Taiwan’s first rail bike with a view of the sea and mountains, the Shen’ao Rail Bike is a fun way to explore the Northern Taiwan coast between Badouzi and Shen’ao.
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Along a 1.3km stretch of coastline track along a former coal-mining route, jump into a colorful rail-bike buggy, look out to sea and pedal slowly between two stations.
There is even an ocean-themed tunnel of lights (very trippy!) along the way to keep you entertained.
From prices to how to book and suitable for all ages and abilities, here is our ultimate guide to Shen’ao Rail Bike in Northern Taiwan.
This article was originally published on 16 October 2024.
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How to get to Shen’ao Rail Bike
The Shen’ao Rail Bike is located along the north coast of Taiwan, and has two departure stations – Badouzi and Shen’ao.
If you are travelling from Taipei or Keelung, then the Badouzi Rail Bike departure station is the closest.
The nearest train station to the Badouzi Rail Bike departure station is Badouzi station on the Shen’ao Line from Ruifang station (located next door and less than a 1 minute walk away).
The easiest way to reach Badouzi Rail Bike departure station from Taipei is to board bus number 1579 from multiple stops in Taipei including Taipei City Hall Bus Station. This will take you directly to Badouzi station in just under 1 hour.
Alternatively you can take a local train from Taipei Main Station or Songshan Station to Keelung Station (it usually takes around 45 minutes to an hour), and then jump on either the 791, 1051 or T99 buses (the bus journey takes around 30 minutes).
We recommend you check Google Maps or the official Go! Taipei Metro app to see which is the quickest and best route for you.
If you are staying in the Ruifang District which includes Jiufen, then the Shen’ao departure station is the closest.
The best way to get to the Shen’ao departure station is to take the bus from Ruifang station, however the buses seem very infrequent, so a taxi might be a better option.
It may be easier to start in Badouzi instead of Shen’ao (even though Shen’ao is closer) and take the Shen’ao Line local train to Haikeguan Station (journey is 9 minutes) and then walk 12 minutes to the rail bike station.
Taiwanderers Tip
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Shen’ao Rail Bike prices in 2025 and how to book
As of March 2025, Shen’ao Rail Bike costs NT$150 one way or NT$250 return if booked in advance. Otherwise, the return fare is NT$300.
We would recommend booking your Shen’ao Rail Bike tickets in advance with KKDay as it is a simple booking process plus the Rail Bike sells out in advance for some trips.
You can risk turning up on the day without a ticket but it would be a shame if it was already fully booked – plus onsite booking at the sales counter closes 15 minutes before the next rail bike departure. Their on the day waitlist is also only available for one-way tickets only.
It also means you can choose in advance which departure and return rail bike journey times you want.
You may want to allow yourself enough time to visit Capybara Rock (formerly Elephant’s Head Rock) which is around a 30 minute walk away (at least 1 hour return) from the Shen’ao departure station of the rail bike.
Just to note when we booked on KK Day, there was a 12pm departure option from Badouzi and a 12.30pm departure option from Shen’ao on the dropdown menu, but they don’t exist on the actual timetable below.
Alternatively, you can book via the Shen’ao Rail Bike website or Ibon (the booking system used by convenience stores in Taiwan like 7-Eleven) but it honestly just easier to book in advance via KKDay to avoid any disappointments or dramas!
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Shen’ao Rail Bike timetable for 2025
There are currently 7 departures a day from Shen’ao Station (and 6 departures from the Badouzi Rail Bike terminal).
The Shen’ao Railbike journey lasts less than 20 minutes, with the following 2025 Shen’ao Railbike timetables.
Rail bike departing from Shen’ao Station:
- 10:00am
- 11:00am
- 1:00pm
- 2:00pm
- 3:00pm
- 4:00pm
- 5:00pm
Rail bike departing from Badouzi Station:
- 10:30am
- 11:30am
- 1:30pm
- 2:30pm
- 3:30pm
- 4:30pm
Passengers are requested to arrive 10 minutes before their departure time – check in at the service counters. Show your KKDay QR code and they will stamp your hand to allow you aboard. You are now all set to pedal along the coast.
Shen’ao Rail Bike is open 7 days a week except for the third Wednesday of every month when it is closed for half a day.
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What to expect aboard a Rail Bike
This is one Taiwan adventure where you really don’t want to go off the rails!
Each railbike carries two people and the bikes are effectively self-contained buggies powered by you pedaling (just like a bicycle or pedalo).
The rail bikes are very colorful and shaped like characters including several special sea creature themed bikes like a whale, crab and angel fish (it is easy ‘Finding Nemo’).
The Rail Bikes have a roof on top and you are asked to put on your safety belt and given a quick demonstration of the handbrake before you pedal off.
