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.

Tamsui Kavalan Trails refer generally to the major traffic route from Tamsui Sub-Prefecture to Kavalan Sub-Prefecture of the Qing Dynasty. “Liulanglu Sightseeing Hiking Trail” was previously a push car railway from Ruifang to Jiufen with a total distance of approximately 1.6km, making it suitable for hiking beginners’ debut route to experience Tamsui Kavalan Trails. After leaving Ruifang Train Station, go straight for approximately 100m and you will spot Ruifang Food Court, which offers historic pork thick soup, Taiwanese pork chop rice… It is a gourmet center with 25 years of history! After renovation, the dining environment has become more comfortable; with the air conditioning, you won’t get all sweaty while you eat. There is such an amazing selection of tasty food in Ruifang; before leaving the Trail, it is recommended to visit on your way home the famous dessert shop in the area – Misty Cake, and bring home a golden puff made of sweet potato, a local specialty, as a reward for your workout! There are cooling and refreshing lush greens along Liulanglu Sightseeing Hiking Trail. Once reaching Liulangtou Observation Deck at the top, visitors can have a bird’s eye view of the splendid sceneries in Badouzi, Keelung and Ruifang. Stepping outside the Trail and you will be in Jiufen! Many people may not know that there is actually a Jiufen Gold Ore Museum, which is different from the widely known Gold Museum. It was founded by an old miner Mr. Tseng Shui-chih and has a display of various kinds of mining tools; visitors will also have the opportunity to experience gold panning here! Let us bring you the mountain town’s night view of Jiufen Old Street as the ending of your journey – enjoy the mountain town sceneries that grow more and more strikingly beautiful at night!