Okay you like living in Taiwan and want to become Taiwanese , what does it takes to become a Taiwanese person besides getting a Taiwanese passport,and if there is a much quicker route you can do , well if you are a outdoor adventure enthusiast , you would hear Taiwanese talk about the big 3 . Any Taiwanese outdoor enthusiast what it takes to earn your "true Taiwanese" badge, and they will point you toward the legendary "Taiwanese Triple Crown" (台灣三鐵). They are the big 3 because they are the most well known must do activities that everyone once to do at least once.
While most international visitors stick to night market hopping, taking photos at Taipei 101, or riding the High-Speed Rail between major cities, local adventure-seekers challenge themselves to complete three massive physical milestones across the island:
One thing many people might know about Taiwan is that is it a outdoor enthusiast dream, you might think because it's a relatively small island, smaller than many US states and European countries that there is not much to , maybe a few beaches and one or few mountains so you would run out of things to do , but rest assured Taiwan is actually more packed than most countries in fact. Think about it if you are coming from America, or Canada and Latin america, you would have to travel over state lines just to get to a decent beach. Many European countries lack any significant tall mountains and they are often so remote that transportation doesn’t go there unless you plan months in advance compared to Taiwan (which has the world record for peaks over 3000 meters 200+ for an island, which is staggering , and they all have regular reliable transportation . As a foreigner the government also though incentives makes it easier for you to go here through separate registration procedure than locals. Don’t forget about water activities like scuba diving, sup, pappling, river tracing in places like the east coast londong dragon cave, or even offshore on other islands like Xiaoliuqiu, penghu etc. With acess to both mountains and seas everywhere you'll be struggling to tick of everything.
In Taiwan, local outdoor enthusiasts challenge themselves to complete three iconic physical milestones across the island:
[ Scale Mt. Jade (Yushan) ] ➔ [ Cycle the Island (Huandao) ] ➔ [ Swim Sun Moon Lake ]The Challenge: Scaling East Asia’s highest peak at 3,952 meters ($12,966\text{ ft}$).
The Reality: The trek itself isn't a technical rock climb, but the real challenge is securing a permit!
The Reward: Reaching the summit at sunrise to stand above a dramatic, glowing sea of clouds—with sweeping views across the Central Mountain Range.
The Challenge: Cycling 900+ kilometers around Taiwan's entire coastline along the dedicated "Cycling Route 1" (* 環島1號線*).
The Reality: Most cyclists complete the full loop in 9 to 12 days, starting in Taipei and riding south through coastal plains, rounding the southern tip at Kenting, and navigating the breathtaking marble cliffs of Hualien and Yilan.
The Reward: Experiencing the island's transition from bustling high-tech urban hubs to remote indigenous coastal villages—and relying on Taiwan’s famous 24/7 convenience stores as official refueling pit stops along the way!
The Challenge: Swimming 3.3 kilometers across Taiwan’s largest alpine lake alongside 20,000+ participants.
The Reality: Held every September in Nantou County around Mid-Autumn Festival, this holds the unofficial record as the largest mass-participation open-water swim on planet Earth! Every swimmer is required to tow a bright orange torpedo buoy for safety, turning the emerald-green lake into a glowing human chain of floaties.
The Spectator Angle: Even if you don't suit up to swim the 3.3km, visiting Nantou as a spectator is an incredible cultural experience. The finish line at Ita Thao Pier turns into a massive street-food festival packed with indigenous Thao cuisine, black tea treats, and thousands of cheering spectators!
The Thrill: Soaring tandem hundreds of meters above Taiwan’s dramatic coastline or lush mountain basins.
Top Spots:
Wai’ao / Yilan: Fly off the mountains and land directly on the black sand beach with views of Turtle Island.
Puli (Nantou): Glide over the central mountain basin surrounded by emerald peaks.
Luye Highland (Taitung): Ride thermal winds over the sweeping Rift Valley.
The Thrill: Longdong is Taiwan’s premier outdoor rock climbing mecca—a 2-kilometer stretch of massive sandstone sea cliffs rising straight out of the Pacific Ocean.
The Vibe: Offers over 600 routes ranging from beginner top-roping to advanced trad climbing, with spectacular views of crashing ocean waves below.
Location: Northeast Coast (New Taipei City), just 1 hour from Taipei.
