New Taipei City Travel

Rumor has it that the name “Canguangliao” (“canguang” means shining light in Chinese) comes from the scenery when mountains, full of yellowish and white silver grass in fall, give spectacular light rays formed under the sun beams, making Canguangliao Historic Trail a “golden shining” scenic route! From Mudan Train station, take a bus to Shisanceng Old Tree Stop and walk for 10 minutes, and you will arrive at “Canguangliao Historic Trail Entrance”. Along the Trail, visitors will pass by the historic site of Jinguashi Water Pumping Station, small waterfalls, historic site of old grocery store, Jinshan Fude Temple, and more, and they will ultimately arrive at Shumeiping Observation Deck. The total distance is nearly 5km with a walking time of approximately 3 hours; the level portions of the Trail are constructed with stairs of relatively lower difficulty level for walking. Moreover, Canguangliao Mountain is the highest amongst Keelung Volcano Group, so visitors can even look over to Taipei City and Northeast Coast when there is nice weather with an expansive view. After exiting the Trail, follow County Route 102 to Jinguashi Geological Park, where was previously Benshan Mine. Visitors here will have the opportunity to observe traces of the most original mining sights. Then continue traveling to the nearby Jinguashi Shinto Shrine, which was built during the period of Japanese rule in response to the mining development. Even though it is all abandoned now, visitors can still have a glimpse of the sacred and solemn ambiance from the remains of the historic site. If you are interested in having more in-depth experiences of Jinguashi’s golden age, you can continue walking down to the Gold Museum, which is a museum campus transformed from the gold mining areas in the old days. Activities here will include learning about the mining history, the gold culture, and experiencing gold panning; spending a whole afternoon here will be no problem at all. At the end of the journey, visitors will connect to Jiufen Old Street, where they are recommended to order a bowl of cold or hot taro balls or to find a tea place and enjoy a cup of good tea, taking some time to savor this “golden” journey as they take a rest.

The summer festival of the Northern Coast: Northern Coast Tide and Fire is held in Zhongjiao Bay and Zhongshan Hot Spring Park in Jinshan District from August to September every year. Combining fire dance, projection mapping art, Starlight Cinema, and BBQ ingredients offered by young farmers, Northern Coast Tide and Fire is the annual event of the Northern Coast, and it has entered its fifth year. Bring your surfing equipment, drive to Jinshan, stare at the beautiful coastline, surf and play in the sea breeze, and enjoy the fire dance performance and light sculpture at night! Besides driving, take the double-decked bus, the Jinbaoli Line. Follow the professional guide and travel around the Northern Coast from a higher perspective to participate in the Tide and Fire event.The first stop was the Huangqing Bridge in the northern suburbs of Jinshan City. The straight and undulating road of the bridge is called "Wave Boulevard" by local people. It is a well-known landmark in Jinshan and one of the critical sections of the New Taipei City WJS Marathon. The Qingshui wetland next to the bridge and the entire lotus pond are the most beautiful scenery here and the homeland of many birds.Drive along Route 2 Taiwan towards Shimen, and the 10-kilometer-long Tiaoshi Coast will open on the right. Covered with volcanic rocks, this section of the coastline fell after the eruption of Datun Mountain. The round gravel coast was created after tens of thousands of years of accumulation and erosion by sea wind. Stop at any parking area on the Tiaoshi Coast to enjoy leisurely watching the sea.In the afternoon, arrive at Jinshan Zhongjiao Bay, the main venue of Tide and Fire. Zhongjiao Bay, with its concave sandy shore, is a great surfing spot in northern Taiwan, with waves after waves under the monsoon. Zhongjiao Bay has complete hardware facilities such as the International Surfing Center and the New Taipei City Surfing Sports Educational Park, and there are also several sea-view restaurants around it.Come to the famous scenic restaurant "Quiet B. Days" in Zhongjiao Bay. While enjoying the food, look around, and you will see ocean posters from around the world hanging on the walls. The refreshing blue color is full of a summer atmosphere, and the camping-style decoration inside the restaurant makes people feel more relaxed.Ride the wind and waves to embrace the ocean! Under the guidance of the surfing coach, put on surfing clothes, pick up the surfboard, walk out of the restaurant, step into the waves of Zhongjiao Bay, and experience the delightful and freedom of surfing.2024 Glistening at Northern Coast Night -- Northern Coast Tide and FireLight up Route 2 Taiwan with the fire of art as night falls. 2024 Northern Coast Tide and Fire is held at Zhongjiao Bay and Zhongshan Hot Spring Park. With "born in the same root" as the core concept of the exhibition, the organizer sets up art installations in both places and creates a light environment. The lights are on from 17:00 to 21:00 every day.The highlight of Tide and Fire - Fire Dance Performance will be on August 9 (Friday), August 10 (Saturday), August 17 (Saturday), August 24 (Saturday), and September 1 (Sunday) to perform. The internationally renowned Coming True Fire Group will bring the "Flame Tide Dance: Shine Golden Shore" program, according to the image of the red spider lily. On the beach of Zhongjiao Bay, with dazzling colorful flames, the story of the red spider lily blooming for a thousand years and falling for a thousand years is transformed into a visual feast to illuminate the Northern Coast and shine in Taiwan.Jinshan's unique sulfuric fire fishing boat also echoed the fire dance performance on the sea. Fishers led mud carp using their phototaxis with torches, which shows Jinshan's traditional fishing method. It allowed tourists to appreciate the charm of "Huanggang Fishing Fire," one of Jinshan's eight scenic spots. After the fire dance performance, there was also a Qingnong Fire BBQ party, where people enjoyed the delicious taste of BBQ made with organic ingredients from New Taipei's young farmers.Zhongshan Hot Spring Park, one of the two venues, exhibited artworks such as "Recreating Jinbaoli Cihu Temple" and "Sweet Potatoes," presenting the local cultural landscape of Jinshan with light and shadow and creating a light environment that echoes the works. It also launched the "Midsummer · Starlight Cinema" every Saturday and Sunday, where people can watch movies under the starry sky on summer nights.The Double-Decked Bus, Jinbaoli LineThe Double-Decked Bus, Jinbaoli Line, provides another option for traveling to participate in the Northern Coast Tide and Fire event. Departing from Taipei Main Station, sit in the open-top seating area on the 2nd floor, enjoy the Northern Coast from a superior perspective, and tour the rural and coastal scenery of Route 2 Taiwan. Under the guidance of a professional tour guide, appreciate the stories of the Venus Coast, the Huangqing Bridge, the Shimen Coral Shell Museum, and the Fugui Cape Post House, and enjoy the fire dance show at Zhongjiao Bay at night!