New Taipei City Travel

New Taipei City features rich and diverse landscapes, from the azure Route 2 Taiwan along the North Coast and the Leisurely Mountain and Sea Route that preserves mining heritage, to the riverside greenery in metropolitan areas. Each location offers unique scenery and stories. Hop on a bicycle and embark on low-carbon travel through New Taipei City at the most relaxing pace! New Taipei City has established Youbike public bicycle stations across all 29 administrative districts and extensively developed biking paths in tourist areas, making cycling adventures more convenient and safer. The Department of Tourism has carefully selected 10 biking paths. Let's ride from 1 to 10, One to Ten, and explore the diverse beauty of New Taipei City on two wheels!1. Wanjin Biking PathStart from Wanli's Green Bay and head toward Jinshan's Jhongjiao Bay! The Wanjin Biking Path stretches approximately 15 kilometers, featuring a route paved with asphalt and wooden boardwalks, accompanied by cooling shade and gentle sea breezes along the way. Visit attractions such as Shuiwei Fishing Harbor and Huangqing Bridge while admiring scenery that weaves together pastoral landscapes and azure coastlines. After working up a sweat on the Wanjin Biking Path, explore Jinshan Old Street to sample local delicacies. In the evening, stay at a hot spring hotel where a warm pool will completely melt away every trace of fatigue. 2. Shuangxi District Biking Path The Shuangxi District Biking Path spans approximately 6.2 kilometers, offering the joy of cycling through the lush green and fresh air of the Pinglin River basin. Starting from Shuangxi Train Station, visit attractions along the route including Shuangxi Lotus Garden, Ruanqiao Section Waterfront Park, the Lotus Garden in Lin Family’s Old House, and the Lian Scholar's Historic Residence. The Shuangxi District Biking Path provides smooth and easy riding, perfect for families cycling together. Beside crystal-clear streams, visitors can admire flowers, watch fish, and play in the water—the ideal choice for relaxation and enjoying nature. 3. Sandiao Cape (Old Caoling Belt Bikeway) Rent an e-bike from Fulong Station and enter the Old Caoling Belt Bikeway for a 20-kilometer journey through mountains and sea. First, enter the Old Caoling Tunnel where the music of "Diu Diu Dang Ah" plays as you travel from New Taipei through to Yilan. When that light at the tunnel's end transforms into the magnificent Pacific Ocean, ride along the mountain-and-sea biking path accompanied by Guishan Island to reach Taiwan's easternmost point: Sandiao Cape Lighthouse. Check in for stunning photos and admire the endless azure ocean. Continue your journey through the stone houses of Magang and Maoao fishing villages before finally returning to Fulong Station to feast on famous traditional Fulong lunch boxes. 4. Shimen (Wanta Biking Path, Shuangwan Biking Path) Shimen District serves as the central point of the Route 2 Taiwan and represents Taiwan's northernmost administrative district. Visit Shimen to see the landmark Shimen Cave and the main island's northernmost point at Fugui Cape, then follow the Wanta Biking Path connecting to the Shuangwan Biking Path. With sea breezes pushing you forward, cycle toward Baishawan and Qianshuiwan. By connecting the Wanta and Shuangwan Biking Paths for a 12-kilometer journey along wooden coastal boardwalks, you'll feast your eyes on the algae reef intertidal zone at Laomei Green Reef, the wind-carved rocks of Linshan Cape, and the pristine sandy beach of Baishawan! 5. Wugu (Erchong Circular Biking Path) The Erchong Floodway represents an important project under the Greater Taipei flood control plan. Its first phase was completed in 1984, significantly improving flood issues throughout the Tamsui River basin. The New Taipei City Government has successively developed multiple sports venues and recreational facilities within the Erchong Floodway, including New Taipei Metropolitan Park, and designed the Erchong Circular Biking Path. This circular route spans approximately 20 kilometers, crossing the administrative districts of Wugu, Luzhou, and Sanchong. Attractions along the way include Wugu Wetland Ecological Park, Breeze Canal, Air Force Sanchong Village 1, Chongxin Bridge Tourist Market, and New Taipei Metropolitan Park. 6. Lujiaoxi Wetland (Dahan River’s Left Bank Biking Path) Transformed from an abandoned landfill into a 16-hectare ecological paradise, Lujiaoxi Wetland serves as the water quality guardian of the Dahan River while providing habitat for migratory birds and aquatic plants. This area forms part of the Dahan River’s Left Bank Biking Path, which extends 24.7 kilometers total. Riding upstream leads to Yingge's New Taipei City Art Museum and Yuanshan Weir, while heading downstream through various major riverside wetlands takes