Introduction

Introduction

I should have better notes of this trip last spring but I don't.  So I will put as much info I have on this list

[Clarification: This bike trip takes place in Republic of China (ROC) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan

This is not mainland China (People’s Republic of China; PRC).]

~ My husband Hank and I went last May 3-11, 2025, 9 days and 8 nights. this is thru Giant Bike company.  They are Taiwan based bicycle manufacture.

https://www.giant-adventure.com/TW/travel/travel-tours

I have also investigated other around the island ride, they are all about the same price and length but the timing wasn't right for me. 

~The tour cost about $1200, including regular bike (E-bike add about $200 more into the total cost, if switching during the trip from regular bike to e-bike, add another about $60 switching fee, all bikes come with a helmet, lights, water bottle holder, kickstand, small saddle bags for wallet and phone), hotel (double occupancy), snacks and most meals (except about 3-4 meals we self paid when we got to visit nearby night markets). 

~Daily Average: We rode about 75-120km (47 -75 miles).  1 mile is 1.6 km.  I remember there was only one day we did 120km.  Most of the days were about 90-100km.  There was only two days we had some climb.  If you do our Buffalo Lodge Saturday ride without an e-bike, then you can do it with a regular bike.  

~I think it was day 7 we had a section going through earthquake damaged area northeast of the island, we had to take a 2-hour train ride in the afternoon to skip that area.  It was fun to have a break and sit watching the landscape zooming past.  

~ You can bring a carryon size suitcase and maybe a back pack that you can leave with the accompanying van.  If you have another suitcase when you arrive in Taipei, it is easy to find a storage place for it if you do not need it for the bike trip.

~There were 5 guides for us, and we were a group of 32 riders mostly from Taiwan, but also from the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong, and Japan.  All guides were young, looked to me college age, so they do speak English.  

~One guide is the lead, one in the middle going back and forth, and one as sweep.  The other two guides are drivers of the two accompanying vans, one hauls the luggage and snacks/water tank, the other extra bikes and tools. If someone gets tired or don't feel well enough to bike, they can ride the van for some distance until they can bike again. One of the van drivers is also our photographer.  She'd go ahead and choose a good spot and take pictures for each of us riding our bikes.  She'd also take pictures at some of the scenic rest stops.

~We started and finished at Songshan metro station in Taipei.  At each rest stop, they provided regional special delicious snacks.  All stops they chose has restrooms.  The van also have supplies and water tank so you can fill up your water bottle, put on more sunscreen, get cold water spray on you if it's hot.  

~All hotels we stay have buffet style breakfast, many choices, hot and cold, eastern and western.  After breakfast, we circle together usually at hotel lobby.  The guides would lead a stretch exercise then we'd be briefed about the day's route, with where we'd stop for breaks and lunch.  We usually head out at 8am, having 2-3 breaks and lunch stop, and finish riding around 4-5 pm.  Dinner usually is at 6-630pm.  Once we get to destination hotel, we'd park the bike at designated place, gather for another stretch and get room keys and suitcases.  

~I brought way too many clothes.  Pack light as it is summer there.  Laundry is free in all hotels.  Washers and dryers get busy when everyone wants to get laundry done.  We usually hand wash the few clothes then get the clothes spinned then hang dry overnight.  Every hotel has spinners like the ones we use here at the lockers at the swimming pool, they get clothes almost dry.  

~The only day it rained for us, they provided raincoat and shower cap to go under the helmet.  And oh, individual hotpot waiting for us at lunch!

~I suggest arriving Taiwan 3-4 days early to get over jet lag and explore Taipei. (Here is an app for jet lag which I have not tried yet. https://www.timeshifter.com/jet-lag-app)  It is fantastic place, lots to see and delicious and very affordable food to try.  We stayed at airbnb and there are many online to choose from.  

~I bought e-sim card for my iPhone at the airport on arriving to Taipei.  I can't remember how much it cost but it wasn't expensive, maybe around $20-30 for the two wks we were there.  it gave us unlimited cellular data.  I didn't have any trouble with connection all the way around the island.  

~We brought some cash which was useful for night market or small purchases.  Since the airbnb and the bike tour already paid for, the cash you need for food is very minimal.  I'd say if you exchange $100-300 into New Taiwan dollars, you should have enough for the whole trip (including your beginning and ending stay).  Some places you can also use your credit cards.

~yoyo card in Taipei is very useful for transportation, grocery and some restaurants.  You can get one at all Seven Eleven convenient stores and add more money when empty. https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/easy-card-taiwan/

~You will need your passport that have at least valid for 6 more months upon your entry to Taiwan.  Here website to obtain your passport  https://www.usa.gov/passport .  Your visa in Taiwan is automatically issued upon your entry to Taiwan and valid for a stay there of up to 90 days.  https://www.ivisa.com/taiwan/travel-authorization

~All my smart devices (phone, Garmin, headsets, bike lights, radar, rechargeable batteries) can be charged using the outlets without any adapters.  search

~Using cell phone in Taiwan (4G & 5G)

I bought e-sim at the airport but found we were not able to install into our phones as ours were new with T-mobil, they were under 2-year contract, they would not unlock the phones for us.  We ended up using an older phone to install the e-sim and used it as hot-spot the whole time we were there.  Unlike what we are used to, most stores and restaurants there do not have workable wifi.  The hotels we stayed have good wifi signal but only when we were in our rooms.  So here are my suggestions:

1. make sure your cell phone is “unlocked” so you can buy and use a local Taiwan SIM card or eSIM card. 

2. Confirm your cell service provider supports using your phone in Taiwan.

3. Other phone options: bring an old phone that meets conditions 1 & 2 or buy a cheap phone in Taiwan to use locally.

More general travel tips:

1. Foreign exchange rate rates https://wise.com/us/currency-converter/twd-to-usd-rate

2. This shows the new Taiwan dollars so you can recognize the bills. https://museum.cbc.gov.tw/web/en-us/circulation/banknote

3. Alternate US. Consular services via AIT. FFI: https://www.ait.org.tw/contact/#emergencies

4. If you have prescription medication’s, that must be taken on a specific time schedule consult with your doctor for procedures relative to international travel crossing the international dateline.

5. Check that all of your standard immunizations are up-to-date, especially tetanus.

6. Mark your calendar on the day you returned to the US.  Be alert for unusual symptoms if you notice any see your doctor immediately and advise them that you had been traveling internationally and present them with the itinerary of where you travel. 

        7. To get through US custom faster, I downloaded MPC app onto my phone and get it filled out before landing back to the US. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control

8. Notify your credit card company that you will be traveling overseas. Also check on ATM policies and fees as well as foreign exchange rules and fees. Consider leaving a copy of credit card account numbers emergency numbers with a family member at home to report lost a stolen cards or fraud.