Top 10 Classic Cycling Routes in Taiwan — Sun Moon Lake Ranks No. 1 in Popularity

By / MOOK Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 

Cycling tourism is popular in Taiwan. Recently, the Sports Administration under the Ministry of Education held the “Taiwan’s Top 10 Classic Bicycle Routes Voting Campaign” for the first time. After two months, the results have been officially announced. Among them, the Sun Moon Lake cycling path, once selected by CNN as one of the most beautiful in the world, received the highest number of votes and was awarded the Best Popularity Award.

The Sports Administration launched the “Taiwan’s Top 10 Classic Bicycle Routes” voting campaign on August 13, selecting 32 cycling routes across Taiwan under the theme of happiness. Netizens were then invited online to vote for the ten classic cycling routes that best represent Taiwan’s cultural landscapes and connect with international standards. The first phase of voting ended smoothly on September 3, followed by on-site cycling route inspections and scoring by professionals from various fields, ultimately selecting the top ten cycling routes.

This campaign allocated 60% of the total score to online public voting and 40% to scores given by selection committee members. The evaluation criteria, themed “HAPPY,” included “Healthy,” “Accessibility,” “Participation,” “Popularity,” and “Youthfulness.” Various organizations began preparing actively from June, with voting taking place during August and September.

The final “2015 Top 10 Classic Bicycle Routes” include the “Yilan Dongshan River Bicycle Path,” “Taitung Chihshang Dapoyeh (Floating Ditch Loop) and Blue Line Bicycle Paths,” “Pingtung Dapeng Bay Loop Bicycle Path,” “Nantou Jiji Green Tunnel and Town Loop Bicycle Path,” “Sun Moon Lake Bicycle Path System,” “Taichung Dongfeng Bicycle Green Corridor – Houfeng Bicycle Path,” “New Taipei Dahan and Xindian River Bicycle Paths,” “New Taipei Tamsui River Left Bank Bicycle Path,” “Northeast Coast Old Caoling Loop Bicycle Path,” and “Taipei Riverside Bicycle Path.”

The “Sun Moon Lake Bicycle Path” won the Best Popularity Award as the top vote-getter in the online poll. Other routes, with very close scores, also earned recognition as six Honorable Mentions: “Taitung Guanshan Town Loop Waterfront Bicycle Path,” “Taitung Mountain & Sea Bicycle Path – City Loop,” “Kaohsiung Love River and Lotus Pond Bicycle Path System,” “Miaoli Green Light Sea Breeze Bicycle Path,” “Hsinchu 17-Kilometer Coastal Bicycle Trail,” and “New Taipei Erchong Loop Bicycle Path.”