Jinshan and Wanli are hidden gems for tourism in northern Taiwan. Here you can find beaches, hot springs, delicious food, amazing geological formations, and much more. There is something to do here every time of the year. Don’t skip this area of Taiwan during your next trip.

Background:

The first people to live in the Jinshan Area were plains indigenous peoples. The name “Jinabaoli” comes from the Chinese transliteration of the indigenous name of the place.
Chinese people began to settle here during the late Ming Dynasty, coming mainly from Fujian, and even more came to settle here during the Qing Dynasty. 
During the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, a road was built to connect Jinshan to Keelung and Tamsui, making it easier for people to visit. This road was improved in the ROC period to become provincial highway 2. 
Jinshan now has a population of about 22,000 people. 

Jinshan Hot Springs refers to a group of geothermal springs in Jinshan and Wanli districts of northern Taiwan, formed by volcanic activity associated with the Datun Volcano Group. The area features a diverse range of spring types, including sulfur, carbonated, chloride, and iron-rich springs, with temperatures ranging from warm bathing waters to near-boiling outlets. Hot spring development began during the Japanese colonial era in the late 19th century, leading to the construction of public bathhouses and resort facilities that helped establish Jinshan as a major spa destination.

Tours:

You can book a tour to Jinshan on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.

Activities nearby:

Don’t forget that there are many activities available along Taiwan’s Northern Coast such as Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking,  River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Archery, Tree Climbing, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Shen’ao Rail Bike, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. 

Where to Stay:

We recommend Jinshan Bay Hot Spring Resort, which is a reasonably-priced and high-quality resort right next to Huanggang Harbor (book on Booking.com here, Trip.com here, or Agoda here). 
We have stayed at and recommend ​Gold Mountain Ranch, which is a horse ranch and glamping destination in Jinshan. ​You can book a night at Gold Mountain Ranch on Klook here.  You can also check out our full blog on the ranch here. 
We have also recommended Intercontinental New Taipei Hot Spring By IHG, which is perhaps the nicest hotel in Jinshan (book on Trip.com here, Agoda here, or Klook here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

How to get there:

​By Bus: There are inter-city buses that leave hourly from Taipei Main Station and Taipei City Hall to Yehliu. You can purchase a discount EasyCard to use on the MRT and buses from Klook here or KKday here. ​You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. 
By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 2 west out of Keelung, and keep going until you reach Wanli. The turnoff to  Yehliu comes right after Wanli beach. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan’s many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:

See the map below:

Please see above.

Yehliu Geopark 野柳地質公園

Yehliu is perhaps the most famous geological park in Taiwan, with its most famous landmark being the Queen’s Head Rock. These rock formations have been forming for thousands of years through erosion of soft sandstone due to wind and water. Hurry and see these formations soon before they are gone forever…(read more)
​
Price:
120 NT per person.
​You can book discount tickets to Yehliu Geopark on Klook here and KKday here. 

You can book a tour to Yehliu on TripAdvisor here. 

​Check out our full blog on Yehliu Geopark here. 

Ocean World 海洋世界

Another great attraction in Yehliu if you have time is the Ocean World aquarium that sits in the parking lot next to Yehliu Geopark. It is like the SeaWorld of Taipei and is by far the best aquarium in northern Taiwan. The one in Kenting is better though.  There is also a tank where you can see sea turtles up close…(read more)

Price:
450 NT per person.
​​You can book discount tickets to Yehliu Ocean World on Klook here and KKday here. 
You can also book tickets to the Yehliu Ocean World Parent-Child playground on Klook here. 

You can book a tour to Yehliu on TripAdvisor here. 

​Check out our full blog on Yehliu Ocean World here. 

Emerald Bay (Feitsuiwan) 翡翠灣

Feitsui Bay is another popular beach area in Wanli District of New Taipei. Besides swimming in the ocean, the most popular activity here is paragliding. You can jump from the hills above or be pulled into the air by Jet Ski. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taiwan’s north coast…(read more)

You can also book a SUP / Paddle Board experience at Feitsui Bay here on KKday. 

​​Check out our full blog on Feitsuiwan here. 

Wanli UFO Houses 翡翠灣太空玲瓏/飛碟屋

The Wanli UFO Houses (aka Futuros) are a neighborhood of abandoned futuristic houses near Wanli Beach (aka Emerald Bay, Green Bay, or Feicuiwan) in Wanli District of New Taipei, and are some of the most popular urban exploration and Instagram destinations in Northern Taiwan…(read more) 

​You can also book a SUP / Paddle Board experience here on KKday. 

