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- Shifen Waterfall and Old Street Travel Guide, Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Shifen township of Pingxi District, New Taipei is full of wonders that you should check out. Shifen Waterfall, Taiwan’s widest waterfall, is a must-visit scenic spot near Shifen Train Station. Surrounded by restaurants and gardens, it offers stunning views. Shifen Old Street is also renowned for sky lanterns and local cuisine. The area’s history and rich tourism have evolved from its coal mining past. Overall, it is definitely an area that you need to visit.
🏯 Planning your trip to Taipei? 🏮
Here are some top travel tips for you:
- Best time to visit: March-May, and October – November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
- How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
- Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
- Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
- Stay connected with a local SIM
- Rent a car to explore distant sights
Brief Historical Background of Shifen:
The town of Shifen, which was originally named for the ten families that lived there in the Qing Dynasty, needed ten portions of goods (Shi 十 = ten Fen 分/份 = portion).
Shifen Train Station was completed in 1918 and is the biggest train station on the Pingxi Railway line. During its heyday, it had the largest coal mining operation and the largest population in Pingxi District of New Taipei.
After the coal industry died down in the 1970s, tourism has taken its place as the major industry in the area.
The practice of lighting off sky lanterns in Taiwan began in Shifen, when, during the Qing Dynasty, local villagers would flee into the mountains during raids from bandits. Once the bandits had left, the remaining villagers sent sky lanterns into the air to let the fleeing villagers know that it was safe to come down from the mountains.
The people of Shifen send off sky lanterns as a symbol of peace and celebrate every year during the Lantern Festival (元宵節), a Chinese holiday.
Setting off sky lanterns as a tourist attraction began in the 1990’s and you can find people lighting off lanterns every day from Shifen.
The hundreds of sky lanterns set off every day, create an environmental problem with lantern trash piling around the forests and mountains of Pingxi District. The local people and volunteers help to clean up, but because of the tourism allure associated with lighting off the sky lanterns, it seems that this practice is not going away anytime soon.Shifen Waterfall is 20 meters high and 40 meters wide (66 x 130 ft.), and is the widest waterfall in Taiwan. It is located near the town of Shifen, which was originally named for the ten families that lived there in the Qing Dynasty, who needed ten portions of goods (Shi = ten Fen = portion).
The waterfall lies on the Keelung River which runs through Pingxi and Ruifang, creating a cluster of waterfalls. The rocks here easily erode, making for odd shapes in the riverbed. The waterfall is also known as Taiwan’s “Niagra Falls.”
Before 2010, some government officials illegally charged tickets to see the waterfall. However, since then the waterfall has been made into a park free of any entrance fee.
You will also notice that there is a small 1 foot dam on top of the falls. This unnatural feature is according to Taiwan researcher Mike Fagan, “…not a dam, it’s a broad-crested weir [that] allows the northern WRA office to calculate flow volume rates.” Now you know.Hours:
Shifen Station: The first train reaches Sandiaoling daily at 5:25 AM and the last train leaves Jingtong at 8:33 PM.
Shifen Waterfall: Winter ( October to May): 9 AM -4:30 PM (last people admitted, park open till 5:00 PM)
Summer (June to September) 9 AM -5:30 PM (last people admitted, park open till 6:00 PM)Price:
80 NT per person for a one day pass. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on Pingxi Railway Line on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book a travel pass on Klook here.
Shifen Waterfall Price: FreeBasic Taipei Travel Tips:
- There is no need to tip in Taiwan. It is not part of the culture here.
- Taiwan uses the New Taiwan Dollar, and many transactions such as for street food still require cash. For more information, check out our guide to the New Taiwan Dollar here.
- Get yourself a SIM card or portable WiFi such as from Klook here so you can stay connected and don’t get lost in the city.
- The electrical voltage is 110V.
- Get yourself an Easy Card, so you can travel easily on the MRT, Train, HSR, Youbike, and even shop at convenience stores. You can also book a Taiwan travel pass on Klook here.
- For more travel tips, check out our foreigner survival guide here.
When should you go to Shifen?
Any time of year is great. However, waterfalls are most enjoyable during the hot summer, and you may want to come for the Lantern Festival when hundreds of sky lanterns are set off at once.
To avoid crowds and packed trains, do not go on weekends or holidays.Tours of Shifen:
There are many tour itineraries that you can enjoy in Shifen that will take you to multiple destinations and arrange transportation. For more information, you can check out Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here, which are both great tour websites that can connect you with the right tour and tour guide for you.
Here are some of the most popular tours of Pingxi:- Yehliu, Jiufen & Pingxi Day Tour from Taipei
- Pingxi Shifen Half Day Guided Tour with Sky Lantern Experience
- Shifen Old Street & Jinguashi Golden Waterfall & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen Old Street
- Experience Pingxi Sky Lantern and Shifen Waterfall from Taipei
- Day tour to Pingxi, Shifen and Jingtong
Activities in Shifen:
Don’t forget that there are many activities available around Pingxi such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, Diving, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, photo shoot, Jingtong Sky Lantern Police Station, Shifen Sky Lantern Experience, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
Where to Stay :
We recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com 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 stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here).
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com 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 to Shifen:
By Train: Take the TRA to Ruifang Station, buy the Pingxi Railway line one day pass, and then switch to the Pingxi Railway line. Get off at Shifen Station.
Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on Pingxi Railway Line on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book a travel pass on Klook here.
By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 2 east toward Pinglin, then get off the main highway once you reach Shifen. You can drive right or left to reach all of the stations on the Pingxi Railway line. But please know there is limited car parking around Shifen.
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 Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD on Klook here.
By Bus: You can also book tickets to travel to Shifen via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor 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 Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here.
