Old Caoling Tunnel Introduction
The Old Caoling Tunnel spans between Fulong in New Taipei City and Shicheng in Yilan County, and is a key project of the Taiwan Railways Yilan Line. When it opened in 1924, it was the longest railway tunnel in Southeast Asia, with a length of 2,167 meters, playing a crucial role in transportation between Taipei and Yilan. The tunnel's north and south entrances feature inscriptions "Where the White Clouds Fly" and "The Natural Barrier", commemorating the arduous engineering work of the time. The Old Caoling Tunnel was decommissioned after the double-tracking and electrification of the Taiwan Railways and reopened in 2008 as a bicycle path. The folk song "Diudiu Tongzi" was inspired by the lyrics "The train travels to Yidu, oh my Yidu, ai yo bang kong nai..." which reflects the experience of trains passing through the Old Caoling Tunnel. The Old Caoling Tunnel is designed with a "Railway Museum" concept, where the pavement inside the tunnel mimics railway tracks, outlining the railway imagery. The lighting fixtures have retro oil lamp shades. Riding a bicycle through the Old Caoling Tunnel, accompanied by train sound effects, feels like cycling in a cool railway tunnel, bringing a sense of nostalgia and fun. The circular bicycle path is the first railway tunnel converted into a bicycle tunnel in northern Taiwan. Currently, the Old Caoling Tunnel allows pedestrian and bicycle access on weekdays, and only bicycles are permitted on weekends. The tunnel is part of the circular bicycle path, starting from Fulong Station, passing through the Old Caoling Tunnel, leading to stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Guishan Island. Continuing along the coastline, one can visit Lai Lai Geopark, Sandiao Cape Lighthouse, and Mمایao Fishing Village before returning to Fulong, for a total distance of about 20 kilometers, making it the top choice for cycling enthusiasts in the northeast corner of Taiwan.
