Old Caoling Tunnel Selected as a Global Tourism Nobel, Becoming Taiwan’s Pride

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 

Taiwan Steps onto the World Stage Again！The “2015 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards,” often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of the global tourism industry,” held its award ceremony on April 15 at the “World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit” in Madrid, Spain. Among 158 applications from 57 countries and regions worldwide, Taiwan stood out with the “Old Caoling Bicycle Tunnel and Loop Line,” earning a nomination for the “Destination Award.” It is the first and only Taiwanese nominee for this prestigious award (the other two nominees were from Slovenia and Bulgaria).

The “Old Caoling Tunnel,” stretching 2,167 meters in length, was originally a railway tunnel built during the Japanese colonial period. Due to railway electrification and the inadequacy of single-track operation, a new Caoling Tunnel was constructed in 1986, after which the old tunnel was closed and left unused for nearly 20 years. After years of effort by the Northeast Coast & Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau, MOTC, the old tunnel was renovated and transformed into a “bicycle tunnel” that combines history, culture, and tourism. It officially opened in 2009, allowing visitors to experience its original charm.

At the same time, the Northeast Coast & Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration also revitalized the once-declining, remote towns and Fulong Railway Station. In combination with the restoration of the Old Caoling Tunnel (a second-class historic site), they connected a loop-line bicycle path with the area’s unique marine geological landscapes, fishing village culture, and Taiwan’s easternmost point (San Diego), integrating these attractions with the local road network. This successfully encouraged deeper appreciation among visitors for the region’s natural ecology and cultural heritage, leading to the flourishing prosperity of Fulong Town.