Cycling Eastern Taiwan: Mountain and Sea Routes Through Hualien and Taitung

Eastern Taiwan is widely regarded as the best region in Taiwan for long-distance bicycle touring. Traffic on the coastal roads of Hualien and Taitung is noticeably lighter than in the west, and the terrain — from the Pacific coastline to the eastern foothills of the Central Mountain Range — is diverse and spectacular, making it a mecca for cyclists both domestic and international.

Why Choose the East?

Best Routes in the Hualien Section

1. Suhua Improvement Route (Provincial Highway 9 / 9C)

• Distance: Hualien City to Su’ao, approx. 104km
• Terrain: the northern section is the old Suhua Highway (Provincial Highway 9, a cliffside road along the sea), while the southern section is the Suhua Improvement route (Provincial Highway 9C, mostly tunnels)

Note: check the latest regulations before cycling through the Suhua Improvement tunnel sections — some long tunnels have time restrictions. It’s recommended to pass through during daytime with good weather.

2. Hualien City to the Mouth of the Xiuguluan River (Provincial Highway 11)

• Distance: approx. 65km (Hualien City to Chenggong Township)
• Highlights: the entire route follows the Pacific coastline, with numerous stunning viewpoints and a winding coastal path

Key sections:

• Baqi Viewing Platform (the first high point heading south, with unobstructed ocean views)
• Shitiping (unique coastal rock formations)
• The mouth of the Xiuguluan River (a spectacular estuary landscape at the Taitung-Hualien border)

3. The Huadong Valley (Provincial Highway 9, Hualien-Taitung)

• Distance: approx. 180km
• Highlights: an open valley between the Central Mountain Range and the Coastal Mountain Range, featuring rice paddies, farms, and Bunun and Amis tribal villages
• Riding experience: open, gently rolling terrain, moderate average difficulty — suitable for first-time long-distance tourers

Best Routes in the Taitung Section

1. Chishang Plateau

• Location: Chishang Township, Taitung County
• Recommended route: the Dapo Pond loop (approx. 8km)
• Highlights: one of Taiwan’s most beautiful rice paddy landscapes, famous island-wide for its rice fields and Chishang bento

Riding tip: depart at dawn — the rice paddies in the morning mist are incomparable, and you can view the rice fields, Guanshan Bridge, and the Central Mountain Range backdrop all at once.

2. Taitung City to Green Island

• Ferry: from Fugang Fishing Port to Green Island, roughly a 50-minute crossing
• Cycling on Green Island: a full island loop of about 16km — bring a folding bike or rent a local bicycle
• Highlights: clear waters, hot springs, unique ecology — Taiwan’s most exotic-feeling offshore island for cycling

3. Zhiben Hot Springs to Dawu Section

• Distance: approx. 70km
• Terrain: the southern section of Provincial Highway 9, mountain roads entering the Hengchun Peninsula
• Supply: Dawu is an important supply point — supply stops become sparser heading further south

Practical Itinerary Planning (5-Day Eastern Longitudinal Ride)

Precautions for Eastern Riding

1. Longer Distances Between Supply Points

On some sections of the east coast (especially the coastal section of Provincial Highway 11), supply points can be spaced 20-30km apart. Recommendations:

• Fill your bottles completely before departing (at least 1.5L)
• Restock whenever you see a convenience store — don’t assume “there’ll be another one ahead”

2. Typhoon Season (June-October)

The east coast faces the Pacific directly, and typhoon season brings the most violent wind and rain. Always check the week-ahead forecast before departing, and never ride during a typhoon warning.

3. Speeding Scooters

Some sections have fast-moving scooters, especially the southern section of Provincial Highway 9. Stay to the right side of the road while riding, and wear a highly visible jersey and rear light.

4. Book Accommodation in Advance

During peak season (summer vacation, long weekends) in Hualien and Taitung, book accommodation 2-4 weeks in advance. Bike-friendly guesthouses in Chishang and Hualien City in particular are often fully booked.

Riding in eastern Taiwan is a journey of dialogue between humans and nature. As you pedal with the Pacific Ocean to your left and the Central Mountain Range to your right, that sense of vastness is something no other place in Taiwan can replicate.

Related Reading

• The Complete Guide to Cycling Tourism in Taiwan: The East Coast Line and Sun Moon Lake Loop
• Hualien Cycling: The Pacific Bike Path and the Best of the Huadong Valley
• The Eastern Coastal Section: The Challenge of the Suhua Highway and a Safe Riding Guide
• The Suhua Highway Bicycle Odyssey: The Ultimate Riding Experience on Pacific Cliffs