you to Xinzhuang Temple Street and Crescent Bridge. This creates a waterfront cycling route that seamlessly blends art, culture, and ecology.7. Qixi Biking PathFormerly known as "Shuifanjiao," Xizhi sits between Taipei and Keelung. In earlier times, the prosperity of water transportation along the Keelung River led to the development of a thriving market town focused primarily on tea leaves and mountain goods distribution. The Keelung River is renowned for its winding and meandering terrain, and the Qixi Biking Path runs alongside this river. Stretching from Keelung's Qidu to New Taipei's Xizhi, the most striking landmark along the route is the microphone-shaped "Starlight Bridge." The Wudu Tunnel connecting Xizhi and Qidu is an old Taiwan Railway tunnel built during the Japanese colonial period. This brick-constructed arched tunnel has been restored to reveal its former glory, and cycling through it allows direct travel from New Taipei's Xizhi to Keelung! 8. Bali Left Bank Biking Path Located on the left bank of the Tamsui River estuary, Bali offers expansive views where river meets sea, making it ideal for leisurely cycling exploration. Follow the Bali Left Bank Biking Path for a relaxing ride, starting from Guanyinkeng, passing beneath the rainbow-like Guandu Bridge and through the food-rich Ferry Pier Old Street, all the way to Taiwan's first archaeological museum: The Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology. Parks and green spaces dot the route, with the red "BALI" landmark set against the Tamsui River serving as a favorite check-in spot for social media enthusiasts. In the afternoon, choose a café to rest with a cup of left bank coffee, or visit the old street for crispy twin dough and fried seafood while savoring Bali's leisurely pace of life.9. JiufenCycling to Jiufen presents a challenging mountain-crossing adventure. Follow Municipal Route 102 starting from Ruifang, pushing upward along winding mountain roads toward the golden mountain city on the hillside. Upon reaching Jiufen, explore the old street, sip tea, and enjoy scenic views. If energy permits, continue along Route 102 toward Shuangxi. The highway features rolling mountains with expansive views, offering distant glimpses of Keelung Mountain, Jinguashi, and the North Coast. At Buyan Pavilion, named after Li Bai's poem verse "gazing at each other without growing tired," admire the straight road leading toward a sea of clouds.Jiufen live webcam showcases the beauty of this mountain town and provides current weather conditions. 10. Shifen Follow Municipal Route 106 into Pingxi, this coal-producing town located in the upper reaches of the Keelung River that has become world-famous for its sky lanterns. Cycle to visit railway towns along the route: Qingtong, Pingxi, Lingjiao, Wanggu, and Shifen, where you'll frequently witness sky lanterns carrying wishes rising gently into the sky. Cross the Siguangtan Suspension Bridge and Guanpu Suspension Bridge to admire the unique pothole geological formations in the Keelung River valley and the graceful water lines of Yanjingdong Waterfall, before finally reaching Taiwan's largest waterfall - Shifen Waterfall, where you can fully absorb negative ions. The Shifen Waterfall live webcam captures the waterfall's magnificent power and provides current weather conditions

In the night of Lantern Festival, sky lanterns slowly fly upward, carrying people’s wishes into the night sky. The beautiful scene can be seen at the most representative festival in New Taipei City. Since 1999, New Taipei City government has held Sky Lantern Festival in Pingxi on Lantern Festival that falls on January 15 of the lunar calendar, and it is the grandest annual festival of the mountain town of Pingxi. For over twenty years, numerous tourists from home and abroad have attended the festival to light up sky lanterns, flying them into the night sky with their dreams and wishes.Multiple Origins of Sky Lanterns“Please help us!” During the Three-Kingdom Period, Zhuge Kongming (Zhuge Liang), the prime minister of Empire of Shu-Han, sent large paper lanterns up to the sky to deliver military messages by following the principle of rise of hot air when he and his soldiers were besieged by the enemy, and they eventually got out of the predicament. This the most well-known origin of the sky lantern, so it is also known as Kongming lantern. Others think the sky lantern gets the name of Kongming lantern because it shapes like the silk ribbon scarf of Kongming. Like Internet and other inventions, the sky lantern originated from military technology. The sky lantern has been considered the originator of the hot-air balloon, and the threshold of humans’ flying dream. The sky lantern first appeared in the battlefield in Europe when Mongolia went on an expedition to the west. Five hundred years later, the