New Taipei City Travel

Caoling Historic Trail is the most widely known section along the Tamsui Kavalan Trails. Along the way there are Xiongzhen Manyan Tablet, Tiger Tablet, and many other historic sites; setting off from the Historic Trail entrance and traveling all the way to Gongliao – it’s a great route to the mountains and the ocean both in one day! From Dali Train Station, tourists can enter the Historic Trail by passing by the Dali Visitor Center. The Trail is level and easy to walk along the way, and once arriving at Yakou Observation Deck visitors will also be able to spot Guishan Island in the distance. When visiting here in the fall, you will have the opportunity to appreciate the breathtaking beauty of blossoming snowy white silver grass. Once arriving at Yuanwangkeng Water Park, visitors can sit inside the wood gazebo to appreciate the small bridges, running streams, criss-crossed rice terraces, or they can also spend some relaxing time and play in the water at the shallow creeks. Walking from Yuanwangkeng Water Park to Yuanwangkeng entrance, visitors would take approximately 3.5 hours walking on the Trail itself. Beginner hikers can transfer via bus here to reach Fulong Train Station. Once arriving at Fulong Train Station, treat yourself with a hearty Fulong bento to cheer you up. Lastly, visitors can head to Fulong Beach on the way; in addition to playing in the water, Fulong Sand Sculpture Art Festival held here each summer will also offer visitors many awe-inspiring creative sand sculpture art works to enjoy! Even though walking the Trail won’t be too tiring, it is still recommended for the visitors to wear hiking boots to ameliorate stress when walking. Remember to drink water and also to bring your trekking pole – only thorough preparation will lead you to a safe hike into the mountains!

In the past, Shenkeng was known as Zanying, in reference to the crest worn by officials. Shenkeng was once the political and economic center of Wenshan District (today’s New Taipei Districts of Shenkeng, Shiding, Pinglin, Xindian and Wulai, and the Wenshan District in Taipei City), and has been an important location in between Taipei and Yilan since ancient times. Not only was it a key route along the South Damlan Road, but it has also become the most important waterway shipping center in Southern Taipei due to the convenient waterway transportation of Jingmei Creek. Wenshan Tea, which is brought from Shenkeng via Jingmei Creek and Xindian Creek to Dadaocheng along the Tamsui river, is sold all over the world. Most notably the end of the Qing Dynasty to the beginning of the Japanese rule in Taiwan was the golden period for Shenkeng tea.Shenkeng has many different bus routes to and from Taipei’s downtown area, making for convenient traffic. Because of this, during the holidays, it attracts many tourists. The large kabocha tree at the entrance of the old street is the welcoming tree of Shenkeng, and on the street behind it is the century-old Tingzai Foot house. Because of Shenkeng’s clear water and its special salt braising method, the charcoal taste of Shenkeng-made tofu has attracted many gourmands and has become known as the “hometown of tofu”, which in turn re-invigorated the Old Street. The Old Street is home to various tofu-based dishes, such as fried stinky tofu, stinky tofu skewers, charcoal-grilled tofu ice cream, sesame tofu ice cream, milky tofu pudding and much more. The local tofu menu is full of dishes that will satisfy all who visit.In addition to its famous tofu, Shenkeng’s specialties include Wenshan Baozhong tea, green bamboo shoots, and black pork, which together with the tofu are known as the “Four Jewels of Shenkeng” and should not be missed. Additionally, the architecture in Shenkeng is also very interesting, and includes the magnificent baroque red-brick De Xing Building, and the Anxi-style three-in-one residence, the Eternal Peace Building, both of which are masterpieces of Taiwanese architecture.After trying the four jewels of Shenkeng, you can walk onto the Paozilun Trail and enjoy the purity of the mountains and see the water from which residents make their delicious tofu. The Paozilun Trail is one of the trails of New Taipei’s Smiling Mountain Line, and is a popular hiking trail in Shenkeng which connects the Shenkeng Paozilun area with the Caonan area in Taipei’s Muzha District. On the trail, you can find several ancient clay and stone alleyways, and the rustic scenery of paddy fields and tea plantations makes people forget the city noise. Then, when they get to the top, they can enjoy the view, looking out on Muzha District, the Maokong gondola, and Taipei 101.In addition to the hiking trails, Shenkeng’s lust mountains and forests, with streams of all sizes are a place of natural beauty. Among them, one of the most famous is the Paozilun Waterfall; when the water flows heavily, it streams down in four columns, which earned it the name “Four Dragons Waterfall.” The pavilion next to the waterfall is decorated with tables and chairs, where people can make tea and enjoy the waterfall, similar to what the merchants of Shenkeng did a hundred years ago.