New Taipei City Travel

As the spring transits to summer in May, the hilly regions around Tucheng in New Taipei City are adorned with snowy white tung blossoms. These pristine blossoms transform the verdant hilltops into a snowy spectacle. The fragrant tung flowers gently fall from the branches in the spring breeze, creating a picturesque scene reminiscent of snowfall. After tung trees were introduced from southern China during the Japanese domination period, they were extensively planted in low-altitude mountainous areas in central and northern Taiwan. Tung trees were once important economic crops for the Hakka people and were used to produce paints, and furniture in the early days. The New Taipei City Hakka Tung Blossom Festival takes place in April and May each year. We invite everyone to hike though the mountains, and explore the nearby century-old railway station!The century-old railway station of ShulinIn this era of pursuing efficiency, people try to minimize the time it takes to get from point A to point B. As we often rush towards our destinations at high speed, we often neglect the scenery along the way. As the holidays approach, let's take a break from your usual rush and explore train stations that you have often heard about from the radio during your commute, but never had the chance to visit! Situated between Shulin and Yingge, Shanjia Railway Station was established in 1903 and is now over 120 years old. Originally named the “Sanzijiao Parking Space”, Shanjia Railway Station once bore the heavy responsibility of transporting coal. You can still find remnants of past mining around the station, such as Dafeng Coal Mine No. 1 Pit and Dafeng Coal Mine No. 2 Pit, offering a glimpse into the coal mining history of the Shulin area.Recognized as a designated historical site by New Taipei City, the second-generation Shanjia Railway Station, constructed with bricks, represents a fusion of Western and Japanese architectural styles. It preserves the classic and elegant appearance of buildings from the Japanese domination period and still stands adjacent to the third-generation Shanjia Railway Station, creating a unique juxtaposition of old and new. Shanjia Railway Station is the only remaining station built during the Japanese domination period along the Taiwan Railways Administration (hereinafter referred to as the TRA) corridor between Qidu and Hsinchu; and is a must-visit attraction for railway enthusiasts. The indoor space of the Station exhibits a replica miniature model of Shanjia Railway Station made from recycled materials, the TRA's passenger timetables from Taiwan's Early Restoration, and railway tourism brochures from the Japanese domination period, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.While strolling along Shanjia Street, which runs along the station's edge, you will come across several walls adorned with colorful murals depicting the cultural and scenic elements of Taiwan's old-time landscapes. These include scenes like farm ox carts and traditional barber shops, seamlessly blending with the nostalgia of Taiwan's past. Furthermore, you'll encounter 3D murals featuring dinosaurs, Taiwanese black bears, and other playful and incredibly realistic depictions. The Shanjia Railway Scenic Park was constructed by the local residents to revitalize the vacant land along the railway. In 2017, the local authorities even stationed a 35H1304 black coal hopper car and DL1044 shifting machine to preserve the historical memories of Shanjia.Relish the tung flowers in the mountainous area of TuchengCrossing over the Dahan River, you'll find yourself in Tucheng District on the southern bank. The slopes of Tianshangshan (Tianshan Mountain), often referred to as the first peak, are covered in full bloom tung blossoms. These blossoms grace the entire mountainous region with swathes of snowy white, forming a captivating sight when viewed from afar. It stands as one of the prime locations in New Taipei City to savor the beauty of tung blossoms. The Tung Blossom Park on the mountain is even the primary venue for the annual New Taipei City Hakka Tung Blossom Festival. To savor the beauty of tung flowers, you can drive to the Park's first and second parking lots; or hike from Chengtian Temple to the Tung Blossom Park for exercise and photography.🚌Public Transportation Guide: Take the MRT to Yongning Station, then transfer to Bus Blue 43 Extended Line (Nantianmu) or Blue 44 Extended Line. Get off at the “Trailhead” stop, where you'll find the Tung Blossom Park archway. Your mountain hike begins here.The Chengtian Temple Trail is also known as the Chaoshan Trail, Nantianmu Trail, or Master Guang Qin Trail. Chengtian Temple was established by Master Guang Qin, a renowned Buddhist monk. This trail that leads to the Temple was paved with rough stones in the 1960s. Situated within a lush forest, the Trail is adorned with more than 40 stone tablets and stone pillars inscribed with the names of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The sides of the trail are lush with greenery, creating a serene and tranquil ambiance. Along the trail, you can also come across devoted pilgrims offering their prayers.There are also