Jiaoban Mountain and Lala Mountain in Taoyuan: A Ride Through Northern Taiwan's Mountain Agricultural Roads

Jiaoban Mountain to Lala Mountain: A Cycling Exploration of Taoyuan’s Mountain Agricultural Roads

Fuxing District in Taoyuan City boasts the most spectacular mountain agricultural landscapes in northern Taiwan. The route from Jiaoban Mountain to Lala Mountain traverses the traditional territory of the Atayal people, passing terraced high-mountain farmland, peach orchards, and mist-shrouded forest scenery along the way—making it one of the most distinctive mountain road cycling routes in northern Taiwan.

Route Basic Information

Jiaoban Mountain: The Starting Point of Atayal Culture

Jiaoban Mountain is the administrative and cultural center of Fuxing District and the starting point of this ride. The Jiaoban Mountain Lodge (Chiang Kai-shek Lodge), built during the Japanese colonial period, remains well preserved to this day and is an important site for understanding Taiwan’s modern history. The streets feature several Atayal restaurants offering indigenous cuisine characterized by wild boar meat, millet wine, and wild vegetables.

The Climbing Challenge of Provincial Highway 7A

Setting off from Jiaoban Mountain, the route climbs steadily along Provincial Highway 7A—this stretch is the core test of the entire route. The road ascends through the valley of a Dahan River tributary, with water seeping from the rock faces along the roadside. Even in the heat of summer, the mountain air remains cool and moist.

The middle section of the route passes through several Atayal tribal villages, where the entrances are often marked by wooden totem poles carved by tribal members. Their bold, rugged forms showcase the artistic aesthetic of the Atayal people.

High-Mountain Agricultural Landscapes

Above 1,000 meters in elevation, large-scale high-mountain agricultural landscapes begin to appear on both sides of the road. The Lala Mountain area is most famous for peach cultivation, with the harvest season running from July to August each year, when the entire mountain region is filled with sweet fruit aromas. Farmers often set up roadside stalls during the harvest season, and freshly picked peaches make the best refreshment along the ride.

In addition to peaches, the area also grows cabbage, radishes, and various vegetables, forming Taiwan’s unique high-mountain agricultural terrace landscapes. In the early morning hours, mist often lingers over the farmland, creating a dreamlike scene.

Lala Mountain Nature Reserve

The Lala Mountain Nature Reserve is renowned for Taiwan’s largest grove of sacred trees, containing numerous Taiwan red cypress and yellow cypress trees over 2,000 years old—among Taiwan’s most precious natural resources. After reaching the endpoint of the ride, you can park and walk into the reserve to experience the awe of these thousand-year-old trees up close.

Best Cycling Seasons

• Summer (July–August): Peach harvest season; mountain climate is cool (even when the lowlands are hot)
• Spring (March–May): Mountain flowers in full bloom, pleasant weather, peach and plum blossoms blooming
• Autumn (September–November): Clearest visibility, high-mountain maple leaves gradually turning red
• Winter: Frost possible in the mountains, roads may be icy—recommended only for those with extensive mountain riding experience

Supplies and Safety

• Complete all resupply before departing from Jiaoban Mountain; supply points along the route are extremely scarce
• Carry cold-weather clothing; temperatures at high elevations may be more than 10°C lower than at the starting point
• Watch your speed on descents; Provincial Highway 7A has multiple sharp curves and rockfall warning zones
• Inform family and friends of your riding plan; cell phone signals are unstable in some mountain sections

Related Reading

• Cycling in the Taoyuan and Hsinchu Mountains: High-Difficulty Climbing Routes in Northern Taiwan’s Suburbs
• Taoyuan Fuxing Township Lala Mountain Route: The Complete Northern Cross-Island Highway Climbing Training Guide
• Northern Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway 7): The High-Mountain Road Riding Challenge from Taoyuan to Yilan
• Taoyuan Jiaoban Mountain Climbing Training: The Complete Guide to a Hilly Route Perfect for Weekend Training