Matthew Baxter
Cycling along Tamsui River (淡水河) is a rite of passage for many travelers in Taipei and New Taipei. This classic route winds its way up the east side of the river, passing pristine mangroves and forests, small settlements, quiet streams and much more. You’ll surely be inundated with opportunities to take that perfect Instagram pic, especially if you time it so that you reach Tamsui around sunset.
Tamsui River is the main river running from the sea in the north, via the district of Tamsui, then south through Taipei. Branches then head down to spots such as Xindian. This means there are various starting and finishing points that you can go for, based on your ability and desires. Most people though make sure that they include Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf and the actual area around Tamsui Station, as these are the top sights along the way.
Cycling information
Difficulty: Easy
Time required: 30 to 40 minutes (Zhuwei Station to Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf)
How to do the cycling route
The recommended route is from Zhuwei Station to Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf, but it would be perfectly possible to stop at Tamsui, or start at a Taipei Metro station further up the river. Most stations have YouBike stations, so all you need to do is have a look at the YouBike app for the YouBike station locations and how to get to the river from them. If you’re a real keen cyclist, it would also be perfectly possible, if a bit of a trek, to bike all the way from central Taipei, or if you’re really looking for a full day’s ride, all the way from Xindian.
Hours and fees
Make sure you have NT$50-100 on your IC card, such as the EasyCard, and you should have enough charged for the full trip. The whole route is free to access and open 24 hours.