For more information, check out our full blog on the Wanli UFO Houses here.

Lion Park (Wanli) 萬里獅子公園

Lion Park sits above a quiet and beautiful stretch of coastline in Wanli District of New Taipei. There is also a 1 KM pedestrian path that connects the park to Dawulun Beach. Popular activities here include hiking, fishing, paddle boarding, and watching the sunset…(read more)

​​Check out our full blog on Lion Park here. 

Dapeng Footbath Park 大鵬足湯公園

Dapeng Footbath Park (aka Dapengzutang Park 大鵬足湯公園) is a free outdoor public foot hot spring near Jinshan’s Xialiao Beach in New Taipei City. Besides soaking your feet in hot spring water here, you can also walk along a wetland nature trail that has access to the beach. It is definitely worth checking out…(read more)

Jinshan Beach 金山海濱浴場

Jinshan Beach 金山海濱浴場 (aka Xiaoliao Wan 下寮灣) is a nice stretch of beach near Jinshan Old Street. On the other side of the beach is a rocky shoreline popular for hikers called the “Jinshan Shuiwei Port Mysterious Coast 神秘海岸” which you can also check out…(read more)

Check out our full guide to Jinshan Beach here. ​

Twin Candlestick Islets 燭臺雙嶼

The Twin Candlestick Islets (aka Candlestick Islet 燭臺嶼) are a beautiful natural wonder off the coast of Jinshan in New Taipei. There is a scenic trail (Shitoushan Hiking Trail 獅頭山步道) that lets you soak in the beautiful views of the islets from the coast. It is definitely worth a trip for lovers of Earth’s natural beauty…(read more)

Candlestick Islet Beach 蠟燭台沙灘

Right in front of the Candlestick Ilets is Candlestick Iselt Beach, a secret beach that is inaccessible to the general public, but still a beatiful place to look at from the Shitoushan Hiking Trail.

Mysterous Seashore 神秘海灘

The shore near Candlestick Islets is filled with “mysterious” fossils and interesting rock formations, called the Mysterious Seashore. It is definitley worth checking out if you have time.

Shitoushan Park 獅頭山公園

Shihtoushan Park includes the bluff above downtown Jinshan. Here you can find great views of Candlestick Islets and Jinshan, lots of old abandoned military sites, and endless plants and animals to spot.

Jinbaoli Old Trail 金包里古道

The Jinbaoli Trail is part of the Yulu Old Trail, which was the overland route between Jinshan and Dadaocheng (Taipei). During the Qing Dynasty, people would carry goods by hand and walk over Yangmingshan and back down to trade. The trail starts here at Huanggang Fishing Harbor.

Zhongshan Hot Springs Park 中山溫泉公園

You must visit Zhongshan Hot Spring Park which is right next to JinahN old street. You can lao take a free hot spring foot bath here.

Jinshan Old Street 金山老街

Jinshan Old Street (aka Jinbaoli Old Street 金包里老街Jīnbāolǐ lǎojiē) is a popular historical street in Jinshan District of New Taipei. The most famous delicacy here is duck but you can also find other traditional Taiwanese snacks among the numerous shops and restaurants here. It is definitely worth a stop on your trip to Taiwan’s Northern Coast…(read more)

You can book a walking tour to Jinshan Old Street on Klook here or KKday here. 

Check out our full guide to Jinshan Old Street here. 

Huanggang Community Public Hot Spring 磺港公共浴室

Huanggang Community Public Hot Springs (aka Golden Baths 黃金之湯) are a free outdoor public hot spring near Jinshan’s Huanggang Harbor in New Taipei City. The iron content in the water is quite high, and you can tell by the yellow, opaque color of the water. It is definitely worth a stop for anyone in the area…(read more)

Gold Mountain Ranch and Resort (金山驛境)

Gold Mountain Ranch and Resort (aka Jinshan Yijing in Chinese, or simply “Horse Camp”) is a campground and horse ranch in Jinshan District of New Taipei. A stay here includes activities such as horseback riding, four-wheeling, archery and bb-gun practice, and also a filling BBQ dinner and western style breakfast. Staying here makes you feel like you are in the rural American West, which is a unique experience in Taiwan. With a shortage of ranches and horse riding opportunities in Taiwan, Gold Mountain is a special place that you should not miss on your trip along Taiwan’s northern coast…(read more)

Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education 法鼓山世界佛教教育園區

Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education (aka Dharma Drum Mountain 法鼓山) is a religious education center in Jinshan District of New Taipei City. Here you can learn to relax, meditate, and enjoy the surrounding natural scenery. The center also has guided tours and classes for those interested in learning more about Buddhism…(read more)

Zhongjiao Bay Beach 中角灣

Zhongjiao Bay (aka Zhongjiaowan 中角灣, or Zhongjiao Shazhu Wan 中角沙珠灣) is a long sandy beach in Jinshan District of New Taipei, known as the most popular surfing location in Northern Taiwan. It is popular for surfing and swimming, and nearby there are also hikes, interesting rock formations, and the nearby Jinshan Old Street and Jinshan Hot Springs. It is definitely a relaxing place to spend an afternoon. Nearby, you can also find other sandy beaches such as Jinshan Beach and Xialiao Beach 下寮灣 (Jinshan Ocean Waterpark)…(read more)

You can book surfing lessons at Zhongjiao Bay on Klook here.

Check out our full blog on Zhongjiao Bay here. 

Thanks for reading!

Check out our guide to Taiwan’s northern coast here.
Check out our full guide to Taiwan here.

Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education (aka Dharma Drum Mountain 法鼓山) is a religious education center in Jinshan District of New Taipei City. Here you can learn to relax, meditate, and enjoy the surrounding natural scenery. The center also has guided tours and classes for those interested in learning more about Buddhism.

Background:

Founded by Master Sheng Yen and rooted in earlier institutions established by Master Dongchu, Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) is one of Taiwan’s most influential Buddhist organizations, dedicated to promoting Buddhist education, meditation, social welfare, and the philosophy of “uplifting the character of humanity and building a Pure Land on Earth.” Its headquarters is the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education in the Jinshan District of New Taipei City, a large mountain campus developed after land was acquired in 1989 and officially inaugurated in 2005. The Jinshan campus serves as the spiritual, educational, and administrative heart of the organization, housing major institutions such as the Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts, Sangha University, research centers, meditation facilities, and the monastic community. Surrounded by scenic mountains overlooking Taiwan’s northern coast, the campus was designed as a center for Buddhist learning, contemplation, and environmental harmony, reflecting DDM’s emphasis on spiritual cultivation, education, and global outreach. While DDM maintains numerous branch temples throughout Taiwan and overseas, the Jinshan campus remains its primary center for religious practice, academic study, leadership training, and international Buddhist exchange.

Hours:

9 AM to 4 PM

Price:

Free

Tours:

You can book a tour to Jinshan on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.

Activities nearby:

Don’t forget that there are many activities available along Taiwan’s Northern Coast such as Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking,  River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Archery, Tree Climbing, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Shen’ao Rail Bike, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. 

Where to Stay:

We recommend Jinshan Bay Hot Spring Resort, which is a reasonably-priced and high-quality resort right next to Huanggang Harbor (book on Booking.com here, Trip.com here, or Agoda here). 
We have stayed at and recommend ​Gold Mountain Ranch, which is a horse ranch and glamping destination in Jinshan. ​You can book a night at Gold Mountain Ranch on Klook here.  You can also check out our full blog on the ranch here. 
We have also recommended Intercontinental New Taipei Hot Spring By IHG, which is perhaps the nicest hotel in Jinshan (book on Trip.com here, Agoda here, or Klook here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

How to get there:

​By Bus: There are inter-city buses that leave hourly from Taipei Main Station and Taipei City Hall to Yehliu. You can purchase a discount EasyCard to use on the MRT and buses from Klook here or KKday here. ​You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. 
By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 2 west out of Keelung, and keep going until you reach Jinshan. The turnoff to  Yehliu comes right before you reach Zhongjiao beach. Follow the signs up the mountain to Dharma Drum Mountain. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan’s many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:

See the map below:

Please see above.

Our Journey:

I have been to Dharma Drum Mountain once, and I would like to share my experience here. It is well known that Taiwan has a lot of Buddhists and Buddhist temples. There are also lots of different Buddhist sects. When I lived in Kaohsiung, I knew of and visited Buddha Light Mountain, which is a huge pyramid and complex on the Gaoping River, which is quite impressive to look at. There is also “Middle Taiwan Mountain” in Puli, which has a giant tower and an indoor wooden pagoda. Dharma Drum Mountain is a bit different than those, focusing on nature and meditation.

You can see Dharma Drum Mountain on the mountain in Jinshan. Behind the main education area is a huge graveyard.

