Taiwan Island Cycling: One-Day Route Planning for Penghu, Green Island, and Orchid Island

Introduction

Cycling around Taiwan lets you ride the entire coastline of the main island, but if you want a purer island cycling experience—surrounded by sea on all sides, with nothing but ocean and sky ahead as you pedal—then Penghu, Green Island, and Orchid Island are the real answer. Each of these three outlying islands has its own character: Penghu is a story of wind and coral reefs, Green Island is home to hidden crystal-clear waters, and Orchid Island is where Tao culture meets the Pacific.

Basic Cycling Information Comparison of the Three Islands

Penghu: Cycling in Tandem with the Strong Winds

Terrain Features

Penghu is one of the flattest cycling destinations in Taiwan, but it is famous for its “wind.” The Penghu archipelago is affected by the southeast monsoon in summer and the fierce northeast monsoon in winter, with the highest average wind speeds in Taiwan. While the scenery is at its best in summer, the intensity of the midday crosswinds can make it difficult even for advanced riders to hold a straight line.

Recommended Routes

Magong City→Caiyuan→Lintou→Shanshui→Fenggui→Magong (Western Loop, approx. 45 km):

• Depart from Magong Harbor and head south along the coastline
• Lintou Park: Casuarina windbreak forest, providing good shade in summer
• Shanshui Beach: Penghu’s most famous white sand beach, ideal for a midday break
• Fenggui Cave: A spectacular sea-eroded cave, a must-see on the ride

Penghu Northern Loop (Magong→Tongliang→Baisha→Jibei, approx. 50 km):

• Tongliang Banyan Tree: A 300-year-old banyan, one of Taiwan’s most famous tree sights
• Baisha Fishing Harbor: A great spot to stock up on fresh seafood
• Jibei Island: Requires a ferry ride; can be planned as a separate trip

Penghu Cycling Notes

• Wind Management: On exposed roads with no shelter, crosswinds can exceed force 7; reduce speed and lower your center of gravity
• Sun Protection: Penghu has the highest UV index in Taiwan; it’s no exaggeration to say you need to reapply sunscreen every hour
• Bike Rental: There are several rental shops in Magong City; regular bicycles cost NT$200–400/day, and electric-assist bikes cost NT$600–800/day

Green Island: Taiwan’s Clearest Waters Accompany Your Ride

Terrain Features

Green Island’s ring road is approximately 20 kilometers, taking about 2–3 hours per lap, but don’t underestimate it just because the distance is short—the island’s mountain roads have considerable gradients, and the southern loop has several sharp bends that require caution. On clear days, water visibility here can exceed 20 meters, and the urge to stop and gaze at the sea mid-ride is almost impossible to resist.

Recommended Route

Full Loop of Green Island (approx. 20 km, clockwise recommended):

• Depart from Nanliao Fishing Harbor (ferry arrival point)
• Haba Dog Rock: Unique reef formations on the north coast
• Youzihu: Ruins of an indigenous settlement, full of mystery
• Guanyin Cave: A stalactite cave; you’ll need to get off your bike and walk to explore
• Green Island Lighthouse: One of the best-preserved lighthouses in Taiwan
• Zhaori Hot Springs: An open-air seaside hot spring; a great place to soak and rest
• Xiaochangcheng Trail (optional): A coastal ridge trail; requires getting off your bike to hike

Green Island Cycling Notes

• The downhill sections on the southern loop become extremely slippery after rain; be sure to control your speed
• During peak tourist seasons (summer vacation, long weekends), traffic is heavy with many scooters at high speeds; watch for vehicles coming from behind
• When renting, choose a bicycle over a scooter—it’s more environmentally friendly and the distance is manageable
• Check the time of the last ferry in advance to avoid being stranded overnight on the island (if you have no accommodation booked)

Orchid Island: The Challenging Island Surrounded by Tao Culture

Terrain Features

Orchid Island’s ring road is approximately 37 kilometers in total, but it is completely different from Penghu and Green Island—the undulating terrain, steep climbs, and strong winds blowing in from the Pacific make Orchid Island the most challenging cycling destination of the three outlying islands. At the same time, Orchid Island’s natural landscape is the most pristine and awe-inspiring of the three.

Recommended Route

Full Loop of Orchid Island (approx. 37 km, counterclockwise recommended):

• Depart from Orchid Island Township Office (Iraraley Village)
• Hongtou Village: Traditional Tao underground houses, viewable from a distance
• Lover’s Cave: A striking coastal rock cave with superb sunset views
• Heavenly Lake (mountain road, optional): Turn inland to see Orchid Island’s reservoir; requires extra energy
• Yeyin Village: Orchid Island’s commercial center, with convenience stores and restaurants for supplies
• Dongqing Bay: Orchid Island’s most famous bay, where Tao traditional carved boats are stored
• Yeyin Cold Spring: A natural cold spring that is warm in winter and cool in summer, perfect for cooling off mid-ride

Orchid Island Cycling Notes

• Cultural Respect: Orchid Island is home to the Tao people; do not enter traditional taboo areas while cycling, and ask locals for permission before taking photos
• Coconut Crab Conservation: When riding at night, watch for coconut crabs on the road—they are a protected species on Orchid Island
• Mobile Signal: Some sections have no signal; download offline maps before you set out
• Typhoon Warning: Orchid Island is the area in Taiwan most prone to direct typhoon hits; be sure to check weather forecasts before departing
• Rental Supplement: Scooters are the main rental option on Orchid Island; bicycle options are limited, so book in advance

Transportation and Accommodation Planning

How to Get There:

• Penghu: Fly from Songshan/Kaohsiung/Chiayi to Magong, or take a ferry from Taichung Port/Chiayi Budai
• Green Island: Ferry from Taitung, about 50 minutes; or a small plane from Taitung, 15 minutes
• Orchid Island: Ferry from Taitung, about 2.5 hours; or a small plane from Taitung, 25 minutes

How to Bring Your Bike:

• For air travel, bicycles must have the front wheel removed and be packed in a bag; notify the airline in advance
• Ferries from Taitung to Green Island and Orchid Island can carry bicycles; it’s advisable to ask about capacity limits in advance
• If that’s too much hassle, all three islands have local bike rental services

Practical Tips

• Best combined itinerary for the three outlying islands: depart from Taitung by ferry to ride Green Island, then take another ferry to ride Orchid Island, and finally fly back to Taitung—an unforgettable “outlying island cycling journey”
• For Penghu, use Magong City as a base and split the northern and southern loops across two days; don’t attempt to complete the 90 kilometers in a single day (the wind is too strong and will leave you exhausted)
• Supply points on all three islands are fewer than on the Taiwan main island; check supply availability along your planned route before departing

Conclusion

Cycling Taiwan’s outlying islands is another dimension beyond the main island’s round-the-island tour. Each island has its irreplaceable character: Penghu’s wind, Green Island’s sea, Orchid Island’s rawness. Add these outlying islands to your cycling map, and Taiwan’s beauty will become all the more vivid and complete in your heart.

Related Reading

• Cycling Taiwan’s Outlying Islands: Bike Route Features of Penghu, Kinmen, and Green Island
• Cycling Taiwan’s Outlying Islands: Bike Travelogues of Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu
• Green Island and Orchid Island Bike Circumnavigation: Riding the Volcanic Rocky Coasts of Pacific Islands
• Penghu Archipelago Bike Travel: A Unique Experience of Island Charm and Ocean Scenery