Dazhi Sation (off the brown line) is a great spot to try out Taipei’s YouBikes. YouBikes are everywhere in the city! They are super cheap and such a fun option for exploring the city. All you need to rent one, is a local mobile phone number and the same Easy Card you use for the MRT!
Of course there are LOTS of great places to bike around Taipei. This is just one we’ve enjoyed. One that is especially easy to access from the MRT! And very straightforward (I’m not great with directions but this is one I can do even without Josh there as my personal navigator!).
How to get your YouBike:
Get off at Dazhi station, take exit 3. Straight ahead as you walk out will be a row of YouBikes (or UBikes). If you haven’t already, register your easy card at the kiosk. Then pick a bike and swipe you card! Adjust the seat and jump on your new bike! Follow the street going in the same direction that you walked out of the Exit 3 to the YouBikes. In just a couple of blocks you’ll come to a T in the road bellow an overpass. Take a right and before you get to the next intersection is a bike/pedestrian ramp for the overpass/bridge. Take it! Over the bridge and then down to the right. And there you are!
What:
In less then 5 minutes from walking out of the MRT station, you will have arrived at a fantastic river park. One that goes on and on and on! Its such a surprise to discover it in the middle of the city like that. It’s sort of hidden. This river flooded years ago and as a result big cement retaining walls were put up, blocking your view of the river when traveling around this area of the city. So it always feels like this delightful secret that you have stumbled upon when you ride your bike up that overpass only to have it turn into a real bridge spanning a wide river and expansive riverside park.
Unlike some places that you might want to avoid because of the crowds on the weekends, I actually prefer this spot on busy days. Its fun to see all the ways locals enjoy and utilize this park. This last weekend we saw just about every activity under the sun being played there! In line skaters, soccer, baseball, basketball, rugby, runners and bikers of course, people fishing, people out with their dogs and kids, flying kites, blowing bubbles, playing Asian tile games I wish I had the language skills to ask about.
