Tainan Nanying Greenway Cycling Route: A Cultural Ride Along the Sugar Railway Heritage

Introduction

Taiwan was once a major sugar producer in the world, and the dense network of sugar railway branch lines across the Jianan Plain is a precious industrial heritage left from the Japanese colonial era. Most of these small train tracks have since been dismantled or abandoned, but the Tainan County and City governments have gradually converted some sections into cycling paths, forming the distinctive “Nanying Greenway” system. This allows riders to experience a century of Tainan’s agricultural memory on the once-sweet railway lines.

Route Overview

The Nanying Greenway is a system composed of multiple route segments, of which the “Yanshuei River Cycling Path,” “Madou–Guantian Section,” and “Shanhua–Xinshi Section” are the most representative. Riders can choose and combine them according to their interests:

The overall route is flat with almost no significant climbing, making it ideal for family rides or leisurely long-distance cycling.

In-Depth Sugar Culture Tour

The greatest highlight of this route lies in its deep connection to Taiwan’s sugar industry history:

• Madou Zongye Art and Cultural Center: Originally the Madou Sugar Factory complex, with well-preserved Japanese colonial-era buildings. The red-brick warehouses have been converted into art exhibition spaces, and the park displays the former “five-axle cars” (sugar industry small trains), making it an excellent spot for photos.
• Shanhua Sugar Factory: The TSC Shanhua Plant is still in operation, and the surrounding area retains a cluster of Japanese-style dormitories. Freshly pressed sugarcane juice and ice products are available for purchase, making it the most popular supply stop along the way.
• Madou Wentan (Pomelo): The Madou area is Taiwan’s most famous producing region for wentan (pomelos). Riding through here around the Mid-Autumn Festival season (August–October) each year, the roadside fruit stalls fill the air with fragrance—a delightful seasonal experience.
• Guantian Water Caltrop Fields: Guantian is Taiwan’s largest producer of water caltrops. During the harvest season from September to November, you can see farmers poling small bamboo rafts through the paddies to harvest—a traditional scene rich in rural character.

Cultural Landmarks and Temples

Tainan has the highest density of temples in Taiwan, and riding the Nanying Greenway allows you to visit several renowned temples along the way:

• Madou Daitian Temple: An important center of worship for the Five Kings (Wufu Qian Sui). The temple is grand in scale, and its unique hell entrance design makes it a distinctive attraction in Taiwanese temple culture.
• Xuejia Ciji Temple: A major site for the worship of Baosheng Dadi. The annual “Yaxiang” procession in the third lunar month is one of Tainan’s grandest religious celebrations.
• Shanhua Qing’an Temple: The spiritual core of the Shanhua area, featuring exquisite architecture. A farmers’ market is often held in the plaza in front of the temple.

Supply Stop Distribution

• Shanhua urban area: 7-Eleven, various local snacks; Shanhua beef dishes are worth trying
• Madou urban area: Convenience stores, direct-sale pomelos (in season), small shop beside the Zongye Art and Cultural Center
• Guantian area: Roadside water caltrop stalls (in season), convenience stores
• Yanshuei: Yanshuei yee noodles are a local specialty not to be missed

Practical Advice

The Nanying Greenway is best ridden in autumn and winter (October to March of the following year), when the weather is cool and crops are abundant, filling the journey with the aromas and colors of harvest. Summer temperatures in Tainan are high, so it is recommended to set off between 5–8 AM to avoid the midday heat.

Conclusion

The Nanying Greenway is a route whose depth can only be appreciated by slowing down. Every sugar factory, every temple, and every water caltrop field along the way tells the agricultural story of the Jianan Plain. Riding on the land where the five-axle cars once traveled, you will feel the former prosperity of Taiwan’s agricultural civilization and the passage of time—this journey will give you a completely different understanding of Tainan.

Related Reading

• Jianan Plain Section: A Cultural and Culinary Ride from Tainan to Chiayi
• Tainan Shanhua to Yujing Mango Route: A Flat Ride Through the Southern Mango Region
• Taitung Railway Bike Path: An Easy Scenic Ride with Food Stops
• Tainan Mountain-to-Sea Route: A Rolling Ride from Guanmiao to Zuozhen to Yujing