Old Caoling Tunnel Introduction
The Old Caoling Tunnel spans the areas of Fulong in New Taipei and Shicheng in Yilan, and is a key project of the Taiwan Railways Yilan Line. Opened in 1924, it was the longest railway tunnel in Southeast Asia at that time, measuring 2,167 meters in length, carrying the transport responsibility between Taipei and Yilan. The northern and southern entrances of the Old Caoling Tunnel are inscribed with two calligraphic works, “Where the White Clouds Fly” and “The Dangerous Pass,” commemorating the hardships of the engineering work back then. The Old Caoling Tunnel was decommissioned after the dual-track and electrification of the Taiwan Railways and reopened in 2008 as a bicycle path. The folk song "Diudiu Tongzi" was inspired by this tunnel, with lyrics reflecting the experience of trains passing through the Old Caoling Tunnel. Designed with the concept of a "railway museum," the interior of the tunnel features a roadway surface resembling railway tracks, creating a railway imagery. The lighting uses vintage-style oil lamp shades, and cycling through the Old Caoling Tunnel with train sound effects evokes a feeling of nostalgia and fun. The circular bicycle path is the first in northern Taiwan to be converted from a railway tunnel into a cycling tunnel. The Old Caoling Tunnel currently allows foot and bicycle traffic on weekdays, while on weekends, it is accessible only to bicycles. It is part of a loop bicycle path that starts from Fulong Station. After passing through the Old Caoling Tunnel, cyclists are greeted with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and Guishan Island. Continuing along the coastline, the route takes them past Lailai Geopark, Sandiaojiao Lighthouse, and Maao Fishing Village before returning to Fulong, covering a total distance of about 20 kilometers, making it the top choice for cycling along the northeastern coast.
