BY BIKE FROM TAIPEI
 
The fast-and-dirty route is Provincial Highway 3 from Banciao. If you go that route, then skip steps 1, 2 and 3 below, and go directly to step 4. But Route 110 from Xindian in Taipei to Dasi in Taoyuan is the way to go if you want to avoid traffic and see some of Taiwan's scenic foothill farmland. Driving at a legal speed and stopping at what few traffic lights there are, you can still make the trip in an hour from Xindian, perhaps taking 10-15 minutes more than if you were to go via Provincial Highway 3.

1.  County Rt 110: Xindian to Ankeng
Coming out of Taipei into Xindian, from 200-300 meters north of the Xindian MRT Station on Beixin Road Section 1 北新路一段, make a right onto the Bitan Bridge 碧潭大橋 (look for signs for Ankeng 安坑, as well as for County Route 110). (See Map A.) You will be taking 110 for the first, 20-min uphill leg of the journey.

2.  County Rt 110 to Dacheng Village
Map B shows the whole route. Basically the road follows the Ankeng River to the top, then down another river into the village of Dacheng. On Section 2 of Ankang Road 安康路二段 the road crosses the Ankeng Bridge 安坑橋 and continues upward along the stream's left bank to the top, and then from there starts a long gentle descent alongside the right bank of another stream into the village of Dacheng 大成, by which time County 110 has become Chengfu Road 成福路. Entering the village, before you get to Dacheng Elementary School (on right) you want to make a left and cross the bridge and then make an immediate right onto Jhulun Road 竹崙路 (hilighted in red on the map). If you miss that turn (marked A on map), however, without going more then 300 meters out of your way, you can continue on 110 to the next junction (7-11 on right), where you make a hairpin left to double back on the other side of the stream (marked B on the map). Either way you will end up on Jhulun Road. (See Map C.)

3.  Dacheng to Provincial Route 3
Once you've crossed the stream in Dacheng, you must now turn off Jhulun Road onto Dzwei Road 微紫路 (lower left on Map C). Follow that for 6-7 km until it bottoms out. Another 500 meters past Minyi Elementary School (on the left), turn left, cross the stream, then right onto Dali Road 大利路, cross the bridge, and you arrive at Provincial Route 3. Left there. (see Map D.)

4.  Route Provincial 3 (or Provincial 7-Yi) to Dasi
Provincial 3 offers you a chance to drop in on former president Lee Teng-hui at his palatial weekend digs at northern Taiwan's posh country club, the Tashee Resort 鴻禧大溪別館 (on the left, 2-3 km after you start descending). Continue down into the town of Dasi, where you should start looking for signs for Shihmen Dam. Follow the 4 all the way, across the road to its terminus, where it meets up with Provincial Highway 3Yi. Continue straight onto 3Yi in the direction of Guansi. From that junction it is 2.5 km to the 10km marker on the 3Yi. Left there onto the road leading up to Kunlun.


Map A - Getting on Route 110 in Xindian




Map B - The entire route, Route 110 and Prov. Rt. 3




Map C - Tricky junction in Dacheng




Map D - Connecting with Prov. Rt. 3