Taipei Sandiaoling — A Refreshing Eco-Friendly Tunnel Half-Day Tour for the Summer

Recently, I visited Taipei, and the most delightful surprise was joining the eco-friendly tunnel tour at Sandiaoling. This wasn’t my first time visiting Sandiaoling; my previous trip was during spring when I went hiking and visited the waterfalls. During that trip, I stumbled upon a shop run by a Hong Kong couple called "Hong Kong Library." The owners, who have lived in Taipei for many years, welcomed us warmly. Their shop is housed in a former Japanese-style bathhouse built by coal miners, and the original design is still preserved. Visitors are welcome to explore and shop. The shop sells books related to Hong Kong, and the couple also creates pottery and cat-themed artwork for sale, giving the place a strong artistic vibe. Of course, cats are there to greet you as well. Sandiaoling is known for its abundance of cats, and you’ll find them in the streets and local shops, making it a paradise for cat lovers. This time, besides revisiting the shop owners, I joined a half-day eco-friendly tunnel tour with some Taiwanese friends. The tunnel, originally an abandoned railway for 30 years, spans 3.19 kilometers. Thanks to meticulous revitalization by designers, the tunnel now features reinforced steel structures for both walking and cycling. We opted for a guided tour, enjoying a leisurely walk through the tunnel. At the entrance, the lighting and water reflection design create a stunning visual effect, perfect for capturing magical photos. Inside the tunnel, it feels like natural air conditioning, making it the ideal escape from the summer heat. What can you see inside? Outside the tunnel, you’ll notice a large steel bridge that extends into the tunnel, forming the pedestrian pathway. Inside, you’ll find stalactite columns, fossils embedded in rocks, and bats residing in the tunnel. Before approaching the bat habitat, staff kindly reminded us to stay quiet. The entire experience took about 45 minutes and was truly enjoyable. A few things to note: - The lighting inside the tunnel is dim, so individuals with poor eyesight should be cautious. - The tunnel isn’t very wide and accommodates two-way traffic, making it unsuitable for beginner cyclists. - The echo inside the tunnel is loud, so avoid speaking loudly. Sandiaoling also offers plenty of delicious food options. We visited three places: 1. Aunt Xiang’s Snack Shop This was our second visit, and the stir-fried dishes were outstanding, including squid, local vegetables, and fried noodles. Seating is limited, so it’s best to reserve in advance on weekends. 2. QQ Brown Sugar Shaved Ice Perfect for summer! They offer a variety of combinations, and you can enjoy the beautiful view across the river while indulging in the dessert. 3. Hidden Cafe HYTTE Recommended by our guide, this cafe serves excellent coffee in a lovely setting. Remember to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee rather than just visiting for photos. Additionally, I bought some grass jelly cakes near the Sandiaoling shops. The radish flavor was soft and chewy—absolutely delicious. If you’re interested in visiting the Sandiaoling tunnel, you must register on their official website as they control the number of visitors. Overseas visitors are encouraged to join guided tours to learn more about local history and culture. If you just want to explore Sandiaoling, there’s a nearby waterfall worth visiting. During summer, they also offer stand-up paddleboarding lessons on the river, which you can sign up for. To get to Sandiaoling from Taipei, you can take the Taiwan Railways and get off at Mudan Station, which takes about 1 hour and 17 minutes. For a quicker option, you can take a taxi or Uber, costing around 1,000 TWD.