Hey fellow Hivers! How's it going? Do you share my passion for motorcycle road trips? There's something uniquely exhilarating about being behind the handlebars, cruising towards a destination that holds a hidden gem. For me, the winding roads are not just paths; they're an adventure waiting to unfold.
In this blog I am going to share with you my motorcycle road trip experience going to another hidden gem located near Taipei City. I will guide you on how to get there and I am going to share cool photos along the road and some of my awesome drone shots of our destination!
Read throughout to enjoy the beauty of #Taiwan!
Discovering Buyenting 不厭亭
Situated at an elevation of approximately 520 meters, it marks the highest point along Taiwan Provincial Highway 102. From this vantage point, one can behold the panoramic views of Shuangxi and Ruifang. On clear days, the distant, deep blue ocean is also distinctly visible, beautifully encapsulating the meaning behind the name "Buyenting."
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Buyenting - A Lonely RoadBuyenting is found where Jiufen and Shuangxi meet. It's along a twisty mountain road at the top. Looking down from the high point gives a feeling of being alone and free, so people call it the "Lonely Road." It's also one of Taiwan's special places |
From what I found in other blogs, Buyen Pavilion got its name from the former mayor, Mr. Chien Hua-hsiang. He liked a line from Li Bai's poem that says "Never tired of looking at each other." The pavilion sits on top of a mountain and gives you a stunning view of Shuangxi District on one side and Rueifang on the other. "Buyen," the name, means "never tired," and it fits because the views from here are always beautiful and never get old.
How to get there
Getting there is not as easy as going to Yangmingshan from Taipei. The challenge lies in the fact that there is no public transport that stops directly at Buyenting. Here are some ways I can suggest on how to get there.
By Motor Cycle
From Taipei Main Station, follow this route:
- Follow Civic Blvd
- Continue through Taiwan National Rd. # 5
- Then drive through Provincial Road # 102
- Along the road 102 you will pass by Jiufen Old Street
- 6 Km after Jiufen Old Street, you will finally arrive Buyenting.
By Train and Bus
From Taipei Main Station, follow this guide :
- Ride the TRA train heading to Songshan Station
- From Songshan Station, walk to the nearby bus station in front of Raohe Night Market
- Ride the bus #1062 going to Jiufen Old Street
- Once you arrived at Jiufen Old Street:
- you can either hire a taxi for another 6km ride to Buyenting
- or you can go for an extra adventure by walking through the road until Buyenting
Tombs of Jiufen Road
Okay, enough information! Let's enjoy the trip ahead!
As I have mentioned above, along the way you will pass through the traffic of Jiufen Old Street.
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As a matter of fact, it was the only traffic jam I encountered during the trip. However, it wasn't inconvenient at all! Such delays are quite expected on Jiufen Old Street, considering it's a top destination among tourists in Taipei. If I could shout out loud while passing by this place, I would tell the tourists, 'This is not the only place to be! There's more ahead!' Just kidding though.
One of my first blogs in Hive is Jiufen Old Street: Unveiling the Real-Life Spirited Away where I mentioned about the Jiufen relating to Spirited away. Here is a drone shot showing the Jiufen Township where the left portion of the mountain is full of tombs. Yes, those are not houses for the living, those are for the dead.
It's true that this place is steeped in spiritual significance, evident in the hundreds of tombs scattered across the mountain. Along the road, you'll come across ornate tombs, each telling its own story. Additionally, there are ancient tombs that have weathered the test of time, some of which are already in a state of decay, revealing the bones within.
Pit Stops and Refreshments
Tired of traveling? ha! Don't worry, I got you covered. Here are my top places to stop for a coffee and release your peeepeee!
Coffee Shops
There are many coffee shops in Jiufen, but out of all I highly recommend this coffee shop in Jiufen that I will feature in my next blog!
This coffee shop offers a great coffee and a panoramic view of the Jiufen where you can really have a relaxing time to rest.
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Toilets
Wanna pee? this edge of the road 3km away from Jiufen has a parking lot and all-gender toilets!
I always appreciate how the Taiwan government scatters toilets around the country haha! no matter where you are, be it a mountain, or remote roadsides you'll always find toilets along the way.
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This stop is also for hikers who are preparing for a hike in the nearby trail. You can leave your car/motorcycle here and go for a short hike.
Along the Way
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"Along the way, I couldn't resist stopping every time I encountered an overwhelming scenic view.
This is the perfect season to visit this place. From November to December, Taiwan enters the winter season. During this time, you'll witness the blooming silver grass on the mountains and the clear blue skies that enhance the beauty of nature.
The Hidden Gem
Upon reaching Buyenting, you'll delight in the picturesque view of this beautiful straight road atop the mountain. Enjoy this cinematic YT shorts I made for you!
Don't worry if you get hungry from driving or traveling to get here, this food truck is always here to sell the tourist a freshly grilled sausage or in Mandarin they call it xiangchang (香腸).
There's a spacious view deck at this location where you can take in the mountain range of Keelung. I arrived there with a few groups of locals and cyclists. Unlike Jiufen, this area isn't crowded because it's relatively hard to reach, making it a hidden gem.
Overall, I had a great time traveling to Buyenting! I enjoyed the thrill of driving through the winding roads of the mountain, having few stops along the way, the astonishing panoramic views, and of course the hidden gem, Buyenting. 不厭亭 - Never tired of looking. As what the translation says, I never got tired of looking.
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Drone Shot |
Mobile Phone Shot |
Thanks for reading through! I hope you enjoyed this post, the photos, and my drone shots! 再見!
-krios
Other blogs
My gears:
- Canon D200 II
- Insta360 One x2
- DJI Mini 4 Pro
- Xiaomi 11 Lite
All photos are mine unless otherwise stated and/or referenced