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here.Map:
Please refer to the map below for places of interest around Shifen:
Drone Footage:
See our drone footage of Shifen Waterfall 十分瀑布 above. Chasing Sky Lanterns in Shifen with a Drone. Don’t light off sky lanterns. As you can see, they will just end up as trash down by the river! 360 Panorama
360-degree aerial view above Shifen Old Street in Pingxi District of New Taipei 十分瀑布. Check out our full guide to Shifen Waterfall here: https://www.foreignersintaiwan.com/blog/shifen-old-street
Posted by Foreigners in Taiwan 外國人在台灣 on Monday, August 5, 2024Check out our 360 pano of Shifen Old Street above or via this link: https://www.facebook.com/Foreignersintaiwanblog/posts/pfbid02tD4LrCtkhvptxS7GXqQBM98iwefPqbLz3drRBZrbXjkjVt1VeG8w7XKs6y2Vdo4vl
360-degree aerial view above Shifen Waterfall in Pingxi District of New Taipei 十分瀑布. Check out our full guide to Shifen Waterfall here: https://www.foreignersintaiwan.com/blog/shifen-waterfall
Posted by Foreigners in Taiwan 外國人在台灣 on Monday, August 5, 2024Check out our 360 pano of Shifen Waterfall below or via this link: https://www.facebook.com/Foreignersintaiwanblog/posts/pfbid02XYuz6jhKZbetMcjZEWdqFhN2Zr7APebASDLT2KTPE3i9wEWkK6ScgZ2wkT3HeNgSl
Our Journey:
I have been to Shifen Old Street about five times. Every time I pass by, I cannot help but notice the tons of lantern garbage in the trees and mountains next to the train station. I know that lighting off these lanterns is terrible for the environment, sending flaming paper and metal into the forest, so I have never let off a sky lantern.
Shifen Station is the biggest station on the Pingxi Line and the one where most tourists get off.
The town itself now is small and sits on both sides of the Keelung River.
Jing An Suspension Bridge 靜安吊橋
Near the train station you will find the Jing An Suspension Bridge (靜安吊橋), which will take you across the river. This is a suspension bridge across the river, lets you cross to the other side of the town. There is nothing really to see across the river in my experience, but there are some nice views from the bridge.
Once you get closer to Shifen Old Street, you will be sure to notice tens of lanterns in the air, being set off all day long. I can see the allure of setting off lanterns, writing your hopes and dreams on them, and then setting them into the air like on Tangled, but we don’t live in a fairytale world. When we light off lanterns they have real consequences like falling into a pristine river or forest.
The old street itself is really just on both sides of the train tracks. As you walk further and further down the tracks the shops disappear. Be careful of oncoming trains!
Sky Lanterns 天燈
Be careful where you walk, there could be falling, burning debris from sky lanterns when you least expect it.
You can book a Shifen Sky Lantern Experience on Klook here.
The real old street starts a few hundred yards down the tracks to where there is only one set of tracks.
More lanterns are being sent up into the sky.
Nearly every shop on Shifen Old Street sells some form of lanterns. Usually this involves selling you the paper on which you then write/paint/draw your message, then wrap it around a metal frame and light a torch under it.
Once these things go up in the air, there’s no telling where they will land or how far they will float. One time I saw one float out as far as the border of Nangang in Taipei City. And who knows what tree they will fall on or what bush they will set on fire, although luckily Pingxi is wet enough that wildfires are not really an issue.
Food at the Old Street 老街的美食
If Sky Lanterns are not your thing (it’s okay, I’m not too fond of them either), the at least you’ll be sure to find some good food on the old street, like this sausage stand pictured above. This time we went, we tried a random traditional Taiwanese noodle and rice shop.
We had some rice noodles, which happen to be the thickest rice noodles (米粉湯) I’ve ever had.
The old and cheap braised pork rice (滷肉飯).
Souvenirs 紀念品
All along the street, you will find souvenirs of lanterns and Taiwan themes that you can take home to your relatives.
Shifen Waterfall:
I have been to Shifen Waterfall a total of four times, and I have enjoyed it every time. It is truly one of the most grand waterfalls in Taiwan.You can book a tour to Shifen on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
From Shifen Station, you can walk along the river down to Shifen Waterfall.
The parking lot in front has plenty of room for cars and scooters are free.
The main entrance also has some bathrooms and restaurants.Siguang Suspension Bridge 四廣吊橋
Walking from the parking lot, you will first come across Siguang Suspension Bridge （四廣吊橋) which gives some great views of the Keelung River. 
Another view of Siguang Suspension Bridge.
View of the Keelung River to the south; notice the many fallen lanterns in the background polluting the water.
Characteristic of the rocks along the Keelung River in Pingxi are small holes that are carved out by erosion.
A small waterfall pours into what looks like a perfect swimming hole.Guanpu Suspension Bridge 觀瀑吊橋
The next bridge you will come across is Guanpu Suspension Bridge (觀瀑吊橋) which is the final connection to Shifen Waterfall. The railroad bridge sits right next to it.Yanjingdong Waterfall (眼睛洞瀑布)
From Guanpu Suspension Bridge you can see Yanjingdong Waterfall (眼睛洞瀑布), which is literally translated “Eye Glasses Hole Waterfall” because of the shape of the eroded holes at the bottom of the waterfall which look like glasses (pictured above).
Walking across Guanpou Bridge.
View of the railroad bridge, Guanpu Bridge, and Yanjingdong Waterfall. Notice you have to walk some stairs in between.
View underneath Guanpu Waterfall.
Down below is some private land on which are some shops and things to take photos with, like an entire train full of real coal!
Also there are some fake horses and an abandoned suspension bridge to take selfies with.
Red ribbons tied to a tree as part of a Buddhist shrine next to the waterfall.Four-Sided Buddha 四面佛
Here you can see the shrine to the four-sided Buddha, with the four sides representing success in business, love in marriage, wealth and prosperity, and peace.
You have to walk through a bunch of overpriced shops in order to get to the waterfall.
A tea-drinking area with a carp pond.
There are also many souvenir shops along the way.Shifen Falls
First view of the waterfall after walking through the tourist traps.
Map of the waterfall and hiking trails.
Side view of Shifen Waterfall.
A view higher up of the falls.
For the full frontal view of the falls, you have to hike on a steep trail to the other side of the pool.
Front view of the falls.
Closeup on the falls.
View of the falls via drone.You can book activities near Shifen such as Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
View of the falls from straight up in the air. The waterfall pool makes a heart shape!
