New Taipei City

One of Taiwan's most extraordinary natural wonders, Yehliu Geopark showcases a narrow peninsula extending 1.7 km into the sea, covered with bizarre rock formations shaped by 25 million years of wind and wave erosion. The limestone formations take on surreal shapes — the Queen's Head (女王頭), resembling the profile of Queen Elizabeth, is Taiwan's most famous natural landmark; the Fairy Shoe (仙女鞋), a perfectly shaped shoe-like rock; the Candle Rock (燭台石), with a cap of harder stone protecting the softer column below; and the Honeycomb Rocks, pockmarked with erosion holes.

The park sits on a narrow cape surrounded on three sides by the sea, creating a dramatic landscape of sea stacks, potholes, and tidal pools. Boardwalks guide visitors through the formations, but the most interesting geological features are the tidal pools at low tide, teeming with crabs, starfish, and sea anemones. The visitor center has excellent geological exhibits explaining how wind, waves, and tectonic activity sculpted these formations over millions of years. Allow 2–3 hours. The nearby fishing port offers fresh seafood restaurants. Weekends are packed — arrive by 9 AM on weekends, or visit on weekdays for a more peaceful experience. The Queen's Head is slowly eroding and may collapse within the next decade — see it while you can.

Hours: 8:00–17:00 daily (summer until 17:30)
Admission: NT$80 (adults), NT$40 (students/seniors)
Transport: Bus 1815 from Taipei Main Station (90 min, NT$96); Kuo-Kuang Bus from Taipei West Bus Terminal

Perched on a mountainside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Jiufen (九份) is Taiwan's most atmospheric old town — a labyrinth of narrow alleys lined with red lanterns, traditional teahouses, and food stalls. The town's resemblance to Miyazaki's "Spirited Away" bathhouse (though not officially the inspiration) has made it a global pilgrimage site for anime fans. The golden age of Jiufen began in 1890 when gold was discovered, turning the small village into Taiwan's wealthiest mining town. When the mines closed in the 1970s, Jiufen faded — only to be reborn as a cultural tourism destination after Hou Hsiao-hsien's 1989 film "A City of Sadness" (悲情城市) drew attention to its haunting beauty.

The main walking route follows Shuqi Road (豎崎路) — the old town's steepest stairway — from the bus station up through the market area. A-Mei Teahouse (阿妹茶樓), with its iconic red lanterns and ocean views, is Jiufen's most photographed spot. The teahouses serve traditional Taiwanese tea with snacks while offering panoramic views of the coast. Local specialties include taro balls (芋圓), herbal rice cakes (草仔粿), and fish balls. Jiufen's real magic appears after the day-trip crowds leave — sunset and evening hours, when lanterns glow in the narrow alleys and the ocean stretches to the horizon, create an atmosphere found nowhere else in Taiwan. Stay overnight to experience this.

Hours: Shops roughly 10:00–20:00; teahouses until 22:00
Admission: Free (pay for food, tea, and goods)
Transport: Bus 1062 from Taipei Main Station (1 hour, NT$90); or bus 965 from Xinyi District near Taipei 101

Taiwan's broadest waterfall and one of its most dramatic, Shifen Waterfall (十分瀑布) plunges 20 meters over a 40-meter-wide curtain of cascading water into a deep pool below. The falls are often compared to Niagara Falls for their curtain-like shape — water flows over the entire cliff face rather than a narrow channel. The surrounding gorge, carved by volcanic rock and erosion, creates a natural amphitheater that amplifies the roar of the falls.

A well-maintained trail system leads from Shifen Old Street (十分老街) to multiple viewing platforms at the base and top of the falls. The lower viewing platform offers the most dramatic close-up, where spray from the falls creates a cool mist. A suspension bridge crosses upstream, providing excellent photo angles of the falls with the gorge in the background. The walk from Shifen train station to the waterfall takes 20–30 minutes through a pleasant valley. Combine with releasing a sky lantern at Shifen Old Street — the train tracks run directly through the market, and vendors help visitors write wishes on paper lanterns before releasing them into the sky. Allow 2–3 hours for both the waterfall and old street.

Hours: Park open 9:00–17:00; waterfall visible from trails open 24 hours
Admission: NT$80 (viewing platform area)
Transport: Pingxi Line train from Ruifang Station to Shifen Station (20 min, NT$20); transfer at Ruifang from Taipei

The Pingxi (平溪) district is the spiritual home of Taiwan's sky lantern tradition. Every evening, visitors write wishes on paper lanterns, light the fuel cell inside, and release them into the mountain sky — hundreds of glowing lanterns rising slowly into the darkness, carrying hopes and prayers. The tradition dates back centuries to when lanterns were used as signals between villages in the remote mountain area.

