The third stage of the 2025 Tour de Taiwan international cycling race, the Romantic Route 3 Stage, kicked off today (March 18th) with an opening ceremony at the Fangliao Baozhong Yimin Temple in Xinpu Township. The ceremony began with spectacular performances by the Zhubei Guangming Elementary School Dance Group and the Nanzhuang Xiangfei Lion Drum Troupe. 197 elite cycling athletes from around the world gathered to compete for glory. Many honored guests were present, including Hsinchu County Deputy Magistrate Chen Chien-hsien, Hsinchu County Education Bureau Director Yang Chun-tzu, Huang Chih-Chun of the Miaoli County Government Council, Hakka Affairs Council Department of Industrial Economy Senior Executive Officer Yuan Ching-hui, and Chinese Taipei Cycling Association Secretary-General Lee Kai-chih. Together, they sounded the horn to officially start the race!
Before the starting horn, though, Deputy Magistrate Chen presented gift packages of Baoshan Township olives and Emei Township Oriental Beauty tea to the winners of the previous stage to cheer them on. Chen stated that the annual Romantic Route 3 Stage has yet again returned to Hsinchu County; on behalf of Magistrate Yang Wen-ke, he welcomed world-class athletes to Hsinchu County. Today’s starting point was the Baozhong Yimin Temple, the center of worldwide Hakka faith. Noting the scenic beauty of Hsinchu County, Chen invited international friends to visit Taiwan and Hsinchu County. He also wished all the athletes success and a smooth and successful race.
Hakka Affairs Council Department of Industrial Economy Senior Executive Officer Yuan Ching-hui said that Provincial Highway 3 is a romantic highway that brings together Hakka cultural traditions and industries. In order to promote Hakka culture internationally, the Council has collaborated with the Chinese Taipei Cycling Association since 2018 to hold the Romantic Route 3 stage of the race. The route passes through Hsinchu, Miaoli, and Taichung counties, with over 50 Hakka Village Cheering Stations formed by local township offices, schools, and community residents along the way. These stations warmly welcome the athletes with Hakka cultural elements such as Hakka-style open-mouthed lions, tung blossoms, traditional clothing, Raoping cloth horses, Dahu strawberries, and Zhuolan citrus. Through the station, athletes and spectators from around the world get to experience the unique charms of Hakka culture. Everyone is welcome to come have fun in the Hakka villages.
An official from the Hsinchu County Education Bureau noted that the Tour de Taiwan is a 2.1-level event registered with Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), and is Taiwan’s only international road race. The Romantic Route 3 stage is a major highlight of the race. The third stage passes through Xinpu, Guanxi, Hengshan, Zhudong, Beipu, and Emei in Hsinchu County. The Education Bureau has worked closely with other departments to make arrangements; along the route, 5 local township offices and 9 elementary and junior high schools will join the public in cheering on all the participating athletes.
The Romantic Route 3 stage starts at Fangliao Baozhong Yimin Temple in Xinpu Township, and ends at the Shigang Travel Service Center in Taichung City. The stage is 154.3 kilometers long. As it passes through Hsinchu, Miaoli, and Taichung counties, it goes through 14 townships and districts: Xinpu, Guanxi, Hengshan, Zhudong, Beipu, Emei, Sanwan, Nanzhuang, Shitan, Gongguan, Dahu, Zhuolan, Dongshi, and Shigang.
An Education Bureau official stated that today’s Romantic Route 3 stage opening ceremony was held at the Fangliao Baozhong Yimin Temple in Xinpu. Through online streaming and aerial footage, viewers can appreciate the magnificent charm of the Hakka mountain towns. This further enhances Hsinchu County’s international visibility.