New Taipei City Travel

Temperatures rise and drop, and it is sometimes cloudy, and sometimes sunny. People do not know what to wear for unpredictable weather. However, it signals the full bloom of flowers in spring when the weather constantly changes! Tamsui and Sanzhi at the Northern Coast have gradually said goodbye to rainy winter to welcome pink cherry blossoms that come into blossom. You can admire Yoshino cherry blossoms that bloom after Taiwan cherry blossoms in Tianyuan Temple, a resort for admiring cherry blossoms. They announce the arrival of Spring God with their pinkish white flowers. Cherry blossoms by Maple Tree Lake, Sakura Path and Sanzhi Sansheng Trail awake from the stroke of the spring breeze, blooming under the clear sky.Located at the outskirt of Tamsui, Wuji Tianyuan Temple stands on the hill to the northwest of Datun Mountain. The magnificent temple faces the sea with the mountain in the back. Founded in 1972, the temple enshrines Jade Emperor. In 1992, the temple extended and constructed Zhenyuan Altar in the back mountain. The five-story sacred altar is 200 meters tall with a diameter of 108 meters. The grand and majestic architecture is the most well-known landmark on the hill of Tamsui. Undoubtedly, its gorgeous forest of cherry blossoms has made the temple even more famous. Cherry blossom trees that were planted when the temple was first founded have made it a much anticipated spot for admiring cherry blossoms in New Taipei City today thanks to temple workers who take good care of these trees.Cherry blossoms are grown in two areas at Tianyuan Temple. Taiwan cherry blossoms grown in the back mountain are pink, white and peach. They are usually in full bloom from late January to late February. Cherry blossoms grown around the altar are Yoshino cherry blossoms, and they are in full blossom around mid-March and late March. Cherry blossoms bloom all over the mountain set off the magnificent altar of Tianyuan Temple. The unique and elegant scenery has made the temple a beloved spot for photographers. They can take photos from diverse angles as the altar has been built on a slope.🌸Due to climate, the time for cherry blossoms to be in full bloom varies. You may check the latest flowering information on the websites of https://cpqweb.com/ntpciflower/and https://www.facebook.com/ntpcflowernews/?locale=zh_TW for more information.After admiring the beauty of the architecture of Tianyuan Temple and cherry blossoms, we come to Maple Tree Lake which is only five minutes away from the temple by car. Located inside Yangmingshan National Park, the lake which is surrounded by mountains on its three sides possesses the dreamlike scenes of Magnolia grandiflora, camellias and cherry blossoms. Maple Tree Lake has the largest forest of Magnolia grandiflora in Taiwan. Purple and pinkish white Magnolia grandiflora are planted by the lake. They are called “lotuses growing in the trees,” and are respected and loved by Buddhists. Moreover, they are important drug ingredients and spices. They are ornamental plants, and they provide benefits to humans as well.🌸The flowering season of Magnolia grandiflora is between early February and mid-March every year.16,000 cherry blossom trees were planted on Qingshan Road and Dahu Road successively nearly three decades ago in Sanzhi that is located right next to Tamsui. They include Taiwan cherry blossoms, double-layer cherry blossoms and Yoshino cherry blossoms, and they bloom in turn between late January and early April. They grow on both sides of the road, so it is called Sakura Path which is a popular spot for admiring cherry blossoms in Sanzhi. Landscape trails and observatories have been built for certain parts of the path. It is breathtaking to stroll on the flower path where the petals of cherry blossoms are flying all around.Sansheng Trail that is built along Dakeng River and paved with andesite is another renowned cherry blossom viewing path in Sanzhi. Over 300 double-layer cherry blossom and Yoshino cherry blossom trees have been planted along the 2-kilometer trail. Sansheng Trail combines “production,” “life” and “ecology.” The fields in farming villages are pleasing to see. You can walk on the wooden arch bridge to listen to the murmuring of the river, admire the falling of petals, and enjoy the happiness that belongs solely to spring.