While sky lanterns are released throughout the year in Pingxi and nearby Shifen, the annual Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival (held during the Lantern Festival, usually February) is one of the world's great spectacles — thousands of lanterns released simultaneously, illuminating the night sky like ascending stars. CNN named it one of the world's best festivals. Outside of the festival, daily releases happen at Shifen Old Street and Jingtong (菁桐) along the Pingxi railway branch. Lanterns cost NT$150–200 and vendors provide markers to write your wishes. The Pingxi Branch Railway (平溪線) itself is an attraction — a single-track line winding through mountain valleys, with stations at Shifen, Pingxi, and Jingtong where you can hop off to explore. Buy a one-day pass (NT$60) for unlimited rides.

Hours: Lantern releases daily at Shifen; festival dates vary (usually February)
Admission: Lanterns NT$150–200; train day pass NT$60
Transport: Pingxi Line from Ruifang Station; transfer at Ruifang from Taipei (40 min total)

A mountain village in the southern reaches of New Taipei, Wulai (烏來) is the homeland of the Atayal (泰雅族) indigenous people and one of Taiwan's most accessible hot spring destinations. The name means "hot and poisonous" in the Atayal language, referring to the mineral-rich thermal waters that bubble from volcanic rock. Unlike Beitou's developed hot spring scene, Wulai retains a more rustic, mountain-village character with traditional Atayal culture woven throughout the experience.

Key attractions include the Wulai Waterfall (烏來瀑布), a 80-meter cascade visible from the village center that resembles a white curtain draped over green cliffs; the Wulai Scenic Train (烏來台車), a small cable car originally built for logging that now shuttles visitors up the gorge; the hot spring public pools along the riverbank (NT$100–200); and the Atayal Museum showcasing indigenous culture, textiles, and hunting tools. Wulai Old Street serves traditional Atayal cuisine — grilled river fish, bamboo rice (竹筒飯), and wild boar. The village has a growing reputation for authentic indigenous food and culture. The suspension bridge across the gorge offers excellent photos. A full day trip, or stay overnight in a hot spring hotel. The winding mountain road from Taipei takes 40–60 minutes by bus.

Hours: Village shops roughly 9:00–18:00; hot springs vary by hotel
Admission: Waterfall free; scenic train NT$50; hot springs NT$100–200
Transport: Bus 849 from Taipei Main Station or MRT Xindian Station (60 min, NT$60)

While Beitou is administratively part of Taipei City, the hot spring area extends into New Taipei's northern districts, and the broader thermal valley region is one of the area's most compelling attractions. The hot springs here are fed by the Datun Volcano Group and have been used for bathing since the Qing Dynasty. The Japanese colonial government developed the area into Taiwan's premier hot spring resort in the early 1900s.

The Thermal Valley (地熱谷) in Beitou — the source of the springs — produces water at 90°C that hisses and steams from the ground. The surrounding district has dozens of hot spring hotels, public bathhouses, and foot-soaking pools. The Beitou Hot Spring Museum (built 1913) offers a glimpse of the Japanese-era bathhouse architecture. Beyond Beitou, the Xin Beitou and Yangmingshan areas offer more secluded hot spring experiences in forested mountain settings. The Hell Valley (地獄谷) hiking trail provides views of steaming fumaroles and volcanic rock formations. For a day trip, start at Xin Beitou MRT Station and explore the museum, thermal valley, and public pools. For overnight, book a hotel with private hot spring pools — prices range from NT$2,000–10,000 depending on luxury level.

Hours: Thermal valley 9:00–17:00; public pools 8:00–22:00; hotels vary
Admission: Thermal valley free; public pools NT$40–150
Transport: MRT Xinbeitou Station (terminal of Tamsui-Xinbeitou branch)

Two lesser-known gems along the Pingxi Branch Railway, offering a quieter alternative to the main tourist sites. Yinhe Cave (銀河洞, "Milky Way Cave") houses a Buddhist shrine built into the mouth of a natural limestone cave behind a curtain waterfall. The cave temple contains a large statue of Guanyin and provides a mystical atmosphere enhanced by the sound of falling water and mist rising from the pool below. A staircase of 250 steps leads from the roadside to the cave entrance, passing stone carvings and small shrines along the way.

