New Taipei City Travel

Sanxia sits at the confluence of three streams and has served as an important water transportation hub since ancient times. From the mid-Qing Dynasty onward, it developed into a prosperous market town featuring baroque-style old streets and the Qingshui Zushi Temple, renowned as the "Oriental Art Palace." These represent the tangible manifestation of Sanxia's cultural depth.In the 1990s, College of Law and Commerce, National Chung Hsing University, established an independent institution in Sanxia, leading to the formation of the "Taipei University Special District." The NTPU Special District employs grid-pattern streets and green corridor planning to create spacious artistic pedestrian walkways. Combined with National Taipei University's beautiful campus environment, this shapes a livable atmosphere distinctly different from the old urban areas of Taipei and New Taipei, establishing a brilliant new highlight for Sanxia tourism. With the Sanying MRT Line's opening approaching, visiting the NTPU Special District for sightseeing will become even more convenient! National Taipei UniversityTaipei University, formerly the College of Law and Commerce, National Chung Hsing University, officially opened its new campus in Sanxia in 2000. This beautiful 60-hectare campus intentionally preserved many original landscape green spaces. "To see the lake is to see the heart" - "Heart Lake," named by Master Sheng Yen, sits at the campus center. The 2-hectare lake surface collects water from Liucuopu Canal and attracts numerous waterfowl and aquatic plants as residents. Walking around Heart Lake washes away urban clamor and allows quiet appreciation of the swans' graceful dance.（Campus map image source:National Taipei University）The central lawn surrounded by various college buildings and the library serves as National Taipei University's welcoming boulevard. Lush and open in atmosphere, it provides an excellent destination for family visits and picnicking. The campus's southwest corner borders Sanxia landmark Yuan Mountain, where the university established "Kite-Soaring Square" as a symbol of school spirit. The Sanying MRT Line bridge crossing above the Soaring Kite incorporates imitation brick arch design and bears the name "Nostalgic Corridor," where Sanxia's past and future interweave to create beautiful scenery.For travelers who appreciate architecture, the Library and Information Building along National Taipei University's central axis represents an unmissable campus landmark. With its owl-like wise appearance, multiple sky corridors connect the north and south reinforced concrete buildings. The modern and transparent design faces the central lawn to the east while offering views of Heart Lake and Yuanshan to the west.Distinctive Stores within NTPU CampusThe Amo Cake NTPU Practice Store serves as both the only creative space with painted walls at National Taipei University and a venue fully operated by students to practice entrepreneurial spirit. "NTPU Gorge Afternoon Tea" represents the NTPU Store's mountain journey to visit Sanxia tea farmers, carefully selecting hand-picked Biluochun green tea and honey-fragrant black tea, paired with classic Amo cakes in gift boxes. The packaging integrates local cultural heritage through Qingshui Zushi Temple design, showcasing youth creativity and local connections to create NTPU's most representative souvenir.Located on the second floor of Heart Lake Hall, Papershoot Café offers a rich variety of beverages and light meals. Visitors can also rent lightweight paper cameras from the establishment to experience the joy of shooting with four vintage filters. In the afternoon, enjoy delicious meals with friends in the coffee shop while using paper cameras to capture each other's smiles—both relaxing and thoroughly entertaining. NTPU Special District's Guinness World RecordOn Xueqin Road in front of National Taipei University's main gate stands a gleaming Guinness World Record monument, commemorating a burst of creativity in 2010! The mosaic creation project jointly organized by the NTPU Special District and Yingge Ceramics Museum successfully established the world record for "Most People Creating Mosaics Simultaneously," which remains a celebrated achievement.The NTPU Special District forms a livable living circle spanning Sanxia and Shulin. Walking along tree-lined Xueqin Road, visitors encounter mosaic creations made by children throughout the route. This 1.2-kilometer pedestrian art avenue allows appreciation of public art installations in Ocean Park and Shulin Wanping Park while experiencing the aesthetic lifestyle within the special district!NTPU Special District’s Distinctive StoresThe NTPU Special District has attracted many young new residents, bringing changes to food culture. Located on International First Street, Savor Bistro offers exquisite dishes including risotto, pasta, pizza, and steak meals, along with various cocktails. This comfortable space features resident singers and projection screens for sports events, making it a beloved dining destination for National Taipei University students and special district residents.Shabu Shabu Hotpot stands as the NTPU Special District's renowned hotpot establishment. Large floor-to-ceiling windows and garden landscaping create a spacious and transparent dining environment. Specializing in Japanese-style and Taiwanese-style broths, their high-quality meat melts in your mouth within five seconds of entering the boiling pot.NTPU Special District Annual EventsSince 2018, National Taipei University has planted hundreds of Yoshino cherry trees around Heart Lake. Every March when cherry blossoms bloom, they draw numerous visitors for cherry blossom viewing, establishing the area as Sanxia District's famous cherry blossom destination. University administration began organizing cherry blossom festivals in 2024, even bringing hot air balloons onto campus. Visitors can enjoy both cherry blossoms and hot air balloons, successfully generating tourism excitement for Sanxia.(Image source: National Taipei University)(Image source: National Taipei University) Sanxia is most celebrated for its Biluochun tea. National Taipei University collaborates annually with the New Taipei City Department of Agriculture to organize the Sanxia Green Tea Festival in picnic party format, combining Sanxia's high-quality Biluochun with food and agriculture education experiences. People gather for campus picnics, browse markets, and taste distinctive local teas.(Image source: National Taipei University)(Image source: National Taipei University)Every December, the NTPU Special District holds a Christmas lighting ceremony. As holiday decorations illuminate, the entire Xueqin Road and NTPU campus become instantly enveloped in romantic atmosphere, creating a winter-exclusive dreamlike scene. Stroll through the area and experience the NTPU Special District's rich Christmas spirit.(Image source: National Taipei University)

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.