Cycling Through Taiwan: An Active Way to Explore the Island
21-Sep-2026
Category: News Stories
In Taiwan, cycling is more than a way to get around. It is part of the island’s culture. From internationally recognised bicycle brands such as Giant and Merida to cycling routes that run along city riversides, lakeshores, rice fields, mountain roads and coastlines, Taiwan has developed a strong and distinctive cycling culture.
The 2026 Taiwan Cycling Festival is happening now and runs through December 31. During the festival, a series of cycling events across the island gives travellers even more ways to explore Taiwan. From forests and small towns to countryside and waterfront routes, cycling remains one of the most relaxed ways to experience the island’s landscapes and local life.
And there is no need to cycle around the whole island to be part of it. Spend a morning beside a lake, a full day riding through rice fields, or add a few kilometres to a city break. For those looking for a bigger challenge, the festival calendar includes rides to Taiwan’s four extreme points — north, east, south and west — as well as the renowned Taiwan KOM Challenge and the Formosa 900 team ride around the island.
How to Experience a Taiwan Cycling Adventure
Sun Moon Lake is one of Taiwan’s best-known cycling destinations. The full circuit is around 33 kilometres, with lake views, mountains and forested sections along the way. Those who prefer a shorter ride can explore the Shuishe and Xiangshan areas and spend half a day enjoying the lakeside scenery. The lake will also host the Come!BikeDay Cycling Festival in November.
In eastern Taiwan, the landscape opens out into wide rice fields and valleys. Chishang, Guanshan and Luye are home to several cycling routes, with paths around Chishang running between rice fields, irrigation channels and rural communities, while Guanshan offers views across farmland and surrounding mountains. Rather than rushing between
attractions, this is a place to slow down, stop along the way and perhaps enjoy a Chishang bento before getting back on the bike. The festival also brings special cycling events to the East Rift Valley, including a Batongguan Old Trail cycling challenge in Yuli.
Cycling does not have to mean leaving the city either. In Taipei, riverside bikeways around Dadaocheng link waterfront scenery with historic neighbourhoods and everyday city life. Markets, cafés and local food stops can easily be added along the way, making cycling a natural part of a day in the capital.
Whether it is a morning beside Sun Moon Lake, a ride through the rice fields of Taitung, a journey towards Taiwan’s coast or several days on the road, cycling lets travellers see the island at a slower pace. Along the way, mountain views, small towns and everyday scenes often become just as memorable as the destination itself.
