When it comes to cycling in Taichung, most people instinctively think of潭雅神 Bike Path or Houfeng Railway Bike Path. However, if you want to experience a different Taichung, these routes that pass through old street settlements and historical towns will give you a deeper sense of the city's heritage. As a history and culture researcher who has been exploring Taichung's old streets for many years, I want to share a few of my own private cultural cycling routes.
【Route Features】
What makes Taichung's old street cycling unique compared to other cities is its preservation of complete architectural evolution from the Qing Dynasty to the Japanese colonial period. From Qing-era Minnan-style street houses, Japanese-era Baroque facades, to post-war modernist architecture, an old street represents half of Taiwan's architectural history. Even better, these routes are mostly flat and easy to ride, without the challenging climbs found in mountainous areas, making them suitable for riders of all fitness levels.
【Recommended Routes】
1. Qingshui Veteran Village Cultural Park - Wuqi Old Street
This route is perfect for riders who want to combine art and old streets in one trip. Qingshui Veteran Village is one of the few completely preserved veteran village settlements in Taiwan, recently transformed into an art park. The air-raid shelters and old veteran village houses in the park are full of character. It's about 15 minutes cycling from the veteran village to Wuqi Old Street. Wuqi Old Street was once the transfer center of Wuqi Port, and several Minnan-style red brick old houses still remain. The century-old stone-paved road in front of Wuqi Chaoyuan Temple is the most representative. The old-fashioned noodle shops on the old street serve bowls for about NT$50-80, offering great value. It's recommended to visit the veteran village in the morning and cycle the old street in the afternoon for better lighting.
2. Dajia Zhenlan Temple - Wenchang Temple - Rinan Station
This is the most classic religious cultural cycling route in central Taiwan. Dajia Zhenlan Temple is one of the most famous Mazu temples in Taiwan, and the annual Dajia Mazu pilgrimage is a world-class cultural event. Rinan Station, about 15 minutes cycling from Zhenlan Temple, is one of the few Taiwan Railway Administration coastal line stations that preserves complete Japanese-era station architecture. The Baroque-style brick station building is still in operation today and is well worth visiting. From the station, it's another 5 minutes cycling to Wenchang Temple, a century-old temple with exquisite clay sculpture and stone carving art. The entire route is about 8 km, flat and easy to ride, and can be completed in half a day. There are food stalls along the way for convenient refreshments.
3. Dongshi - Shigang - TuNiu Hakka Cultural Museum
For those wanting an in-depth Hakka cultural experience, this route is the top choice. Cycling from downtown Dongshi along the Dongshi River bike path to Shigang, you'll pass through several Hakka settlements. TuNiu Hakka Cultural Museum was originally the Liu Family Hakka compound, preserving a complete Hakka three-wing courtyard building. The museum displays Hakka cultural artifacts and daily utensils, with free admission (closed on Mondays). On Shigang Old Street, there are several traditional粧 shops. Hakka rice cakes cost about NT$15-20, and mugwort cakes are NT$25 - both very authentic. This route is about 12 km, with some shaded sections, making for a comfortable and pleasant ride.
4. Tanzi Railway Bike Path (Green Sky Railway)
This is a popular urban route among young people in Taichung in recent years. "Green Sky Railway" is a bike path converted from an old railway, stretching about 7 km from Tanzi to the North District. The original railway sleepers and station facilities have been preserved along the way, giving it a strong historical feel. You can clearly see the old train carriages and platform remnants during the day, and the night lighting design creates a wonderful atmosphere. This route is especially suitable for riders who love taking photos and checking in - completely free to use.
5. Houli Horse Ranch - Tai'an Railway Cultural Park
Houli Horse Ranch is the oldest surviving horse ranch in Taiwan. During the Japanese colonial period, it was a military horse training ground, and still offers horseback riding experiences today. Houli Horse Ranch admission is NT$50, riding experiences are additional. Tai'an Station, about 10 minutes cycling from the ranch, is one of the most beautiful stations on the old mountain line. The old camphor tree and old warehouses in front of the station are full of character. This route is suitable for family cycling. Houli Horse Ranch has a small cafe and restaurant that can serve as rest stops.
【Practical Information】
Taichung City Public Bikes (iBike) stations are widespread, with rental points near almost all major city attractions. The first 30 minutes are free, with charges applied sequentially for overtime. Use your EasyCard or iPass card to rent. It's recommended to download the "Taichung Bike" app to find the nearest rental point.
If you want to rent a better bicycle, local shops in Dajia or Dongshi offer mountain bikes or e-bikes for daily rental at about NT$300-600. It's recommended to avoid peak holiday times, as shops sometimes offer experience discounts.
All routes have no specific opening hours - outdoor bike paths are open 24 hours. Indoor attractions like veteran village cultural parks and museums are open from about 09:00-17:00, closed on Mondays.
【Travel Tips】
The biggest issue with Taichung's old street routes is parking and traffic. It's recommended to start in the morning to avoid the afternoon heat and traffic peaks. Refreshment points are plentiful, but it's recommended to carry a water bottle. Some old street alleys are narrow, so pay attention to pedestrian safety when cycling.
If you're interested in architecture, bring a "Taiwan Old Street Map" or download the "Visit Old Streets" app. QR codes along the way can be scanned to listen to architectural stories.
Finally, a reminder: Taichung has been actively promoting cultural deep tourism in recent years, and some old streets have become overly commercialized. It's recommended to visit in the early morning or on weekdays to experience the most authentic old street atmosphere.
