- Length
- 24 kmSource and notes below
- Route shape
- Loop
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Path with road sections
- Level
- Easy
- Riding time
- About 1 h 45 min at an easy 14 km/h, not counting stops Estimate ride time
- Families
- Families: with care
- Climbing
- Not measuredNo official figure, so none given
The map loads here. Official map
Line: national cycling portal (MOTC), with its road types. Base map: National Land Surveying and Mapping Center.
Rest stops and stations along the official line
Rest stops
- 冬山車站(兩鐵轉運站) (toilets, accessible toilet, drinking water, map board, first-aid kit, repairs, bike ramps at the station, bike rental)
- 親水公園 (toilets, accessible toilet, drinking water, map board, first-aid kit, repairs)
Train stations that take bikes
- 冬山 · bike train times
Listed by the national cycling portal (MOTC). Services and hours can change: treat these as a guide, not a guarantee.
About the lengthYilan County tourism page: about 24 km as a loop and return, from near TRA Dongshan Station to the Qingshui sluice gate in Wujie The county gives an approximate figure (about 24 km). Travel media quote other lengths for shorter variations; this page uses only the county figure.
Why these labels
Traffic and path type: Yilan County says the bikeway separates bikes from cars and asks riders to follow signs and the marked flow. It is mostly flat river embankment, shared with people walking. The county page does not describe the road links and crossings near Dongshan Station, so expect short stretches of town street at the start. The national cycling portal classes its 24 km Dongshan River bikeway as bike-only path plus some mixed-traffic stretches, mostly the town streets near the station. A 2024 county notice closes both embankment tops to cars and scooters.
Families: Yilan County describes the route as mostly flat embankment, separated from car traffic and suitable for parent and child riding. Children should still wear helmets, as the county advises, and the route has few places to buy water. The embankment paths are closed to cars and scooters, but the start near Dongshan Station uses town streets, so keep children close there.
The Dongshan River Bikeway follows both banks of the Dongshan River from near TRA Dongshan Station downstream to the Qingshui sluice gate in Wujie. Yilan County gives the loop and return as about 24 km and rates it low difficulty for all ages.
Along the way the county lists the National Center for Traditional Arts, Dongshan River Water Park, the Dongshan River Ecological Ark (Dongshan Forest Park), the Zhenzhu leisure farming area, the Lizejian Bridge and traces of the old river channel. Wide rice fields line much of the route.
The county suggests allowing 2 to 3 hours, riding counterclockwise from Dongshan Station via the Sanqi path and the 52-Jia Wetland, then back along the river. Shade and drinking water are limited, so carry your own.
Who it suits
Families, beginners and anyone wanting an easy half day from Yilan or a day trip from Taipei by train. Riders wanting hills or traffic-free training at speed should look elsewhere, since the path is shared with walkers.
The route
A ride plan, in order
- Start at Dongshan Station and pick up a rental nearby if you need one.
- Ride counterclockwise, as the county suggests, toward the Sanqi path and the 52-Jia Wetland for rice fields and birds.
- Continue past the Zhenzhu leisure farming area, then follow the river past the Water Park, the National Center for Traditional Arts and Lizejian Bridge toward the Qingshui sluice gate.
- Return along the river to Dongshan Station. The county notes the railway bridge over the Dongshan River as a spot to watch trains cross.
Opening hours and closures
Opening hours and closuresYilan County lists the bikeway as open 24 hours. Riverside paths can be closed after heavy rain or typhoons; no current closure notice was found on 2026-11-04.
Getting there without a car
- Take a TRA train to Dongshan Station. The county page says the bikeway starts close to the station and that there are several bike rental shops around it.
- Dongshan is on TRA's list of stations that allow unbagged bikes (人車同行), so you can bring a full-size bike on trains and services that carry bikes. Check bike capacity for your train first.
Bringing your own bike: TRA: a fully bagged bike (max 150 cm long, length plus width plus height max 220 cm, no plastic or cloth bags) can go on any train class as hand luggage; TRA may suspend this on long holidays. Unbagged bikes need a bike ticket on trains with bike capacity, and Dongshan Station is on TRA's list of stations open to unbagged bikes.
Renting a bike
Yilan County says several rental shops operate around Dongshan Station. Specific shop names, prices and hours were not verified for this guide. Yilan County also lists a bike rental station at Dongshan River Water Park, and the national portal lists rental at Dongshan Station.
Confirm hours, rates and availability directly with the provider. Cycle.tw does not take bookings.
Toilets, water and food
The county lists public toilets, parking and a bus stop as facilities for the bikeway, and warns that there are few places to resupply along the route. Bring water. Shade is limited on the embankment.
Safety and conditions
- The county warns of strong crosswinds on the embankment in rain or wind: slow down.
- Summer sun is strong. The county suggests riding early morning or late afternoon and avoiding midday heat.
- The path is shared with walkers. Ride at a pace that lets you stop, and ring before passing.
- Before renting, check brakes and lights, as the county advises.
- After typhoons or heavy rain, riverside paths can flood or carry debris. Check with Yilan County before going.
- Check the Central Weather Administration forecast before you go. Heavy rain, typhoons and earthquakes close paths, river parks and roads, sometimes for weeks.
- Wear a properly fitted bike helmet, whatever the law says for your bike.
When to go
Yilan County says the route works in all seasons, with spring and autumn especially popular and summer busy with water activities. Ride early or late on hot days.
Nearby and related
Emergency: 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance. From a mobile phone, 112 also reaches emergency services.
Sources
- Dongshan River Bikeway: starts near Dongshan Station, ends at Qingshui sluice gate, about 24 km loop and... (Yilan County Government)
- TRA bagged bike rules: max 150 cm, sum 220 cm, any train class, may be suspended on long holidays (Taiwan Railway Corporation)
- TRA stations open to unbagged bikes include Dongshan, Chishang, Guanshan, Luye, Hualien and Taitung (Taiwan Railway Corporation)
- Yilan bikeways feature (updated 2026-08-18) (Yilan County Government)
- Dongshan River bikeway, 24 km (National cycling portal (MOTC))
- Embankment tops closed to cars and scooters (2024) (Yilan County Government)
Checked November 2026 Next review due January 2027.
Printed from https://cycle.tw/routes/dongshan-river-bikeway/