Want to release a sky lantern in Pingxi District but think taking Taiwan Railways to Ruifang Station and transferring to the Pingxi Branch Line takes too long? The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle - Muzha-Pingxi Line offers another way to get there. Route 795 departs from MRT Taipei Zoo Station, passes MRT Muzha Station, and follows City Route 106 to Shenkeng, Shiding District, and Pingxi District, connecting with the Taiwan Railways Pingxi Branch Line for a different way to explore the region.Starting from MRT Taipei Zoo Station or MRT Muzha Station, visit Shiding Religious Cultural Park to pray for good fortune, then explore hidden gems in Pingxi District, including Lingjiao and Wanggu. Transfer to the Pingxi Branch Line to reach Shifen Old Street, release a sky lantern, and sample local snacks. In the evening, hop back on the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle to Shenkeng Old Street for a table full of fragrant tofu dishes.Depending on the departure, the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle - Muzha-Pingxi Line terminates at either Pingxi Old Street or Shifen Visitor Center, with buses running about once an hour. The full route from Taipei Zoo to Shifen Visitor Center spans three fare sections, with a one-way fare of NT$ 45. Payment is accepted via EasyCard, iPASS, icash, Taipei Fun Pass, and LINE Pay, and the route is also covered by the TR PASS Megacity Pass.🚌Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route 795 - Muzha-Pingxi Line Timetable(Image source: Taiwan Tourist Shuttle official website)Board the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle - Muzha-Pingxi Line from MRT Taipei Zoo Station or MRT Muzha Station and get off at A4 Guniang Temple Station to explore the religious culture of Yongding Village in Shiding District. Guniang Temple, Shengxing Temple, Yuanbaoshan Xianshi Temple, Wulu Caishen Temple, and Mingyang Cihui Temple stand here, forming a distinctive community of faith. The District Office linked these temples to create Shiding Religious Culture Park, which includes the Fish and Bird Watching Trail, Guniang Bridge Landscape Corridor, and Waterfront Plaza, where visitors can pray for blessings and take in views of the Shiding mountains.After paying respects, hop on the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle to A7 Tianzi (Lingjiao Railway Station). Located on the southern side of Mt. Jiangziliao at an elevation of more than 700 meters, the area is named Lingjiao. This hidden gem on the Taiwan Railways Pingxi Branch Line sees trains wind through the mountains along curving tracks, with green hills, streams, and railway tracks complementing one another. Stroll along the riverbank for a closer look at the potholes along the Keelung River.Take a local train to the next stop, Wanggu. During the heyday of coal mining, this area saw frequent mine accidents and was once nicknamed the Doomed Mine; the name was later changed to the more auspicious Wanggukeng. The station was originally built to serve the transport needs of the Qinghe Coal Mine, and as the mining industry declined, the bustle of miners and the once-lively station quietly faded away. Today, the station lies hidden amid lush mountain forests, while the towering Qinghe Coal Transport Suspension Bridge stands as a precious landmark bearing witness to its mining-era past.Wanggu Station is also home to a hidden gem, Wanggu Waterfall. From Wanggu Station, follow the service road beside the railway, then continue along the boardwalk and hillside trail for about 15 minutes to arrive. Take in the rich ecology along the way and the curtain-like waterfall, where the clear pool reflects lush green mountains and the sound of flowing water drowns out the noise of the outside world.Shifen Old Street is the liveliest settlement in Pingxi District, best known for the Pingxi Branch Line railway running through the middle of the street and creating the iconic sight of trains passing by front doors. The old street is lined with local snacks, sky lantern crafts, and specialty souvenirs. Write down a wish, release a sky lantern, and watch it drift slowly into the sky for a romance found only in Pingxi District.The final stop is A2 Shenkeng (Old Street) Station. Shenkeng was once a key commercial hub along the Danlan Historic Trails and is now widely known as the hometown of tofu for its variety of tofu dishes. Its clear water and distinctive brine-curdling technique give Shenkeng tofu a flavor all its own. Together with tea leaves, bamboo shoots, and black pork, tofu forms what locals call the Shenkeng Four Treasures, showcasing the area's abundant produce and food culture. After feasting on tofu dishes, hop on the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle back to Muzha and transfer to the MRT for the journey home.
