Cycling Around Taiwan: Why The Island’s Famous Bike Journey Is So Popular

In many places, cycling is simply a way to get around. In Taiwan, riding around the island can become something much bigger: a personal challenge, a way to travel and an opportunity to see the country from a completely different perspective.

Known as Huandao, meaning “around the island”, the journey has become a recognisable part of Taiwan's cycling culture. Thousands of Taiwanese take on the challenge, while the route also attracts visitors from overseas.

A 960.8km Route Around Taiwan

One reason the journey is accessible is the development of Taiwan Cycling Route No. 1. The official route stretches for approximately 960.8 kilometres around the island, with rest stations located roughly every 20 kilometres. The Tourism Administration says the full circuit can take around nine days.

The route connects a wide variety of landscapes rather than offering one repetitive ride. Cyclists can experience coastal roads, towns, countryside and mountainous scenery during the journey.

That changing scenery is a major part of the attraction. Instead of seeing Taiwan through a car or train window, riders experience its landscapes at a slower pace, with opportunities to stop and explore along the way.

More Than Just a Test of Endurance

Cycling around Taiwan is certainly a physical challenge, but it is not only about speed or fitness. The journey allows riders to turn travelling into an experience where the route itself becomes part of the destination.

Taiwan's government has continued developing its cycling network, with Route No. 1 forming the backbone of its island-wide cycling infrastructure. Additional branch and circular routes have also been developed to connect cyclists with attractions and different parts of the country.

From Mountains to Coastal Roads

The diversity of Taiwan's geography gives the island loop much of its character. Riders can move from developed urban areas and flatter sections into quieter rural landscapes, coastal stretches and mountain surroundings.

The eastern side is particularly known for dramatic scenery, while other sections provide opportunities to experience towns, rivers, agricultural areas and local attractions. This combination makes cycling tourism in Taiwan about exploration as much as exercise.

A Cycling Culture That Keeps Growing

Taiwan has continued investing in a bicycle-friendly environment and promoting cycling as both recreation and tourism. The country's official cycling network now offers numerous routes beyond the main island loop, giving riders options for shorter adventures as well.

For those who complete the full journey, however, the appeal of cycling around Taiwan remains straightforward: it is a demanding ride that offers an unusually intimate way to experience an entire island, one kilometre at a time.