Old Caoling Tunnel

Old Caoling Tunnel

Overview
Official name	舊草嶺隧道
Location	Gongliao, New Taipei, Taiwan
Coordinates	25°00′14.2″N 121°57′30.0″E
Status	Heritage
Operation
Opened	February 1924 (as railway tunnel) 10 August 2009 (as bikeway)
Technical
Length	2.167 km

The Old Caoling Tunnel (traditional Chinese: 舊草嶺隧道; simplified Chinese: 旧草岭隧道; pinyin: Jiù Cǎolǐng Suìdào) is a cycleway tunnel in Gongliao District, New Taipei, Taiwan.

History

The tunnel was originally constructed as a single-track railway tunnel of Yilan line which was inaugurated in February 1924. It was then later on converted into a cycleway when the new railway tunnel was constructed in parallel with the old one.[1] The new tunnel was opened in 1986 and the old tunnel was abandoned. Years later, the tunnel was turned into a bikeway by Northeast Coast and Yilan National Scenic Area Administration. The tunnel was then reopened on 10 August 2009.[2]

Architecture

The cycleway path inside the tunnel was designed in a style of a track. The tunnel was originally lit with oil lamps and now is lit with fluorescent strip lights and a few low energy bulbs in replica lanterns 2020. The entrance features some artworks. The tunnel stretches for a length of 2.167 km.[1]

Transportation

The tunnel is accessible by bus from Fulong Station of Taiwan Railways.[3]

See also

• List of tourist attractions in Taiwan

References

1. "Old Caoling Tunnel". New Taipei City Travel. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
2. "Old Caoling Tunnel". Taiwan, the Heart of Asia. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
3. "Old Caoling Tunnel". Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.