After we were done looking at the falls, I wanted to get a good shot of the train going by next to Guanpu Waterfall, but I was just too late.
And when we were walking away, I saw another train go by. Just my luck.
Well, I guess there is always a good reason to go back.
But I did capture the train going by with my drone, and the rest of Shifen in the background.Additional Images
You can see more of our photos of Shifen Waterfall here or Shifen Old Street here.
You can book a tour to Shifen on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
Don’t forget that there are many activities available around Pingxi such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, Diving, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, photo shoot, Jingtong Sky Lantern Police Station, Shifen Sky Lantern Experience, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.Check out our guide to Pingxi here.
Check out our guide to Taipei’s Waterfalls here.
Check out our Taipei hiking and trails guide here.
Check out our guide to the best day trips from Taipei here.
Check out our full guide to Taiwan’s Northern Coast here.
Be sure to check out our full guide to Taipei here.
Also, be sure to check out our full guide to Taipei here.
Pingxi District of New Taipei has some of the most popular attractions in Northern Taiwan. With a total of 7 stations along the Pingxi Railway Line (plus 2 if you count Ruifang and Houtong), there are endless places to explore, eat, hike, and enjoy Taiwan’s history, culture, and natural beauty all in one place.
🏯 Planning your trip to Taipei? 🏮
Here are some top travel tips for you:
- Best time to visit: March-May, and October – November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
- How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
- Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
- Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
- Stay connected with a local SIM
- Rent a car to explore distant sights
Brief Historical Background of Pingxi:
Before the Pingxi Railway was built, during the Qing Dynasty, a section of the Danlan Old Trail ran through roughly the same area, connecting Yilan to Tamsui. The Japanese completed the Pingxi Railway in 1921 in order to transport coal from the area. Almost all of the stations and villages along the line were economically reliant on the coal industry until its downfall in the late 1990s.
The coal industry remained strong after the ROC took over Taiwan after WWII, but slowly waned in the 1980s and 1990s due to the decrease in global coal prices.
In the year 2000, Sanxia’s Lifeng Mine shut down operations, and Taiwan’s mining company closed, and thus all coal mining in Taiwan effectively stopped.
The Pingxi Railway is a single-track that is 12.9 KM long with 7 stations.
Recently, the government has offered many plans to connect the Pingxi Railway to the Taipei MRT via Jingtong to Jingmei; however, due to many factors, these plans have never been approved.
The area around Pingxi and Ruifang is made up of sedimentary rock, which easily erodes, creating many large waterfalls such as Shifen Falls, and pointy, jagged peaks like the Pingxi Crags.
Popular activities along the Pingxi Railway include hiking, river tracing, eating at one of the many old streets, setting off sky lanterns, and exploring the many historical coal mining sites.
Hours:
The first train reaches Sandiaoling daily at 5:25 AM, and the last train leaves Jingtong at 8:33 PM.
Price:
80 NT per person for a one-day pass. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can purchase a discount Easy Card to use on the Pingxi Railway Line on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book a travel pass on Klook here.
Basic Taipei Travel Tips:
- There is no need to tip in Taiwan. It is not part of the culture here.
- Taiwan uses the New Taiwan Dollar, and many transactions, such as for street food, still require cash. For more information, check out our guide to the New Taiwan Dollar here.
- Get yourself a SIM card or portable WiFi, such as from Klook here, so you can stay connected and don’t get lost in the city.
- The electrical voltage is 110V.
- Get yourself an Easy Card, so you can travel easily on the MRT, Train, HSR, Youbike, and even shop at convenience stores. You can also book a Taiwan travel pass on Klook here.
- For more travel tips, check out our foreigner survival guide here.
When should you go to Pingxi?
Any time of year is great. However, waterfalls are most enjoyable during the hot summer, and you may want to come for the Lantern Festival when hundreds of sky lanterns are set off at once.
To avoid crowds and packed trains, do not go on weekends or holidays.
Tours of Pingxi:
There are many tour itineraries that you can enjoy in Shifen that will take you to multiple destinations and arrange transportation. For more information, you can check out Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here, which are both great tour websites that can connect you with the right tour and tour guide for you.
Here are some of the most popular tours of Pingxi:
- Yehliu, Jiufen & Pingxi Day Tour from Taipei
- Pingxi Shifen Half Day Guided Tour with Sky Lantern Experience
- Shifen Old Street & Jinguashi Golden Waterfall & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen Old Street
- Experience Pingxi Sky Lantern and Shifen Waterfall from Taipei
- Day tour to Pingxi, Shifen and Jingtong
Activities in Pingxi:
Don’t forget that there are many activities available around Pingxi such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, Diving, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, photo shoot, Jingtong Sky Lantern Police Station, Shifen Sky Lantern Experience, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
Where to Stay :
We recommend Fullon Hotel, which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com 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 stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home, which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here).
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com 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 Train: Take the TRA to Ruifang Station, buy the Pingxi Railway line one-day pass, and then switch to the Pingxi Railway line. Get off at any station!
Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can purchase a discount Easy Card to use on the Pingxi Railway Line on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book a travel pass on Klook here.
By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 2 east toward Pinglin, then get off the main highway once you reach Shifen. You can drive right or left to reach all of the stations on the Pingxi Railway line. But please know there is limited car parking around the stations.
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 Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD on Klook here.
By Bus: You can also book tickets to travel to Shifen via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor 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 Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here.
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here.
Map:
Please refer to the map below for the places we will cover in this blog:
Drone Footage:
Virtual Tour :
Take a virtual tour of the entire railway in the blog below.
Let’s get started!
Ruifang Station 瑞芳車站
Near Ruifang, there are many activities available, such as canoeing, snorkeling, SUP/paddle boarding, water biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
Check out our full blog on Ruifang Old Street here.
Ruifang Old Street 瑞芳老街
The food on Ruifang Old Street is plentiful and delicious, and you will not regret a brief pit stop here…(read more)
Near Ruifang, there are many activities available, such as canoeing, snorkeling, SUP/paddle boarding, water biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
For our full blog on Ruifang Old Street, click here.
