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.

Traditional long street houses can still be seen here, each house mainly in the form of the classic two-storey building, where the ground floor generally has a variety of stores. Some are even Japanese Ruling Era style fabric stores and dessert ice stores. Each alley can see trains passing by, the most distinguishing characteristic of Pingxi Old Street. Pingxi Old Street is filled with a classic Japanese atmosphere, and the Chinese and English road signs are also have Japanese characters, making one feel as if they were in Japan. You can explore the area to find the architectures filled with most human touch and ancient ambience amongst the old street and alleys. You can also wander freely to watch the trains passing by the bridge above your head, or take a break at nearby B&B before renting a bicycle to set out on a leisurely tour. You must further climb up the nearby Xiaozi Mountain (Filial Mountain), as its lush green mountain forest sceneries will certainly add more wonderful memories to your Pingxi tour.