A One-Day Trip Along the Mountain Line in Miaoli – Green Mountains and Nostalgic Railway Charm

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots / Photos by Miaoli County Government and Jixianglou Restaurant
 
Miaoli County boasts abundant heritage from the Old Mountain Line railway, including scenic spots such as Shengxing Station, Longteng Broken Bridge, Neishe River Bridge, and the series of tunnels. The beautiful natural landscapes and nostalgic atmosphere are truly captivating. Moreover, the “Railway Bicycle (Rail Bike)” is a unique bike experience on rails, exclusively developed by Miaoli County Government.

The Miaoli County Government has revitalized the Old Mountain Line, with the Rail Bike route starting from Shengxing Station, passing through Tunnel No. 2, crossing Yutengping Bridge, and turning back at the north entrance of Tunnel No. 6 — a round trip of about 12 kilometers taking approximately 1.5 hours. The four-seater rail bikes are powered both by human pedaling and an electric assist system, and are equipped with GPS for a well-developed riding experience.

The Sanyi Old Mountain Line Railway, completed in 1908, includes three iron bridges, four stations, and eight tunnels, representing the pinnacle of modern railway engineering aesthetics.

Inside the tunnels, the lighting continuously changes, and projections of scenery along the Old Mountain Line occasionally appear on the walls, transforming the dark passages into something more than just tunnels. Groups of bats often fly through, adding to the mysterious and weathered ambiance.

The bikes also pass by the 35-meter-high Yutengping Iron Bridge, offering a spectacular parallel view of the weathered magnificence of the Longteng Broken Bridge. Surrounded by lush green mountains, the experience of pedaling high above the ground on the bridge is truly breathtaking.