The Thrill: Tackling 24 kilometers of class II–III rapids through deep marble canyons and lush jungle riverbeds.
The Vibe: A 4-to-5-hour high-adrenaline water trek featuring massive boulders, splashy drops, and stunning gorge scenery.
Location: Hualien County (East Coast).
The Thrill: Swimming alongside massive, wild Green Sea Turtles in warm, crystal-clear water.
The Vibe: Taiwan is home to some of the highest sea turtle densities in the world. It is also Asia's fastest-growing freediving hub.
Top Spots: Xiaoliuqiu (Lambai Island) and Green Island.
The Thrill: Riding Pacific ocean swells along Taiwan’s East Coast.
Top Spots:
Wai’ao Beach (Yilan): The go-to spot for Taipei residents to rent boards or take beginner lessons.
Dulan & Donghe (Taitung): Laid-back surf-town hubs with consistent point breaks and international expat hostels.
Fulong Beach: Popular for windsurfing and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).
The Thrill: Hiking along mountain rivers to soak in natural, unrefined geothermal hot springs carved into rock faces.
The Vibe: Instead of commercial indoor bathhouses, winter adventure-seekers camp along wild riverbeds and dig their own thermal pools next to icy mountain streams.
Top Spots: Lisong Hot Spring (Taitung) and Valkyrie / Fanfan Hot Springs (Yilan).
Taiwan isn't just famous for manufacturing the world's best bicycles (being the home of global giants like Giant and Merida)—it is literally engineered for cycle touring.
From nationwide ride share to dedicated, traffic-free riverside bike paths all along riversides in Taipei to high-altitude alpine passes and stunning coastal loops, Taiwan is a paradise for two-wheeled adventure seekers.
Every March, world-class professional cyclists flock to the island for the Tour de Taiwan, an official UCI Asia Tour stage race.
The Route: The multi-stage race winds through iconic urban landscapes, coastal highways, and tough mountain climbs—spanning from the streets of Taipei City down through Taoyuan, Kaohsiung, and the scenic East Coast.
The Expat Take: Seeing international peloton teams race through local city streets and mountain passes brings an incredible energy to the island, inspiring thousands of amateur cyclists to take on their own Taiwan riding challenges.
Universally regarded by professional and amateur endurance cyclists as one of the hardest hill-climb events on planet Earth.
The Route: Starting at sea level on the Pacific coast at Qingshui Cliffs, you climb continuously for 105 kilometers up to Wuling Pass at 3,275 meters ($10,745\text{ ft}$) inside Taroko Gorge.
The Gradient: The final 10 kilometers feature grueling gradients reaching up to 27%, testing the mental and physical limits of every rider who dares to attempt it.
If 900-kilometer endurance loops sound like too much, Taiwan also has relaxing scenic rides!
The Vibe: Named by CNN as one of the most beautiful bike paths in the world, this 30-kilometer paved loop hugs the turquoise shoreline of Sun Moon Lake.
How to Ride: You can rent e-bikes or traditional road bikes directly from local shops around Shuishe Pier to enjoy a peaceful afternoon ride over floating wooden boardwalks and through lush foliage.
Most foreigners coming to Taiwan expect a high-tech island of convenience stores and night markets—unaware that over 70% of the island is covered in rugged, emerald-green mountains.
Where else in the world can you go from scuba diving with sea turtles in the morning, to river tracing (sùxī) through crystal-clear mountain canyons in the afternoon, and sleeping in a high-alpine lodge at 3,000 meters that night?
Whether you complete all three challenges or just cheer from the sidelines at Sun Moon Lake, diving into Taiwan's outdoor adventure scene is the fastest way to make lifelong local and international friends.
Planning weekend multi-day trips to mountain trail-heads, organizing bike rentals with , or registering for events like the Sun Moon Lake Swim is much easier when you have a group of friends to travel with.
Living in an international co-living environment gives you an instant community of study abroad friends who like , hiking, cycling, and travel partners ready to explore the island together! We will provide a furnish apartment in Taipei for you to return to after your adventures so you can live and travel stress free while studying abroad in Taiwan.
Are you an adventure-seeker living in or visiting Taipei? Stop by SOFA during our community lounge nights and Dn'xt station weekly language exchanges to connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts planning upcoming weekend trips across Taiwan!