numerous tung trees along the Chengtian Temple Trail, creating a tranquil atmosphere as you hike toward the solemn Chengtian Temple. This is also a scenic spot for savoring the beauty of mountain tung flowers from a commanding height, allowing you to enjoy picturesque views of the Greater Taipei Basin and Guanyinshan (Guanyin Mountain).The Firefly Viewing Trail between Chengtian Temple and Tung Blossom Park is approximately 600 m long. This stone-paved trail is constructed with beautiful patterned stones. As you walk along the Firefly Viewing Trail, you can enjoy the sight of butterflies dancing in the melodic sounds of flowing water and the chorus of insects and birds, creating a natural symphony. Due to the successful ecological restoration in recent years, the fireflies sparkle like stars in the night sky after dark.Over the years, Tung Blossom Park has served as the primary venue for the annual New Taipei City Hakka Tung Blossom Festival. The Park is planted with nearly a hundred tung trees. Each year, during the blooming season of the tung trees in April and May, the entire park, including the mud-covered ground, stairs, plant leaves, and wooden platforms, is blanketed with snowy white tung blossoms, making it a sacred place for enjoying tung blossoms in New Taipei City. The Tung Blossom Park is designed with an outdoor performance area and a viewing platform; a tea brewing platform for taking a rest; an observation platform that offers views of the urban area of Tucheng; and several leisure pavilions. It also features an exciting and fun suspension bridge, allowing visitors to traverse the dense forest on a rope less than 20 cm wide.Strolling along the park trail to savor the snowy beauty of tung blossoms, gazing into the distance to witness their graceful descent from treetops, collecting fallen tung blossom petals to create meaningful words or hearts, and capturing a selfie with tung blossoms in hand - all of these experiences offer a temporary escape from the hustle and bustle, allowing you to immerse yourself in the tranquil early summer forest scenery.

On a summer morning, before the sun shines, go to the Shuangxi Lotus Garden to enjoy the flowers. The peach-pink lotus flowers peek out from the dense lotus leaves. Brush shoulders with children playing on the ridges beside the pond. One is looking for the best spot to enjoy the flowers, while another is looking for the crystal water drops sliding down the edges of the leaves, so the kid scoops up handfuls of water repeatedly from the pond and splashes it on the lotus fields, washing away the summer heat at the same time. After capturing all the ideal angles in the camera, there is also the farmer's market at the entrance of the garden and the handmade DIY series of lotus seasons, which are bustling with people and very lively.Then, go to the Ruanqiaoduan Water Park to play in the water and take a walk. When hungry, have a good meal at the nearby Shuangxi Old Street and stroll through the old town to feel the tranquility of the years. After a full stomach, look at the Chinese architectural aesthetics of the Lian Juren Historic House and the Zhuang Gong-Sheng Ancient House. The simple and charming inscriptions and carvings give a glimpse of the time's cultural status and social expectations.▲ About 30% of the flowers bloom in mid-June, and many lotus flowers are still in the bud. The flower season will last until August.The largest lotus field in New Taipei City is where to seize the limited beauty in summer.While driving on the Shuanggan Highway, flower fields are on both sides. The largest lotus garden field in New Taipei City is in Shuangxi. Shuangxi Lotus Garden has promoted friendly farming for more than ten years, with a scale of 7.5 hectares. Besides the two significant representatives of water lily fields, lotus, and water lily, the garden also planted various varieties such as Oga lotus, peony lotus, perfume lotus, Victoria regia, and louver lotus. The limited seasonal beauty kicked off in June and continued to bloom until August. ▲ DIY coin purse of silk printing involves smearing the pigment on the silk board and scraping the pigment evenly from top to bottom with a scraper.The "Shuangxi Lotus Season" officially opens in mid-June. The pond is full of flower buds, making people look forward to the scene of full bloom in midsummer. The organizer has prepared a series of handmade DIY activities to match the flower season, from making palace-style lotus pastry and experiencing silk printing of coin purses to creating lotus-shaped light soil pots. Many parents accompanied their children to participate. Walking along the farmer's market corridor with their finished works, they can't help but hold tofu pudding in one hand and honey water in the other, trying their best to resist the arrival of the hot summer. Organic fruits and vegetables, eggs, and pickled vegetables from local small farmers filled the stalls. In the hustle and bustle of chatting and selling goods, experience the gentleness and kindness of the Shuangxi people in such a leisurely life.