New Taipei City Travel

As the train enters Yilan Line from Ruifang, we will arrive at Houtong and enter Pingxi Line from Sandiaoling. This railway line stretches amidst the verdant and lush mountainous area of Northern Taiwan, was built due to past prosperous coal mining industry, and is still operating. Besides transporting passengers, this is a popular route for railway trips in which it starts from Houtong. The magnificent achievements of the mining industry can be seen throughout the place in which they brought about railways and the prosperous development of towns along the way. Coming to Shifen, the origin of Sky Lantern and the largest station along the Pingxi Line, this is a major train intersection station. Looking back at the mining history of Pingxi, Shifen is the earliest and largest settlement developed. Its greatest feature is that the old street stands side-to-side with the railway track and presents the unique railway scenery of “the train passes through your front door”. Although the coal mining industry is a thing of the past, countless coal mining relics still remain along the Pingxi Line. It is rich with scenery and culture, in which visitors can seek tranquility at small unmanned stations, or enjoy traditional gourmet foods, visit grocery stores and hardware stores dating back to your grandparents’ days at bustling old streets. You can also get a Happiness Stamp at the station or fly a Sky Lantern written with your wishes for this year. You can enjoy a spectacular day and this is the branch line you cannot dare to miss.

Shifen Old Street and Jingan Bridge in the periphery of the station are ideal places for many visitors to take photos with. Since Shifen Waterfall is right next to the railroad, there is a waterfall observation bridge by the railroad, giving an alternative experience of observing the trains while standing on the bridge. Shifen Waterfall is a curtain waterfall similar to Niagara Falls in North America, thus it is also honored as the Niagara Falls of Taiwan. The main characteristic of this place is the connection between the old street and the railroad, where one may experience the interesting feeling of “trains passing by your front door”, as well as the fun of window-shopping next to the railroad itself. The old street commercial circle is fairly boisterous and diverse; one may even purchase a sky lantern to write down wishes and prayers for oneself and for family and friends; store owners filled with human touch not only provide friendly guidance, but will even teach you how to take beautiful photos of the sky lantern!