Classic Taiwan

“We’ll meet early in Taipei to say hi before taking a lovely train ride along the stunning east coast to Taroko Gorge. It’s this amazing place cut through big mountains. Sometimes it’s foggy, sometimes sunny, but always beautiful with its shiny marble cliffs. After getting off the train, we’ll have a quick drive to our fancy hotel deep in the gorge. Once we’re there, we’ll get our bikes ready and go for a short ride to warm up. We’ll even get to ride on a famous route called the King of the Mountain!”

“We’ll start early for an exciting bike ride down Taroko Gorge. Along the way, we’ll take a quick but beautiful walk by the blue waters of Shakadang stream, which flows into the Liwu River. Once we’re out of the gorge, we’ll ride along small roads by the ocean, passing banana trees and temples. We’ll stop at beaches for breaks as we head south. After lunch in Hualien, we’ll leave the city behind and go into the East Rift Valley, a place with green fields and small villages. We’ll stay overnight in cabins built over the water on the edge of the valley. At night, we can have a tasty BBQ and sit around a campfire.”

“Today, we’ll have a shorter bike ride through the Rift Valley, with big mountains on both sides. We’ll stop for lunch at a farm restaurant in an Amis village, where we can meet some nice locals. In the afternoon, we’ll keep going south through an area where lots of tropical fruits grow. Our resort for the night is in the Fuyuan Forest Reserve, which is really beautiful. There are lots of trails through the jungle there, leading to waterfalls and hanging bridges. You might see monkeys, deer, eagles, and big butterflies, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a Swinhoe’s Pheasant! When you come back from your hike, you can relax in hot springs. Dinner tonight will be at the resort.”

“This morning’s bike ride includes three interesting stops. First, we’ll visit the Saoba Monoliths, which are like a small version of Stonehenge. Then, we’ll go to the Tropic of Cancer Monument. After that, we’ll take a break among the tea farms of Wuhe for a nice cup of tea. We’ll then take a scenic route back to the highway, heading south through the Rift Valley. We’ll stop for a tasty lunch of dumplings along the way. After lunch, we’ll keep going until we reach our overnight stay on a hill overlooking the Rift Valley. It’s a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the views. In the evening, our host will treat us to a delicious dinner.”

“This morning, we’ll ride away from the Rift Valley on a charming little road. It’s a peaceful route, usually with more monkeys than cars, and it cuts through the hilly jungle of the Coastal Mountain Range towards the southeast. Eventually, we’ll reach the coast at one of its most stunning spots, often compared to Hawaii. After enjoying some delicious local steamed buns called baozi, we’ll only have a short ride south to reach the relaxed surf town of Dulan.

Dulan isn’t just popular with surfers; it’s also known for a recent revival of indigenous arts, including music, painting, and sculpture. You can see these artworks in the warehouse galleries around the heart of the village, which is the old Sugar Factory.”

“This morning, we’ll get up early to enjoy a sunrise stand-up paddleboard (SUP) ride in Donghe River Gorge. It’s really special paddling on the green water with big white rocks and lots of trees around. After that, you have the whole day to relax on the beach, go for a hike, surf, see some local sights, or just chill out and read a book!

In Dulan, you can find lots of places to eat, from traditional Taiwanese and indigenous food to cafes and restaurants with food from all over the world, like French, Indian, and Vietnamese dishes. Sometimes, there’s live music at the Sugar Factory on Saturday nights. It’s a great chance to experience Taiwanese culture while taking a break from biking!”

“Today, we’ll travel by car along the beautiful but busy coastal highway to Shouka, where we’ll start our exciting last day of biking through the hills of the Hengchun Peninsula. We’ll leave the main road and cycle on a nice small path through the jungle, passing by a few indigenous villages before reaching the coast for lunch at a simple seafood restaurant.

The coastal road here is really beautiful, right next to the ocean. We’ll pass by beaches and old military bases before going back up into the jungle with a couple of big hills to climb. Then, we’ll descend again before reaching the southernmost point of the island. From there, it’s a short ride to Kenting, which is like Taiwan’s tropical playground.

In the evening, we’ll explore the Kenting night market and have a final dinner to celebrate our amazing bike ride in Taiwan.”

“This morning, you have free time to enjoy more of what Kenting has to offer. If you need a ride back to Kaohsiung International Airport or the High-Speed-Rail Station, there’s a group transfer available at noon. The tour ends when you arrive in Kaohsiung. If you want more time to explore this amazing area, you can check out our Kenting Explorer tour extension.”