Tour de Taiwan - From Taichung (9 days & 8 nights)

   
【Xihu Sugar Refinery】
Since the time that Japan controlled Taiwan, sugar cane has been very important to the economy of Taiwan. However, as time went on, sugar cane became less and less important. As a result, Taiwan Sugar Factory tried very hard to turn around its business from selling sugar to becoming a tourist destination.

    
【Xiluo Bridge】 
With 1939.03 meters in length and 7.3 meters in width, the Bridge has 32 piers and 31 bridge openings. Made by steel and concrete, it applied Warren Truss design. Upon its completion, it was the second largest bridge around the world, second only to Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the United States.
 

   
【Chiayi Performing Art Center】
PAC is the abbreviation of Chiayi Performing Arts Center、which also stands for its mission－Profession; Aesthetics; Cheers! The planning for Chiayi Performing Arts Center can be traced back to 1995、followed by construction project commencement in 1997. Because of lack of funds due to many reasons、the project was suspended twice in 1998 and 1999. All of the construction was completed in 2005.

【Wenhua Road night market】
Wenhua Road night market has been selected as one of the top ten night markets in Taiwan and listed among Chiayi’s new eight top sightseeing spots. Divided into three different sections of clothing, snacks, and fruit stands, the snack section is of the most famous including chicken rice, fish head clay hot pot, rice noodle, rice cake, seafood porridge, oyster omelet, fired duck soup, and bean curd. Clothing stores are the favorite of younger generation and their businesses are mostly by words of mouth on the internet.

【Summary】
＊Elevation gain:200m
In the morning, giant staff will lead everyone warm up together before pedaling, and the following days as well.
Here comes the longest distance in this trip, good news is that the route is still gentle as yesterday. Taiwan is an island that across two climatic zone—tropics and subtropics. On this day, we’ll bike through Tropic of Cancer, meanwhile, we’ve entered tropical zone. So try to gain water more frequently. Due to the wide terrain, humid and hot climate, southern Taiwan is suitable for growing rice. So we could see some paddy field on the way. Please be more mindful of crowded traffic because the traffic in southern Taiwan is up to the next level.
＊With hundreds of traffic lights and long way challenge, fellas normally feel a bit burnout on this day. Make sure stretch more and go to bed early.
 

  
【Tropic of Cancer】 
At the time of the summer solstice, when the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun to its maximum extent, it’s the height of the summer.  The sun reaches its highest point in the sky at midday.  Then the point moves toward the south, and moves regularly between 23.5 degrees north and south latitudes. They are called the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.

  
【Qieding Love Wharf】 
After the Coastal Recreation Zone, Qieding Township has a new recreation spot. They made the dream of embracing the ocean come true for the residents of Kaoshiung and gave Shingda port a flair of romance.
 

【Summary】
＊Elevation gain:550m/Average grade:1%
There’re 50% flat, 50% rolling hills on this day. In the first half, we’ll ride along with county road No. 188, heading into Chaozhou which is famous for its shaved ice. After enjoying the local snack, we’ll go on provincial highway No. 1. Part of this route were organized as an emergent war preparedness runway. It last 3km with broad and spacious road. In the second half, the road is different from past two days that rolling hills emerged. You can take this as a preview for “Shouka challenge” tomorrow. Also the view is getting different: emerald green views and see views around. Gradually feel step into countryside since this day.
＊In winter, strong howling wind may happened in the rolling hill section, so get ready for tackling the headwind

  
【Shaved Ice with Hot sweet soup】 
Let’s have the Chaozhou shaved ice with hot and glutinous rice ball inside. 

      
【Provincial Highway No. 26】
The highway is also known as Ping-E Highway for the stretch between Fangshan and Cape Eluanbi in Kenting National Park.  It is the primary highway to Kenting National Park and the beaches in Kenting. The route length is 93.5 kilometers.
 

【Summary】
＊Elevation gain:1600m/Average grade:2~3%
The cycling elevation gain is the most within 9 days, so people said today is a “midterm exam” of this trip. We’ll roll to eastern Taiwan through Shouka which is a must passed point of South Link Highway. Then, have lunch after a long descending. All the afternoon, we fight for rolling hills and uncovered-hot road to reach Zhiben. Though struggled, few traffics and spectacular ocean view always heals people.
Shouka is a climb that rises to 450 meters above sea level, last 36km from mountain foot to the top, which demarcates the point between Pingtung and Taitung. Zhiben is famous for its hot spring, soaking in these hot springs is a great way to relax.
＊It’s going to be a long day, making it both a physical and mental challenge. Try to pedal with your own paces, don’t rush, and gain enough food on the way.
 

  
【County Road No. 199】
Ride from 0 meters above sea level to about 450 meters.  Please ride cautiously to reach Mudan Reservoir. We take a break here and enjoy the aerial view of Paiwan aboriginal tribe. Then we ride to the Tungyuan Wetlands and reach to the top called Souka.  

  
【Mudan Reservoir】
Mudan Reservoir is the largest reservoir of Pingtung County. It is surrounded by mountains with a charming view.

【Tungyuan Water Grassland】
Unique and Rare wetland topography in Taiwan, with the Bareet grass tangle together and dancing with the wind from time to time. Remember to bring spare clothes, scandal here, it’s an amazing experience to barefoot into the wetland to dancing with the grass.

  
【Shouka】
It’s the crossing point of Provincial Highway No. 9 and County Highway No. 199.  It’s famous and popular for photo taking. 

【Zhiben Hot Spring】
The springs in this area are carbonic acid springs, are colorless and odorless, and have a temperature of more than 100 degrees Celsius. Hot springs are supposedly good for treating skin disease, arthritis, and neuralgia. They also stimulate blood circulation and relax muscles. 

