New Taipei City Travel

When stepping out of an air-conditioned room on scorching summer days, the oppressive atmosphere within the concrete jungle can induce fatigue due to global warming and the increasingly severe urban heat island effect. Let's go! Let's escape the urban areas and head towards the mountains to avoid the summer heat! Shuangxi (literally refers to “two rivers” in Chinese), named after the confluence of the Pinglin River and Mudan River, makes everyone feel refreshed just by looking at it. With its mountainous terrain, the Shuangxi District is situated in the upstream area of the Feicui Reservoir Watershed. When visiting Shuangxi, you can take a walk along the Pingxi Historic Trail and dip into the flowing river, leading all the way to the panoramic Guishan Island viewing platform. Moreover, you can visit the Shoushan Temple to pray, explore treasures at the holiday farmers’ market, and leisurely stroll along Shuangxi Old Street.Located on the mountainous terrain between Taipei Basin and Lanyang Plain, Shuangxi District has been a crucial passage for travelers commuting between them in the past. It is also the primary pathway along the middle route of the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails. The Pingxi Historic Trail that lies within it features a uniquely flat valley landscape seldom found in northern Taiwan, making it an excellent destination for families. Extending 1.5 km at an altitude of 500 m, this trail provides an ideal setting, allowing travelers to instantly dissipate the summer heat when stepping into the refreshing ambiance of Pingxi. The Pingxi Historic Trail is enveloped by lush greenery, accentuated by a captivating sight of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) forests arranged in neat along the way. This trail, resembling a green corridor, is flat and spacious, featuring two intersections that lead travelers to the river. The pristine river flows leisurely, and its deepest point reaches only up to the calf, offering an excellent spot for water play and observing fish and shrimp during summer days. This historic trail concludes at the border between New Taipei City and Yilan County, where a viewing platform providing a magnificent vista is established. This platform enables travelers to gaze upon Turtle Island and the distant Pacific Ocean!To reach the entrance of the Pingxi Historic Trail, please navigate to the "Wushan No. 62 Camping Site". The access road is narrow, so please drive safely.Shoushan Temple serves as the religious hub in Taiping, Shuangxi. Situated upstream of Feicui Reservoir, it stands on the banks of the Beishi River. The primary deity enshrined at Shoushan Temple is Mazu, the revered "Heavenly and Sacred Mother", accompanied by Guan Yu, the "Holy Ruler Deity Guan", and Tudigong, the "Right God of Blessing and Virtue". The "Mazu Pilgrimage", held annually on February 18 of the lunar calendar, stands as the prominent yearly event in the Taiping region.Next to the entrance archway of Shoushan Temple, the Taiping Holiday Farmers Market (also referred to as the Shoushan Temple Holiday Farmers Market) operates during weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This market can accommodate more than 20 stalls selling premium seasonal vegetables, such as shiitake mushrooms planted in the region, assorted seasonal vegetables, and various melons. Additionally, there is a cooked food area offering diverse prepared foods like Taiwanese stir-fried rice noodles, Chinese mesona chicken soup, and refreshing ice treats.The center of Shuangxi is situated at the confluence of the Mudan River and Pinglin River. Due to the human traffic and logistics along the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails, Shuangxi served as an important land and water transportation hub during the Qing Dynasty. However, following the consecutive development of railways and highways, Shuangxi's initial function in water transportation was gradually supplanted, leading to the decline of the town.The Shuangxi Ferry Pier stands at the end of Chang’an Street. In its earlier days, it functioned as a crucial inland cargo transfer station. Passengers and goods from the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails boarded vessels at this pier, journeyed to the estuary near Jiushe (nowadays, the area around Fulong Beach), and then switched to sailboats for further transit to various destinations. On the return trip, smaller boats were used to transport daily essentials upstream to the upper reaches of Dingshuangxi, contributing significantly to the former splendor of Shuangxi.Once the most bustling street in Shuangxi, Chang’an Street holds the spiritual center of the area. It is home to Taiwan's sole temple dedicated to "the Three Heroes of the Late Song Dynasty" - the Sanzhong Temple. In 1781, a Fujian migrant crossed over the Taiwan Strait and arrived in Shuangxi, bringing along a statue of Wen Tianxiang. He settled here to cultivate the land and built a thatched hut to house the statue of the deity. As the number of devotees grew, statues of Lu Xiufu and Zhang Shijie were crafted and enshrined alongside Wen Tianxiang's statue. Through numerous repairs and renovations, the temple has evolved into its present form.Until today, Shuangxi Old Street has preserved numerous old buildings, including the century-old Lin Yi-tang Chinese Medicinal Herbs Store, Chou's Old House, Shuangxi Presbyterian Church, and more, showcasing the former grandeur of Shuangxi. Although the old street has gradually faded, it exudes a sense of tranquility typical of a mountainous town. Travelers can leisurely stroll through its alleys and streets, capturing photographs and savoring the scenery.

Ancient Kyoto-style century-old temple is hidden in Xizhi?! Gongbei Temple in Xizhi is well-known for maple appreciation during fall. Besides the beautiful maples’ red, Gongbei Temple that was built in 1906 is now more than a century old, and the stone-paved double arch bridge outside the Temple is equally classic and elegant. Paradise does not end here, following Xiwan Road and continue into the woods, there hides a lake surrounded by the mountains – it is Xinshan Dream Lake! The name “Dream Lake” originates from the frequent foggy sight during winter, which gives it a misty and fantastical ambiance, making it a popular attraction for many newlyweds’ wedding photo shoot! Following the hiking trail up into Xinshan and having a bird’s-eye view of Dream Lake, tourists will feel the tranquility and be freshened up from the summer heat. On the return trip back to downtown Xizhi, visitors are recommended to visit Xizhi Old Street on their way home. It is where Xizhi began its development and where many historic sites have been preserved. In this neighborhood, there are the old Babao Glass Noodle shop of more than 30 years and the legendary 6-decade-old savory porridge shop; and the evening market by the train station offers a wide array of hearty tasty eats. As the sky grows dark, the twinkling star lights over the Keelung River, and the winding S-shaped Starlight Bridge also shines like the stars in a galaxy after it is lit up at night. There is no better ending for your day as you take a walk after enjoying the street eats while enjoying the starry light!