Robin ChienTaipei

Home / Run

05:30

Before the city wakes

The city is quiet, the air is as cool as it gets, and nobody needs anything from me yet. Here’s how I run, and where I’d send you.

Keelung River at dawn · illustration

How I train

I don’t run to win races. I run because it improves everything else.

2 min read

Running as an operating system

I don’t run to win races. I run because it is the one system in my week that improves everything else it touches.

How I train

The rules I run by

  1. Show up first. Performance comes later.
  2. Keep most runs easy enough to talk.
  3. Hard sessions are earned by sleep, not scheduled by ambition.
  4. Watch the trend over months, not the feeling on the day.
  5. Protect recovery like you protect training.

Where I’d send you

Twelve runs, starting with mine.

For visitors staying in Xinyi, the East District, Zhongshan or by Taipei Main Station, plus the riverside 5K stretches where Taipei’s run clubs train. Maps are schematic, not to scale.

About 5 km one way, 10 km there and back

My go-to: Riverside Gallery to Nanzi Creek

新北河濱藝廊至湳仔溝鐵馬驛站

Flat riverside path, then along Nanzi Creek to its cyclists’ rest stop. Quiet, with few people at dawn.

Start
New Taipei Riverside Gallery (新北河濱藝廊), on the Banqiao riverside
Tip
This is the run I do most. Go at sunrise for the river light, and watch Nanzi Creek: once known for its smell, it has been cleaned up into clear water and wetland planting.
BanqiaoNew Taipei
2.4 km loop

Da’an Forest Park loop

大安森林公園

Flat, wide sidewalks around the park edge, plus a red-gravel track inside.

Start
Daan Park station
Tip
Open all hours and well lit. Busiest from about 6 to 8 a.m.
Da’anEast DistrictXinyi
1.45 km trail to 183 m

Elephant Mountain

象山親山步道

Steep stone stairs under trees. More stair climb than run.

Start
Xiangshan station, Exit 2
Tip
The Six Giant Rocks lookout is the classic Taipei 101 view at sunrise. The steps are slippery after rain.
Xinyi
About 8 km one way

Keelung River: Expo Park to Rainbow Bridge

基隆河左岸河濱

Flat riverside path through Dajia Riverside Park. Shared with cyclists.

Start
Yuanshan station, through the Lin An-tai riverside gate
Tip
Finish at Rainbow Bridge by Raohe Night Market and take the MRT back from Songshan station.
ZhongshanSongshan
About 9 km one way

Tamsui River: Dadaocheng Wharf to Guting

淡水河、新店溪右岸河濱

Flat riverside path outside the floodwall. Shared with cyclists.

Start
Dadaocheng Wharf, Water Gate No. 5 (nearest MRT: Beimen)
Tip
Best at sunrise or sunset. Run a shorter out-and-back, or take the MRT home from Guting.
Taipei Main StationZhongshan
Loops of your choice in a 25 ha park

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall park

中正紀念堂園區

Flat plazas and garden paths.

Start
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall station
Tip
Open 05:00 to midnight. Expect morning exercise groups and, around 10 October, National Day crowds.
Taipei Main Station
Short, easy loops

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and Songshan Cultural Park

國父紀念館與松山文創園區

Flat garden paths and sidewalks.

Start
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall station
Tip
Good for an easy shakeout after a long flight. The cultural park’s outdoor areas are open around the clock.
XinyiEast District
2.5 km out, 5 km there and back

Fuhe Bridge to Beixin Bridge

福和橋下至景美北新橋

Flat riverside path along the Xindian River. Covered start, benches and taps under the bridge.

Start
Under Fuhe Bridge, Taipei bank (by Gongguan Riverside Plaza)
Tip
Taipei’s best-known run-club spot: this is where you’ll see the fast people. Vending machines on the way, toilets at the turnaround.
GongguanDa’an
2.5 km out, 5 km there and back

Rainbow Bridge to Chengmei Riverside Park

彩虹橋至成美左岸河濱公園

Flat Keelung River path, narrowing briefly at the pumping stations.

Start
Under Rainbow Bridge, Raohe floodgate (MRT Songshan)
Tip
Run clubs warm up by the LOVE sign. Turn 650 m past Chenggong Bridge for exactly 5 km.
SongshanRaohe
2.5 km out, 5 km there and back

Dadaocheng Wharf north to the Freeway 1 bridge

大稻埕碼頭至國道一號橋下

Flat and dead straight along the Tamsui River floodwall, under Taipei Bridge.

Start
The banyan tree at Dadaocheng Wharf, Water Gate No. 5 (MRT Beimen)
Tip
Quiet at dawn, before the wharf market wakes up. Turn under the Freeway 1 bridge.
DatongDadaocheng
2.5 km out, 5 km there and back

Dajia Riverside Park to Yingfeng

大佳河濱公園至迎風河濱公園

Flat green riverside park, under Dazhi Bridge.

Start
Dajia Riverside Park playground canopies (MRT Yuanshan or Dazhi, a short walk)
Tip
The finish area of many Taipei races, so it’s a good place to rehearse race day. Turn at the Yingfeng car park.
ZhongshanDazhi
2.5 km out, 5 km there and back

Machangding Park to Guangfu Bridge

馬場町紀念公園至光復橋

Flat riverside path past Huazhong Riverside Park. Little shade.

Start
Machangding Memorial Park (MRT Xiaonanmen or Guting, a short walk)
Tip
Leave a water bottle under Guangfu Bridge on the first lap to practise race-day drinking.
WanhuaGuting

Before you lace up

  • June to September, daily highs average 31.5–34.8 °C with humidity around 70–78%. Run early or late.
  • Typhoon season runs June to October. During heavy rain the city closes the riverside gates or makes them exit-only, so stay out of riverside parks.
  • Check heo.gov.taipei for gate closures, or call the 1999 city hotline (+886-2-2720-8889 from outside Taipei).