【Summary】
＊Elevation gain:1000m/Average grade:2%
In eastern Taiwan, there are couples of different nice route we choose for you to cycle. Each of them has awesome scenery that worth to see. The one we take is Provincial Highway No. 9 and County Road No. 193 which is in east rift valley, and it all comes with rolling hills. This route is a beautiful tree-lined road and you can see many rice paddies and orchards surrounding. And Ruisui is also a place with hot spring so that you can enjoy at night.
＊Although the elevation gain is less than yesterday, it’s still a bit challenge due to “midterm exam” just done. Normally, people were exhausted this day. So try to keep positive and focus on the beautiful scenery along the way.



【The East Rift Valley】
It is a long, narrow valley flanked by the Central Mountain Range to the west and the Coastal Mountain Range to the east. This is where the Eurasian and the Philippine tectonic plates collide, resulting in the creation of many fault lines.


【Chishang Rice Bento】
It’s the specialty of Chishang County of Taitung.  Chishang was named “Xin　Kai　Yuan” in Qing Dynasty, with the meaning of newly established farm. During the Japanese Ruling Period, most of the residents lived in Dapochi, so it was renamed “Chishang”, meaning “on Chi” in Chinese. There are three special features of Chishang Bian Dang: cooked with Chishang rice, packed in wooden box, and served with dry side dishes.

    
【County Road No. 193】
It is the longest County Road in Taiwan, parallel with the East Rift Valley (Provincial Highway No. 9) and East Coast Road (Provincial Highway No. 11).  It’s the best route for cyclists. Along the smooth road and countryside path, let’s take photos with the beautiful landscape.
 
【Ruisui Hot Springs】 
The temperature of the Ruisui Hot Springs is about 48°C. The water is of a low-alkaline "Chloride-carbonate" type, and is also abundant in minerals such as iron and barium. After the water's iron content has oxidized into the atmosphere, a layer of muddy, yellow crystallized matter with a light, rusty aroma is left on the surface of the water.

【Summary】
＊Elevation gain:300m/Average grade:1%
This is the shortest day in this trip. Due to Suhua Highway, the only way that connected Hualien and Yilan is mountain road, landslides snap and rock fall occasionally. For safety reason, we take train through this part.
In the morning, we’ll still ride in east rift valley for 70km to get to Hualien, mostly flat and mostly pretty lush green view. Have lunch nearby train station. And go on a train to Yilan, ride 10km heading to Jiaoxi at last.

  
【Danongdafu Forest Park】 
These forest parks are all different and therefore the planning for each one has been based on its unique features. For example, the appeal of Masadi lies in the organic rice grown in lovely paddies in the unique Rift Valley landscape. This area is being developed as a LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) recreational area, and is accessible by the Huadong slow train. This recreational area will focus on recreation, organic production, environmental healing and sustainable cultural development in the Rift Valley.
 
【Jiaoxi Hot Spring Area】
The Jiaoxi Hot Spring originates at the foot of a hill behind Fuchung Temple at Deyang Village, Jiaoxi Township. While streaming along the ditches and highways, running through the railroads, the welling hot waters gather into a brook, serving local people as natural baths at the string of boiling ditches in ancient times. There are only two public bathhouses left for those who want to try an absolutely different bath. As an alkaline fountain, Jiaoxi Hot Spring is crystal-clear, odorless, yet contains a considerable amount of minerals like Potassium chloride, Sodium sulphide, Potassium hydrogen carbonate, Technical Granular, Floating Acids as well as rich organisms.

【Summary】
＊Elevation gain:1400m/Average grade:4%
The day head back to western Taiwan, we ride only 84km with both sea view and mountain view to Taipei which is the capital city in Taiwan. First half, we ride along northeast coast and cross through old Caoling tunnel, and there is a 4km-climbing reaching to 210m above the sea level before lunch. After lunch, the route is roughly downhill and flat. Mind the crowded traffic in Taipei.

    
【Beiguan Tidal Park】
Beiguan Tidal Park is a tourist attraction in the Northeast Coast of the National Scenic Area. Standing on the Sea-viewing Pavilion, you can see different marine erosion landform, for example wave-cut platform, marine cliff and overlook Guishan Island.


【Old Caoling Tunnel】
This is the first railway tunnel-turned-biking path in northern Taiwan. Because this old tunnel is just beside the new one, whenever a train passes through the New Caoling Tunnel, the humming sounds of the train can be heard inside its old counterpart. A lot of train fans have come to visit the old tunnel just to experience this. The tunnel also serves as an open-air railway museum. Not only the biking path looks like a railway track, the tunnel lights with oil lampshades are also of a retro-style. Riding through the Old Caoling Tunnel is like riding on an early-day railway. The ride is fun and nostalgic!
 

【Summary】
＊Elevation gain:780m/Average grade:4%
In the beginning of cycling, we’ll ride along Dahan river in Taipei bike path which is one of the best organized bike path in the world. As we leave bicycle path, here comes some rolling hills last about 10k. Ride on provincial highway No. 3, heading to Daxi for lunch. After the meal, we need to conquer a 5km-long climbing, from 150m above sea level to 300m. Then, pedal through a beautiful countryside trail with slightly downhill, to approach Hsinchu downtown to the hotel we stay.

【Hsinchu Chenghuang Temple】
Dates back to the Kingdom of Tungming and was built in the middle of the old bamboo-walled city of Zhuqian. Currently, it is the religious center of the city and also has its own night market. Chenghuang temple was suggested to be the worship ceremony location by local celebrity. So it was approved as the mighty deity. It is one of the most impressive historical sites in Hsinchu and is worth a visit in the area.