I was roped into a tour of Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts. But I had a great time nonetheless. Our tour guide was a retired man who had decided to do a Master’s degree at the Institute.

The institute looks like any other college campus in Taiwan.

The area here on the hillside is really quite beautiful.

There is also a really beautiful footbridge here that connects the campus. However, the bridge doesn’t really have a good view of anything, and it doesn’t cross over anything special.

The bridge crosses over this ditch.

Some Buddha lights on the Dharma Drum Mountain.

As part of the tour, we were taken up a mountain trail to meditate and drink tea, and we were forbidden from using electronics. I think that kind of thing is new and novel for many Taiwanese office workers who grind it out in their offices and head home to their apartments, never connecting with nature. But as an Eagle Scout from the Pacific Northwest who had been camping hundreds of times, it was kind of underwhelming to me, but still peaceful and refreshing. Nonetheless, I think I would choose to do something more exciting with my free time. That being said, I hope the best for this institute, which seems to have falling student numbers despite a brand new, shiny campus. Go check it out! The people here are super friendly and will be glad to show you around.

Check out our full guide to Jinshan and Wanli here.

Check out our guide to Taiwan’s northern coast here.
Check out our full guide to Taiwan here.

Dapeng Footbath Park (aka Dapengzutang Park 大鵬足湯公園) is a free outdoor public foot hot spring near Jinshan’s Xialiao Beach in New Taipei City. Besides soaking your feet in hot spring water here, you can also walk along a wetland nature trail that has access to the beach. It is definitely worth checking out.

Background:

Dapeng Foot Soak Park features a free hot spring foot bath in a semi-open-air setting with convenient parking. Nearby amenities include pavilions, restrooms, the Yuantan Creek Scenic Bridge, and a cycling path. The park is also served by a YouBike 2.0 station, making it easy to explore the area by bike. To the east, cyclists can reach Yehliu Geopark, while the westbound route connects via the Yuantan Creek Bikeway and Wanjin Bicycle Bridge to attractions such as Zhongshan Hot Spring Park and several other YouBike stations.

Hours:

24/7

Price:

Free

Tours:

You can book a tour to Jinshan on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.

Activities nearby:

Don’t forget that there are many activities available along Taiwan’s Northern Coast such as Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking,  River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Archery, Tree Climbing, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Shen’ao Rail Bike, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. 

Where to Stay:

We recommend Jinshan Bay Hot Spring Resort, which is a reasonably-priced and high-quality resort right next to Huanggang Harbor (book on Booking.com here, Trip.com here, or Agoda here). 
We have stayed at and recommend ​Gold Mountain Ranch, which is a horse ranch and glamping destination in Jinshan. ​You can book a night at Gold Mountain Ranch on Klook here.  You can also check out our full blog on the ranch here. 
We have also recommended Intercontinental New Taipei Hot Spring By IHG, which is perhaps the nicest hotel in Jinshan (book on Trip.com here, Agoda here, or Klook here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

How to get there:

​By Bus: There are inter-city buses that leave hourly from Taipei Main Station and Taipei City Hall to Yehliu. You can purchase a discount EasyCard to use on the MRT and buses from Klook here or KKday here. ​You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. 
By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 2 west out of Keelung, and keep going until you reach Wanli. The park will be on the right, right before you pass into Jinshan. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan’s many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:

See the map below:

Please see above.

Our Journey:

We have been to the Dapeng Public Foot Bath once. It is quite a trip from Taipei, but for the lucky locals that live here, I am sure it must be great to be able to soak here anytime for free. At first I thought it was in Jinshan, but it turns out that it is in Wanli. Both districts are so close to each other, and the boundary is so unclear, that it is hard to tell them apart.

This is the entrance to the Dapeng Footbaths. There is free parking in front of the baths.

Map of the park.

When we visited, there were lots of people enjoying the baths.

View looking back at the park with Yangmingshan in the distance.

Behind the footpath, there is a cement path that goes over the river here.

View looking back at the foot bathers.

View over the river.

Another view up the river from the park.

Closeup on Qixingshan.

The trail leads to Xialiao Beach. And you can drive your car on the beach appearently?

You can also see Twin Candlestick Islets 燭臺雙嶼 from the beach here, too.

View looking down the beach.

Last view of Twin Candlestick Islets 燭臺雙嶼.

Check out our full guide to Jinshan and Wanli here.

Check out our guide to Taiwan’s northern coast here.
Check out our full guide to Taiwan here.

