Beautiful cycling along Guanshan bike path

The bicycle path, specially designed for tourism and leisure purposes, has helped the small town become one of the major tourism destinations on the island. During holidays and summer or winter vacations, many visitors come to the peaceful and beautiful town to enjoy cycling.

Guanshan Town, in Taitung County (台東縣), east Taiwan, is located in the stunning East Rift Valley (花東縱谷) between the central and coastal mountain ranges. Since Hsin Wu Lu Creek (新武呂溪), a tributary of the Peinan River (卑南溪), passes through the town, it has the glorious beauty of the river and mountain combination. As a matter of fact, a big section of the bicycle path is built along the riverside.

The bicycle path is 12 kilometers long with a total investment of NT$42.41 million. It is divided into three sections. The first section, about three kilometers long, is from Chung Hsin Bridge to Land God Temple. The second section, about five kilometers long, is from Land God Temple to the end of the Redstone Creek. The third section, about four kilometers long, starts from Redstone Creek back to the Chung Hsin Bridge (中興橋).

The bicycle path is three to four meters in width, with cement on the top, making it suited for cycling. Red bricks are buried on the path center as a border to distinguish cyclists coming from different directions. There is a landmark every 100 meters to show the path’s length. In addition, balustrades are set up along the river to protect bicyclists’ safety.

Some pavilions are set up along the bicycle path in which stone tables and stools are available for people to take a break and view scenery. Only bicycles and agricultural vehicles are allowed on the path. Other vehicles are prohibited from using the path. The 12-kilometer-long town-encircling bicycle path passes through most of Guanshan Town’s major scenery spots, such as natural landscapes and cultural heritage sites. Therefore, taking a bicycle tour is the best way to get to know this East Taiwan small town.

There are over 30 bicycle rental shops in the town. Most of these shops are near the Water Park. Bicycles can be rented for between NT$100 and NT$150. Two-person, electric and family bicycles are also available with rental prices ranging from NT$300 to NT$500.

Guanshan Town is one of the island’s major rice planting areas. It grows the best-tasting rice in Taiwan. Therefore, when you ride your bicycle through the town during Spring to Autumn, you may see green carpet-like rice fields surrounding the town. If you ride in January, then you may have the chance to see the spectacle golden yellow rapeflowers blossom view.

Usually, bicyclists will start riding from the Water Park. You may need to spend around one hour to finish the 12-kilometer path. But I would suggest to ride slowly and to closely explore the peaceful town, which will take about three hours.

While cycling, I found a super light airplane ground with two two-person airplanes on the runway. A pilot told me that the craft can take visitors to see Guanshan Town from the air. The charge for one person is NT$1000 for about 12 minute in the air.

How to get there:

Guanshan Town is one of the major towns in the East Rift Valley in Taitung and it is also a major train station of the Hualien-Taitung railway. You may also take public bus to Guanshan either from Hualien or from Taitung.

If you consider staying overnight in Guanshan, there are no big hotels, but some homestays can provide overnight services. Room prices range from NT$1000 to NT$4000.

There are no big restaurants in Guanshan, but you may take meals in the town’s small restaurants.

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