Riding into Brolan Avenue during the Autumn Harvest: A Trip Made Just for the Golden Waves of Rice
Auto-TranslationAs the train glides into Chih-Shang Station, I can't help but be astonished by the scene before me.
Outside the window is not just an ordinary field, but a vast expanse of golden waves. The sunlight shining on the ripened rice ears is so bright that it almost reflects. Upon exiting the station, I can smell the scent of dry straw mixed with earth.
In that moment, I knew I had made the right decision to come here.
Taking the Taiwan Railways or Puyuma Express from Taipei to Chih-Shang takes about 3.5 to 4 hours, but as long as you come during the autumn harvest season, you'll understand why this journey is worth it as soon as you step off the train.
Brolan Avenue is just outside the station.
You can rent a bicycle just 1 to 2 minutes after exiting the station, with a daily rental fee of around NT$100 to NT$200 for regular bikes, and NT$400 to NT$600 for electric bikes. It takes less than 10 minutes to bike from the station to the entrance, making it an easy route even for beginners.
This is a leisurely and comfortable biking journey.
Riding into a World Without Power Poles
As I pedal onto Jinxin No. 3 Road, the sounds of the traffic are quickly swallowed by the rice fields.
With no power poles on either side, my view stretches all the way to the Central Mountain Range. The sky and rice fields create clean lines, and the wind sweeps over the rice waves, making the entire field seem to breathe.
This is one of the few places in Taiwan where you can see an entire agricultural landscape.
I am riding into a functioning agricultural world.
What makes this field enchanting is not just the color.
Chih-Shang rice has long been regarded as one of the highest quality rice varieties in Taiwan. Located in the central section of the Hualien-Taitung Valley, the significant temperature differences between day and night, coupled with long hours of sunlight, extend the growth period of the rice, allowing for the accumulation of sweetness and aroma.
The irrigation water source comes from the Central Mountain Range, ensuring clean and stable water quality, which helps maintain good farming conditions on this land.
Therefore, what you see in front of you is not just a "beautiful rice field," but a place where delicious bowls of white rice are produced.
When is the Best Time to Visit Brolan Avenue?
Brolan Avenue can be cycled year-round, but the scenery of the fields varies significantly with the seasons.
The months of May to June and October to November are the best times to plan a special visit. During these periods, the rice ears mature, and the entire field transforms into a continuous undulating sea of golden rice, making it a favorite season for photographers and travelers alike.
Between spring and summer, the fields display vast areas of emerald green, with the rice seedlings just having grown taller, making the entire Chih-Shang Plain look like a soft green carpet.
It is important to note that fields after the harvest will turn into brown short rice stubble, making the landscape relatively monotonous. If your goal is to capture the golden rice waves, it is advisable to avoid the period right after the harvest.
If travelers can only visit once, many will choose autumn.
The Jincheng-Wu Tree is Just the Beginning
The first stop is usually the famous Jincheng-Wu Tree.
This tree became widely known due to an EVA Air commercial. In the ad, Taiwanese-Japanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro is seen riding a bicycle, stopping under the tree, sitting down to drink tea, and looking at the fields. The scene is simple yet memorable.
After that, this path, which was originally just an农 road, gained more visibility among people.
Now, many people stop here to take photos, but the truly amazing part is actually the stretch of road after leaving this tree.
Just a few minutes of biking further ahead, the crowds will gradually thin out, and the view will open up again.
This is where the core of Brolan Avenue truly lies.
The golden fields stretch all the way to the foot of the mountains, uninterrupted by any buildings.
Quiet Scenery of the Southern Section
Continuing south, you'll pass by the Jolin Tsai Tree and the Heaven Road Swing.
This name comes from the visit and shared photos of Taiwanese pop singer Jolin Tsai, and it is not an advertising scene. In contrast, there are noticeably fewer tourists in this area, and the surrounding fields are much more open.
This section is more suitable for slowing down, enjoying the scenery, and taking photos, rather than queuing for a fixed shot.
These places provide you with the space to truly see the fields of Chih-Shang, rather than just stopping at a specific "photo spot."
Lighting Determines the Quality of the Trip
In autumn, choosing the right time on Brolan Avenue can make a big difference.
Early Morning: Clear Air, Distinct Mountain Lines
Evening: The Rice Ears Reflect Light in Warm Hues
At noon, the sunlight is strong, and the fields have almost no shade. Be sure to wear a hat, bring water, sunglasses, and don't forget to apply sunscreen.
In addition, there are no convenience stores along the way, so you need to stock up in the urban area of Chih-Shang.
And when it comes to replenishing supplies, there is actually a simple answer in Chih-Shang: Chih-Shang bento.
This type of bento, which originates from railway culture, mostly uses the local Chih-Shang rice, known for its chewy texture that remains tasty even when cooled. It is typically paired with braised pork, chicken legs, or spare ribs, along with pickled vegetables and braised eggs, representing a taste of Taiwan that many people cherish in their memories.
After completing a lap and sitting down to enjoy a bento, you'll find that the fields you just passed have returned to you in another form.
Beginner Biking Guide
A complete round trip, including photo stops, takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. The path is flat, making it very suitable for solo riders or family biking.
But please remember not to step into the rice fields for photos.
Those are not decorations; they are the farmers' hard work. Keeping wheels and people on the path is the most fundamental respect.
Why is it Worth a Special Trip?
Many sceneries can be seen in photos, but Brolan Avenue cannot be captured in that way.
You must stand in the center, feel the wind blowing through the rice waves, and smell the scent of the harvest to truly understand the charm of this place. It is not just about beauty; it is a season that is actively happening.
Autumn lasts only a few short weeks, but those weeks shine brightly enough to be remembered for an entire year.
This trip allows you to step into the most abundant moment of the year.
騎回池上鎮時，我的鞋子沾著細灰，衣服帶著田野味。
我知道自己剛剛走進了一段會記很久的時間。
伯朗大道的秋天不是風景，是季節本身。
而你剛好騎在它的中央。
