Written/Compiled & Reported by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin
Riding a bicycle for leisure has become a popular slow-travel tourism trend. In response, Pingtung County will soon host the “2012 Pingtung Bike Season,” featuring one route per Sunday from November 18 to December 23 — a total of five free Sunday cycling experiences. The five routes cover agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry, Hakka culture, and indigenous culture experiences, allowing visitors to step into local communities, visit historic sites, traditional Hakka settlements, and more, to experience the beauty of Pingtung’s countryside. Except for the Pingnan Line, which has a limit of 100 participants, the other four routes each accommodate 200 people. The entire program is free, and registration is now open.
Pingtung County Government has launched five cycling tour routes, offering free visits to local communities and traditional Hakka villages. (Photo provided by Pingtung County Government Tourism & Communications Department)
The five routes introduced this time are the Pingbei Line, Pingzhong Line, Hakka Village Line, Indigenous Line, and Pingnan Line. Each route has its own unique theme. For example, the Pingbei Line focuses on agriculture, taking participants to visit herb farms and agricultural fields; the Pingzhong Line highlights farming and fishing, including a stop in Wandan for red bean cakes and cycling around Dapeng Bay; the Hakka Village Line offers a taste of Hakka culture, visiting Liudui Zhongyi Shrine, Neipu Old Street, and Wanluan Wugoushui Old Street; the Indigenous Line takes travelers to the tribes of Laiyi Township and Taiwu Township, where they can enjoy a cup of indigenous coffee and stroll around the Our Lady of Snows Basilica in Wanjin; and the Pingnan Line emphasizes mountain and sea experiences, starting with a “dual-rail adventure” by train to Nanzhou Station, followed by a bike ride to explore the aquaculture and solar farming industry. Participants who join all five routes and complete the entire journey will not only be eligible to enter a lucky draw for accommodation or hot spring vouchers but also have a chance to win one of 50 spots to join Pingtung County Magistrate Cho Chun-hsiung on a trip to Wanluan and Neipu to sample cocoa.
Citizens unable to join the five scheduled route activities can still take part in the free cycling opportunities organized by the Tourism & Communications Department during the Bike Season. For each scheduled route, five cycling stations will be set up: from November 19 to 24 at the Taiwan Cycling Association; from November 26 to December 1 at Wandan Elementary School; from December 3 to 8 at Xishi Elementary School; from December 10 to 15 at Taiwu Elementary School; and from December 17 to 22 at Fanglaowan Elementary School. Each day, 50 bicycles and guided maps will be provided for free, allowing participants to cycle freely. Groups of 20 or more can arrange for a guided tour, and the first 50 visitors each day will receive a small gift. Event website: www.taiwanbike.org.tw.
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