Hualien County Road 193: The East Coast's Hidden Gem, More Beautiful Than Highway 11

County Road 193: Hualien’s Most Beautiful Hidden Road

While most travelers ride along Highway 11 to soak in Pacific Ocean views, a smaller group of adventurers has discovered a more raw and far less known parallel route — County Road 193. Squeezed between the Central Mountain Range and the Coastal Mountain Range, this road cuts through the southern section of the Huatung (Hualien-Taitung) Valley for roughly 80 kilometers, with scenery that is even more varied than Highway 11’s.

Route Basics

What Makes County Road 193 Special

Indigenous Amis Village Culture

County Road 193 passes through several Amis (Pangcah) villages, where riders can see settlements and cultural facilities rich in indigenous character. These communities preserve traditional Amis farming culture — terraced fields, coconut trees, banana groves, and indigenous farmhouses form a distinctive agricultural landscape along the way.

The Malataimu (Fataan) Wetland in Guangfu Township is an important starting point on the route. It houses one of Taiwan’s most complete displays of traditional Amis fishing culture, including the “Palakaw,” a traditional fish-trapping structure that embodies the ingenuity of the Amis people.

Secrets of the Coastal Mountain Range

County Road 193 runs along the western flank of the Coastal Mountain Range, crossing several small saddles along the way. Each pass offers a stunning vantage point over either the Huatung Valley or the eastern coastline. These viewpoints rarely appear in travel guides, yet they are a secret haunt for photography enthusiasts.

The Natural Scenery of Fengbin

After riding about 40 kilometers from Guangfu, you’ll enter Fengbin Township. The Gangkou River valley in Fengbin is one of eastern Taiwan’s most beautiful river valley landscapes, with clear turquoise water flanked by towering cliffs that form a dramatic canyon.

Comparison with Highway 11

Key Supply Points

Supply points along County Road 193 are sparse, making this the most important consideration when planning your ride:

• Guangfu Township: Stock up fully at the Guangfu Sugar Factory or town center before departing
• Fengbin Township center (around the 40 km mark): The route’s midpoint, with a convenience store and small eateries
• Changbin Township (the finish): Several restaurants, perfect for a well-earned meal after the ride

Carry at least 2.5 liters of water, as some mountain sections stretch over 20 kilometers between supply points.

Best Riding Season

• Autumn and winter (October–March): Cool weather and clear visibility make this the best season for riding County Road 193
• Spring (March–May): Wildflowers bloom and indigenous villages are busy with farming, giving the route a vibrant energy
• Summer: Hot weather and frequent typhoons can damage the road with heavy rain, so it is not recommended

Safety Notes

Some sections of County Road 193 are narrow with very few streetlights. Riders should:

1. Carry front and rear lights and avoid riding after dark
2. Inform family or friends of your riding plan and check in regularly
3. Mobile signal is unreliable in some mountain sections — consider carrying a satellite communicator or emergency device
4. Watch for rockfall warnings, especially after rain

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