The Twin Candlestick Islets (aka Candlestick Islet 燭臺嶼) are a beautiful natural wonder off the coast of Jinshan in New Taipei. There is a scenic trail (Shitoushan Hiking Trail 獅頭山步道) that lets you soak in the beautiful views of the islets from the coast. It is definitely worth a trip for lovers of Earth’s natural beauty.

Background:

The Candlestick Islets, also known as Husband-and-Wife Rocks or Couple Rocks 夫妻石, are two iconic sea stacks located off the coast of Jinshan District, New Taipei City. Rising about 60 meters above the sea, they were originally part of Jinshan Cape but were gradually separated through tectonic activity and centuries of coastal erosion. Sea caves and arches formed within the headland before eventually collapsing, leaving behind two connected rock pillars that resemble a pair of candlesticks. Associated with a local legend of devoted lovers, the islets are a well-known landmark and one of the most scenic attractions on Taiwan’s northern coast. They can be best viewed from the observation platform and Zhongzheng Pavilion in Shitoushan Seaside Park, where visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the dramatic coastline, making the site a popular destination for sightseeing and photography.

Hours:

24/7

Price:

Free

Difficulty/Length

About a 2 KM round trip with roughly 100 meters of elevation gain. It took us about 3 hours (with lots of stops along the way).

Tours:

You can book a tour to Jinshan on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.

Activities nearby:

Don’t forget that there are many activities available along Taiwan’s Northern Coast such as Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking,  River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Archery, Tree Climbing, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Shen’ao Rail Bike, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. 

Where to Stay:

We recommend Jinshan Bay Hot Spring Resort, which is a reasonably-priced and high-quality resort right next to Huanggang Harbor (book on Booking.com here, Trip.com here, or Agoda here). 
We have stayed at and recommend Gold Mountain Ranch, which is a horse ranch and glamping destination in Jinshan. You can book a night at Gold Mountain Ranch on Klook here.  You can also check out our full blog on the ranch here. 
We have also recommended Intercontinental New Taipei Hot Spring By IHG, which is perhaps the nicest hotel in Jinshan (book on Trip.com here, Agoda here, or Klook here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

How to get there:

By Bus: There are inter-city buses that leave hourly from Taipei Main Station and Taipei City Hall to Yehliu. You can purchase a discount EasyCard to use on the MRT and buses from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 2 west out of Keelung, and keep going until you reach Jinshan. The trailhead is at Shitoushan Park. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.
Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan’s many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here.
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here.

Map:

See the map below:

Please see above.

Our Journey:

We have been to Jinshan’s Candlestick Rocks zero times, but we have enjoyed views of the rocks from Shitoushan Hiking Trail, which has great views of them. The hiking trail is also near Jinshan Old Street, which you should definitely check out for lunch or dinner on your way there. This is a geological wonder, and you will find lots of people taking selfies on the trail. I recommend visiting in the evening when you get beautiful sunset colors on the rocks.

I don’t think people are allowed to go on the Candlesticks, but I know there are SUP rides out to the rocks that you can book on Klook here.

This is what you are trying to see when you get there.

We entered Shitoushan Park from near the Jinbaoli Trail entrance.

A sign points to Candlestick Islet.

3:16 PM: There were some fruit and vegetable vendors near the park when we visited.

We also saw a tour bus that came to park here. Car parking spaces here are limited.

When all the spaces are full, some people choose to park illegally.

Entrance to the hiking trail.

Some people walk out of the trail after finishing the hike.

Map of the Shitoushan Trail.

An old abandoned bunker. I think this whole trail used to be a military base.

Common seashore animals and plants.

Someone walks back down the path.

We begin to see the geology in the rocks here.

This first part of the trail is kind of steep

And then there is this baby Buddha.

First view of the ocean from the trail. This is Xialiao Beach.

Another old abandoned fortress.

More from inside the old fort.

An overgrown doorway.

A collapsed room.

View out of the entrance.

Map of some of the old military fortifications on Shitoushan.

Another view of the trail with our current location in red.

View of the old fort from above.

View looking north up the coastline.

View looking back upriver with Huanggang Hot Spring at the bottom of the background.

The direction sign said it was only a few hundred meters to go.

