Spring Cycling in Taiwan’s East Rift Valley: A Dream Route Connecting Mountains and Sea

Every year from February to April, Taiwan’s East Rift Valley enters its most beautiful season. Daylilies, rapeseed flowers, and plum blossoms bloom in succession, transforming the plain sandwiched between the Central Mountain Range and the Coastal Mountain Range into a moving watercolor painting. Cycling through the East Rift Valley during this season is one of Taiwan’s most poetic riding experiences.

Geography of the East Rift Valley

What is the East Rift Valley?

The East Rift Valley (Hualien-Taitung Rift Valley) is Taiwan’s longest longitudinal valley, formed by the fault zone between the Central Mountain Range and the Coastal Mountain Range:

Geographic Data	Figures
Length	Approximately 150 km
Width	1-7 km
Orientation	North-south
Major Rivers	Xiuguluan River, Beinan River
Major Cities	Hualien City, Yuli, Guanshan, Taitung City

The mountain ranges on either side of the valley differ greatly in elevation:

• West side (Central Mountain Range): Highest peak 3,952m (Xiuguluan Mountain)
• East side (Coastal Mountain Range): Highest peak 1,683m (Dulan Mountain)

Spring Seasonal Characteristics

Best riding time: Mid-February to mid-April

Month	Highlights	Signature Scenery
Mid-Feb to early Mar	Plum blossoms, rapeseed flowers	Yellow flower seas around Fuli and Yuli
March	Daylilies beginning to bloom, rapeseed flowers in full bloom	Liushishi Mountain beginning to don gold
April	Tender green after rice transplanting	A verdant carpet across the entire valley

Full Route Planning

North to South: Hualien to Taitung

Total distance: Approximately 148 km
Recommended duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate (mostly flat)

Day 1: Hualien City → Yuli (Approximately 75 km)

Route options:

Route	Features
Provincial Highway 9 (main highway)	Most direct, but heavier traffic
County Road 193 (valley scenic road)	More scenic, less traffic, rolling terrain
Mixed route	Part 193, part Highway 9, balancing efficiency and scenery

Recommended: County Road 193
Although slightly longer than Highway 9, County Road 193 runs along the western slope of the Coastal Mountain Range, alternating between farmland, villages, and mountain views—one of the most beautiful cycling roads in the East Rift Valley.

Main stops:

Location	Distance from Hualien (km)	Highlights
Guangfu	38	Matai’an Wetland, indigenous cultural village
Fenglin	55	The town with the most beautiful shade trees in Taiwan, banyan tree avenue
Ruisui	65	Tea plantations on Wuhe Terrace
Yuli	75	Today’s destination, ride endpoint

Day 1 highlights:

• Fenglin Banyan Tree Avenue: Riding through a green tunnel formed by decades-old banyan trees is one of the valley’s most iconic sights
• Fuyuan River Valley: A short detour reveals Taiwan blue magpies and various wild birds
• Ruisui Wuhe Terrace: Pedal slightly up the hillside for a panoramic view of tea plantations overlooking the valley

Accommodation suggestions in Yuli:

• Yuli has several cyclist-friendly guesthouses
• Recommended to stay near the old street, within walking distance of various local snacks

Day 2: Yuli → Taitung City (Approximately 73 km)

Main stops:

Location	Distance from Yuli (km)	Highlights
Fuli	18	Rapeseed flower fields (Feb-Mar), entrance to Liushishi Mountain
Guanshan	35	Guanshan Waterfront Park, bike path
Chishang	52	Brown’s Boulevard, Mr. Brown Avenue Tree, organic rice
Luye	65	Hot air balloon festival (July), panoramic valley viewpoint
Taitung City	73	Today’s endpoint

Day 2 highlights:

Chishang Brown’s Boulevard (absolutely unmissable):

• A small farm road cutting through rice paddies with no utility poles on either side
• Mr. Brown (Chin-kuo Chin) filmed a tea commercial here, making it one of Taiwan’s most beautiful rural landscapes
• In spring (Mar-Apr) the paddies are tender green; in autumn (Oct-Nov) the rice ripens to gold

Chishang Bento (便當):

