New Taipei City Travel

The Dahan River bike trail is divided into the left and right waterfront. The left band connects Hsinchuang, Shulin, and Yingge, entering from the bike trail section of Shanjia Gan Yuan bridge and passing Gan Yuan Ecological Riverside Park, which is a feature eco-park, linking the entire river bank into one green alleyway. Enjoy the peacefulness of nature within the park. When the large hand molded cup shape tower and characteristic Longyao bridge are in sight, the bike trail is nearing its final destination “San-Ying Waterfront”. Grandma Sushi on the old street and pottery DIY immediately comes to mind in Yingge, or one could visit Yingge Ceramics Museum, the most beautiful museum of New Taipei to be awash in arts. Or perhaps take the bus to Sanxia Old Street filled with Baroque style. It is the few complete traditional street districts in Taiwan of historical value and great for strolling.

Rumor has it that the name “Canguangliao” (“canguang” means shining light in Chinese) comes from the scenery when mountains, full of yellowish and white silver grass in fall, give spectacular light rays formed under the sun beams, making Canguangliao Historic Trail a “golden shining” scenic route! From Mudan Train station, take a bus to Shisanceng Old Tree Stop and walk for 10 minutes, and you will arrive at “Canguangliao Historic Trail Entrance”. Along the Trail, visitors will pass by the historic site of Jinguashi Water Pumping Station, small waterfalls, historic site of old grocery store, Jinshan Fude Temple, and more, and they will ultimately arrive at Shumeiping Observation Deck. The total distance is nearly 5km with a walking time of approximately 3 hours; the level portions of the Trail are constructed with stairs of relatively lower difficulty level for walking. Moreover, Canguangliao Mountain is the highest amongst Keelung Volcano Group, so visitors can even look over to Taipei City and Northeast Coast when there is nice weather with an expansive view. After exiting the Trail, follow County Route 102 to Jinguashi Geological Park, where was previously Benshan Mine. Visitors here will have the opportunity to observe traces of the most original mining sights. Then continue traveling to the nearby Jinguashi Shinto Shrine, which was built during the period of Japanese rule in response to the mining development. Even though it is all abandoned now, visitors can still have a glimpse of the sacred and solemn ambiance from the remains of the historic site. If you are interested in having more in-depth experiences of Jinguashi’s golden age, you can continue walking down to the Gold Museum, which is a museum campus transformed from the gold mining areas in the old days. Activities here will include learning about the mining history, the gold culture, and experiencing gold panning; spending a whole afternoon here will be no problem at all. At the end of the journey, visitors will connect to Jiufen Old Street, where they are recommended to order a bowl of cold or hot taro balls or to find a tea place and enjoy a cup of good tea, taking some time to savor this “golden” journey as they take a rest.