Central West Coast: The Flat Supply-Friendly Route from Changhua to Taichung

Introduction

Past Chiayi, the shape of central Taiwan starts to come into focus — the Changhua Plain stretches northward, and the alluvial fan of the Zhuoshui River together with the Wu River basin have shaped this flat agricultural belt. For round-island riders, the stretch from Changhua to Taichung (roughly 40–60 km, depending on the route) is prime territory for saving your legs, and it’s also one of the most resupply-dense sections of the whole trip.

Don’t underestimate this “flat road,” though — the central region is heavily urbanized, the streets are complex, and scooters are everywhere. Finding the route best suited to cycling through this urban jungle is the real challenge here.

Route Options Overview

A Sense of History in Changhua City

Heading north from Chiayi into Changhua City, the first landmark worth stopping for is the Baguashan Great Buddha. This massive statue of Maitreya overlooks the Changhua Plain and is a major landmark of central Taiwan, with bicycle parking and rest facilities nearby.

Yuanlin, Xihu, and the Tianwei Highway Flower Garden, all near Changhua City, are worth a short detour:

• Tianwei Highway Flower Garden: Ride past flower nurseries and gardens through Taiwan’s “flower and plant township,” especially beautiful in spring
• Xihu Sugar Factory: A well-preserved old-style sugar refinery offering rides on the narrow-gauge “sugar train,” where riders can stop, rest, and enjoy some ice cream
• Lukang: Taiwan’s best-preserved Qing-dynasty old town — the temples, historic streets, and oyster omelets are three must-try experiences

The Main Stretch from Changhua to Taichung

Changhua City → Huatan → Fenyuan

Taking Provincial Highway 1 out of Changhua City, you’ll cross into the Wuri and Dali districts on the southern edge of Taichung after about 20 km. Traffic is heavy along this stretch, so keep to the right and try to avoid rush hours (7–9 a.m. and 5–7 p.m.).

Around the Central Taiwan Science Park

Once in Taichung, if you’re heading toward the city center, you’ll pass near the Taichung THSR (High Speed Rail) Station around Tanzi or Wuri. The roads here are wider with some dedicated bike lanes, making it a relatively comfortable corridor into downtown Taichung.

Dali River Bike Path

If time allows, ride into Taichung along the bike path beside the Dali River from Taichung’s Dali District — about 15 km, completely free of cars and scooters, passing parks, wetlands, and waterfront facilities along the way. It’s one of the rare urban bike-path sections on the whole round-island route.

Resupply Strategy in Taichung City

Taichung is one of the largest cities on the round-island route, with an outstanding range of resupply options:

• Fengjia Night Market: If you arrive in the evening, the area around Fengjia has plenty of cheap, filling food
• Second Market: Taichung’s most traditional market, with a rich variety of breakfast options in the morning (Shandong-style noodles, Vietnamese rice noodles, steamed rice cakes)
• Bicycle shops: Taichung has several professional bike shops — a good place to check your bike’s condition, restock parts, or swap out worn components

Weather and Timing

• Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent in central Taiwan during summer (June–September) — it’s best to arrive in Taichung before 2:00 p.m. to avoid getting caught in heavy rain
• Along the Changhua coast (Highway 17), southwesterly winds pick up strongly in summer, so plan your wind direction accordingly
• Autumn and winter bring dry weather, making these the most comfortable seasons to ride

Practical Tips

• Book Taichung lodging in advance: Taichung is a popular travel destination, and good-quality accommodation fills up fast on weekends
• Get a full bike check in Taichung: By this point you’re about two-thirds of the way around the island — it’s worth getting a thorough check at a Taichung bike shop (gear adjustment, brake pad check, cleaning and lubrication)
• Catch up on sleep: Taichung is the best city on the mid-route to actually get a full night’s rest — don’t rush through it
• Avoid Taichung’s rush hour: If you need to cross through downtown Taichung, aim for the off-peak windows of 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. or 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Conclusion

The stretch from Changhua to Taichung doesn’t win you over with difficulty — it wins you over with cultural depth and resupply efficiency. The floral scent of Tianwei, the incense smoke of Lukang’s temples, the steaming bustle of Taichung’s night markets — these moments turn an ordinary flat road into something more than just mileage. You’re almost at the finish line — let central Taiwan’s abundance nourish you through the final two days.

Related Reading

• Riding the Central Taiwan Plain: The Rural Scenery Route from Changhua Tianzhong to Puli
• Changhua to Lukang: Riding the Flat Section of Taiwan’s Bike Path Network
• Flat Riding on Taiwan’s West Coast: Field Scenery Through Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi
• The Baguashan Range Traverse in Changhua: A Guide to Central Taiwan’s Diverse Hill Routes