• One of Taiwan’s most famous railway bento boxes
• Recommended to buy one on Chishang Old Street, paired with the sweetness of local rice
• Remember to choose from shops near “Wu-Tau” or the “Chishang Rice Box Cultural Story House”

Fuli Liushishi Mountain:

• Requires leaving the main road and climbing an 800m elevation gain
• Rapeseed flowers and early spring scenery in Mar-Apr (September is the peak daylily blooming season)
• A worthwhile detour for riders with stronger legs

Seasonal Cycling Highlights

Spring Flower Sea Route

Yuli → Fuli (farm road flower sea route):

From late February to early March each year, farmland in Fuli Township becomes a sea of yellow rapeseed flowers. Some farmers plant them specifically for visitors to enjoy (and for bees to collect nectar), creating one of the valley’s most enchanting spring landscapes.

Tips for finding rapeseed fields:

• Ride slowly along farm roads (not main highways) for a more complete experience
• Small paths between fields often lead to unexpectedly beautiful views
• Do not step into the flower fields (some are private farmland; please show respect)

Food Recommendations

The East Rift Valley’s food culture blends indigenous, Hakka, and Hokkien traditions, offering many specialties you cannot find elsewhere in Taiwan:

Yuli

Restaurant/Food	Highlights
Yuli Scallion Pancake	Extra-thick scallion pancake, a local breakfast favorite
Indigenous BBQ	Indigenous-style smoked sausages
Mochi	Famous in Hualien; Yuli also has many great options

Fuli

Restaurant/Food	Highlights
Fuli Organic Rice	Fuli is a major organic rice-producing area in Taiwan
Hakka Wild Vegetables	A larger Hakka community here, featuring wild vegetable dishes

Guanshan

Restaurant/Food	Highlights
Guanshan Beef	Taitung County is very famous for its beef dishes
Goat Milk Ice Cream	Local specialty; there are farms in Luye

Chishang

Restaurant/Food	Highlights
Chishang Bento	One of Taiwan’s most famous railway bento boxes
Jiju Farm	A multi-purpose farm restaurant offering organic vegetarian dishes

Practical Travel Information

Transportation Connections

If you only have one day but want to ride one-way:

• Taiwan Railway: Direct trains run from Hualien to Taitung; bicycles need to be bagged or require a bike ticket
• Hualien Train Station offers bicycle rentals (returnable in Taitung)

Bringing your bike on the train:

• A bicycle ticket is required (NT$150-200)
• Trains have dedicated bicycle storage spaces
• Advance booking is recommended (popular times and holidays sell out quickly)

Accommodation Recommendations

Cyclist-friendly featured stays:

Location	Accommodation Highlights
Fenglin	Several farmstay guesthouses with bicycle parking
Yuli	Guesthouses near the old street with convenient amenities
Chishang	Farm-view guesthouses with stunning scenery
Taitung City	Full range of hotel options, convenient for the return trip

Best Time to Depart

Season	Pros and Cons
Spring (Feb-Apr)	Most recommended: flower seas, comfortable weather, relatively fewer tourists
Autumn (Oct-Nov)	Golden rice, after balloon season, most stable climate
Summer (Jul-Sep)	Hot air balloon festival, but intense heat and typhoon threat
Winter (Dec-Jan)	Cool, but some flowers have already faded

Conclusion

Spring cycling through the East Rift Valley is a riding experience that moves you deeply without requiring extreme challenges. As you slowly weave through the rapeseed flower fields, the Central Mountain Range towering on your right, and wisps of cooking smoke rising from farmhouses in the distance—you will understand why so many who have cycled through Taiwan say the East Rift Valley is the most unforgettable bicycle travel memory of their lives.

The mountains and waters of Hualien-Taitung await you—bring your bicycle, and come at a leisurely pace.

Related Reading

• East Rift Valley Bikeway: Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Flat Cycling Experience
• East Rift Valley Bikeway In-Depth Guide: Taiwan’s Best Route for Long-Distance Riding
• East Rift Valley Cycling Tour: Taiwan’s Most Spectacular Long-Distance Riding Route
• Cycling Paradise in Eastern Taiwan: The Complete Guide to the East Rift Valley Route