Gongliao District: Trails, Bridges and Landscapes

Gongliao District offers a wide variety of landscapes and cultural experiences to explore: open grasslands, river crossings, hiking trails and traces of historic transport routes all shape the area. Whether you prefer hiking, cycling or exploring historic sites, the destinations mentioned offer different options to help you plan your day.

Silver Grass and Trails to Taoyuan Valley

Open grassland stretches for several kilometres across Taoyuan Valley. In autumn and winter, silver grass flowers cover the hills, giving the landscape a seasonal character. Three hiking trails lead to Taoyuan Valley, each with a different starting point and character.

The Innerliao Route begins at Gongliao’s terraced fields; it is considered the shortest and relatively easy to walk. The Daxi Route starts on the Yilan coast and is steeper. The Caoling Route connects with the Caoling Historic Trail. Comparing the trails lets you weigh a shorter route against a steeper climb or a connection to the historic trail.

Gongliao Environmental Park offers a different focus: it has a wetland educational trail through the landscape and is designed as an outdoor learning site for water environments. Grassland, wetlands and hiking trails offer different ways to experience the area; they do not need to be combined into a single outing.

Historic Trails and the Old Street

The Caoling Historic Trail is an 8.5-kilometre hiking route between Yuanwangkeng in Gongliao District and Dali in Toucheng Township. Along the route are Die Si Ma Bridge and Xianji Rock, as well as the historic monuments Xiongzhen Manyan and Tiger Character Stele. The trail links several named stops between the two places.

Nearby, Gongliao Old Street recalls another kind of route history: it was once an important stronghold on the northern route of the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails. The gateway to the street evokes this past with a wild boar motif. For travellers who want to include historical connections alongside the landscape in their plans, this place offers a distinct point of interest.

Cycling Routes and the Old Caoling Tunnel

After it was closed following the electrification of Taiwan Railways’ double-track line, the Old Caoling Tunnel reopened as a cycle path in 2008. It is accessible to pedestrians and cyclists on weekdays; on public holidays, only cyclists may use it. Check the current conditions before visiting, especially if you are planning your trip for a public holiday.

The tunnel is also part of a roughly 20-kilometre circular cycling route that starts at Fulong Station and follows the coast before returning there. This route offers a different experience from the Caoling Historic Trail: it centres on a circular ride, while the other is a hiking route between Yuanwangkeng and Dali.

To reach the Caoling Historic Trail, take Keelung Bus 791 from Fulong Station through Gongliao to the Yuanwangkengkou stop. From there, it is about a 30-minute walk to the trail entrance. As timetable details may change, check the schedule before travelling.

River Crossings and Connections Between Places

Near Gongliao Station, Gongliao Bridge spans the Shuangxi River, the largest river in the district. Further afield, Longmen Suspension Bridge connects Longmen Village and Fulong Village across the same river. It is also a landmark on the Longmen–Yanliao cycling route, which leads to Yanliao Seaside Park. The two bridges therefore offer different points of reference: one near the station, the other forming part of a cycling connection between named places.

The preserved Yangtingli Historic Trail also passes through two places: about half lies in Shuangxi and the other half in Gongliao; the section in Gongliao is entirely within Meifeng Village. This division is useful for understanding the route without attributing the entire trail to Gongliao.

Choosing Accommodation to Suit Your Plans

When looking for a holiday rental, it can help to decide first which experiences matter most to you. The hiking trails to Taoyuan Valley differ in their starting points and inclines; for the Caoling Historic Trail, the bus connection and the walk that follows are part of the practical planning. For the Old Caoling Tunnel, you should also take into account the different access rules on weekdays and public holidays.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Zhonghe District, Linkou, Pinglin District, Wanli District, Sanzhi District, Yingge District, Shuangxi District, Bali District.

For the broader travel overview: New Taipei.