Houtong Station 猴硐車站
You can book a tour of Houtong Cat Village on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
For our full blog on Houtong Cat Village, click here.
Houtong Cat Village 猴硐貓村
Once a booming mining town with the most coal production in Taiwan, it has now been converted into a tourist destination for cat lovers.
By 2008 Houtong started to reinvent itself as a cat paradise, with many cat-loving citizens proposing to bring abandoned cats to the village for a better life. Since then, the town has been a hub for cat lovers and enthusiasts.
Visitors can enjoy the town’s rich history as well as hundreds of cats and cat-related shops around the village…(read more)
You can book a tour of Houtong Cat Village on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
For our full blog on Houtong Cat Village, click here.
Sandiaoling Station 三貂嶺車站
For our full blog on Sandiaoling Station, click here.
Sandiaoling Three-Tiered Waterfall Trail 三貂嶺三層瀑布群步道
Don’t forget that there are many activities available around Pingxi, such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
For our full blog on the Sandiaoling Three-Tiered Waterfall Trail click here.
Sandiaoling Historic Tunnel 三貂嶺舊隧道
The Sandiaoling Historic Tunnel (aka Sandiaoling Eco-Friendly Tunnel, or Sandiaoling Bike Tunnel) is a refurbished railway tunnel dating back to the Japanese Era, connecting Sandiaoling to Mudan in New Taipei. Now the tunnel is open to the public, but a free online reservation is required. People can now either walk or bike through the tunnel and enjoy the natural scenery and history of the area…(read more)
Dahua Station 大華車站
For our full blog on Dahua Station click here.
Shifen Station 十分車站
Shifen Train Station was completed in 1918 and is the biggest train station on the Pingxi Railway line. During its heyday, it had the largest coal mining operation and the largest population in the Pingxi District of New Taipei.
After the coal industry died down in the 1970s, tourism has taken its place as the major industry in the area.
Shifen Old Street 十分老街
You can book a tour to Shifen on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
For our full blog on Shifen Old Street, click here.
Shifen Waterfall 十分瀑布
You can book a tour to Shifen on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
For our full blog on Shifen Waterfall, click here.
Taiwan Coal Mine Museum 台灣煤礦博物館
You can book a tour to the Taiwan Coal Mine Museum on KKday here.
Check out our full guide to the Taiwan Coal Mine Museum here.
Huiyao Waterfall 灰窯瀑布
Don’t forget that there are many activities available around Pingx, such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
For our full blog on Huiyao Waterfall, click here.
Wanggu Station 望古車站
As of 2017, there was an average of 18 people a day arriving or leaving from Wanggu Station…(read more)
For our full blog on Wanggu Waterfall, click here.
Wanggu Waterfall 望古瀑布
Don’t forget that there are many activities available around Pingxi, such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
For our full blog on Wanggu Waterfall, click here.
Lingjiao Station 嶺腳車站
For our full blog on Lingjiao Old Street, click here.
Lingjiao Old Street 嶺腳老街
For our full blog on Lingjiao Old Street, click here.
Lingjiao Waterfall 嶺腳瀑布
Don’t forget that there are many activities available around Pingxi, such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
For our full blog on Lingjiao Waterfall, click here.
Pingxi Station 平溪車站
Pingxi is the third busiest stop on the Pingxi Railway after Shifen and Jingtong…(read more)
You can book a tour of Pingxi on Klook here or KKday here.
For our full blog on Pingxi Old Street, click here.
Pingxi Old Street 平溪老街
You can book a tour of Pingxi on Klook here or KKday here.
For our full blog on Pingxi Old Street, click here.
Pingxi Crags 平溪六尖
Don’t forget that there are many activities available around Pingxi, such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
For our full blog on the Pingxi Crags hike, click here.
Jingtong Station 菁桐車站
The surrounding town and Jingtong Old Street were created soon after.
The town relied on local coal mines for its economy, but by the 1980s, coal mining in Pingxi District had all but stopped due to safety issues and low worldwide coal prices.
There are a number of historical buildings in the area, including the Coal Life Museum, multiple coal mines, and the station itself, as well as numerous residences.
Currently, there is an average of about 1,000 visitors per day to the station (making it the second busiest station on the railway), and the area has become a popular tourist destination…(read more)
You can book a tour to Jingtong on Klook here or KKday here.
For our full blog on Jingtong Old Street, click here.
Jingtong Old Street 菁桐老街
You can book a tour to Jingtong on Klook here or KKday here.
For our full blog on Jingtong Old Street, click here.
Pingxi Lantern Festival 平溪天燈節
Don’t forget that there are activities available, such as Jingtong Sky Lantern Police Station, Shifen Sky Lantern Experience, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
Check out our full guide to the Pingxi Lantern Festival here.
Don’t Set Off Sky Lanterns 不要放天燈
Other places near Pingxi that you should visit:
Chaojing Park and Badouzi 潮境公園及八斗子
You can book tickets to Chaojing Smart Aquarium on KKday here.
Check out our full blog on Chaoking Park and Badouzihere.
Capybura Rock (formerly Elephant Trunk Rock 象鼻岩)
Here you can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, and more activities which you can book on Klook here or KKday here.
You can check out our full guide to Capybura Rock here.
Jinguashi Gold Mine Museum 黃金博物館
Gold Mine Museum Price:
80 NT per person (Free for New Taipei Residents)
You can book discount tickets to the New Taipei Gold Mine Museum on Klook here or KKday here.
You can book a tour to Jinguashi on TripAdvisor here, Klook here or KKday here.
Check out our full guide to Jinguashi here.
Jiufen Old Street 九份老街
You can book a tour of Jiufen Old Street with TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
Check out our full blog on Jiufen here.
Shen’Ao Rail Bike
Shen Ao Railbike is a short bicycle ride on an old Railway line on the coast of Ruifang, New Taipei. Visitors are seated two people per bicycle car, which has a roof and great views of the ocean scenery nearby. Overall it is a fun adventure for the whole family.
Price:
150 NT per one-way trip per person
300 NT per round trip per person
You can book tickets for a discount on KKday here.
Check out our full guide to Shen Ao Railbike here.