Subtopical Broadleaf Forest: Distributed mainly on flatlands and slopelands below 500 meters, where the annual average temperature is above 23°C and annual rainfall is between 1,000 and 4,000 millimeters. The plant composition consists mainly of plants of the family Moraceae (mulberry), genus Ficus and plants of the family Lauraceae (laurel), genus Machilus. This area was developed relatively early and most of the original plant cover has disappeared, leaving only secondary and artificial forest. Representative species include the angular fruit fig (Ficus septica), paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera), Taiwan mulberry (Morus australis), red machilus (Machilus thunbergii). The secondary forest is made up mostly of turn-in-the-wind (Mallotus paniculatus), macaranga (Macaranga tanarius), and Japanese mallotus (Mallotus japonicus), while the artificial forest consists mainly of Taiwan acacia (Acacia confusa), tung oil tree (Aleurites fordii), Makino bamboo (Phyllostachys makinoi), tropical timber bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii), and wulei bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus).

An old guard post that has been recently painted.

This part of the trail goes down to the “secret coast 神秘海灘” which is full of interesting geological features.

Here in the distance, you can see that the ocean is very shallow. There is a rock platform just a few feet underwater, former land that has been eroded away.

An abandoned military building can be seen here in the woods.

View looking toward Yehliu.

A spot to rest along the trail.

Only 250 meters to the Twin Candlesticks!

View of Huanggang Fishing Harbor.

View looking back at Jinshan.

Huang River
The Huang River flows directly to the sea and is the shortest river in Taiwan. The river estuary is rich in ecological resources. Migratory birds can often be seen here during autumn and winter.
The Datun volcanic group
The Datun volcanic group formed part of the volcanic activity associated with northern Taiwan. These mountains are remnants of volcanic eruptions that occurred hundreds of thousands of years ago. Geological features such as lava flows, volcanic craters, hot springs, fumaroles, and sulfur deposits can still be observed throughout the area. From this viewpoint, visitors can see the coastal landscape of Jinshan, including the river mouth, wetlands, harbor facilities, and nearby volcanic terrain.

The trail continues onward.

First view of the candlesticks!

Pro photographer.

This is the main viewing pavilion for the candlesticks.

Wide shot of the candles.

The candlesticks and candlestick beach.

There is no such thing as a pristine beach in Taiwan without human intervention. There is simply too much trash in the ocean to keep all the beaches clean all the time.

View from the pavilion.

View looking back down the trail from the pavilion.

Closer view of the candlesticks. The wavy water here is shallow water.

Closer view of the sticks.

Yet closer view.

Here you can see another rock sticking out of the water, a relic from a past age of Taiwan’s geological history.

Close-up on more rocks. Taiwan has been eroded into the ocean at least two times, only to be raised out of the ocean both times by tectonic forces.

Vertical view of the candlestick itlet.

And here you can take a selfie with a metal ring thing.

View looking eastward down the coast.

Another view of Yehliu.

The other ledge of Yehliu.

View of Yehliu’s geological area.

Another abandoned gun emplacement.

The unkept Candle Stick Beach, which has amazingly clear water.

Another view of the beautiful water here.

Keelung Islet and Yehliu.

From here, the trail goes down some steps to the beach.

The rocks here are cut in strange square shapes.

Some young men go fishing on the rocks.

Another view of Candlestick Beach.

More people are relaxing on the rocks.

View looking down the mysterious coastline.

Technically, you can also make it here by walking from Xialiao Beach.

You can see some fossils in the sandstone here.

View looking back up the trail.

A man looks onward at the candlesticks at dusk.

Some birds come to rest on the rocks.

Wider view of the rocks.

A great place for a photo.

View of the Spirit Bone Tower in the distance.

Two fisherman sail by.

I guess it was a good day to go fishing.

A cargo ship passes in the distance.

More fossilized remnants in the rock.

Golden candlesticks.

Shimmering off a graveyard in the distance.

Birds of prey stalking from the air.

More people are enjoying the views.

Closeup on Candlestick beach.

Close-up of the garbage on the beach. The only way to get to this beach is to swim, basically.

Closeup on the golden candlesticks.

Another fishing boat.

Waves crashing on the shore.

Forbidden part of the trail. Because there is a cliff?

Sunset over Jinshan.

Sunset over Yangmingshan.

Bye bye sun.

Beautiful sunset.

Close-up on Zhongjiaowan Beach.

Ships leaving Huangang Harbor.

People exit the trail.

Most people headed back after sunset.

Another view looking back at Yehliu.

And we made it back to our car parked near the Jinbaoli Old Trail.

Check out our full guide to Jinshan and Wanli here.

Check out our guide to Taiwan’s northern coast here.
Check out our full guide to Taiwan here.