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New Taipei City Travel

Preparation for World Masters Games 2025 in Taipei and New Taipei City with Low Carbon Emission Bike Tour in Gongliao!

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Category :
Cycling Trip & Rail travel & Outdoor excursion & Secret attractions & Hot Spring
Travel days :
1 day
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Public & Cyclists & Backpackers

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      Introduction

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      SPORTS beyond AGE|LIFE without LIMITS
      World Masters Games will be grandly held in New Taipei City and Taipei City in May, 2025, and contestants from over 100 countries will attend the sports event in the two cities. World Masters Games 2025 will be hosted by New Taipei City and Taipei City and co-hosted by Taoyuan City, Hsinchu County, Hsinchu City and Yilan County. 35 games are included in the sports event. People over 30 years of age can participate in the masters games to compete with the world and make like-minded friends.

      Gongliao District of New Taipei City will be the venue for the games of sailing and lifesaving of World Masters Games 2025. You can take Taiwan Railway to Fulong Station in Gongliao District and ride a bike on the challenging Old Caoling Circular Line and pass through Old Caoling Tunnel while listening to the music of Clinking Coins, a renowned folk song. You can bike along the coast to the easternmost point of Taiwan. Lastly, you can return to Fulong Beach and stay at a local hotel to enjoy hot springs and delicious food!

      萊萊地質區

      Once you exit Fulong Train Station, you will be able to smell the delicious Fulong boxed lunch. Fulong boxed lunch enjoys equal fame with Chishang boxed lunch, and it is one of the famous boxed lunches sold by Taiwan Railway Administration. With the dishes of sliced pork, braised pork, sausage, cabbage, vegetable roll, braised egg, braised bean curd, fried meat roll, pickled vegetables and so on, the classic boxed lunch has been sold for over seven decades. Although the boxed lunch is no longer sold on the platform, several restaurants still sell boxed lunch in front of the train station. Hurry up and enjoy a Fulong boxed lunch in one of the restaurants.
      福隆車站
      福隆車站

      After regaining energy, we will face our challenge! We will rent a bicycle or an e-bike and enter Old Caoling Circular Bike Trail from Fulong Station. The total length of Old Caoling Circular Bike Trail is approximately 20 kilometers, and it takes about 2 hours to make a round trip by biking. You can ride through the Snow Mountain Range on the bike trail between the mountain and sea, and reach Sandiaojiao Lighthouse, the easternmost point of Taiwan, and East Park to check in on social media. Finally, we will directly arrive at Fulong Beach, a venue of World Masters Games.
      👉The total length of Old Caoling Circular Bike Trail is 20 kilometers, so please take your physical fitness into consideration. You can rent an e-bike if you think it is too strenuous for you to finish the entire trail by a regular bike. Please make sure you apply sunscreen and bring sufficient drinking water in summer before biking.
      舊草嶺環狀自行車道地圖

      “The train goes, chugga choo drip, into the tunnel…...” This is a catchy Taiwanese folk song. The term “tunnel” in this song refers to Old Caoling Tunnel which was open for use in 1924. It was the most critical construction of Yilan Line of Taiwan Railway, and it was 2,167 meters long. Old Caoling Tunnel that going through Snow Mountain Range greatly shortened the traffic time between New Taipei City and Yilan. The north entrance and south entrance of the tunnel were inscribed with Chinese calligraphy, “overcoming challenges to dig the tunnel” and “seeing a clear and boundless sky with clouds” at the New Taipei City end and Yilan end respectively to commemorate the hardship workers had faced in excavating the tunnel.
      舊草嶺隧道
      舊草嶺隧道

      Old Caoling Tunnel had retired after Taiwan Railway implemented the dual track system and electrification. Since 2008, the railway has been open for use as a bike trail. The trail still preserves railway tracks. To make it look more like a railway, lampshades for oil lamps are used to restore the appearance of a railway tunnel. It is interesting to bike in the old-fashioned Old Caoling Tunnel while listening to the music of “Clinking Coins.” There is a semicircular ring of light which marks the border of New Taipei City and Yilan in the middle part of the tunnel, and it is the most popular spot for check in in the tunnel!
      舊草嶺隧道

      As the light gets brighter at the end of the tunnel, you can gradually see the immense Pacific Ocean. When waves crash against the cuesta, surf and Turtle Island make a perfect picture. You can bike on the bike trail along the mountain and sea toward the easternmost point of Taiwan.
      龜山島
      舊草嶺隧道自行車環線