Further down the line, Lingjiao Waterfall (嶺腳瀑布) is a charming 15-meter cascade visible from the Lingjiao Old Street area. The waterfall flows directly under a historic stone arch bridge built in the Japanese era — you can walk across the bridge and look down to see the waterfall plunging beneath your feet. Both sites are much less crowded than Shifen and Jiufen, making them perfect for visitors seeking a more contemplative experience. Combine with a ride on the Pingxi Branch Railway for a full day exploring the valley. The railway stations themselves — Shifen, Pingxi, and Jingtong — are charming time capsules of rural Taiwan.

Hours: Yinge Cave roughly 8:00–17:00; Lingjiao open 24 hours
Admission: Free
Transport: Pingxi Line: Yinhe Cave stop (walk 15 min), Lingjiao Station (walk 5 min)

One of Taiwan's most stunning coastal hikes, the Bitou Cape Trail (鼻頭角步道) follows a cliffside path along the northeastern coast near Ruifang, offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, sea cliffs, and distant islands. The 3.4-km round-trip trail climbs through coastal forest to Bitou Cape Lighthouse (鼻頭角燈塔), perched on a dramatic headland where the sea crashes against volcanic rock.

The trail passes through two distinct sections: a lower paved path through lush forest, and an upper trail along the cliff edge with exposure and sweeping ocean views. The lighthouse area offers the best photo opportunities — the white tower against blue sea and green hills. On clear days, the view extends to the Diaoyutai Islands. The trail is well-maintained with railings and resting platforms, suitable for most fitness levels. Allow 2–3 hours round-trip. Combine with nearby Jiufen (15 minutes by car) for a coastal culture and nature day. The trail is much less crowded than Yehliu and offers a more intimate coastal experience. Wear proper shoes — the upper trail has some steep sections.

Hours: Open 24 hours (daytime recommended)
Admission: Free
Transport: Bus 791 or 856 from Ruifang Station (20 min); taxi from Jiufen (15 min)

Just above Jiufen, the former gold mining town of Jinguashi (金瓜石) offers a fascinating industrial heritage experience. The Gold Ecological Park preserves the mining infrastructure of what was once one of East Asia's richest gold mines, producing over 30 tons of gold during its peak in the 1930s. The park includes restored mining tunnels, processing buildings, and the Crown Prince Chalet, a Japanese-era residence where Emperor Hirohito stayed as crown prince.

For the adventurous, the Teapot Mountain (茶壺山) hike offers the most dramatic viewpoint in the Jiufen-Jinguashi area. The 2–3 hour round-trip climb ascends 581 meters to a peak shaped like a teapot, rewarding hikers with 360-degree views of Jiufen below, the Pacific Ocean, and on clear days, the mountains of Keelung and the distant coastline. The hike is steep but well-marked with ropes on the steepest sections. The Benshan Fifth Tunnel (本山五坑) lets visitors walk 150 meters into an actual gold mine shaft, experiencing the claustrophobic conditions miners endured. The park's highlight is a 220-kilogram gold bar — the world's largest museum-displayed gold ingot — which visitors can try to lift (it weighs as much as a small car). Combine with Jiufen for a full day of mining heritage and old-town charm.

Hours: Park 9:30–17:00 (Tue–Sun); mine tunnel 9:30–16:30
Admission: Park free; mine tunnel NT$80; Crown Prince Chalet NT$80
Website: gep.ntpc.gov.tw
Transport: Bus 1062 or 788 from Taipei to Jinguashi stop (near Jiufen)

The most accessible beach destination from Taipei, Fulong Beach (福隆海水浴場) offers a wide stretch of golden sand along the northeastern coast. The beach sits at the mouth of the Shuangxi River, which divides it into inner and outer sections with different water conditions. The annual Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival (usually May–July) brings world-class sand sculptors who create massive, detailed sculptures on the beach.

The beach is well-equipped with showers, changing rooms, food stalls, and equipment rental. The water quality is good for swimming, though currents can be strong — check flags before entering. The area has a relaxed, small-town atmosphere with seafood restaurants serving the day's catch. The coastal bike path extends from Fulong to Caoling along a scenic 12-km route with ocean views. The historic Caoling Tunnel (草嶺隧道), a 2.2-km restored Japanese-era railway tunnel, now serves as a pedestrian and cycling path with ocean views from the eastern portal. Fulong is popular on summer weekends — arrive early or visit on weekdays. The beach can also be enjoyed year-round for walks and photography.

Hours: Beach 8:00–18:00 (summer extended); sand sculpture area varies
Admission: Beach NT$80 (summer); sand sculptures free
Transport: TRA train to Fulong Station from Taipei (1.5 hours, NT$80); beach 5 min walk from station