Shiding 石碇
Shiding District is a secret mountain paradise in New Taipei City, in northern Taiwan (新北市石碇區). Lots of people simply pass through here without knowing much about what there is to see. In this guide, I will show you some of the secret historical and natural destinations in this amazing place.
Check out our full guide to Shiding here.
Don’t forget that there are many activities available around Pingxi, such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP/paddle boarding, water biking, Diving, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, photo shoot, Jingtong Sky Lantern Police Station, Shifen Sky Lantern Experience, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
Check out our full guide to Taiwan’s Northern Coast here.
Check out our guide to the best day trips from Taipei here.
Also, be sure to check out our full guide to Taipei here.
You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.
Battleship Rock is a small hike in Beitou with a rock shaped like its name on top. From here, you can enjoy great views of Taipei and Beitou. This trail has also become popular with mountain bikers. It is definitely worth checking out the next time you are in the area.
🏯 Planning your trip to Taipei? 🏮
Here are some top travel tips for you:
- Best time to visit: March-May, and October – November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
- You can buy tickets to Taipei’s Science Museum for a discount on Klook here
- How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
- Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
- Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
- Stay connected with a local SIM
- Rent a car to explore distant sights
Historical Background:
Battleship Rock is a distinctive sandstone formation in northern Taipei, located on the southern edge of the Datun volcanic range. Named for its resemblance to a warship, it sits at about 185.6 meters and is a popular hiking destination along the Junjianyan Trail, offering wide panoramic views of the Taipei Basin, including areas like Shilin, Sanchong, and the confluence of the Tamsui and Keelung Rivers. The area features diverse ecosystems shaped by its geology and climate, supporting both drought-resistant plants on exposed slopes and shade-loving species in moist forested areas, along with protected insect species and rich biodiversity. Historically, it also served as a training ground during Taiwan’s martial law period, contributing to the development of off-road motorcycling. Today, it is valued for recreation, environmental education, and ecological research, though it has faced environmental challenges such as fires, illegal harvesting, and habitat disturbance over the years.
Hours:
24/7
Price:
Free.
Difficulty:
Moderate – there are some steep parts with lots of steps.
100 Meter elevation gain.
Length:
5.2 KM one way
Takes about 2-3 hours.
Where to stay:
We recommend Fullon Hotel, which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com 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 stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home, which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here).
Activities in Taipei:
There are many activities available to enjoy in Taipei, such as kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, and more activities, which you can book on Klook here or KKday here.
How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Beitou, Take Donghua Street to National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. You have to get into the university to get to the trailhead. There is limited paid parking nearby.
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
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.
By MRT/Bus: The easiest way to get there is from Qilian MRT Station, which is a short walk from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. The trailhead begins at the university. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook 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 Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here.
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here.
Map:
Please see below:
The easiest way to get there is from Qilian MRT Station, which is a short walk from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. One of the trailheads begins at the university.
Our Journey:
Despite being a long-time Taipei resident, it took me ten years of living here before I finally hiked on this amazing trail. I did this trail one morning with my kids. Overall, it was fun and easy, but there is not much cover from the sun, so it can get hot. The views at the top are worth it, though.
We started at the University Parking lot nearby, where we paid for scooter parking.
There were only two scooters in the whole parking lot when we visited.
Here you can see the beginning of the trail.
Campus map.
Map of the trail. As you can see, it goes from one area of Beitou to another.
It said 25 minutes to the top, but it took me longer than that with kids.
Stone steps with shade.
A path leading into the Jungle.
More shade and stone steps.
Five minutes into the hike.
After that, the hike is pretty bare, and the sun can get you.
But there are some spots with shade along the way.
It is pretty much stone steps all the way to the top.
Some people stop to enjoy the wildlife.
There is another trail that extends to the opposite hill, too.
You are pretty much walking on a flat rockface.
View of a hilly neighborhood in Beitou.
Another view of Beitou.
Sandy top of the mountain.
Another view of the rocky top, but it was not the very top.
The sandtone here has eroded mainly from wind and water, making a pile of sand at the top.
First view of the Battleship Rock.
This trail leads to another trailhead near Zhaoming Temple.
Stairs and a pathway carved into the sandstone.
Appearently this is also a great location for mountain biking!
Another view of the mountain biker we saw.
A skink on the trail.
The smoothed surface of Battleship Rock.
The top of the rock has a rounded face.
View looking back at Taipei from the top of the rock.
View of Beitou and Shilin.
View of Tianmu underneath China Cultural University.
View looking back at Yangmingshan.
Another view of the Beitou mountain village.
View looking down at Beitou.
Another view behind the rock.
Another view from on top of the rock.
View straight on near the top.
Looking down at the sandstone formations.
Hikers and biker resting at the top.
Closeup on Tianmu.
View looking up at China Cultural University.
Another building at China Cultural University.
Looking back at a hazy Taipei.
A man takes a selfie on top of the rock.
Iron ore in the rock.
You can see many houses on the hill near here were never completed or abandoned.
Closeup on one of the abandoned houses.
View of the top of the other nearby hillside.
View of the Shezi Bridge.
Waste incineration plant in Beitou.
More high-rises in Beitou.
View looking out at Beitou.
Taking the long walk down the hill.
This concludes our blog post of the hike. Thanks for reading!
Check out our Taipei City hiking guide here.
Check out our full guide to Taipei here.
Jiantanshan is perhaps the most scenic and beautiful hike in Taipei City, offering a panoramic view of the entire city from Shilin and Zhongshan Districts of Taipei. Here you can see Songshan Airport, downtown Xinyi, the 101, the Yuanshan Hotel, and north along the Tamsui River. The hike is relatively easy, and there are many scenic spots along the trail to soak in some amazing views.