      Lailai Coast Geological Area that stretches several hundred meters is the largest wave-cut platform of the Northeast Coast, and it is called the “Devil’s Washboard.” A wide variety of coastal terrains scatter on the wave-cut platform, such as the largest fire dragon rock in Taiwan and several sea grooves. Kuroshio, the warm current of Pacific Ocean, passes the open waters of Lailai, and it nourishes thriving marine ecology, making Lailai Coast Geological Area a great spot for rock fishing. Moreover, its wide intertidal zone is a good location for ecological observation.
      萊萊地質區
      萊萊地質區

      Sijiaoku Observatory with the design of hollow twin hearts is located at the north tip of Lailai Coast Geological Area. You can look down at the geological area and Turtle Island. Additionally, Sijiaoku is a relay station of Old Caoling Circular Bike Trail. The prairie facing Pacific Ocean next to the observatory is the best spot for photography.
      四角窟觀景臺

      The first light of morning shines on Sandiaojiao. The name of Sandiaojiao originated from Santiago in Spanish. Sandiaojiao is at Taiwan’s easternmost point. Snow Mountain Range stretches all the way from Sandiaojiao to Zhuishui River. Since 1935, Sandiaojiao Lighthouse has stood tall in the mountain to guard the safety of boats. The name of East Park at the foot of the mountain is white in English and red in Chinese. The park marks the easternmost point of Taiwan, longitude 122° east. It looks like a gigantic gorilla overlooking Pacific Ocean if you look back at the starting point of Snow Mountain Range!
      三貂角燈塔
      極東公園
      極東公園大金剛


      Magang Fishing Port, located to the north of Sandiaojiao, is the easternmost fishing village of Taiwan. Fishermen mostly catch fish in the fisheries by Turtle Island and Sandiao Bay. Their main catches include sea breams, oceanic bonitos, neritic squid, squid and lobsters. You can take a rest at the fishing port, enjoy the ocean views while savoring seafood noodles or coffee. You can play with cats in the fishing village as well.

      馬崗漁港
      馬崗漁港

      After feasting your eyes on the magnificent views of the mountain and sea that stretch for 20 kilometers, you will return to Fulong Beach filled with fine and soft sand. With a curvy beach, Fulong Beach gets the name of Gold Coast. Shuang River meets the sea here, forming the two landscapes of an inland river and open waters. Fulong’s exceptionally gifted terrain has made it suitable for various water sports, such as sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, surfing and so on. Fulong has been a famous beach since Japanese Colonial Period, and it has carried the youthful memories of numerous generations.
      福隆海水浴場

