Instagram-worthy spots that never fade in popularity – Taiwan’s top five tunnel attractions

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Ancient old tunnels exude a serene historical ambiance. Walking through them feels like experiencing the glory of the past firsthand. Though these tunnels have been decommissioned and abandoned, renovation projects have transformed them into new tourism highlights, attracting many netizens to come for check-ins and photos. Below are five old tunnel attractions across Taiwan, each resembling a scene from a Studio Ghibli animated film, filled with an air of mystery.

1. Taoyuan – Old Baiji Tunnel

Located in Daxi, the Old Baiji Tunnel coexists with a newer tunnel. The old tunnel has been repurposed as a recreational walking path, quietly witnessing half a century of historical change. After being closed twice, the Old Baiji Tunnel has been turned into a sightseeing trail where visitors can see the light railway built during the Japanese colonial period, as well as the representative “rail carts” of that era.

2. Miaoli – Guogang Old Tunnel
In the area around Houlong’s Good Hope Point in Miaoli County, there used to be a coastal railway line. However, after the railway was rerouted, the century-old Guogang Old Tunnel complex was transformed into a new tourism highlight. The Houlong Township Office recently secured NT$20 million in funding from the Tourism Bureau to install colorful decorative lighting in the tunnel, while the surrounding area also offers sea views, making Houlong’s Good Hope Point a new destination for outdoor outings.

3. Cijin – Starry Sky Tunnel
The Cijin Ancient Tunnel, which runs through Qihou Mountain, was originally a military defense tunnel dug during the Japanese colonial period. After renovation in 2005, it was transformed into the Starry Sky Tunnel for use by tourists and cyclists, becoming the only seaside cycling path in Taiwan. The tunnel features wooden boardwalks, with its inner walls decorated with zodiac-themed night lights, driftwood, and glow-in-the-dark stones. Coupled with the sea breeze drifting through the tunnel, it creates a romantic feeling as if you’re standing under a sky full of stars.