Riding South in Taiwan’s Winter: Chasing Good Weather in Southern Taiwan from December to April

After October each year, northern Taiwan enters the season dominated by the northeast monsoon: Taipei, Keelung, and Yilan are plagued by overcast skies and drizzle, with temperatures ranging from 15°C down to 8°C—the toughest season for cyclists. Yet at this very time, southern Taiwan’s Tainan, Pingtung, and Taitung often enjoy clear skies and perfect riding weather with temperatures holding at 20–28°C.

“Winter riding south” is the term used in Taiwan’s cycling community for the travel pattern between December and April each year, when riders take the TRA or HSR southward to ride in southern Taiwan. This article compiles the best routes and planning strategies for winter cycling in Taiwan.

North-South Weather Differences in Taiwan’s Winter

Route Planning: Winter Riding Map of Southern Taiwan

Route 1: Tainan Historic City Ride (Flat, approx. 35km)

Tainan is Taiwan’s oldest city, packed with dense historic architecture and temple culture. Winter offers the most comfortable weather in Tainan, making it the best season for a leisurely cultural ride.

Recommended Route:

• Tainan Station→Confucius Temple→Anping Fort→Eternal Golden Castle→Sicao Green Tunnel
• Approximately 35km in total, flat terrain, with dense historic sites along the way
• Sicao Green Tunnel: Taiwan’s version of the “Amazon River,” paddling a canoe through a mangrove tunnel

Tainan Specialty Foods (Ride Refueling):

• Danzai noodles, beef soup, coffin bread, shrimp rolls
• Eel yee mein (Tainan specialty dish)

Route 2: Kaohsiung Harbor City Ride (Flat, approx. 45km)

Kaohsiung’s Love River, Asia New Bay Area, and Pier-2 Art Center form Taiwan’s most modern harbor-city cycling environment.

Recommended Route:

• Kaohsiung Station→Love River Bike Path→Asia New Bay Area→Pier-2→Cijin Ferry→Cijin Island Loop
• Cijin Island: Take the ferry with your bike; the entire island loop is flat at about 8km, and the seafood street is a great refueling stop

Route 3: Pingtung Hengchun Peninsula Ride (Rolling, approx. 80km)

The Hengchun Peninsula is Taiwan’s southernmost point, encompassing Kenting National Park. It stays warm in winter and is Taiwan’s most famous winter tourist destination.

Recommended Route:

• Hengchun Town→Dawan→Baisha Bay→Maobitou→Eluanbi (Taiwan’s southernmost point)→Longpan Grassland→Fengchuisha→Hengchun
• Approximately 80km in total, with several rolling climbs

Hengchun Landscapes:

• Eluanbi Lighthouse: Taiwan’s southernmost lighthouse
• Longpan Grassland: A magnificent combination of coral reef terraces and the Pacific Ocean
• Fengchuisha: A unique terrain where wind-blown sand dunes flow backward into the sea

Route 4: Taitung Rift Valley Ride (Flat, approx. 65km)

The Taitung Rift Valley (Huatung Valley) is Taiwan’s most expansive agricultural plain, sandwiched between the Central Mountain Range and the Coastal Mountain Range. Winter scenery is renowned for golden rice fields after harvest and crystal-clear blue skies.

Recommended Route:

• Taitung City→Chulu→Luye (hot air balloons)→Guanshan→Chishang
• Chishang: Taiwan’s most famous rice town; Chishang bento boxes are known nationwide

Luye Highlands:
The Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival runs annually from July to August, but the Luye Highlands also offers its own unique beauty of cool-season scenery in winter.

Southbound Travel Strategies

Transportation Arrangements

Recommendation: Take the TRA (Tzu-chiang/Taroko Express)

• Taipei→Tainan approx. 1.5–2 hours
• Taipei→Taitung approx. 3–4 hours
• Bicycles are permitted, but a luggage reservation must be booked in advance (slots are limited; booking a month ahead is recommended)

Accommodation Strategies

Winter accommodation costs in southern Taiwan are typically 20–30% lower than in summer. Apart from Chinese New Year and long weekends, last-minute bookings can often secure good prices. Recommendations:

• Bicycle-friendly lodging: Search online for “bicycle-friendly hotels”; these establishments provide bike storage or racks
• Guesthouses: Taitung and the Pingtung mountain areas have many small guesthouses that accept last-minute bookings and often include free breakfast

Winter Riding Gear

Winter temperatures in southern Taiwan range from about 17–25°C, making gear requirements far lighter than in northern Taiwan’s winter:

Chasing the Sun Plan: Taitung New Year’s Eve Sunrise Ride

Every New Year’s Eve, the Taitung County Government hosts the “First Dawn of Taiwan” event, attracting large numbers of visitors. Cyclists can combine the New Year’s celebration:

1. Take the TRA to Taitung on December 31
2. Ride the Taitung Rift Valley before New Year’s Eve (45km)
3. Gather at Luye Highlands or Taitung City’s Seaside Park late at night to await the sunrise
4. Ride the Taitung Coastal Highway (Provincial Highway 11) on New Year’s Day

Conclusion

Taiwan’s winter doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors staring at a training stand. Just board a southbound train, and 3–4 hours later you can be standing in Taitung’s sunshine, feeling the warm breeze in the low 20s, riding your road bike through golden rice fields.

Riding south in winter is a habit every cyclist in Taiwan should develop. Pack light, bring your curiosity, and let southern Taiwan’s sunshine warm your cycling journal all winter long.

Related Reading

• Taiwan Spring Cycling Guide: Best Routes and Climate Analysis from March to May
• Don’t Give Up Riding in Winter: Gear and Mindset Adjustments for Taiwan’s Winter Cycling
• Weather Strategies for Travel Cycling in Taiwan: Best Riding Climates and Tips by Month
• Bicycle Winter Maintenance Special: Coping Strategies for Northern Taiwan’s Cold, Wet Weather