This page is a work in progress. The following video is a useful guide to bikepacking in Taiwan. It gives a good idea about road conditions and options for accommodation including camping.
My cycling tours in Taiwan
When I was living in Taiwan I completed a few short cycling tours. Here are the links to the relevant blog articles.
On my most recent visit to Taiwan in 2023 I spent five days bikepacking on the east coast. Details can be found here [pdf file].
Bicycle hire
There are many options for bike hire in Taiwan. The main one being Taiwan’s YouBike system which is now in most of the major cities. These bikes are best suited to short trips in the city. The system is very easy to use once you register online.
If you are looking for a bike to use for touring or long distance rides try these options.
- A-sheng bike hire (Hualien and Taitung)
- MathewBike (Taipei)
- Bike Express (Taipei)
- Giant (many locations)
Round the island cycling
Cycling around Taiwan (known as 環島 in Mandarin) has become increasing popular and is seen as a rite of passage by many Taiwanese. The distance is around 1000 kilometres and may take 7 to 14 days depending on the exact route and your level of fitness. Check the links for more details of the route.
- Cycling Around Taiwan Route 1 Map
- Classic 9-Day Cycling Around Taiwan
- Suhua Highway – the most spectacular section of the route between Su’ao and Hualien
- Taiwan Cycling Route No.1 – Wikipedia