Are you longing for a cool spot in the scorching summer?Here's the perfect destination where you can enjoy without breaking a sweat! For fitness enthusiasts, rent a regular bicycle; for city folks like me who aren't big on exercise, opt for an electric bike. Let's enjoy the refreshing natural breeze, cooler than air conditioning!
Traffic Guide
Take the train directly to "Fulong Train Station".
Keelung Bus 791 (Guojia New City - Fulong) → Get off at Fulong Station.
Gold Fulong Shuttle Bus 856 (Magang-Ruifang Station(Residents' Square) → Get off at Fulong vistor center
After arriving at Fulong Train Station, there are several bicycle rental shops to choose. Follow Fulong Street 2nd Lane in front of the station, then turn onto Guishou Valley Street, and finally onto Wailonglin Street. It takes about 6 minutes to ride a bicycle to reach the Old Caoling Tunnel.
Old Caoling Tunnel
Located at the border between New Taipei city and Yilan, the Old Caoling Tunnel stretches over 2 kilometers (2167 meters). Even riding a bicycle through it takes about 20 minutes. If you're not a sportsman, I'd recommend renting an electric bicycle!
In front of the tunnel, there are many old train-related items, including locomotives and signal lights, all worth taking pictures of! There's also an active railway nearby, so railroad enthusiasts shouldn't miss out!
Since the Old Caoling Tunnel is over 2 kilometers long, it can get crowded with people and bicycles on holidays. Therefore, walking inside the tunnel is not allowed on weekends and public holidays. If you plan to visit during these times, make sure to bring or rent a bicycle!
As soon as you ride into the tunnel, the temperature drops several degrees instantly! It feels even cooler than turning on the air conditioning. Riding a bike while enjoying the cool breeze, you completely forget about the sweltering summer heat!
However, since there are many photo spots inside the tunnel, it's recommended not to ride too fast. This helps avoid bike collisions within the tunnel.
Especially at the boundary marker between New Taipei City and Yilan County, you can stand with your feet in two different counties at the same time. It's a popular spot where many visitors stop to take photos.
The tunnel's length of 2 kilometers is truly incomparable to the Miaoli Gongweixu Tunnel or Houlong Tunnel! Even riding an electric bike takes about 10 minutes, which is quite an exhilarating experience.
The return bike path is separated from the regular traffic lanes by a divider, so there's no need to worry about competing with cars. The scenery along the way, with mountains and the sea side by side, is truly stunning. The continuous mountain ranges meeting the deep blue sea create a sense of grandeur.
Although there's no need to compete with cars, this section still sees quite a few large trucks passing through. It's advisable to stay alert while riding in this area!
You can catch glimpses of the residential areas with views of Turtle Island, though the locals might find the sight quite commonplace. For visitors, however, the sight of Turtle Island often holds a sense of novelty and intrigue.
Of course, there are also homes with daily views of the wave-cut platform. Perhaps they are the family that understands the years of evolution of the wave-cut platform the best!
Along the bike path, there are several rest stops, including platforms, parks, and establishments like restaurants and cafés. Besides these commercial spots, many rest areas also offer public restrooms. To save money, you can do what we did: bring your own snacks and tea to enjoy at one of the rest stops you like. If you prefer the ambiance of a seaside café, choose one that you fancy and savor the stunning first-row sea view!
The route is well-marked along the way, so there's no need to worry about getting lost. However, some attractions like the lighthouse and Lingjiao Mountain require turning onto side roads. If you plan to visit these places, the route can get a bit more complex. Unfortunately, we missed the lighthouse during our ride.
▲Fulian Elementary School
Finally, let's use the colorful stairs of Fulian Elementary School to wrap up!(Although I might have touched up the photo a bit)
Overall, the North Coast Old Caoling Circular Cycling Route is definitely worth a visit!However, there are a couple of minor downsides:
Some sections of the road are not perfectly smooth, making for a bumpy ride.
Occasionally, you'll share the road with large trucks, which can be a bit nerve-wracking even with the designated lanes.
But the scenic beauty along the way is truly magnificent!Especially at sunset, it must be even more stunning!
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