Northern Taiwan - Taiwan - page 268

Despite the town being snugly positioned between the sea and some very rugged moun-
tains, Nanao's cycling is, for the most part, flat and leisurely. The alluvial plains on the
east side of Hwy 9 offer hours of riding on empty roads through pretty farming fields. On
the west side, a couple of roads head up the valleys formed by the North and South
Nanao Rivers.
To reach the north river valley, head south out of town and at the Km133 mark turn
right onto Township Rd 55 , which was under heavy repair at the time of writing. A few
kilometres past Jin-yue Village there is a set of free outdoor hot springs that should be
open by the time you read this. After a dip in the waters, continue to the end of the road.
It's gorgeous up here.
To reach the south river valley road, head down Hwy 9 south out of town to the
Km136 mark and turn right on Township Rd 57 . Ten kilometres up the valley, the road
ends at the start of the Nanao Historic Trail (Nánào Gǔdào), an old Qing-dynasty cross-
island road that's open for the first 3km. It's a beautiful walk up a deep river valley and
the chances of hearing and spotting indigenous birds, monkeys, deer and even wild pigs
are high. At the time of writing the trail was closed for repairs.
Also worth exploring is the Jhaoyang Historic Trail (Zhāoyáng Bùdào) that runs over
a lushly forested hillock and affords excellent coastal views from on high. To get to the
trail turn left at the traffic lights just before the 7-Eleven on the main road (as you head
south) and follow to the end (the harbour).
You can rent cheap bikes (per three hours NT$100) from a couple of shops just outside
the train station.
Sleeping & Eating
There are small noodle shops and restaurants beside the highway, and a couple of lunch-
box shops near the train station. There's also a 7-Eleven, a small grocery store and a
night market near the town square.
At Km134.6 there is a large farmers' association outlet with dozens of stalls and shops
inside selling all manner of local products, including honey, cooked sausages, ice cream
and coffee.
Nan-Ao Recreation Farm CAMPGROUND
(Nánào Nóngchǎng; 988 1114; http://nanao-farm.e-land.gov.tw/html/link2.htm ) This
free, large, clean and green campground has shaded sites and hot showers (from 5pm to
10pm.) To reach it from Nanao, turn left at the Km134.5 mark just after crossing a
bridge. Follow the road down about 1km to the obvious campground e ntrance.