New Taipei City Travel

In the city, people are rushing around for work every day. The pace of life is so fast that it is impossible to relax. After getting off work, the advertisements on the street and various notifications on the mobile phone are holding our eyeballs hostage. You must feel exhausted from this kind of life. "Sometimes, sometimes" suggests that you should get rid of the stimulus that is imposed on the "window to the soul." Take Danhai Light Rail from Tamsui, ride in the blue train, and feel the blue sky and the sea in the transparent carriage!Stroll through the 4-kilometer-long dreamy cherry blossom tunnel and collect the Jimmy-themed sculptures that are loved by adults and children along the Light Rail. Visit the century-old Sanheyuan, Gongsitian River Cheng's Ancient House. Cycle back to Tamsui Old Street along the Tamsui Golden Coast Cycling Route in the evening, accompanied by the golden sunset. This will be a trip where you can't help but keep pressing the shutter!Sometimes, sometimes: Jimmy's public art along Danhai Light RailDanhai Light Rail is the second light rail system in Taiwan and an important outbound transportation system for Danhai New Town. During the design phase, Danhai Light Rail collaborated with the well-known illustrator/author Jimmy, who, under the theme of "Sometimes, sometimes," created public artworks at eleven MRT stations of the Green Mountain Line. If you observe carefully, the chairs in the waiting area, card sensors, and sculptures in the station all got the hidden ingenuity of Jimmy. The sense of fantasy and healing in Jimmy's illustrations jumped from paper into the reality. Listen carefully - the music that goes on when the Light Rail train enters the station was also specifically chosen to match the atmosphere.The mambo of blossoms: Huwei Cherry Blossom Avenue and Beitouzi Creek Cherry Blossom Trail"The train is arriving at, Danjin Denggong Station." Looking towards the right, the cherry blossom tunnel will be right in front of your eyes! Huwei Cherry Blossom Avenue is named after the ancient name of Tamsui, Huwei. The 4-kilometer-long Huwei Cherry Blossom Avenue is full of Yoshino cherry blossoms and Taiwan cherry blossoms. You can overlook Datun Mountains from here too. It is the longest cherry blossom trail in the world.Beitouzi Creek Cherry Blossom Trail next to Danjin Beixin Station is 3.5 kilometers in length. More than 100 Yoshino cherry trees are planted along the trail. During the blooming season, both sides of the trail are covered by pink cherry blossoms. Many visitors are brought here by the beautiful scenery. It is a tranquil garden in Danhai New Town.The ding-ding-dong commuter train: Gongsitian River Cheng's Ancient House Danhai Light Rail changes from an elevated section to a road-level section after passing Tamsui District Office Station. The ding-ding-dong sounds became a part of the soundscape of this location, warning road users that the Light Rail train is about to pass. Around Binhai Shalun Station, where the line splits into the Green Mountain Line and the Blue Coast Line, there is a hidden century-old ancient house that has witnessed the past of Danhai area.Cheng's Ancient House was built during the Guangxu period of Qing Dynasty. It is the first traditional residential house in Tamsui District to be designated as a historic building. The structure is of a typical Sanheyuan, surrounded by bamboo reed and ditches, showcasing the beauty of Minnan architecture in early Tamsui. The roof ridge is of the "golden mabei" format, and the side wall is made of andesite. There is even an embrasure in the design for resisting thieves! This place was also an ancient battlefield of the Sino-French War in 1884. During the Battle of Huwei, Qing army deployed troops near the ancient house and successfully fended off the attack of the French army.Never-ending wishes: Tamsui Fisherman's WharfFisherman's Wharf Station, the terminus of the Blue Coast Line, is the top spot in northern Taiwan for enjoying the sunset. Lover's Bridge during the magic hour is particularly stunning. You can close your eyes and try using the other senses to feel the moment. The temperature would become more pleasant around this time. Ride a YouBike along the Golden Coast to Tamsui MRT Station. Gaze at Guanyin Mountain on the other side of Tamsui River and Danjiang Bridge that is currently under construction. From here, you can draw the perfect ending to the trip and be on the way home with great satisfaction.

