Exploring by Bicycle
For travellers who enjoy cycling, riding through the beautiful and majestic Huadong Valley is certainly not to be missed. The exceptional natural environment of Yuli means it’s excellently suited for a leisurely roam by bike. You can explore the nearby vicinity or travel afar, ride fast-paced or slow-paced, and also explore nearby villages at your leisure. Combine your cycling trip with a train ride and enjoy a leisurely and healthy day out.
Yufu Bikeway
Distance: 10km / Estimated duration: Half a dayThe Yufu Bikeway was formerly a part of the east line railway from Yuli to Dongli train station. After the railway line was rerouted by Taiwan Railway in 1989, this old line was converted into a bicycle path. The bike path begins from a small road next to Yuli train station and ends at Jiudongli train station in Fuli. Not only is it a safe and comfortable journey suitable for all ages, but you can also ride across the famous boundary between the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the rice paddies in the Huadong Valley throughout your ride. Why not stop to take a break for lunch or coffee at Dongli, and arrange to go to Antong Hot Springs for a soak on your return trip, since it is definitely worth a visit! In addition to cycling, Yufu Bikeway is also a great place where locals go to walk or jog in the evenings.
County Highway 193
Distance: Around 25km (departing from the homestay, riding around Yuli Township and back) / Estimated duration: 2-3 hoursFrom the homestay, travel north along Provincial Highway 9 to after Gaoliao Bridge, where you will meet County Highway 193. If you turn left, you will travel towards Ruisui, if you turn right, you will ride around Yuli Township and back. This ride is great for all seasons, and you can also pay a visit to Tiefen Waterfalls. During the summer when the golden shower trees are in bloom, the ground is scattered with yellow flowers like rays of sunshine, matching the landscape of the rice paddies in Huadong Valley. Everywhere you look, there is an abundance of beauty.
Hua 75 Country Road
Distance: Around 35km (departing from the homestay, riding to Chishang and taking the shuttle train back to Yuli) / Estimated duration: Half to one dayRide towards Nan’an, connecting to Changliang on Hua 75 Country Road. Travel south along Huadong Valley, taking the small road amongst the fields and villages parallel to Provincial Highway 9. This route lacks the high speed of Provincial Highway 9 but gains the slow-moving romance of the fields and countryside. Along the way you will see everyday scenes of life in the countryside, seemingly ordinary yet moving too. Before Chishang there is an uphill section but the rest of the journey is flat and comfortable. You can ride all the way to Chishang and while you’re there, you might enjoy spending some time wandering around this area famous for its delicious rice. You can then take the shuttle train back to Yuli.