🏯 Planning your trip to Taipei? 🏮
Here are some top travel tips for you:
- Best time to visit: March-May, and October – November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
- You can buy tickets to Taipei’s Science Museum for a discount on Klook here
- How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
- Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
- Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
- Stay connected with a local SIM
- Rent a car to explore distant sights
Historical Background:
Jiantan Mountain is a large area with trails stretching about 2.7 kilometers, and because it was under military control from 1945 to the 1980s, it avoided human damage. However, many landmarks built after the 1950s were named “Yuanshan,” such as the Grand Hotel and nearby recreational areas, leading to frequent confusion between Jiantan Mountain and Yuanshan today. After the area was opened, the Taipei City government created hiking trails, though limited management led to unauthorized structures along them. Despite this, the mountain remains known for its dense forests, diverse plant life, and occasional sightings of birds like the Taiwan barbet and Japanese white-eye. Historically, the site once held a Shinto Shrine during the Japanese era, and later became home to the Grand Hotel, as well as other sites like Ming Chuan University, Jiantan Park, and the Martyrs’ Shrine. In recent years, the area has been promoted for tourism with three themed trails and ten scenic attractions—collectively called “Three Goods, Ten Beauties 三好十美”—highlighting both natural scenery and cultural landmarks.
Hours:
24/7
Price:
Free.
Difficulty:
Moderate – there are some steep parts with lots of steps.
190 Meter elevation gain.
Length:
2.7 KM one way
Takes about 2-3 hours for a round trip, or 1-2 hours one way.
Where to stay:
We recommend Fullon Hotel, which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com 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 stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home, which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here).
Activities in Taipei:
There are many activities available to enjoy in Taipei, such as kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, and more activities, which you can book on Klook here or KKday here.
How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: You can park near either the Dazhi entrance or near Yuanshan Hotel. There is limited paid parking nearby.
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
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.
By MRT/Bus: The easiest way to get there is either from Jiantan MRT Station in Shilin or Dazhi MRT Station in Zhongshan District. Both MRT stations are just a short walk from the trail, on opposite ends of the trail. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook 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 Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here.
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here.
Map:
Please see below:
There are multiple trailhead entrances to Jiantanshan. The easiest way to get there is either from Jiantan MRT Station in Shilin or Dazhi MRT Station in Zhongshan District. Both MRT stations are just a short walk from the trail, on opposite ends of the trail.
Our Journey:
Despite being a long-time Taipei resident, it took me ten years of living here before I finally hiked on this amazing trail. I started my hike at about 5:50 PM and finished at 7:30 with lots of photo taking in between. I did a round-trip hike from Dazhi to Shilin and back. Overall, I was extremely impressed with the scenery here, and I recommend everyone to come visit here.
The hardest part of the trail is the beginning. From Dazhi, you have the choice of walking up some very long steps or this flat path to get most of the way up the mountain.
The highest part you can ride your scooter is to the Guangming Temple, but I don’t think you are actually allowed to park there.
From here, there are only steps up the mountain.
Endless stone steps.
A place to rest along the endless stone steps.
This sign points to the 8 Attractions, or 8 beauties on the trail.
After you climb all the steps, the trail flattens out for the most part.
A flatter section of trail.
Laodifang Airplane Spotting Platform 老地方觀機平台
Perhaps the place with the best views along the trail is Laodifang Lookout, which has the best views of airplanes taking off from Songshan Airport.
On a clear day, you can see most of Taipei from here.
Beautiful sunset over the city.
View of the Laodifang viewing platform.
Panoramic view.
An even more panoramic view.
Wide view of Taipei.
View looking south.
A closer view of Taipei.
A couple takes a selfie in front of the Taipei 101.
View of Nangang, the best part of Taipei.
View of downtown Xinyi District.
Closeup on the 101.
Another view of Xinyi District.
Fuxing North Road.
View of the Tamsui River.
Dajia Riverside Park.
View of the area in front of Taipei Main Station.
Beautiful clouds at dusk.
Sunset over Neihu.
Downtown Neihu.
View looking toward Keelung.
View of Neihu and Xizhi.
Neihu and Nangang.
Another view of Xinyi District.
Zhongshan District.
View of central Taipei.
View of West Taipei.
View looking at the Tamsui River and Sanchong.
One last view of the Taipei 101.
After Laodifang, I continued on the trail.
The trail stays pretty flat.
Guanyinshan Viewing Platform 觀音山眺望點
Another great spot for views is the Guanyinshan viewing platform, where you can see great views of Guanyinshan, Shilin, and Beitou.
View of Guanyinshan, Shilin, and a new science park in Beitou.
Sunset over Shezi.
Lots of other people paused here to enjoy the sunset.
And I decided to switch to a wider lense.
Wider view of Shilin.
Another view of Shilin and Tianmu with Yangmingshan in the background.
Another view with the sun-lit tree trunk.
Amazing view for all involved.
Last shimmer of sunshine.
More people enjoying the sunset views.
And I continued my stroll.
View of Shilin MRT station.
An old bunker along the trail.
Apartment complexes in Tamsui.
Last view of the sun as it sunk over the horizon.
The Top of Jianshanshan 劍潭山山頂
And I also reached the top of Jiantanshan, which appearently is only 153 meters above sea level.
RTI Radio Tower 國際中央廣播電台
Also on the mountain you can find RTI’s radio tower.
The Hub of International Broadcasting — RTI Yuanshan Station
Located in the Yuanshan Scenic Area, the RTI Yuanshan Radio Station is the first relay point for Radio Taiwan International’s global broadcasts. Daily program signals are received here, then transmitted to RTI’s transmission sites before being sent worldwide via medium- and shortwave frequencies.
Planning and construction of the Yuanshan Microwave Station began in 2007 and were completed in 2016. The station’s transmission tower stands 51.4 meters tall. Due to its geographic location, the station also serves as a hydrological monitoring point for the greater Taipei area, collecting real-time data such as river water levels and rainfall, which are transmitted to the Taipei City government’s disaster prevention center. Thus, the station plays a dual role in both representing Taiwan’s international broadcasting efforts and safeguarding public safety.
Introduction to Radio Taiwan International (RTI)
RTI is Taiwan’s national broadcasting service, operating under the mission of being the “Voice of Taiwan.” It currently broadcasts daily in more than 20 languages—including Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka, Cantonese, English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Japanese, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Malay, Filipino, Burmese, Arabic, and Ukrainian—through shortwave radio, online platforms, apps, and podcasts to audiences around the world.
