Taiwan 9-Day Round-Island Daily Itinerary: A Clockwise Route Starting from Taipei

Introduction

Cycling around Taiwan is a dream on every cyclist’s bucket list. Starting from Taipei, heading south along the west coast in a clockwise direction, rounding Kenting, then heading north along the east coast before returning to the starting point, the total distance is approximately 1,000 to 1,200 kilometers. Nine days is a pace most riders with a basic fitness level can handle. This itinerary is not a race; it’s about seeing the beauty of Taiwan while managing your energy wisely.

9-Day Clockwise Route Overview

The following is a reference itinerary starting from Taipei Main Station Plaza, with a daily riding distance of approximately 110 to 160 kilometers:

Key Highlights for Each Day

Day 1–3: West Coast Plain Warm-Up Section

Departing from Taipei, heading south along Provincial Highway 61 (the coastal expressway) or Provincial Highway 1, the west coast terrain is flat, making it the ideal warm-up stretch for your body to gradually adapt to long-distance riding. The Hsinchu to Taichung section passes the coastline near Daan Coastal Park, where the air carries a salty tang and the views are wide open. In Taichung, consider staying in Qingshui or Shalu, then continue south through Changhua and Douliu the next day, settling in Chiayi for the night.

South of Taichung, start paying attention to gaps between vehicles; truck density on provincial highways increases, so be sure to ride close to the right edge.

Day 4–5: Southern Taiwan Curves and Sea Breezes

The Chiayi to Tainan section is shorter, allowing more time to explore Cigu Lagoon or Anping Fishing Harbor. Tainan is a food paradise, and it’s important to stock up on plenty of calories here, because the next day you’ll ride all the way to Hengchun, crossing the complex road network of Kaohsiung City.

For central Kaohsiung, it’s recommended to take the Cijin Ferry and connect to Zhongshan Road, avoiding the heavy traffic on provincial highways. After passing Fenggang, the South Link section offers expansive scenery but strong crosswinds—pay extra attention.

Day 6–8: The Slow Pace of the East Coast, Hualien and Taitung

The east coast is the most spectacular section of the entire loop. Taitung’s coastline is clear and pristine, and the rice paddies in Chishang are breathtaking. The Huadong Valley section (Provincial Highway 9) has gentle gradients, with scenery completely different from anywhere else in Taiwan. It’s recommended to stay overnight in Yuli, then ride into Hualien City at a relaxed pace the next day, leaving half a day to rest at Qixingtan Beach.

Day 9: The Final Push

On the last day, riding from Hualien back to Taipei, if you choose the Suhua Improvement (the rerouted tunnel from Su’ao to Hualien), the distance is shorter, but be mindful of safety lights and reflective vests inside the tunnel. If your energy allows, you can take sections of the old Suhua Highway to experience the cliffside ocean views, then connect from Su’ao to the Beiyi Highway or Provincial Highway 9A over the mountains back to Yilan, before finally returning to Taipei.

Practical Tips

• Daily Departure Time: Set off before 6:30 AM to avoid the hottest hours between 11 AM and 2 PM
• Mileage Control: First-time loopers should keep daily distance under 130 km to avoid fatigue buildup
• Route Apps: Use RideWithGPS or Komoot to download offline maps; cell signal is unreliable on the Suhua section
• Backup Routes: If a typhoon hits or the Suhua Highway is closed, confirm in advance which train services allow bicycles onboard
• Overnight City Selection: Choose cities with a dense concentration of PX Mart and 7-Eleven stores for easier resupply

Conclusion

A 9-day loop around Taiwan is not an easy leisure trip, but neither is it a grueling ordeal. It’s a perfectly calibrated self-test: each day’s endpoint gives you something to look forward to, and each day’s starting point fills you with anticipation. When you ride back into Taipei on the evening of the ninth day and stop in front of the starting plaza to take that finish-line photo, the sense of accomplishment is something no other trip can provide. Make your plan, gear up, and go—a full loop of Taiwan awaits you.

Related Reading

• 9-Day Loop Plan: The Complete 900 km Taiwan Cycling Guide
• Classic 9-Day Taiwan Loop Itinerary: Daily Mileage Planning and Accommodation Strategies
• Taiwan Cycling Loop: 9-Day Itinerary Planning and Resupply Stops
• 9-Day Taiwan Loop Itinerary: Complete Daily Mileage and Accommodation Recommendations