Tourism Administration, Republic of China (Taiwan)-Taiwan Tourism Administration's Taiwan Tourism Information Website

“The train travels through the tunnel…” is a line in the famous Taiwanese folk song “Diu Diu Dang Ah,” and the railway tunnel that is being mentioned is none other than the Old Caoling Bike Tunnel stretching 2,167 meters in length. Originally built in 1924 as part of the railway line connecting Fulong and Shicheng, the tunnel was later closed and left unused. Following revitalization efforts, it reopened in 2008 as Northern Taiwan’s first railway tunnel converted into a bikeway. It has since received international recognition, including the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, and has been selected as one of Taiwan’s ten classic cycling routes. The tunnel remains pleasantly cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Weathered red-brick walls, vintage oil lamps, and preserved railway tracks create a nostalgic atmosphere. A one-way ride through the tunnel takes only roughly 20 minutes. Along the route, visitors can hear the rumble of trains passing through the adjacent modern tunnel, admire the historic inscriptions “Control the Natural Stronghold” at the northern entrance of the tunnel and “Where White Clouds Soar” at the southern entrance of the tunnel, and stop for photos at the marker denoting the boundary between New Taipei City and Yilan County located midway through the tunnel. Visitors are encouraged to take the train to Fulong Station, rent a bicycle, and embark on a low-carbon journey that combines Taiwan Cycling Route No. 1 with the beautiful scenery of the northeastern coastline.