Buyan Pavilion and the Lonely Road: Taiwan's Tuscany Between Shuangxi and Ruifang

The Ridge Line Dubbed “Taiwan’s Tuscany”

Buyanting (Bu Yan Ting) sits on the border between Ruifang and Shuangxi in New Taipei City, where Provincial Highway 102 winds along the mountain ridge—a stretch photographers call the “Lonely Highway.” Climbing from the Shuangxi end to Buyanting, the core section is roughly 12 km with about 450 meters of cumulative elevation gain. When a sea of clouds spills over the ridge and the road cuts through green hills like a silver serpent, it does carry a hint of Tuscany.

Route Information

Climbing Characteristics

The Shuangxi end starts off gently, with the gradient increasing after passing Ganjiao Village; the final 3 km feature several stretches above 8%. The road is narrow, so be careful when passing oncoming vehicles. The pavilion at Buyanting marks the highest point, offering 360-degree views of Keelung Mountain and the Northeast Coast.

Practical Tips for Cloud-Sea Photography Success

Many people make the trip specifically for the cloud sea but leave empty-handed, because cloud seas have conditions. Field experience boils down to a few judgment calls that raise your odds: rain the previous day, clear skies the following dawn, and no strong wind—this combination yields the highest probability of a cloud sea (especially common during the northeast monsoon season). The best arrival time is 30 minutes before sunrise to lock in your spot; the light shifts from blue tones to golden in about 20 minutes. Avoid three common failure points: arriving too late (cloud seas usually dissipate after 8 a.m.), wind that’s too strong (it blows the clouds apart), and active rain (fog is not a cloud sea—visibility gets worse and conditions turn slippery and dangerous). Treat the bike as transport, make the camera and warm layers the stars, and don’t linger more than 40 minutes before starting your descent to avoid afternoon weather changes.

Best Time to Go

Early-morning sunrise and clear skies after rain offer the highest odds of a cloud sea. In autumn and winter, the northeast monsoon brings moisture, making it the prime photography season—but it also means low temperatures and slippery roads, so descend at reduced speed. Summer brings frequent afternoon thunderstorms, so plan to leave the ridge before noon.

Extended Routes

• Connect to Jiufen Old Street: supplies and culture, but extremely crowded on holidays
• Descend to Jinguashi: Gold Museum, Shisanhang (Thirteen-Layer) Ruins
• Link to Ruifang Railway Station: you can bring your bike on the local train to finish

Shuangxi End vs. Ruifang End: Starting Point Comparison

Provincial Highway 102 can be accessed from either Shuangxi or Ruifang (Mudan) to climb to Buyanting, with different difficulty and scenery:

Photographers mostly choose the Shuangxi end, as the opening farmland and Ganjiao Village scenery build up nicely with the least traffic; training-focused riders who want to reach the ridge in the shortest distance take the Mudan end. An advanced option is the “up via Shuangxi, down via Jiufen” traverse, about 32 km total, packing in Buyanting, Jiufen, and the Jinguashi mining heritage sites in one ride—but the Jiufen section is crowded and chaotic on holidays, so be sure to slow down.

Supply Reminders

Fill up on water and food in downtown Shuangxi, as the entire ridge has almost no shops. Buyanting has only a pavilion and restrooms, with no vendor. There are no tap-water refill points along the way, so in summer be sure to carry at least 1.5 liters before setting out.

The romance of the Lonely Highway is that it never panders to you. No supplies, no applause—only the wind, the ridge line, and your own breath. That is exactly what makes it so honest.

Related Reading

• Wind at Buyanting: Solitude and Vastness on the Rolling Roads of the Shuangxi Hills
• Northeast Coast Hwy 102 Coastal Ride: A Secret of Taipei and New Taipei Where Mountains Meet the Sea
• Shuangxi Buyanting Practical Guide: Gradient Traps and Pacing Solutions on the 9.7 km Rolling Route
• Hwy 162A Ruifeng: Riding into the Cloud Sea of the Alishan Tea Region, a Long Climb Dancing with Morning Mist