Provincial Highway 3 North-South Journey: Riding the Inland Mountain Road from Taipei to Pingtung

Provincial Highway 3 (also known as “Taiwan’s Inland Mountain Road”) starts from Guangzhou Street in Taipei City, heading south through the mountainous areas of Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Nantou, Chiayi, and Kaohsiung, ending at Fangliao in Pingtung. The total distance is approximately 505 kilometers, making it the longest provincial highway in Taiwan. Compared to Provincial Highway 1 along the western coastline, Provincial Highway 3 runs closer to the mountains, passing through countless Hakka villages, indigenous communities, tea-growing towns, and hilly terrain. It is known as “Taiwan’s Back Mountain Traverse.”

Basic Route Information

Why Ride Provincial Highway 3?

The appeal of Provincial Highway 3 lies in its “local character.” Provincial Highway 1 is Taiwan’s transportation artery, lined mostly with towns and commercial districts; Provincial Highway 3, on the other hand, is closer to Taiwan’s mountain village culture. Riding Provincial Highway 3, you will pass through:

• Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli Hakka Regions: Sanyi’s wood-carving village in Miaoli, the romantic town of Nanzhuang, and Shitan Township’s century-old old street
• Central Mountain Areas: Tea terraces in Mingjian, Nantou; Moso bamboo forests in Zhushan; and the home of Dongding oolong tea in Lugu
• Chiayi Mountain Areas: The everyday life of small towns like Meishan, Fanlu, and Zhuqi at the foot of Alishan
• Kaohsiung and Pingtung Regions: Meinong’s tobacco-drying tower Hakka culture and Qishan’s banana industry history

Suggested Stage-by-Stage Itinerary (7-Day Version)

Day 1: Taipei → Daxi, Taoyuan (approximately 70 km, elevation gain approximately 600 m)

Depart from Guangzhou Street in Taipei, heading toward Xinzhuang, Tucheng, and Sanxia, then following the Dahan River to connect with Provincial Highway 3 into Taoyuan. Sanxia Old Street is the first attraction worth stopping at.

• Accommodation suggestion: Daxi urban area has several bed-and-breakfasts
• Highlights: Sanxia Old Street’s red-brick arcades, Daxi Riverside Park

Day 2: Daxi, Taoyuan → Nanzhuang, Miaoli (approximately 95 km, elevation gain approximately 1,200 m)

After passing Daxi, you enter the mountainous area of Fuxing District, where gradients begin to appear. Jiaobanshan, the junction with the Northern Cross-Island Highway, is a site of Atayal culture. Continuing south into Miaoli, Nanzhuang is one of Taiwan’s most beautiful small towns.

• Resupply focus: Jiaobanshan, Fuxing District (midpoint of the route)
• Highlights: Nanzhuang Old Street, Xiangtian Lake, Yongchang Temple plaza

Day 3: Nanzhuang, Miaoli → Dongshi, Taichung (approximately 85 km, elevation gain approximately 1,000 m)

Depart from Nanzhuang, follow Provincial Highway 3 through Sanyi, Miaoli (the renowned wood-carving town), enter the Daan River basin in Taichung, and arrive at Dongshi.

• Highlights: Sanyi wood-carving art, central Taiwan hilly rural scenery
• Resupply: Ample resupply options in Sanyi urban area

Day 4: Dongshi, Taichung → Mingjian, Nantou (approximately 80 km, elevation gain approximately 700 m)

Pass through Jiji Line and Lugu, entering Nantou’s most important tea-growing region. Mingjian is Taiwan’s largest tea distribution center, with tea fields stretching continuously along the roadside.

• Highlights: Songboling tea farmer culture, Bagua Mountain range hilly terrain

Day 5: Mingjian, Nantou → Meishan, Chiayi (approximately 85 km, elevation gain approximately 1,100 m)

Entering Chiayi County, the terrain gradually shifts from hills to mountains. Meishan Township is a famous producer of plum blossoms and plums. The winding mountain roads along the way offer pleasant scenery.

• Highlights: Meishan Taiping Old Street, Chiayi mountain agricultural scenery

Day 6: Meishan, Chiayi → Qishan, Kaohsiung (approximately 75 km, elevation gain approximately 800 m)

After passing Chiayi, you enter the mountainous area of Kaohsiung. The Purple Butterfly Conservation Area in Maolin (winter season) and Qishan’s Banana Museum are representative landmarks of the southern section of Provincial Highway 3.

• Highlights: Qishan Old Street, Meinong tobacco-drying towers

Day 7: Meinong, Kaohsiung → Fangliao, Pingtung (approximately 70 km, elevation gain approximately 400 m)

On the final day, cross from Meinong through Liugui, descend along the Laonong River, and finally arrive at Fangliao in Pingtung, completing the full north-south ride of Provincial Highway 3.

• Endpoint marker: The Provincial Highway 3 terminus milestone is located next to Fangliao Railway Station

Accommodation Strategy

Accommodation along Provincial Highway 3 can be categorized as follows:

Resupply Strategy

Most sections of Provincial Highway 3 pass through villages, with resupply points roughly every 15–25 kilometers. However, some mountain sections (such as Nanzhuang to Dahu, and Maolin to Liugui) have sparse resupply options. It is recommended to:

• Always top up water bottles; mountain water availability is unpredictable
• Carry small bags of food (nuts, energy bars) as backup
• Confirm before each stage that the destination has shops or restaurants

Provincial Highway 3 vs. Provincial Highway 1: Which Is More Worth Riding?

Conclusion

Provincial Highway 3 is a route meant to be savored slowly. It doesn’t have the challenge of Wuling, nor the ceremonial sense of achievement of a full island loop, but Provincial Highway 3 lets you truly see Taiwan’s mountain hinterland, get to know the villages that are merely dots on a map, and experience Taiwan’s most authentic rural character.

If you want to ride a road that is “truly Taiwan,” Provincial Highway 3 is definitely your answer.

Related Reading

• Provincial Highway 3 Inland Mountain Road: A North-South Mountain Route Ride from Taipei to Pingtung
• Provincial Highway 3 Inland Mountain Road: Route Planning for a North-South Mountain Ride from Hsinchu to Pingtung
• Provincial Highway 3 Romantic Ride: A Hakka Culture Cycling Journey from Hsinchu to Pingtung
• Provincial Highway 3 Southern Section Cycling Route: Hilly Riding from Sanyi to Miaoli