Ultimate Guide for Budget Traveler and Adventure Seeker

Cycling is one of the most popular sports in Taiwan.  You can find here numerous cycling trails that offer beautiful sceneries and pleasant ...

Cycling and Food in Taiwan

Cycling is one of the most popular sports in Taiwan.  You can find here numerous cycling trails that offer beautiful sceneries and pleasant climates. These cycling paths feature natural attractions such as mountains, rivers, lakes, and other amazing landscapes. And cycling is a fun, cost-efficient and environment-friendly way to get around in Taiwan, whether you're a solo traveler or traveling with friends and family.



Taiwan is truly a perfect destination for cyclists. It has the most bicycle-friendly destinations with trails along the coastal roads, metropolitan cities and mountains. Most of these trails are well paved and easy to navigate, with road signs and cyclist rest stops. 




The Sun Moon Lake Bikeway is my favorite cycling destination in Taiwan. It has been named one of the world’s most beautiful cycling trails featuring picturesque trails that is perfect for access by bike. We visited Shuishe Bikeway, a 29km trail around the lake. It has a pathway that is exclusive to bikes and pedestrians, surrounded by towering trees and tropical plants. The lake view was breathtaking and the cool breeze was refreshing!





Another bike-friendly destination is Houfeng Bikeway. It features a 4.5Km bike trail along the old mountain railway line. Our journey started from the horse ranch where rented an e-bike (electric bicycle). One of the highlights of this bikeway is Tunnel No. 9, the longest tunnel in Taiwan. It’s my first time cycling inside the tunnel. The path has two lanes which can fit up to 4 bikes on both sides. It's clean, safe and has no bad smell.






After the old rail tunnel, we passed through a beautiful steel bridge called Hualing Bridge. Built in 1908,  this cycling route gives a spectacular view of the dramatic Dajia River.  From a train rail, it's converted to a dedicated bikeway. It's a little bit scary ( for those who have fear of heights)  but the beautiful view will cover up your fear. This was my first time biking on a steel bridge and it was a great experience.



Visitors can also explore extensive cycling routes such Tamsui Golden Coast Cycling Route in Taipei,  Guanshan Circle Bicycle Path in Taitung, Fengzhimen Bikeway, Longmen-Yanliao Bikeway, Emei Lake Path, and Yuetan Bikeway.




The best time to go cycling in Taiwan is in the wintertime, during the months of October through February. Morning (5 AM- 8 AM)  is the ideal time for cycling when it has the least traffic on the roads.  



After cycling, the best thing to do is food tripping. You can find a lot of delicious food all over Taiwan especially in night markets. Yes, food is such a big part of Taiwanese culture. And I must say that Taiwan is one of the best food destinations in the world. From the best streetside bao, lu rou fan ( braised pork rise) to mind-blowing beef noodle soup, the culinary scene is a highlight of any visit to Taiwan. Not to mention, Taiwanese food is distinctive, diverse and plentiful.




Ximending and Fengjia Night Market are some of my favorite food destinations. Night markets are very popular in Taiwan. These are street markets that operate at night and are generally dedicated to more leisurely strolling, shopping, and eating than more businesslike day markets. You can find here a mixture of individual food stalls, trendy clothes, consumer goods, xiao chi (similar to snacks or fast food), and specialty drinks.




Ximending is a fun place to visit, no matter what time of day. It is a shopping district which is called the "Harajuku of Taipei" and the "Shibuya of Taipei". The road is full of lights and the atmosphere is crowded and busy. We found lots of restaurants, cafes, and milk tea stores. The place has also a  collection of stalls selling grilled seafood, fresh vegetables and fruits, snacks at reasonable prices.




One of the famous night markets in Taiwan is Fengjia Night Market. You can find here several authentic dishes and specialties. We walked around and we found a lot of street food. Everything smells good except for the 'stinky tofu'.  Even it does not smell good, it's one of the most popular snack food in Taiwan. It tastes much better than its name (and smell) implies. It's a must-try if you visit Taiwan.



There are many hawkers inviting tourists to go to their store. The must eat food in Fengjia Night Market include da chang bao xiao chang" (literally translated as "big sausage wrapped around small sausage"), minglun egg pancake roll, aniki potato, non-battered and massage fried chicken, da jia yutou cheng, pig blood cake, overload taichung, cuttlefish, lazy people prawns and di jun charcoal-grilled peppery bun.




Other foods that you should try in Taiwan include ah-gei, baobing, braised pork knuckles, ba wan,  douhua, coffin bread, gua bao (cua pao), lu wei, pepper bun, sheng jian bao, shrimp rolls, scallion pancakes and many more! Dining is the best way to experience local culture. But of course, I still recommend trying Taiwan street food. They are cheaper and tasty. 



No wonder why a lot of travelers love going back again and again to Taiwan. Aside from its diverse nature and natural wonders, it has the best cycling and food destinations in the world. Taiwan should be included on your travel bucket list. It's worth visiting! 


For more information, you may visit Panahon Sa Taiwan Facebook Page



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