To serve over one million migrant workers and new immigrants in Taiwan, RTI connects the government and the public, helping international residents access practical and accurate information through broadcasts and social media, and supporting their adaptation to life in Taiwan.
Weifeng Platform 微風平台
The Weifeng platform has great views over Shilin and has lots of areas to sit down and enjoy the scenery.
There are two main levels with big flat platforms.
View over downtown Shilin.
Another wide view of the area.
A plane flies over Sanchong into Songshan Airport.
National Freeway 1.
Closeup on the freeway.
Guanyinshan.
View over Shilin at night.
Guanyinshan over Shilin at night.
Verticle view.
View of Sanchong and Luzhou.
Looking down at the streets of Shilin.
View looking at Sanchong.
View of the performing arts center in Shilin.
MRT train passes by.
Closer view of the MRT as it passes by at night.
A man takes photos of Guanyinshan.
View of downtown Xinyi.
Jiantanshan Viewing Platform 劍潭山觀景台
The Jiantanshan Viewing Platform has amazing views of the Yuanshan Hotel and surrounding area.
It is impossible to resist the urge to take lots of photos here.
View from behind the Yuanshan Hotel.
View looking down Jianguo Road.
Panoramic view of Taipei at night.
Another wide view of Taipei at night.
A man sets up the right shot.
View looking down Jianguo Road.
Closer view of Jianguo Road at night.
Wide view of Taipei with the Yuanshan Hotel in view.
Another view of Taipei and the Keelung River.
The 101 and Yuanshan hotel in view.
Wide view of the Yuanshan Hotel.
Yuanshan Grand Hotel 圓山大飯店
The Yuanshan Grand Hotel is one of the tallest traditional Chinese buildings in the world, and was the tallest building in Taiwan for nearly a decade. It also features multiple restaurants, a swimming pool, all day buffet, shops, and secret underground tunnels, slides, and bunkers. It is a major landmark in Taipei and definitely worth a visit even if you do not plan to spend the night there…(read more)
Closer view of Shilin.
Closeup of Xinyi District at night.
A slightly different angle.
View of an airplane taking off from Songshan Airport at night.
More of Xinyi.
National Freeway 1 toward Neihu.
Another view of Jianguo Road.
Jianguo Road and National Freeway 1.
Xinyi and Dazhi Bridge.
Miramar Ferris Wheel.
Xinyi at night.
Nangang Station.
PX Mart headquarters.
Check out our Taipei City hiking guide here.
Check out our full guide to Taipei here.
If you only have a few days in Taiwan and you want to go somewhere outside of Taipei, you should definitely go to Taroko National Park. On an island full of mountains, rainforests, beaches, and abounding natural beauty, Taroko might just take the top spot as the most beautiful scenic area in Taiwan. Taroko National Park is well known for its amazing marble cliffs and canyons carved out by the Liwu River. It is also a popular spot for hiking, rafting, and river tracing. If you have the time, come to the East Coast and see it. If you don’t have time, then make some time!
Taroko National Park Current Conditions Update: Due to recent earthquakes, the road through Taroko Gorge up to Hehuanshan is open if you have your own vehicle, but only five times a day. You need to leave the park by 5:30 PM. The main road has been repaved, but there are parts of the road that are just dirt or covered in potholes. Currently, the Taroko National Park visitor center and Tianxiang trails are open. But there are a few spots along the side of the road in Taroko Gorge where you can take photos. Again, all trails and everything else except Tianxiang and the visitor center are closed. The Swallow Grotto road and Eternal Spring road are also blocked off.
Even the Qingshui Cliff lookout is closed and there is nowhere to park there.
There is a lot of rock moving and reconstruction to do; it could take another 10 years for Taroko to fully reopen.
For recent announcements, check out the Taroko National Park Website here.
However, you can check out a list of other things you can do and see in Hualien besides Taroko Gorge here.
For a current update of current conditions in the park, check out our blog post here.
⛰️ Planning your trip to Hualien? 🌊
Here are some top travel tips for you:
- Best time to visit: Winter when the temperatures are mild and the climate is usually dryer
- How to get there: Taiwan Railway (TRA/TRB) and Inter-City Bus
- Best places to stay: When Happiness Knock Your Door or Dream Taiwan Homestay
- Book tours and activities in Hualien on Klook
- Stay connected with a local SIM
- Rent a car to explore distant sights
Historical Background
Taroko National Park is well known for its marble cliffs and canyons, and is also known as “The Marble Gorge.” Millions of years ago, the rock we see today was sediment at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, but oceanic and tectonic pressure turned it into limestone, and later into marble. Later, the Eurasian plate was uplifted where Taiwan is today, and a gorge was cut out of the limestone thanks to the Liwu River.
Taroko means “human being,” from the Truku tribal language. Originally, the Tupido Tribe settled in the area of what is now Tianxiang Taiti mesa. They built the Tupido Tribe Trail, which was only 30 cm wide, and resided there until they were massacred by the Japanese in 1914. In 1917, the Japanese expanded the original trail made by the Tupido Tribe to 1.5 M and forced aboriginal tribesmen to carry goods along the trail to the east coast. This is now the Zhuilu Old Trail. Currently, the trail is not open to the public. The Japanese created a national park in the Area in 1937, which was disestablished by the ROC in 1945, and then reinstated it as a national park in 1986.
When to visit?
Hualien is great year-round, but it can get a little hot in the summer, and the Typhoon season and heavy rain season last from about May to October. If you are afraid of the heat and rain, then you can visit during winter when the temperatures are mild, and the climate is usually drier.
Cherry Blossom Season: Cherry blossoms can be seen in the park from February to late March. Check out our full guide to Cherry Blossom Season in Taiwan here.
Where to stay?
The best hostel I’ve ever stayed at is “When Happiness Knock Your Door” “幸福來敲門” in Hualien. The hostess will go out of her way to make you comfortable, and her rooms are kept extremely nice. Also, it was one of the few hostels I’ve ever been to that had an elevator. Her price is well below the quality you will enjoy. She has almost a perfect rating on Booking.com and Agoda.
