Cycling from Fengyuan to Heping

Yesterday was unusual in that I was in Fengyuan District all day and had a 3 1/2 hour break between my morning and afternoon classes, so despite the heat, I definately wanted to get out on the bike. I also wanted to have lunch in Dongshi District, so I decided to head up there, hope on route 8 and see how far I could get up that road until I had to turn around due to time constraints.


Sign indicating entry into Shigang District along route 3

Started by getting on route 3 in Fengyuan District and rode through Shigang District to Dongshi District. This part of the road is not particularly picturesque. Not an unpleasant ride which is mostly a modest incline, it was nothing like the ride after getting into Dongshi.

Look up toward the mountains from the bridge between Shigang and Dongshi over the Dajia River

Crossing the Dongshi Bridge into Dongshi District was also the point where the ride becomes much more picturesque. Along many parts of Route 8, you can see the river and the surrounding mountains on both sides of the road. While at points, the climb becomes steeper, at no point is it really a hard ride. Great workout on a hot Wednesday afternoon.

Road sign for route 8 in Dongshi District

This road was used for two stages of this year's Tour de Taiwan - stage 4 from Hsinchu to Sun Moon Lake and stage 5 which was the Taichung stage. It is a moderate clime which is not overly difficult, but enough to make you work. It is a very pretty ride at times and traffic is generally pretty light during the week.

Mountain shot from Route 8

Entering Heping District, the only aboriginal district in Taichung City

The 17km marker on route 8 in Heping District

While I wanted to continue my ride all the way to Guguan, I most certainly did not have time to make the ride there. I needs to be back in Fengyuan by 2:30 and needed to eat lunch. So, about 30km into the ride, I turned around here. You can see the mountains in the background. I definately want to get back up here soon and get all the way up to Guguan.

Small, family-run Hakka restaurant in downtown Dongshi

I rode back to Dongshi District and got off route 8 to go into the downtown area. After getting a cup of tea, I went to Zhongshan road and to this local small eatery which I had been to many times before. I love their fried Hakka bantiao (broad noodles).

Fried bantiao

After lunch, back onto route 3 and back to Fengyuan for afternoon class.

Map of the ride