      The games of sailing and lifesaving will take place on Fulong Beach during World Masters Games in 2025. With an excellent geographical location, Fullon Hotel Fulong adjacent to Fulong Beach enables its guests to overlook the venue of the games. Additionally, the hotel provides delicate meals and hot springs. To encourage low carbon travel, guests who take public transportation may enjoy eco-friendly accommodation promotions. Let’s take the train to Fulong, ride a bike around Taiwan’s Northern Coast, and participate in the sports event that takes place in northern Taiwan. “SPORTS beyond AGE! LIFE without LIMITS!” Let’s meet in Fulong to attend World Masters Games 2025!
      👉Registration for World Masters Games 2025 held in Taipei and New Taipei City starts on February 17. Everyone is welcome to participate in the grand occasion!
      福容大飯店福隆
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        Escape the summer heat by heading up to the mountains: Explore the Pingxi Historic Trail
        When stepping out of an air-conditioned room on scorching summer days, the oppressive atmosphere within the concrete jungle can induce fatigue due to global warming and the increasingly severe urban heat island effect. Let's go! Let's escape the urban areas and head towards the mountains to avoid the summer heat! Shuangxi (literally refers to “two rivers” in Chinese), named after the confluence of the Pinglin River and Mudan River, makes everyone feel refreshed just by looking at it. With its mountainous terrain, the Shuangxi District is situated in the upstream area of the Feicui Reservoir Watershed. When visiting Shuangxi, you can take a walk along the Pingxi Historic Trail and dip into the flowing river, leading all the way to the panoramic Guishan Island viewing platform. Moreover, you can visit the Shoushan Temple to pray, explore treasures at the holiday farmers’ market, and leisurely stroll along Shuangxi Old Street.Located on the mountainous terrain between Taipei Basin and Lanyang Plain, Shuangxi District has been a crucial passage for travelers commuting between them in the past. It is also the primary pathway along the middle route of the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails. The Pingxi Historic Trail that lies within it features a uniquely flat valley landscape seldom found in northern Taiwan, making it an excellent destination for families. Extending 1.5 km at an altitude of 500 m, this trail provides an ideal setting, allowing travelers to instantly dissipate the summer heat when stepping into the refreshing ambiance of Pingxi. The Pingxi Historic Trail is enveloped by lush greenery, accentuated by a captivating sight of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) forests arranged in neat along the way. This trail, resembling a green corridor, is flat and spacious, featuring two intersections that lead travelers to the river. The pristine river flows leisurely, and its deepest point reaches only up to the calf, offering an excellent spot for water play and observing fish and shrimp during summer days. This historic trail concludes at the border between New Taipei City and Yilan County, where a viewing platform providing a magnificent vista is established. This platform enables travelers to gaze upon Turtle Island and the distant Pacific Ocean!To reach the entrance of the Pingxi Historic Trail, please navigate to the "Wushan No. 62 Camping Site". The access road is narrow, so please drive safely.Shoushan Temple serves as the religious hub in Taiping, Shuangxi. Situated upstream of Feicui Reservoir, it stands on the banks of the Beishi River. The primary deity enshrined at Shoushan Temple is Mazu, the revered "Heavenly and Sacred Mother", accompanied by Guan Yu, the "Holy Ruler Deity Guan", and Tudigong, the "Right God of Blessing and Virtue". The "Mazu Pilgrimage", held annually on February 18 of the lunar calendar, stands as the prominent yearly event in the Taiping region.Next to the entrance archway of Shoushan Temple, the Taiping Holiday Farmers Market (also referred to as the Shoushan Temple Holiday Farmers Market) operates during weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This market can accommodate more than 20 stalls selling premium seasonal vegetables, such as shiitake mushrooms planted in the region, assorted seasonal vegetables, and various melons. Additionally, there is a cooked food area offering diverse prepared foods like Taiwanese stir-fried rice noodles, Chinese mesona chicken soup, and refreshing ice treats.The center of Shuangxi is situated at the confluence of the Mudan River and Pinglin River. Due to the human traffic and logistics along the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails, Shuangxi served as an important land and water transportation hub during the Qing Dynasty. However, following the consecutive development of railways and highways, Shuangxi's initial function in water transportation was gradually supplanted, leading to the decline of the town.The Shuangxi Ferry Pier stands at the end of Chang’an Street. In its earlier days, it functioned as a crucial inland cargo transfer station. Passengers and goods from the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails boarded vessels at this pier, journeyed to the estuary near Jiushe (nowadays, the area around Fulong Beach), and then switched to sailboats for further transit to various destinations. On the return trip, smaller boats were used to transport daily essentials upstream to the upper reaches of Dingshuangxi, contributing significantly to the former splendor of Shuangxi.Once the most bustling street in Shuangxi, Chang’an Street holds the spiritual center of the area. It is home to Taiwan's sole temple dedicated to "the Three Heroes of the Late Song Dynasty" - the Sanzhong Temple. In 1781, a Fujian migrant crossed over the Taiwan Strait and arrived in Shuangxi, bringing along a statue of Wen Tianxiang. He settled here to cultivate the land and built a thatched hut to house the statue of the deity. As the number of devotees grew, statues of Lu Xiufu and Zhang Shijie were crafted and enshrined alongside Wen Tianxiang's statue. Through numerous repairs and renovations, the temple has evolved into its present form.Until today, Shuangxi Old Street has preserved numerous old buildings, including the century-old Lin Yi-tang Chinese Medicinal Herbs Store, Chou's Old House, Shuangxi Presbyterian Church, and more, showcasing the former grandeur of Shuangxi. Although the old street has gradually faded, it exudes a sense of tranquility typical of a mountainous town. Travelers can leisurely stroll through its alleys and streets, capturing photographs and savoring the scenery.
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        Yingge - Cultural Tour for the Family
        If you don’t want to spend the weekend cooped up at home swiping mobile phones with the kids, come and take a stroll around Yingge! Here’s a fun-filled itinerary for the whole family – start the glorious morning by heading into the hills for the relatively short “Yingge Rock Trail.” As you and your children make your way up the gently sloping stairs, you pass through a relaxing forest and will arrive at Yingge Rock before you know it! According to legend, Koxinga was leading his troops through the region when they were blocked by poisonous miasma. A soldier was also eaten as well. Koxinga ordered his cannons to blow away the neck of Yingge Rock and the miasma was finally dispelled. Yingge Rock is the most famous local sight and gave its name to the town. Climbing a mountain makes people hungry so the next stop is “Yingge Old Street” to check out the specialty ceramic stores and enjoy the local delicacies. We now come to the highlight of the day – “The Shu’s Pottery.” Here you and the kids can try your hand at pottery and DIY ceramics. The experience not only improves children’s hand-eye coordination but also strengthens family bonds. If you still have the energy, go for an evening bicycle ride to admire the sunset at “Sanying Longyao Bridge.” As the night falls, the light sculpture on the bridge comes on and creates a magical atmosphere. The giant clay models scattered throughout the grounds of “SanYing Waterfront” offer a perfect place to take snapshots of precious family time together.
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