first hot-air balloon carrying passengers rose to the sky in Paris.Praying for Blessings at Lantern Festival After sky lanterns go about among people, the release of sky lanterns has become a folk activity for people to pray for blessings. Since ancient times, there has been the custom of releasing sky lanterns at Lantern Festival which is the birthday of Heavenly Lord Tian Guan, and the sky lantern is a medium for people to pray for blessings to the God. Pingxi District, New Taipei City is located at the upper reaches of Keelung River. In the beginning of the 19th century, immigrants from Fujian were harassed by bandits from time to time when they reclaimed Pingxi, and sky lanterns were used as tools to mark themselves safe. In the 1990s, Pingxi started the revival movement for sky lantern culture, attracting tourists to release sky lanterns in the mountain town. The activity has become the most famous one in Pingxi. Moreover, with the help of popular movies, Pingxi sky lanterns have become well-known around the world.Unique Climate and Terrain of PingxiWhen it comes to sky lanterns, people think of Pingxi. However, why is Pingxi so closely related to sky lanterns? In accordance with current laws and regulations, Pingxi is the only area in Taiwan where sky lanterns can be released outside. Pingxi is one of the areas in Taiwan with the most rainy days, and it has a relative humidity of over 75% often. Damp environment prevents sky lanterns from wreaking havoc after they fall to the ground. Additionally, Pingxi is surrounded by mountains on four sides, and there is no airport nearby, which ensures that sky lanterns only fly in the mountainous area of Pingxi without disturbing flights, making Pingxi the best location to release sky lanterns.Pingxi District is a district in New Taipei City with least population. It was the settlement of the Ketagalan tribe. In the early 19th century, the Han people reclaimed Pingxi, and it became prosperous because of coal mining in the early 20th century. However, it became quiet again after mining ceased. The Pingxi Railway which was open to traffic in 1921 was once doomed to dismantle. Thanks to the endeavors of local people, the railway has turned into a sightseeing railway. The one-hundred-year Pingxi Railway passes by charming railway towns, such as Shifen, Pingxi and Jingtong, where you can find magnificent Shifen Waterfalls, and secluded stations rarely known to anyone. Light Pingxi tours are promoted every year during Sky Lantern Festival, and local tour guides would lead tourists to explore mining culture and railways, relishing the beauty of the mountain town.New Taipei City Pingxi Sky Lantern FestivalNew Taipei City government held the first Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in 1999, and this year marks the 26th anniversary of the event. It is the most famous ceremony for Lantern Festival in northern Taiwan. The Sky Lantern Festival enjoys the fame with the beehive fireworks in Yanshui, Tainan as we always say “sky lanterns in the north, and beehive fireworks in the south.” The two festivals have repeatedly been selected the must-see festivals by travel websites. Two sessions of releasing sky lanterns are held each year at Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, which are on the day of Lantern Festival and one weekend before the festival. Quiet a few sky lanterns are allowed to be released each time in each section. When over one hundred sky lanterns are released at the same time, the dreamlike scene brightens up the night sky of the mountain town of Pingxi.👉Official website of 2024 Pingxi Sky Lantern FestivalSky Lantern Festival each year features the Chinese zodiac sign of that year. The main lantern that is up to 20 feet tall presents excellent sky lantern making craftsmanship. One can write on the sky lantern made with rice paper with a Chinese writing brush. After that, you put paper money inside the lantern as fuel to push it up to the sky.Sky Lantern Festival is the most important event in Pingxi District. Residents, public servants, schools and stores will all devote themselves to the grand occasion by participating in performances and planning fairs. To deal with a great number of tourists, New Taipei City government deploys police and firefighters to maintain the safety of participants, enabling them to enjoy the pleasure of releasing sky lanterns.Mountain Cleanup to Protect EnvironmentSky lanterns carrying blessings and wishes will eventually fall to the ground in the distance after they disappear from sight. To maintain the environment of Pingxi, New Taipei City government holds a mountain cleanup activity and cultural tour after Sky Lantern Festival every year to enable participants to help collect sky lanterns and listen to instructors tirelessly telling stories about Pingxi at the same time.