Summer is the perfect time to be a one-day Taipei local — the “Ride a Bike Through the City Gates” event takes participants on a journey to explore the past and present of Taipei’s city gates.

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team

How else can you enjoy summer in Taipei? The Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department has launched the “Ride a Bike Through the City Gates” themed tour, led by Taipei U-Biker Li Lizhong, guiding the public on a YouBike ride through four major city gates to explore the old and new Taipei. To allow travelers from all over to experience Taipei’s unique local culture, the Tourism and Travel Department has organized various experiential events starting from May 21, bringing together experts from different fields who transform into “Taipei U-Bikers,” “Taipei Foodies,” “Taipei Nature Lovers,” and “Taipei Trendsetters” to share the unique charm of Taipei with travel enthusiasts.

Starting from the Beimen (North Gate), a national historic site, the route passes by the Futo Street Western-style Building, a Japanese colonial-era commercial structure on Yanping North Road, and the Zhongshan Hall, an arts and cultural exhibition venue. Then, it continues along Zhonghua Road to the former site of Ximen (West Gate), passes by Nanmen (South Gate) and Xiaonanmen (Little South Gate) on Aiguo West Road, and arrives at Dongmen (East Gate) on Zhongshan South Road. Through cycling, the former outline of Taipei’s old city gradually takes shape. The tour not only connects many famous attractions, including Ximen Red House, Nishi Honganji Temple, the Presidential Office, and the 228 Peace Memorial Park, but also includes hidden gems such as the Sun Yun-suan Memorial and the Taiwanese herbal medicine shops. Finally, the route ends at Dadaocheng, where participants enjoy a refreshing drink and listen to a nostalgic talk about the good old days, perfectly rounding off an immersive and enriching experience.

Li Lizhong, a columnist specializing in cycling travel, said that Taipei currently has four preserved city gates: Beimen, Xiaonanmen, Nanmen, and Dongmen. Among them, Beimen is the only one that fully retains the architectural style of the Qing Dynasty. These city gates have weathered the passage of time. Following the remnants of the demolished city walls along Zhonghua Road, Zhongxiao West Road, Zhongshan South Road, and Aiguo West Road, the history is carved by time and remembered through nostalgia. The forgotten old city of Taipei seems to come alive again. On weekends, as participants cycle slowly and engage with the activity, they not only listen with great interest but also take out their phones to document this little journey. Riding around the city gates feels like traveling through a time tunnel, witnessing the traces of time on Taipei’s city gates.

Wang Shijia, head of the Urban Tourism Division of the Tourism and Travel Department, said that this year’s program is centered around the theme of “New Experiences for Taipei Travelers.” A variety of related activities have been planned, and registration for the experiential events has been very popular. Through the “Ride a Bike Through the City Gates” activity, the goal is to let everyone experience Taipei at a different pace. Additionally, there are two online submission campaigns — “Share Your Taipei Hidden Gems” and “The Ultimate One-Day Taipei Itinerary” — inviting everyone to share their own unique experiences and travel routes. Simply submit your entries online for a chance to win a variety of great Taipei-themed prizes. For more details on the events, visit the “New Experiences for Taipei Travelers” official website (URL: http://2016.travel.taipei) or the Taipei Tourism website (URL: http://www.travel.taipei/).