Cycling Tour for a Happy and Healthy Lifestyle in Central Taiwan

Text / Compiled and reported by the editorial department of MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network

 

Taiwan is a kingdom of bicycle manufacturing. Its bicycles even appear in the world’s top cycling event — the Tour de France. With such a high-quality bicycle industry environment, the development of cycling in Taiwan enjoys unique advantages. Especially riding the wave of eco-friendly, low-carbon healthy lifestyle tourism, coupled with the planned efforts of governments at all levels, approximately NT$7.8 billion has been invested over the past five years. The total length of Taiwan's bicycle paths has increased significantly from 900 kilometers in 1998 to 4,016 kilometers in 2003, marking abundant achievements.The Sun Moon Lake loop road in central Taiwan was honored as one of the world’s top ten most beautiful cycling routes by CNNGO, a lifestyle travel website under CNN.In the future, both central and local governments will continue to promote this initiative, with an additional investment of NT$1.2 billion to build new cycling routes connecting the entire island. It is expected that a complete Taiwanese cycling network will be established by the end of 2015, forming a world-class cycling island.

The Central Taiwan Joint Service Center of the Executive Yuan, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation, the Taichung City Government, the Miaoli County Government, the Changhua County Government, and the Nantou County Government have jointly created the “Central Taiwan Discount Information Network E-Coupon” to showcase the construction achievements of cycling paths in the four central counties and cities. A total of 120 recommended shops across the four counties and cities are all top-notch, covering industries such as food and dining, leisure, hotels and homestays, art and craft exhibitions, handmade experiences, and tourist factories. They guarantee both great food and fun. The hot summer is the perfect time to gather friends for a “Cycling Tour for a Happy and Healthy Lifestyle in Central Taiwan.” Recommended routes are introduced as follows:

 

 

Taichung City

Photo caption: Route maps of the Houfeng Cycling Path and Dongfeng Green Corridor Cycling Path. (Image source / Central Taiwan Discount Information Network)

 

1. The 4.5-kilometer Houfeng Cycling Path offers varying scenery along the way with stunning views. On the Hualiang Steel Bridge, you can overlook the landscapes along the Dajia River, and the uniquely designed No. 9 Tunnel provides a one-of-a-kind tunnel-crossing experience. A continuous feast of scenery will amaze you.

Miaoli County

2. The Love of the Great River Cycling Path: Starting from Guanyiyi Eco Park in Zhunan Township, it follows a dedicated bicycle path along the Zhonggang River, offering beautiful riverside views. The route proceeds along the top of the seawall levee at the mouth of the Zhonggang River, featuring straight, smooth, and comfortable stretches.

Changhua County

Bagua Mountain Cycling Path: Following New Taipei, Taipei, and Kaohsiung, Changhua County in central Taiwan is the first to promote a “U-BIKE Public Bicycle System.” The “Changhua U-BIKE Public Bicycle System” provides a convenient public bicycle service network. The Changhua County Government has also carried out comprehensive planning and supporting measures, such as enhanced nighttime lighting and installation of bicycle traffic signals, allowing everyone to feel the county government’s dedication to creating a bike-friendly public transport environment through their experience with the “Changhua U-BIKE Public Bicycle System.”

Nantou County

1. The Lianlian Jiji Cycling Path: The Jiji Cycling Loop System has been awarded the highest “Health and Leisure Type” prize in the bicycle path evaluation by the Executive Yuan. Next to the Green Tunnel is the railway where the Jiji Train runs. Along the route, you can view the river basin of the check dam, the Julu Bridge, and the bed of the Zhuoshui River. Then, enjoy local banana-based snacks in the historic Jiji Old Street before continuing along Provincial Highway 27 through the Military History Park and Mingxin Academy into the Shuili urban area.

 

Route map of the Shuili–Jiji Cycling Path. (Image source / Central Taiwan Discount Information Network)

 

2. The Shuili Checheng Cycling Path: The Shuili Cycling Path is built along the banks of the Zhuoshui River and the Shuili River. The scenic route allows you to admire sights such as the mushroom shed, Zhuoshui River, Qilin Eye, century-old camphor trees, the Water-Fire Spring, Shuili Snake Kiln, and Checheng. Surrounded by ancient camphor forests, you can enjoy phytoncide-rich air, while the red- and black-tiled Checheng town is the last station on the Jiji Railway.

The highlight of the “Central Taiwan Discount Information Network” is cross-county cycling, which is the biggest feature of this event. By leveraging joint marketing across central Taiwan to attract visitors’ attention, and to increase the fun of the promotional event and bring tangible business opportunities to participating discount shops, the “Central Taiwan Discount Information Network E-Coupon” has specially launched a stamp-collecting and souvenir-redemption campaign. The campaign details are as follows:

 

1. The cross-county stamp-collecting activity for souvenir redemption begins on August 1, 2014.

2. Completing cycling across three counties or cities (by collecting stamps from participating shops or tourist centers) qualifies you for a commemorative headscarf.

3. Spending a minimum of NT$500 at participating discount shops (with invoice as proof), or collecting stamps from two different shops (regardless of spending amount), qualifies you for a beautiful souvenir.

4. Leaflets and souvenir redemption: Miaoli County Tourism Service Center, Bagua Mountain Giant Buddha Scenic Area Visitor Center, Shihkang Tourist Service Center, Jiji Visitor Center (Jiji Station).

5.     Please exchange your souvenir at any of the visitor centers listed above. Limit one per person. Souvenirs are available while supplies last. For event details, please refer to the announcements on the “Central Taiwan Promotions Information Network” website.