Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Guanshan (Kuanshan)
POP 2000
For most of Taiwan's history, the Guanshan region was Ami territory until the Japanese
opened the area to logging and farming in the late 19th century. Today, Guanshan is
renowned for its rice, and most residents work in the farming sector. For the traveller it
makes a pleasant base for exploring the region. The town retains much of its Japanese-
era atmosphere, with tree-lined streets, clapboard houses, and the only remaining wood
train station on the entire Rift Valley line (it's to the right of the new station as you exit).
Guanshan is best known these days for a short (12km) but scenic bike path through
rice paddies and fields of colza and sugarcane, but it's not really worth a special trip here.
However, there is excellent riding all around, including down to Luye, and along County
Road 197. Dozens of bike rental shops are set up around the train station including
Giant
( 089-814 391;
http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/giant-guanshan
; 9am-6pm Fri-Sun)
that has
bikes for day (NT$200) and multiday rides (per three days NT$1200 including saddle
bags; book in advance). The shop is just to the right of the train station as you exit.
Sleeping & Eating
Corner House
GUESTHOUSE $$$
( 0922-982 873;
www.cornerhome.url.tw
; d/tw incl breakfast NT$2200/3200; )
Corner
House has near boutique-level rooms that include free bike rental and a locally made and
delivered traditional breakfast. To get here turn right on Zhongshan Rd as you drive the
main road through town (Hwy 9). The guesthouse is on the corner with Sanmin Rd.
There's a 20% midweek discount on room rates.
Guanshan Meatball Restaurant
TAIWANESE $
(Guānshān Ròuyuán Lǎo Diàn; 60 Zhonghua Rd; dishes NT$30-100; 6am-3pm)
This well-
known, family-run shop across from the Matsu Temple (look for the temple's big red
arch off the main road through town) serves a variety of local dishes, including their
namesake meatballs. There's a picture menu.
Getting There & Around
There are frequent trains to Guanshan from Hualien (fast/slow train NT$276/213, two/
three hours).
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