All about Biking! - part I

No yellow warning lines on the ground gesturing you to keep distance from the rail track, nor is there any police officers ready to blow the whistle as soon as you break the law.

Walking beside the rail path is just as common as having meals to those who live close to it. But more often people with families bike along the railway only few centimeters away without the fear of getting caught.

Kicked off and officially opened to the public on Apr. 12, 2008, the JiaYou Bicycle Trail (嘉油鐵馬道) is one of the only two cycling routes in JiaYi city. Stretching 3.5 kilometers long from southwest to northeast across Jiayi, this trail used to be a busy rail track operated by the Chinese Petroleum Corp.(CPC). Under the reconstruction and package of Jiayi government, there comes cycling paths on both side of the rail track and seven stops throughout the trail: Gexiliow(鴿溪寮), Daojunzuen(道江圳), Hongwastuo(紅瓦厝), Nanjing Rd.(南京路), Minsheng S. Rd.(民生南路), SinminRd.(新民路), and Shihsian Rd. (世賢路)Stop.

If the excitement of biking along the railway is the fist impetus, then the laid-back vibe and the scenery throughout the trip must come next.

Starting from the Gexiliow stop located in Jiayi county, I came across everything about countryside: the elderly leisurely talk to their neighbors, others do their farming works, and still others take a walk with their grandchildren. Rooster crows air live from the shabby shelters hiding among the weeds; bamboo leaves murmur through breeze; and mulberry, banana, and areca trees stand out of the paddy plains… all weave into this tranquil rural scene.

The bird chirping gradually takes over the roosters’ job, while adorable and lovely flowers are taking up my view as I cycle farther into the city.

Feeling tired? Go grab a seat in one of the shelters considerately sitting along the trail.

You can’t find other places than JiaYou Bicycle Trail where you can legally pedal along the rail track.

An arch with a name tag at each stop on the way of the trail.

As the cycling trail on either side of the track isn't really wide, this place is better for families and couples who are seeking for a relaxing escape than for those cyclists out for the extreme of speed.

Flying birds!! It took me several tries before I could finally snap pictires of them. (Birds are really sensitive and keen; they seem to be able to detect our every move even from high above. Here, I pay my highest respect and admiration to birds photographers!!)

Spots outside JiaYi!

Beitou Thermal Valley



You probably aren’t able to hang over there long in summer, but the magnificent scene is worth sweating and humid heat. The natural spring gush is heated up to 80℃ ~ 100℃ and the sprawling steam curls up extending in all direction. Isolated by the humid surroundings, the smoke and sulfur smell interflow with each other and impress every tourist with this picturesque fairyland!

This is one of the most unique scenery in Taiwan that you would not want to miss it while traveling here.

Gi Luo Bing (Yum Yum!!)

Where foodies gather where yummies are. People who aren’t necessarily a culinary amateur like me simply follow the signal the brain sends.

From the distant spot I can see crowded people in front of a small stand, located in a perfect intersection where a busy morning market street follows. But no, it’s not early in the morning. I’ve collected the information before I came and know that this stand only shows up between around 2:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon. They only serve one of a kind: Ji Luo Bing, which is something like fried dumpling or bun. And this traditional street snack has been here amazing and satisfying people’s taste for more than 40 years.

Picked up my pace I’m among this throng of people. Smell along with the smoke of fried food drifted from the pot of sizzling oil where the ready small dough filled with stuffing were slided in. Just in time when the pale skin turn into golden, they’re ready to serve.

They come in with four flavors, including peanut, green beans, veggies, and rice noodles.

Don’t be fooled by the name! There are rice noodles, pieces of cabbage, strips of carrot and mooli, and slices of Shiitake mushroom, all in one rice-noodle ji luo bing.

Yum!! They are blended perfectly to create such traditional taste, and so great that I turned back to buy three more!

Other than the yummy taste, the price is affordable for people from all walks of life: NTD12/per one. That is why no matter when you wanna drop by and buy some, you’ll always see a small crowd next to the board “ Ji Luo Bing”.