In my previous article, I introduced the experience of savoring “Chishang Rice,” the premium brand rice from “Chishang Township,” Taiwan’s premier rice-growing region. It turns out there’s a way to enjoy the pastoral landscape where this delicious rice grows more freely and up close.
That’s the electric buggy experience on “Brown Avenue” that I’ll be introducing this time.
What is Brown Avenue?
A straight road cutting through rice fields, reminiscent of America’s Route 66
Brown Avenue is a looong straight road that runs east-west through Chishang’s rural area. Its name comes from a canned coffee commercial once filmed here. Later, it became a popular location when it was featured in an airline commercial starring popular Taiwanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro, catapulting it to fame as a tourist destination.
The rural landscape without utility poles represents Taiwan’s original scenery. It’s particularly known as a spectacular spot during the harvest season in October-November, when golden rice ears spread across the entire area.
Encountering Mysterious Electric Buggies
A mysterious vehicle that looks somewhat like a tuk-tuk but different—something I’d never seen before
On our way to Brown Avenue by rental car, we encountered a strange sight. Small buggy-like vehicles running on the road were increasing in number. Tilting our heads in confusion at this surreal scene wondering “What are these…?”, we continued driving and discovered rental shops dotted along the roadside renting out these vehicles.
Many rental shops around Brown Avenue offer various types of vehicles, not just small buggies
After enjoying lunch at the Rice Country Heritage Museum introduced in the previous article, we decided to explore Brown Avenue on one of these mysterious vehicles. Actually, various other vehicles are available for rent, including scooters and multi-person bicycles, but we were so intrigued by these strange buggies that we wanted to try them out, just like the local Taiwanese visitors were doing.
For the lunch report, please see our previous article below
Electric Buggy Rental Experience
At Chishang Baoan Temple near Brown Avenue
There was one buggy parked in the temple parking lot where we stopped our car. When we informed the caretaker that we wanted to rent it, we were told it was available for 400 TWD. This seemed a bit expensive considering Taiwan’s cost of living, but curiosity won, and we decided on the spot.
Then, an energetic woman came from a nearby rental shop. She carefully taught us how to use it from scratch. The basic operation is similar to an electric scooter, controlling the accelerator and brake with the handlebars. We were surprised that it was equipped with safety features including turn signals and a horn.
The operation is similar to an electric scooter
What was interesting was that there was no driver’s license check at all. We had our licenses and translations with us anyway because we were using a rental car, but apparently these buggies might be vehicles that can be driven without a license (this is unconfirmed information, so please be cautious!).
In any case, it’s wise to know Taiwan’s traffic rules when you’re going out on public roads.
Now, Onto the Golden Road
After being allowed to test drive within the temple grounds and learning how to use it, we finally headed onto public roads. At first, it was a bit scary driving a low-speed buggy at about 20 km/h amid regular vehicle traffic, but once we entered Brown Avenue, the scenery completely transformed.
Spread out before us was a truly picture-like landscape. On both sides of the straight road with no utility poles, golden rice fields continued endlessly. Its beauty far exceeded our imagination. We proceeded slowly, gripping the handlebars that were trembling slightly from our tension.
There are several photo spots along the way, bustling with tourists enjoying taking pictures. Interestingly, almost all the buggy riders were local Taiwanese. It seemed they were visiting from all over Taiwan as a weekend leisure activity.
Into the Depths of the Avenue
I passed the buggy driving to my partner and operated a drone from the back seat
As we left the main street and progressed further in, we saw fewer people. Taking advantage of the small buggy’s mobility, we explored narrow farm roads that cars couldn’t enter. We moved through the peaceful rural landscape like treasure hunters.
We continued deeper and deeper into the golden Brown Avenue surroundings
In early November, the color of the rice fields was at its peak. However, perhaps due to the typhoon that had passed through two days earlier, the rice ears were flattened in places. Strangely, those slightly disturbed rice ears also created a different kind of charm.
Rice ears are lying sideways due to the impact of the large typhoon that passed through two days earlier
In some areas, harvesting had already begun. It was a profound feeling to think that these rice ears would eventually be harvested and become “Chishang Rice” adorning dining tables across Taiwan.
The buggy easily navigates tricky narrow paths
We enjoyed the buggy ride for about 30 minutes. We were able to enjoy a light, adventurous exploration unique to small buggies, going all the way to the end of the avenue that would be impossible to cover on foot, and circling around narrow ridge paths that cars couldn’t pass through. At first, we were confused by the surreal combination of go-karts—or perhaps Mario Kart—enjoyed in a peaceful rural landscape, something that would never be possible in many countries, but we found it to be a surprisingly perfect marriage.
The leisurely buggy drive can become surprisingly addictive. We understood why it’s so popular among local Taiwanese people.
Conclusion: Enjoying Chishang from a Local Perspective
The electric buggy experience on Brown Avenue was a continuous series of unexpected discoveries. This place, while becoming a tourist destination, continues to be loved as a relaxation spot for locals. The scenery viewed from the unique perspective of a small electric buggy became even more unique and impressive.
The rural landscape of Chishang supports Taiwan’s food culture. It was a day when I was deeply impressed by the region’s attitude toward preserving, nurturing, and sometimes utilizing it as a tourism resource while passing it on to the future. When you visit Taitung, I encourage you to try the buggy ride on Brown Avenue.
