Cycling at Lishan Fushoushan Farm: The Magnificent Experience of a High-Mountain Farm on the Cross-Island Highway

The Lishan area (elevation approx. 2,000 m) is a key stop on Taiwan’s Central Cross-Island Highway and one of Taiwan’s most famous high-mountain agricultural regions. Continuing upward from Lishan along Provincial Highway 7甲 for about 8 km brings you to Fushoushan Farm (elevation approx. 2,700 m), the highest farm in Taiwan, renowned for its high-mountain apples, peaches, and crabapples.

For road cyclists who love climbing, the Lishan → Fushoushan section is one of the most beautiful high-mountain farm cycling experiences in central Taiwan.

Route Basic Information

Segment Analysis

Fengyuan → Guguan (0–50 km)

This section follows Provincial Highway 8 (Central Cross-Island Highway), tracing the Dajia River Gorge upstream—one of Taiwan’s most spectacular canyon roads.

Key features:

• Canyon terrain: The Dajia River cuts through the Central Mountain Range, forming near-vertical cliff walls
• Multiple reservoirs (Liyutan, Tienlun)
• Guguan Hot Springs: Guguan (approx. 50 km) has hot spring hotels and accommodation options

Gradient characteristics: This section is generally gentle (average 1–3%), trading horizontal distance for elevation; the main challenge is its length.

Guguan → Lishan (50–87 km)

After passing Guguan, the gradient increases noticeably, entering the true climbing section.

Key milestones:

• Hehuan Bridge (55 km): Junction where Provincial Highway 8 and Provincial Highway 14 split
• Techi Reservoir (65 km): Elevation approx. 1,400 m, dam height reaching 180 m, with spectacular views
• Lishan (87 km): Elevation approx. 2,000 m, with restaurants, convenience stores, and homestays

Gradient characteristics: The average gradient from Guguan to Lishan is about 4–6%, with localized 8–10% steep sections before and after Techi Reservoir.

Lishan → Fushoushan Farm (87–95 km)

From Lishan, ride about 8 km north along Provincial Highway 7甲 to reach Fushoushan Farm. This section has a gradient of about 7–9%. Although the distance is short, many riders feel the most fatigued here because of the massive climb already completed.

Fushoushan Farm:

• Elevation approx. 2,700 m
• Taiwan’s highest farm, with high-mountain fruits such as apples, peaches, and pears
• On-site accommodation can be reserved; it is one of the most popular lodging options in the Lishan area
• Famous for its dawn sea-of-clouds views; it is recommended to stay at the farm the night before

High-Mountain Fruits and Agricultural Culture

The agriculture of the Lishan area has its origins in the “Veterans’ Farms.” In 1956, the government developed agriculture in the Lishan area to settle retired veterans, bringing agricultural techniques from various parts of mainland China and planting temperate-zone fruits in Taiwan’s high mountains.

When riding through Lishan and Fushoushan, roadside farm-direct stalls sell the freshest high-mountain fruits—flavors you simply cannot find in the lowlands.

Resupply Plan

Two-Day Itinerary Plan

Day 1: Fengyuan → Guguan (50 km)
Soak in the Guguan hot springs and rest, preparing for tomorrow’s main climb.

Day 2: Guguan → Lishan → Fushoushan (45 km, approx. 1,700 m elevation gain)
Depart at 6:00 AM, arrive at Fushoushan Farm around 12:00–2:00 PM, enjoy the farm scenery, and stay overnight at the farm.

Important Notes

• Some sections of the Central Cross-Island Highway still carry rockfall risk; check the traffic status of Provincial Highway 8 before departing (refer to the Directorate General of Highways information)
• Nighttime temperatures above Lishan are low; bring sufficient warm clothing, and be especially mindful of hypothermia on descents
• No resupply above Techi Reservoir; stock up on water and food before Lishan

Conclusion

The ride from Lishan to Fushoushan is not only a top-tier climbing challenge on Taiwan’s roads, but also a journey through history. Many of the elderly farmers along Provincial Highway 8 are descendants of the veterans who once cultivated the high-mountain farms. Their stories are deeply interwoven with Taiwan’s history. Beneath those high-mountain apple trees, a chapter of Taiwan’s modern history quietly awaits your discovery.

Related Reading

• Taiwan Summer Mountain Escape Rides: Cool Routes Through Lishan and Fushoushan
• The Mountain Route from Guguan to Lishan in Taichung: A Cycling Version of the Cross-Island Journey
• The Lishan Section of the Central Cross-Island Highway: An Epic from Guguan to Dayuling
• Central Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway 8) Cycling Challenge: Full Guide from Lishan to Taroko