By / MOOK Scenic Spots Home Travel Life Network Editorial Department compiled report
 

Cycling tourism is thriving in Taiwan—not only among locals but also many foreign visitors who enjoy exploring the island on two wheels. Now, to further improve the round-island cycling route, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' Institute of Transportation recently announced that Taiwan's first dedicated round-island cycling route, "Round-Island Route 1," will be fully connected across the country by the end of the year. Centered around Provincial Highway 1 and Provincial Highway 9, the route spans a total of 936.5 kilometers, allowing cyclists to complete the round-island journey in just nine days!

Round-Island Route 1 connects bicycle paths across Taiwan, primarily following Provincial Highway 1 and Provincial Highway 9 in the west. Starting from Taipei Songshan Railway Station, cyclists ride along Civic Boulevard to Nanjing East Road, then turn onto the riverside bike path. Riding counterclockwise through western cities such as Taoyuan and Hsinchu, the route then heads east to Pingtung's Fangliao to connect with Provincial Highway 9, offering stunning mountain views of Taitung and Hualien. Finally, it transitions onto Provincial Highway 2 to Yilan before ending in Keelung, completing the round-island circuit. Additionally, from next year through 2018, Round-Island Route 1 will feature up to 13 branch routes, linking renowned attractions like Sun Moon Lake in Nantou and the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum, adding more variety and flexibility to the cycling journey.