▲ The entrance to the Ruanqiaoduan Water Park is on the side of the road. We recommend parking cars and then walking here.The clear and transparent secret water play spot relieves summer heat.Using ecological methods to build the Ruanqiaoduan Water Park, its entrance is next to the Pinglin section of the Jifu Highway. Walk down the stone steps, the view suddenly opens, and the green lawn appears. At the end of the lawn are stairs for easy entry into the water. The closure of Pinglin River banned fishing successfully, so now the water is clear, and you can see the bottom. There are also schools where fish can swim leisurely, including Taiwan shoveljaw carp and Taiwan torrent carp. This place has become a good place for the whole family to play in the water and have picnics.When playing in the water, be aware of the impact of chemical sunscreen on the aquatic environment, as it may cause ecological accumulation and even affect the endocrine system of marine organisms. When contacting natural waters in the hot summer, choose ocean-friendly sunscreen, or enjoy the sun!▲ At the end of the lawn are stone steps leading to the stream. The stream is shallow, and many fish swim leisurely in it.Stroll through the tranquil Shuangxi Old Street to explore the ruins and enjoy delicious food.After playing in the water and feeling hungry, why not go to the nearby Shuangxi Old Street to search for food? Unlike the noise of Shenkeng Old Street and Pingxi Old Street, the atmosphere of Shuangxi Old Street adds a sense of peaceful life to the old city area. Strolling through it, run against a century-old blacksmith shop made of red bricks at the corner and a two-story Western-style building Chinese medicine shop with the sign "Lin-Yi-He Pharmacy" hanging on it. Looking at the exterior of the building, it seemed like time had passed, but only by delving into it did you realize that everything was still steadily rotating.▲ The century-old blacksmith shop has witnessed Taiwan's development history from an agricultural society.Shuangxi Public Market gathers many people, and hidden delicacies are all around, whether it is the Caozaiguo with a chewy skin and a grassy aroma, filled with shredded radish, or the traditional shaved ice with dozens of ingredients to choose from. Although it lacks exquisite decoration, the market's delicious food still has a down-to-earth charm that makes residents and tourists visit repeatedly.▲ At the end of Changan Old Street is Shuangxi Old Ferry Dock, where the Pinglin and Mudan rivers also meet.At the end of Changan Old Street is the remains of Shuangxi Ferry Deck, which was the traffic hub of the Tamsui-Kavalan Historical and Cultural Trails during the Qing Dynasty, creating a prosperous period for Shuangxi Town. Changan Street was full of rice shops, cloth shops, inns, and Chinese medicine shops during its heyday.▲The words "Chuzhong (transferring filial piety towards parents)" and "Riuxiao (to show loyalty to the country)" are engraved on the left and right doors of the "Lian Juren Historic House."The ancient house tour is to explore the Shuangxi from a century-old mansion.There is also a century-old house called "Lian Juren Historic House" near the ferry dock. A large plaque with the words "Wenkui" is hung on the main hall door. In the past, people would thank their ancestors after achieving fame. At this time, local officials would present plaques to show their appreciation. Hanging plaques can also show the family's status in the imperial examination. In the fifth year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1866 AD), Yuan-Qiao Lian's descendant, Ri-Chun Lian, went to Fuzhou to take the provincial examination and passed the Bingzi imperial examination. He was the first imperial examination in Shuangxi District, so his house was honored as "Juren House." This "Wenkui" plaque was erected by Ri-Chang Ding, Fujian's governor, in 1876 AD.▲ The walls of the “Zhuang Gong-Sheng Ancient House” contain many meaningful stone carvings, which show the blessings and expectations of the ancestors.In the 34th of the Meiji era (1901), Ting-Can Zhuang went to Zhangzhou Prefecture in Fujian Province to participate in the Qing Dynasty's imperial examination and passed the imperial examination. After returning home, he co-founded the "Mei Zhu Yuan" private school with local Juren, Ri-Chun Lian, to cultivate talents. The locals called Ting-Can Zhuang's ancestral home the "Zhuang Gong-Sheng Ancient House." Mountains back the Zhuang's ancient house and face water in three courtyards in Fujian style architecture. It has circular stone windows with bamboo window frames on both sides and bats surrounding them, full of blessings, noble character, and unquestionable integrity.▲ The stone windows of the "Zhuang Gong-Sheng Ancient House," with bamboo window frames and bats surrounding them, are full of blessings, noble character, and unquestionable integrity.These century-old houses are still in their original stone appearance and are generally well preserved. Visitors can still see the intricate carvings under the traces of time. Through explanations from later generations, people can get a glimpse of Shuangxi's prosperous past. Time has preserved the stories of the old streets and houses waiting for visitors to explore one by one on foot.