You can book When Happiness Knock Your Door on Agoda here or Booking.com here.
We have also stayed at and recommend Dream Taiwan Homestay (Agoda / Booking.com), a high-quality hostel for the money in downtown Hualien, Farglory Hotel (Agoda / Booking.com), right next to Farglory Ocean Park with amazing views of Hualien, and Goldenflower B&B (Agoda / Booking.com) in Yuli, right next to Sixty Stone Mountain.
You can 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 Car: From Taipei, take National Highway 5 to Yilan and then drive on the Suhua Highway 9 to Hualien. A few miles before Hualien City, the gorge will be on your right.
By Train: Take the train to Hualien station, and from there you can rent a scooter or car, or take a tour bus to the gorge.
For more travel information, see here.
You can book tickets to travel to Hualien via inter-city bus on Klook here.
Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here.
How to get around in Taroko Gorge:
As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. However, you can also a great deal of Tainan by taking the train, inter-city bus, local bus, biking, or just walking. Getting around in a car is also a convenient option as there is plenty of parking pretty much everywhere in this less crowded county.
By Bus: You can book a shuttle bus to Taroko Gorge from Hualien on Klook here.
Scooter Rental: Looking for scooter rental in Hualien? You can search KKday here or Klook here to look for options.
You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
Car Rental: If you are looking for car rentals in Hualien, you can also search Klook here or KKDay here.
You can also check out our car rental guide here.
Tours:
You can find more tours and activities in Hualien such as Surfing, Paragliding, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, Canoeing, River Tracing, River Rafting, Whale Watching, Snorkeling, Diving, ATV / 4-wheeling, Paintballing, Farm Dream Estates Zoo, Water Biking, Oyster Harvesting, Shrimp Harvesting, Indigenous Experience, Glamping, Cycling, Ziplining and much more on Klook here or KKday here.
Hours:
Hours: 8:30AM-5PM (Zhuilu old trail is usually open from 7AM to 10PM, but for now is closed indefinitely).
The road through Taroko Gorge up to Hehuanshan is open if you have your own vehicle, but only three times a day: 8 AM, 12 Noon, and 4 PM. You need to leave the park by 5:30 PM. There are many parts of the road that are just dirt or covered in potholes. Currently, only the Taroko National Park visitor’s center is open.
However, you can check out a list of other things you can do and see in Hualien besides Taroko Gorge here.
Flying a Drone?
Apply for a drone permit here.
Price:
Free! (Except Zhuilu old trail, which is 200 NT per adult. See below for more info.)
Map:
Please see the map below for the areas we will cover in the blog.
Drone Video
360 Pano
For a 360-degree view above Taroko Gorge, please see below or via this link.
360 degree view of the Zhuilu Old Trail, one of the most scary and beautiful trails in Taiwan. This trail was built by…
Posted by Foreigners in Taiwan 外國人在台灣 on Friday, January 31, 2020
Let’s get started!
Qingshui Cliffs 清水斷崖
For our full blog on the Qingshui Cliffs, click here.
First view from inside the gorge.
Changguang Temple 禪光寺
Shakadang Trail 砂卡礑步道
Eternal Spring (Changchun) Shrine Trail 長春祠步道
Liwu River Dam 立霧溪水壩
Liufang Lookout (流芳橋觀景台)
Yuewangting 岳王亭
Yuewangting is another scenic lookout, that leads to an old logging trail via this suspension bridge.
Buluowan Recreation Area 布洛灣遊悠區
Currently, due to an earthquake, the trail is not open to the public. this trail is only open from 7am to 10pm. There are also venomous snakes and insects along the way. You can apply for a permit for the trail here. Fees for entry are 200 NT for adults and 100 NT for children.
You can book a tour of Zhuilu Old Trail on Klook here or KKday here. For our full blog on Zhuilu Old Trail, click here.
Swallow Grotto 燕子口
Jinheng Park (靳珩公園)
Lanting Pavilion 蘭亭
Lushui Geological Exhibition Hall 綠水地質景觀展示館
Tianxiang 天祥
Tianxiang Recreation Area features the widest and most flat terraces within Taroko Gorge. Here you can find Xiangde Temple, Tianfeng Pagoda, Pudu Suspension Bridge, and Silks Place Taroko, which are all surrounded by amazing high canyons and beautiful deep river ravines. It is a must-see spot inside Taroko Gorge…(read more)
Baiyang Falls 白楊瀑布
Curtain Waterfall 水濂洞
Hehuanshan 合歡山
Tunnel of Nine Turns 九曲洞
The tunnel of nine turns is one of the most breathtaking parts of the Gorge. Here you can find a trail along an old section of the cross-island highway with amazing views of the gorge right next to you.
Shanyue Suspension Bridge 山月吊橋
Shanyue Suspension Bridge (aka Buluowan Suspension Bridge) in Taroko National Park was completed in May 2022 and is 153 meters tall, making it the highest pedestrian suspension bridge in Taiwan and in East Asia.
Places and activities in Taroko National Park that we missed (hopefully to visit next time):
- Jiangkoushan 江口山
- Wenshan Hot Spring Trail 文山温泉步道
- Bridal Veil Falls 新娘婚紗瀑布
- Bilu Giant Tree 碧綠神木
- Yugong Cliff 愚公峭壁
- Zhuncun Village 竹村
- Tayuling 大禹嶺
- Tianluanchi 天巒池
- Mt. Qingshui 清水大山
- Surfing
- Paragliding
- SUP / Paddle Boarding
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- River Tracing
- River Rafting
- Whale Watching
- Snorkeling
- Diving
- ATV / 4-wheeling
- Paintballing
- Farm Dream Estates Zoo
- Water Biking
- Oyster Harvesting\
- Shrimp Harvesting
- Indigenous Experience
- Glamping
- Cycling
- Ziplining
And much much more for you to explore.
You can find more tours and activities in Hualien on Klook here or KKday here.
Again, Taroko Gorge is closed. However, you can check out a list of other things you can do and see in Hualien besides Taroko Gorge here.
You can also check out our full guide to Hualien here.
You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.