Between its rustic appeal and designated round-the-town bike trail— Taiwan 's first—Guanshan may be the perfect place for cycling. The Beinan River and

Hongshih River accompany you on this route along with green expanses of rice fields to uplift your spirits as you tour through this scenic township .

The East Rift Valley radiates out along Provincial Highway 9. The section of this road linking Fonggang in Pingtung County and Taitung City, known as the South Link Highway, is about 107 kilometers long and passes between the Pacific Ocean and Central Mountains, with picturesque peaks yielding to dramatic coastal views in an ever-changing tapestry of greens and blues.

The East Rift Valley townships of Taitung County each have their unique appeal. Chihshang produces some of Taiwan 's highest quality rice; Guanshan boasts Taiwan 's first township-wide bikeway; Luye has earned its name from fine tea and as a parasailing destination; and in Yanping, the culture of the Bunun aboriginal tribe endures against modernity. You can expect, and receive, a new discovery at every turn.

For cyclists, Guanshan is a special treat. You can rent a bike here for a tour along the bicycle route around the town. The 12-kilometer route, easily accomplishable in an hour and a half, follows the scenic Beinan River and Hongshih River , with rice paddy as far as the eye can see. The greens of the rice fields give way to fields of brilliant yellow during the rape flower season, and complementing it all is the symphony of birds and insects.

When you're ready for a break, head to the Guanshan Township Farmers' Association Recreation Center , where you can learn more about the growing process and different varieties of local rice. You can also continue by train to Guanshan Water Park for riverside recreation.

Information Directions to Quanshan, Taitung County

◎ By Car
1. Prov. Hwy 2 → Yilan → Prov. Hwy 9 → Hualien → Prov. Hwy 9 → Guanshan
2. Second Southern Freeway Linbian Interchange → Prov. Hwy 17 → Fangliao → Prov. Hwy 1 → Fonggang → Prov. Hwy 9 → Taitung City → Prov. Hwy 9 → Guanshan

◎ By Train/Bus
1. From Taipei Main Station take the Taiwan Railway Eastern Line direct to Guanshan. The Zihciang Express trip time is about five hours, the Jyuguang Express trip time is about six to seven hours.
2. From Kaohsiung Station take the South Link Line to Taitung Station. Then take the Eastern Line train to Guanshan.
3. From Taitung City: Take the Chihshang or Lidao route of the Diing Dong Bus Mountain Line to Guanshan. Diing Dong Bus Tel: (089) 328-269.

Bike Rental Data
． Heyi Bicycle Shop: 1F , No. 51, Minsheng Rd. , Jhongfu Village, Guanshan Township (in front of the park entrance), Tel: (089) 811-362, (0932) 522-577
． Cingshuei Farm Bicycle Rental Shop: No. 11-1, Sinfu Rd. , Sinfu Village , Guanshan Township , (089) 814-570
． Huanjhen Bicycle Shop: No. 27-12, Sinfu Rd. , Jhongfu Village , Guanshan Township , (089) 810-099

Bike Services Shops
．Giant Guanshan Branch: No. 6, Bo-ai Rd., Guanshan Township, Taitung County

Bicycle Route

Cycling Notes
1. This is a designated bicycle route and is very safe to ride but please still beware of the traffic.
2. There is one fairly steep section along this route that may take some extra legwork to complete.

Taiwan Tour Bus Routes
East Rift Valley Leisure Tour (Half-day & 1 Day)

Travel Services
． East Rift Valley National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau, MOTC Address: No. 168, Sec. 2, Singhe Rd. , Neighborhood 17, Hegang Village , Rueisuei Township, Hualien County Tel : (03) 887-5306
． Taitung Train Station Visitor Information Center (New Station) Address: No. 598, Lane 101, Yanwan Rd. , Taitung City Tel: (089) 238-231
． Taitung Train Station Visitor Information Center (Old Station) Address: No. 369, Tiehua Rd. , Taitung City Tel: (089) 359-085
． Taitung Airport Visitor Information Center Address: No. 1100, Minhang Rd. , Taitung City Tel: (089) 362-476

•  Services: Introduction to bicycles and cycling accessories by professional cycling instructors

•  Cycling Services: Supply car support and bicycle pick-up and return service

•  Repair Services: Maintenance personnel/tools to ensure a worry-fee ride

•  Safety Services: Professional staff accompany riders; NT$2 million in travel insurance protection

•  Guide Services: Introductions to scenic sites and points of interest

•  Recording Service: Tours are fully documented with photos and video

•  High-end Bicycles: High-end bicycles best suited to the particular terrain of the route will be provided for rental along with safety helmets, water bottles, and riding gloves.

•  Food Service: Replenishing snacks and beverages will be provided during the tour.

Chase the Wind

1 Old Guanshan Train Station
This historic train station was built in 1922 by the then Japanese-owned Taitung Sugar Corporation. When the Taitung Railway was expanded, the station was displaced by a new station built about 100 meters south, relegating it to use as a freight office and warehouse.

In the intervening decades since then, the old station has been renovated and designated as a historic site. The five-sided peak of the station roof is reflective of an early building style in Hokkaido, Japan. The station is supported by concrete columns, and access is provided through wooden doors on either end. The half-moon shared window in the front gable adds a further classical touch to the elegant old building.

2 Guanshan Township
Farmers' Association Recreation Center Located in a retired rice mill, the Guanshan Township Farmers' Association Recreation Center is the place to go to learn about Taitung's rice industry. Displays and activities here introduce the process of growing and refining rice, with demonstrations provided on pgraded versions of the original mill equipment.

Visitors can also take part in a range of fun DIY activities, from rice sculpting to rice cooking lessons. At the center's store you can pick up a bag of Guanshan's famous rice to take home.

3 Guanshan Canal
Guanshan is situated between the Central Mountains and Coast Mountains in an area with wide seasonal fluctuations in rainfall. The Beinan River would often dry down to the riverbed, exposing the rocks and thick growths of Japanese silvergrass there. During the rainy season, it would swell again into a roaring waterway sweeping over the Guanshan area.

The Guanshan Canal was built here, between 1948 and 1958, to regulate the flow of the mercurial river and provide a steady supply of irrigation water for
the local farms. The canal continues to serve as a major lifeline to the farmers of Guanshan, providing much of the water used to grow the township's famous rice. It also sets a scenic backdrop for cyclists along the round-the-town loop trail.

4 Guanshan Riverside Park
Perched on the banks of the Sinwulyu River, Guanshan Riverside Park is one of the top scenic sites in Guanshan Township. The 32-hectare park is designed for riverside recreations, with waterfalls, fountains, a canal, rowboat area, and a lotus pond.
There are also plenty of scenic views and ecological attractions to explore at the park, making this a good spot to get up close and personal with the natural beauty of the East Coast.

Guanshan Township Farmers' Association Recreation Center
Address : No. 24-1, Changlin Rd. , Guanshan Township , Taitung County
Tel : (089) 814-903
Hours : 08:00~12:00 and 13:30~17:00
Note : DIY activities should be arranged at least one week in advance.

Guanshan Riverside Park
Location : Located on reclaimed land by the Beinan River . Follow the road signs from Guanshan Township .
Tel : (089) 814-542
Hours : Winter 07:00~17:30, Summer 07:00~18:30
Admission : Adults NT$50, Half-fare NT$30