the past. Although these old tunnels have been discontinued and abandoned, renovation projects have transformed them into new tourist highlights, attracting many netizens to come for check-ins and photos. Below are five old tunnel attractions across Taiwan, each resembling a scene from a Studio Ghibli animated film, filled with a mysterious atmosphere.

1. Taoyuan – Old Baiji Tunnel

Located in Daxi, the Old Baiji Tunnel coexists with the new tunnel. The old tunnel has been repurposed as a recreational pathway, quietly witnessing the historical changes over half a century. After being closed twice, the Old Baiji Tunnel was transformed into a sightseeing trail, where visitors can see the light railway installed during the Japanese colonial period and the representative "rail carts" of that era.

2. Miaoli – Guogang Old Tunnel
In the Houlong area of Miaoli County, near Cape Haowangjiao, there used to be a coastal railway line. However, after the railway was rerouted, the century-old Guogang Old Tunnel complex was transformed into a new tourist attraction. The Houlong Township Office recently secured NT$20 million in funding from the Tourism Bureau to install colorful decorative lighting in the tunnel, and visitors can also enjoy sea views nearby, making Houlong Haowangjiao a new spot for outdoor outings.

3. Qijin – Starry Sky Tunnel
The Qijin Ancient Tunnel, which runs through Qihou Mountain, was originally a military defense tunnel, dug during the Japanese colonial period. After renovation in 2005, it was transformed into a starry sky tunnel for tourists and cyclists, becoming the only seaside cycling path in the country. The tunnel features wooden walkways, with its inner walls decorated with zodiac-themed night lights as well as materials such as driftwood and luminous stones. Coupled with the gentle sea breeze inside the tunnel, it offers a romantic feeling as if you're under a starry sky.