Nan Kan River Waterfront Bikeway Introduction
Most towns have bike lanes, but few offer close proximity to waterfront scenery. The Nankan River Riverside Bicycle Path is one of the few leisure paths that successfully integrates natural landscapes. Stretching 22 kilometers, it connects Guishan, Taoyuan, Lujhu, and Dayuan through parks and scenic bridges, allowing cyclists to enjoy the rare open views in urban areas, each with its unique charm during the day and night. Riding along the bike path, native fish swim in the stream, and the clean water quality attracts numerous egrets looking for food. The riverbanks, constructed with locally sourced pebbles, resemble an ecological landscape painting. The path runs from the Nankan No. 1 Bridge in Guishan District, through Hutoushan Park, to the Nankan River Bridge in Lujhu District, creating a continuous green corridor. It features various tree species like Cinnamomum camphora, Ligustrum lucidum, peach blossoms, and mountain cherry blossoms, adding to the vibrant green atmosphere amidst the rural scenery. The entire path is flat, with no significant elevations, making it suitable for a family cycling trip. The bike lane is equipped with street lights and is lined with several waterfront parks, featuring ecological ponds, bike parking areas, walking paths, sports fields, grassy areas, and simple children’s playgrounds, providing multiple recreational functions. Additionally, there are old-fashioned water pumps along the Guishan and Lujhu riverbanks. At night, the highlights of the Nankan River are the stunning scenic bridges; the Xingyue Bridge at Guishan Riverside Park, the Meihua Bridge in Bianzhu, the Rainbow Bridge in Qingshi, and the Zhudream Bridge at Lujhu Nankan River Riverside Park, all featuring light sculpture designs that change over time, projecting dazzling colors onto the bridges. The modern designs create a distinct beauty from their daytime appearance, creating breathtaking sights that leave many cyclists stopping to admire.