In 1889, Taiwan's first railway was under construction at full speed between Keelung and Taipei. Railway construction workers discovered glittering gold dust in the river in today's Qidu area of Keelung. Those who are seeking wealth traced the river upstream, and eventually found the outcrop of gold vein in Xiaojingua and Dajingua, which kickstarted the gold mining era of Northern Taiwan. The previously quiet Jinguashi and Jiufen therefore entered their golden years. Until 1987, Taiwan Metal Mining Corporation closed the mining business and drew an end to Jinguashi's hundred-year mining history.Different from the strong commercial vibes of Jiufen, after the mining activities ended, Jinguashi became an isolated and quiet little mountain town. The buildings scattered among the emerald hills, the huge Guangong statue guarding the area, and the occasionally seen hikers in the alleys represent the present life of Jinguashi."Let us never forget." During World War II, Jinguashi was once used as a Japanese war prisoner camp. The locals called it "Dubiziliao," which meant the place where foreign prisoners were held. These prisoners of war in Southeast Asia were from Britain, the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and the Netherlands. During their imprisonment, they mined copper here under poor living conditions. Most of them did not survive the war and died in Jinguashi. In 1997, Taiwan POW Memorial and Peace Park opened to commemorate the war. "Freedom is not free" reminds the world that peace and prosperity are not easy to come by.Qitang Old Street is an important street of Jinguashi. The old street built along the mountain is the main living circle of the miners in the early years. In its most prosperous period, 80,000 gold diggers gathered here! In addition to restaurants and grocery stores, there were entertainment venues such as jewelry shops, pool halls, and bars! During the Japanese Rule period, it was known as the "Jinguashi Ginza." After the gold mining era ended, the number of residents in Jinguashi plummeted to less than 2,000. Today, the once-bustling Qitang Old Street retains a strong nostalgic atmosphere. The renovated rainbow stairs have become a topic in social media, drawing the world's attention to this mining town in the mountains again.Follow the rainbow stairs up to Jinguashi Quanji Temple, also known as Qitang (Qi Hall). The temple has been built for more than 120 years. It is the belief center of Jinguashi, dedicated to worshiping the Holy Emperor Lord Guan. The most treasured object at Quanji Temple is the largest Guan Gong statue in Taiwan that is made of pure copper and 10.6 meters in height. This statue of Guan Gong reading Chunqiu (the Spring and Autumn Annals) and standing majestically at the high point of Jinguashi against the mountains and facing the sea is the most visible landmark of Jinguashi. It is also the patron saint, blessing generations of Jinguashi people.The 260-meter-high Baoshi Mountain is named after the timed horns here during the Japanese Rule period. From the parking lot of Quanji Temple, you can walk up along the hiking trail and reach the viewing platform in 10 minutes. Facing the sea, Yin-Yang Sea and the North Coast are all within your sight. Looking back at the mountains, you can see Teapot Mountain and Liukeng Slope Cableway right in front of your eyes, surrounded by greenery and between mountains and the sea.Teapot Mountain is the backbone of the Jinguashi area, with an elevation of 602 meters. When viewed from the Jinguashi side, the ore rock at the top of the mountain looks like a teapot without a handle, earning it the cute and memorable name of "earless teapot." Teapot Mountain Trail is the most popular hiking trail in Jinguashi. It takes about 30-50 minutes to reach the top of the mountain from the parking lot of Quanji Temple. It is the most beautiful view in Ruifang. With Keelung Mountain right in front of your eyes, the little town of Jinguashi, the winding roads under your feet, and the boundless blue sky and sea, this spectacular scenery can heal you from your stressful daily life."Asia's No. 1 precious metal mine" was the prestige Jinguashi enjoyed in the past. The settlements formed around gold and copper mines in the old days carried the dreams of countless gold diggers. After the demise of the mining industry, what remained unchanged is the beautiful scenery of mountains and seas. They remain the spiritual home of hikers and Jinguashi people.