Another Totoro Tunnel Hidden Gem: A Stunning Single-Lane Road with a Magical Atmosphere

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Ever since the Taichung Totoro Tunnel ignited a nationwide tunnel photo trend, another Totoro tunnel secret site has been discovered by travelers in Pingtung. As part of Pingtung’s bicycle rainbow road network, a green tunnel section on the embankment bicycle path along the Yilanxi River in Yanpu resembles a hidden world straight out of the Japanese anime Totoro, with dense greenery lining both sides. The area offers a refreshing and cool climate, making it a favorite stop for visitors to take photos.

This Totoro secret spot was unexpectedly discovered by the county government’s tourism department during a local survey. Once the video was posted online, it sparked heated discussions among netizens, with some even visiting the site with their Totoro plush toys. The Yanpu embankment stretches approximately 10 kilometers from Nanhua Bridge to the sluice river dike. Besides the Totoro tunnel, different seasons offer different beautiful sights here.

In May, the flamboyant trees bloom, dyeing the tunnel a stunning fiery red; in the revitalization section, the Tabebuia flowers create a golden rain effect; come autumn, the sweetgrass along the riverbanks looks like fallen snow. No matter when you ride here, there's always something unique to enjoy.

The county’s entire bicycle path system uses seven rainbow colors for route signage, including the red “Bicycle National Highway,” orange “Cross-County Route System,” yellow “Coastal Blue Ribbon System,” green “Mountain-Following Green Corridor System,” blue “Gaoping & Donggang Rivers Coastal Blue Ribbon System,” indigo “Bicycle Railway System,” and purple “Round-Island Network System,” connecting over 465 kilometers in total.

The Yanlanxi Embankment Bicycle Path is part of the Mountain-Following system. Starting from Sandimen Bridge, it passes through Neipu Township, Yanpu Township, Ligang Township, and Jiuru Township. The path is flat and easy to ride, stretching about 24 kilometers. Aside from the Totoro secret site, a section in Ligang allows cyclists to ride along an inner embankment due to river course changes. It has now been developed into a beautiful riverside park, and further ahead lies the Guojiang River Dike Park with vast stretches of lush green grass.