Taiwan’s Xindian Bitan Scenic Area was already popular during the Japanese colonial period. In 1927, Taiwan Daily News launched a poll of “Eight Scenic Views of Taiwan” for all readers, which was the craziest readers’ poll in Taiwan’s history. Eventually, readers selected eight scenic views, twelve attractions, and two special spots, which included Xindian Bitan. Therefore, it can be seen as one of the leading scenic areas in Northern Taiwan. In recent years, the popularity of hiking in Taiwan has grown, and Bitan, with Hemei Mountain on its left and Shitou Mountain on its right, has become a good choice for urban residents to get closer to the mountains.If you arrive at Xindian Station by taking the MRT Songshan-Xindian line, the Shitou Mountain hiking trail is located beside Neng Ren Home Economic and Commercial Vocational High School, the school which is on the east side of the MRT station. The shape of the mountain resembles a small lion crouching beside Bitan, so it is also called the “Little Lion Mountain.” The hiking trail leads to various directions, and it is part of the “Smile Mountain Line” of New Taipei City, with 3 peaks and 11 pavilions in the whole region. When tourists arrive at the Neng Ren observation deck, they can see the traffic artery of Southern Taipei — National Freeway 3. In addition, it is also the place where many photographers take pictures of traffic light trails.The Bitan Suspension Bridge connects not only the left and right banks of Xindian River but also Shitou Mountain and Hemei Mountain. The Bitan Suspension Bridge, completed and opened in 1937, is a landmark bridge for tourism in Xindian, and even the concept of the emblem of the Xindian District Office is based on its design. This 30-meter-high and 200-meter-long bridge is a popular choice for dating couples, and carries different ups and downs from many people. Nowadays in Bitan, there are three bridges, including the Bitan Suspension Bridge, the Bitan Bridge, and the Formosa Freeway Bitan Bridge, forming a characteristic landscape similar to the three generations of a family.After crossing the Bitan Suspension Bridge, people can enter Hemei Mountain on the left side. The curious rocks on the mountain wall facing Bitan are magnificent, so it is also called the “Little Red Cliff.” The Hemei Mountain, which is only 153 meters high, has hiking trails suitable for all ages, and the route is divided into the blue waterfront line and the green mountain line. When people reach the top of the mountain, the Shitou Mountain, Nangang Mountain, and Taipei 101 will all come into view on the east side.In April and May every year, there will be a unique dance of shimmering lights that only exists in mountains and forests at night in Hemei Mountain. The mountain has become a well-known firefly habitat in recent years due to its favorable ecological environment. The Taiwan Nature Science Association holds a firefly ecology tour every year by leading the public into Hemei Mountain to visit the beautiful scenery of flying fireflies. When visiting fireflies, one must remember to follow the following four principles: Do not capture, do not interfere, do not turn on flashlights, and do not leave the trail. Please enjoy the river of fireflies in the mountain quietly.The Xindian Ferry on the south side of the Hemei Mountain hiking trail is the last ferry in Bitan. Before the Bitan Suspension Bridge opened, the residents of Xindian River relied on the ferry to travel between the two sides of the river. In its heyday, there were nine ferries. However, the function of the ferry has been gradually replaced as the construction of land transportation methods improved. Today, the ferry from Wantan to Xindian Street, where boatmen carry passengers and shuttle leisurely on the Bitan River, is the only one that remains. After the trip to Hemei Mountain, you can take a human-powered boat, enjoy the beautiful scenery of Bitan from the lake, listen to stories of ancient times, and return to Xindian Street through by water.After climbing two mountains and crossing Bitan by land or water, it is time to treat yourself. The Xindian Old Street with many traditional snacks and the Bitan shopping district with various exotic cuisines are both popular areas for dining. After a good meal, you can stroll along the river bank, enjoy the gorgeous lights reflected on the river, and enjoy a romantic night.