Taipei’s riverside parks are heaven for bicycle riders. Most parks have well-planned riverside bike routes, many YouBike stations, and famous landmarks along the paths. Regardless if riders want rigorous bike training or a relaxing bike trip, Taipei is a convenient choice. Here are the five best bike paths along Taipei’s riverside: 

Golden Riverside Bike Path

The Golden Riverside Bike Path starts at Guandu Temple, the largest Mazu temple in northern Taiwan. It features stories about Chinese deities and dragon and kirin sculptures. There are also snack bars nearby that provide refreshments. To get to Guandu Temple, visitors can take the MRT to Guandu Station, take the bus to Guandu Temple stop, or directly ride their bikes to the temple.

Down the path 5.4 km, riders enter Hongshulin Nature Reserve Area. It is a wetland forest that hosts a variety of organisms such as fiddler crabs, egrets, mudskippers, and mangroves. This shady forest is a relaxing, cooler stretch of the trail.

Two kilometers after the Hongshulin Nature Reserve Area, riders arrive at Tamsui Old Street. The historic neighborhood is littered with busy shops that sell pastries, groceries, and traditional Taiwanese food, all running along the Tamsui River. At dusk, visitors can view the sun setting behind Mt. Guanyin and see its reflection on the river surface.

The Golden Bike Path runs for another 3.6 km before it ends at Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf, a romantic port that is known for its seafood and sunsets. At night, The Lover’s Bridge glows with decorative lights.

Bali Left Bank Bike Path

Bali Old Street rivals the famous Tamsui Old Street across the Tamsui River. Six-point-eight kilometers from the bike bath’s start, Guanyinkeng Creek Bridge, Bali Old Street offers visitors a diverse choice of snacks, restaurants, and cafes. Visitors can take a bus to Chengtai Road Entrance stop or ride their bikes to get to the bridge. If you take the Bali Left Bank Path north, you can enjoy a fantastic ride.

After riding 3.6 km north, riders arrive at the Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology, a museum dedicated to documenting Taiwan’s history during the Iron Age. The park near the museum is also filled with Shihsanhang culture; it has raised-floor architecture, archer statues, and sandpits.

Riders can then keep going for another 2.2 km to visit the Liao Tianding Temple, and it is also the bike path’s end. It is dedicated to Liao Tianding, a famous Taiwanese thief, for his resilience for fighting against Japanese colonization and helping the poor by robbing the rich. The Bali Left Bank Bike Path terminates here.

Tamsui River Right Bank Bike Path

The Tamsui River Right Bank Bike Path starts at MRT Beimen Station, near Ximending, a bustling neighborhood in western Taipei. Visitors can take the MRT or buses to Beimen Station before they begin their journey.

North from Beimen Station 1.2 km is Dadaocheng Pier Plaza, a former trading hub during the Qing and Japanese colonial periods. A distinctive boat statue comes into view as riders stop here for a rest, with a vast view of the river behind.

The bike path goes for another 8.3 km before reaching the bike path’s end: Shezi Daotou Park. It has a 360-degree scenic view of Taipei City, Yangminghan, the Tamsui River, and Mt. Guanyin. If riders are looking for a tranquil rest at dusk and seeing a breathtaking sunset, Shezi Daotou park is definitely worth visiting.

Xindian River Right Bank Bike Path

Similar to the Tamsui River Right Bank Bike Path, the Xindian River Right Bank Bike Path starts at Beimen Station, where riders can arrive by MRT, buses, or bike. Starting from MRT Beimen Station and heading south for 7.6 km, riders arrive at the Machangting Memorial Park, a former execution ground where the Kuomintang government murdered intellectuals during Taiwan’s martial period. After martial law was lifted, the Taipei City government transformed this space into a park where families can spend time picnicking and flying kites together.

South from Machangting Memorial Park 4.1 km is Treasure Hill Artist Village, a settlement that was home to Kuomintang army veterans after WW2. In the 1980s, Taipei City encouraged local residents to collaborate with artists to transform Treasure Hill into a sustainable cultural site. Over the past four decades, Treasure Hill has held exhibitions each year and has attracted many visitors to view the wide range of art produced in the village.

About 7.6 km farther south from Treasure Hill Artist Village is the bike path’s end: Bitan Scenic Area. The Bitan Suspended Bridge spans the Xindian River and it is furnished with bright-colored lights at night. Visitors can also rent swan boats and enjoy the scenery while floating on the river. Xindian Old Street is right near Bitan, where riders can purchase food after their bike ride.

Keelung River Left Bank Bike Path

The Keelung River Left Bank Bike path starts near Nangang Exhibition Center, where riders can arrive via taking the MRT to Nangang Exhibition Center Station, buses, or by bike. After a trip of 5.5 km west from the park, riders arrive at the Rainbow Bridge, an s-shaped red bridge decorated with neon lights. Moreover, Raohe Night Market nearby is filled with traditional Taiwanese food and a featured Chinese style archway.

Roughly 6.3 km down the path west is Dajia Riverside Park. The picturesque Dazhi Bridge spans the river directly above the park. At night, the bridge is lit with floodlights from below and decorative lights above, making it sparkle against the black of Taipei’s night sky.

Going 2.9 km farther in the same direction from Dajia Riverside Park is Yuanshan Old Amusement Park. Visitors can take pictures in front of the old ferris wheel and merry-go-round. Riders can continue for another 8.6km to reach the bike path’s end: Shezi Daotou Park.

In summary, Taipei’s riverside parks are attractive places for cycling and visiting tourist attractions. All of these riverside bike paths have distinct features, but these are only five of Taipei’s bike paths. There are even more bike paths for riders to discover in Taipei’s suburbs and nearby mountains. In short, riding your bikes at Taipei’s riverside is a wonderful experience.