Luye Longtian Bicycle Path in Taitung: The Most Beautiful Rural Cycling Experience in Eastern Taiwan

Luye Longtian: A Cyclist’s Paradise

Luye Township in Taitung County is the host of Taiwan’s “Hot Air Balloon Festival” and home to the most beautiful pastoral scenery in the Eastern Rift Valley. With its flat terrain, sparse traffic, and scenic views, it offers a riding experience completely different from high-difficulty routes like Wuling—pure relaxation and enjoyment.

Route Overview

Route Highlights

Chishang Dapo Pond

Starting from Chishang, ride to Dapo Pond first. This beautiful lake is surrounded by a bike path, and in the early morning you can see thin mist lingering, reflecting the silhouette of the Central Mountain Range.

Brown Avenue

The most beautiful rice-field road in Taiwan, made famous after being featured in a Kinmen Kaoling tea commercial. The straight road cuts through endless emerald rice paddies, flanked by the Central Mountain Range and the Coastal Mountain Range.

Notes:

• Because it is so famous, weekend crowds are heavy
• Motor vehicles are prohibited (bike-friendly)
• Ride early in the morning to avoid the tourist rush

Longtian Village

Longtian is Luye’s most distinctive settlement, with well-preserved Japanese-style architecture and many unique guesthouses and cafés. Cycling through Longtian Village feels like stepping back in time.

Luye Highland

The Highland is the venue for the Hot Air Balloon Festival and the best viewpoint overlooking the Rift Valley. Riding from downtown Luye up to the Highland requires a climb (approx. 3 km, gaining approx. 200 m), but the views are worth it.

Best Riding Seasons

How to Get There

By train:
Take the Taroko or Puyuma Express from Taipei to Chishang Station, about 3.5-4 hours.
You can bring your bike on board with the wheels removed, or rent one locally.

By car:
From Taipei, take the Suhua Highway to Hualien, then Provincial Highway 9 to Chishang, about 4-5 hours.

Bicycle shipping:
Taiwan Railways offers packed-bicycle shipping; reserve in advance.

Local Bike Rental Tips

If you don’t want to bring your own bike, there are several rental shops in Chishang and Luye:

• Standard city bike: NT$100-200/day
• Electric-assist bike: NT$400-600/day
• Carbon road bike (at select shops): NT$600-1,000/day

Nearby Must-Visit Attractions

1. Chishang Bento: Ride to the Chishang Dachi Rice Mill for a freshly made bento box
2. Golden Rice Fields: Scenery changes with the seasons
3. Yong’an Residence (Longtian Old House): A century-old house turned café
4. Luye Tea: Luye is an important red oolong tea-producing region in eastern Taiwan
5. Luanshan Tribe: An indigenous Bunun tribal experience

Accommodation Tips

• Chishang: Affordable and convenient
• Downtown Luye: More options available
• Longtian Characteristic Guesthouses: Higher budget but the best experience

Here there are no grueling climbs, no dense traffic—only vast skies, emerald rice paddies, and the breathtaking Rift Valley scenery. Luye Longtian is one of the best places in Taiwan to ride with family or beginners.

Related Reading

• Chishang to Luye Highland Route: The Complete Guide to Riding the Plains of the Hot Air Balloon’s Hometown
• Cycling the Taitung Rift Valley: A Slow-Paced Journey Through Hualien-Taitung with Scenic Stops
• Taitung Rail Bike Trails: Easy Rides on Sightseeing Routes with Food Stops
• The Huadong Rift Valley Bike Path Deep Guide: Taiwan’s Best Route for Long-Distance Riding