All of the Shen’ao rail bikes depart at roughly the same time (a bit like a wagon train) but you are in control of your own rail bike.
You are requested to stay at least 5m from the rail bike in front; there is also a small rack for your bags on the rear of the bike plus a walkie talkie should you get into any difficulties.
In terms of safety, the track is very flat and there is no chance of your rail bike going off the track – it is very sedate and a really nice way to see the coastline between Shen’ao and Badouzi (and even better if your fellow passenger is doing all the pedaling).
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One of Taiwan’s most enjoyable journeys
We did a return journey on the Shan’ao Rail Bike starting from Badouzi (as it was closest to our Keelung hotel). We took the 10am rail bike from Badouzi and returned on the 11.30am rail bike from Shan’ao after a very quick walk/run to Capybara Rock.
The journey features different landscapes – at the Badouzi end, as you leave the station, you can wave to people in the Boss Cafe which looks out over the tracks plus you go past several houses which are painted in bright colors, including some of Shen’ao Rail Bikes own cartoon characters (more on this later – you can even buy their merchandise at Shen’ao Station).
You ride so close to the houses that you could almost grab the laundry hanging up from the houses – even the grasscutters who were tidying the line stopped to wave hello and smile at us.
There are ocean views looking out to the East China Sea plus a few cartoon character statues dotted along the way.
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Enter the ocean tunnel
One of the most surreal and memorable parts of the Shen’ao Rail Bike journey is the illuminated old mining tunnel, with thousands of blinking LEDs and ocean image projections.
It really is quite the eye-opening experience (some would say retina-burning) and quite like nothing else we’ve done in Taiwan (the Cijin Island Star Tunnel in Kaohsiung) doesn’t even come close!
The tunnel stretch lasts for a couple of minutes and after the partial darkness, it may take a few seconds for your eyes to readjust to the natural daylight.
Once you’ve arrived at the station, a member of staff will help you out of the carriage.
If you’ve booked an immediate return, just wait around the station before queuing up to go back on the return leg.
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Shen’ao Shop
For those who love cute and quirky Taiwan souvenirs, Shen’ao Rail Bike has got you covered – their Shen’ao Station has loads of cartoon character themed gifts inside including a claw machine plus gachapon machines where you can buy character bags, keyrings or rain macs.
These make for unique Taiwan souvenirs and they’ll fit easily into your suitcase!
The merchandise and gifts are very cheap too – we had a go on the gachapon machine and got an elephant keyring for just NT$50. The Shen’ao Rail Bike bags also cost the same.
At the entrance to the station, there is also an area where you can pose with all the Shen’ao Railway cartoon characters like a big blue elephant with a red heart – it kind of reminded us of the Bugcat Capoo House in Taichung.
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Fun for all the family
Given the relatively flat journey, the Shen’ao Rail Bike is suitable for all ages and abilities.
Each rail bike holds two people – children are allowed on the Shen’ao Rail Bike but they must be at least 3 years old or 90 cm tall, and kids under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Children on the rail bike will also love all the cartoon character theming and posing with the models at the Shen’ao Station.
If not all of your group wants to do the railbike, one option is to start in Badouzi and those that don’t want to do it can sit in one of two cafes directly overlooking the rail bike by Badouzi Station – Boss Cafe and the eponymous ‘White House’ European style cafe (the exterior reminded us of Santorini in Greece).
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Shen’ao Rail Bike information summary
- The Rail Bike costs NT$150 one way or $NT250 return when booked in advance as of March 2025 – booking in advance with KK Day in advance is highly recommended >
- The journey lasts just under 20 minutes and is a relatively easy pedal along a 1.3km former mining railroad track – remember to stay at least 5 meters away from the rail bike buggy in front.
- The first rail bike departs from Shen’ao Station at 10am – the last rail bike departs at 5pm.
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Other things to know about the Shen’ao Rail Bike
- There are free toilets at Shen’ao Rail Bike Station.
- The luggage rack on the buggy is very very small – larger bags can be left in lockers at the station.
- We turned up on a quieter week day very early – the staff allowed us to change both of our allocated times to earlier slots which was nice. However this probably wouldn’t be possible on busy days when tour groups arrive or at the weekends.
- Our KKDay Shen’ao Rail Bike booking slip told us to bring our passports which we did – but we were never asked to show them. So maybe take a photocopy or photo on your phone of them instead.
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Addresses
Badouzi Station
No. 121, Sec. 2, Jianji Road, Ruifang District, New Taipei City (beside Badouzi Railway Station)
Shen’ao Station
No. 1-1, Sec. 2, Jianji Road, Ruifang District, New Taipei City (beside Jianji Coal Mine and Shen’ao Power Plant)
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