Enchanting East Coast of Taiwan Bike Tour

Today, we come together in the evening for a bike fit and a briefing during dinner in Kaohsiung. This gathering ensures that everyone's bikes are properly set up, and we discuss the upcoming adventure. In addition to our bike-related activities, Kaohsiung offers a variety of interesting things to do.

You are free to explore the city's vibrant arts scene at the Pier-2 Art Center on your own, or stroll along Love River, and sample delicious Taiwanese street food at Liouhe Night Market. Night markets in Taiwan come up at sundown and sell everything from local crafts to street food to clothing. We highly recommend visiting at least one night market when in Taiwan.

We depart from Kaohsiung at 8 am to visit Fo Guang Shan — the largest Buddhist monastery and museum in Taiwan. Today, our plan includes a 40 km loop along mostly flat roads around the Southernmost Point of Taiwan, where we visit the Eluanbi lighthouse. In the afternoon, we cycle along the incredibly scenic coastline within Kenting National Park, with the opportunity to spend some time at a beach. After dinner, we explore the renowned night market in the area.

Leaving Kenting, our journey takes us across the southern section of the central mountains, where we pass through enchanting Indigenous villages. We climb to an elevation of 480 meters ( 1,574 ft) before descending to the east coast, offering us our initial glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. If time permits, we can take a stroll on the Alanyi Coastal Trail which features a wonderful rocky trail and indigenous art. Our overnight stay is in a cozy coastal village, and we stay in a small family guest house. Today is a quiet evening given to admiring the natural beauty of this part of Taiwan.

As we continue our journey along the east coast, we see a vast expanse of rice paddies open up around us presenting a serene, soothing sight. Our next destination is Zhiben, one of the most famous hot springs in Taiwan. Today's ride is relatively short, covering just 40km, allowing us ample time to explore the Zhiben National Forest Recreational Area in the afternoon. Stay tonight is at a charming resort with refreshing hot springs to rejuvenate us.

Leaving the hot springs behind, we pedal through the fertile agricultural heartland of eastern Taiwan. The road meanders past fields of vibrant green crops—perhaps rice paddies swaying gently in the breeze or neat rows of vegetables stretching to the horizon. As the route progresses, we are treated to breathtaking ocean views. The road winds along the coastline, offering glimpses of rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and the endless expanse of the ocean. After a day of exhilarating cycling, unwind and relax in the soothing warmth of the hot springs as we stay tonight at An Tong Hot Springs hotel, renowned as one of the country's oldest, dating back to the Japanese Colonial Period (1895 – 1945).

The Rift Valley, considered the favorite part of the island by most Taiwanese, is likely to win your favor as well. As we cycle northwards, vast paddy fields extend as far as the eye can see. The entire day is spent on a serene country road with minimal traffic, offering picturesque views of the coastal mountains to the right and the renowned Central Mountains to the left. Taiwan boasts an impressive 270 peaks surpassing 3,000 meters in elevation, and gazing at this range while heading north is a truly delightful experience. If time permits, we may visit Hinoki village, a collection of charming Japanese-style buildings built during Japanese rule over Taiwan that are today preserved as a cultural attraction. The Japanese introduced sugar cultivation to this part of Taiwan, and we stay tonight at a 100-year old guest house originally built by the Japanese.

As we head north, we reenter the valley on our way to Hualien. Later in the day, we return to the coast, where we get our first sight of the cliffs of Taroko Gorge. Taroko Gorge is a breathtaking natural wonder, known for its stunning marble canyons, towering cliffs, and crystal-clear rivers, making it one of Taiwan's most iconic and picturesque locations.

Today, we have no cycling planned. We spend the whole day in the Taroko Gorge visiting 3-4 different trails which show all the wonderful aspects of the Gorge, including The 'Swallow Grotto' trail, the 'Eternal Spring Memorial' trail' and the 'Tunnel of Nine Turns'. After the hikes, we head to the top of the Gorge for lunch and spend the afternoon visiting some other famous sites. We load the bikes on the van to give us the option of riding down the Gorge back to our guest house in the afternoon.

On the last day, we drop you off at Hualien train station for you return journey to Taipei. The train tickets are prearranged and are included in the tour price.