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!
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.
