New Taipei City Travel

On wet and cold winter days when you even shiver while sleeping, do you just want to snuggle up in the comforter? The idea of “it would be so nice to soak in hot springs” will inevitably come to your mind on cold days. Actions speak louder than words. Now pluck up your courage to step outside and drive to Taiwan’s Northern Coast to soak in hot springs! When you soak in mist-covered hot springs, warmth spreads throughout your whole body, which helps blood vessels dilate, boost the circulation of blood, and get rid of wetness and coldness in the body.Jinshan at Taiwan’s Northern Coast possesses rich geothermal resources and gorgeous coastal capes. You walk along the Lion’s Head Mountain trail to the high point of Jinshan Cape to admire vast ocean views and Twin Candlestick Islets. Then you return to Zhongshan Hot Spring Park from the majestic, mysterious coast to pamper your feet with the golden hot spring. Next, you can visit Jinbaoli Old Street to enjoy seafood and local delicacies!Before soaking in Jinshan hot spring, how can you miss the beautiful scenery of Jinshan? After you park your car in the brand-new Jinshan parking tower, bundle yourself up and walk along the Lion’s Head Mountain trail toward the point where the land meets the sea. The trail is easy to walk. It takes only 35 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the high point. The Lion’s Head Mountain trail used to be the military control zone, so it was not accessible to the public. However, it has preserved the native ecosystem of the coastline. As there is a forest along the trail, the ecosystem is not easily affected by the sea wind. You can even see deserted barracks, lookouts and other military ruins. Upon arriving at Zhongzheng Pavilion, you can enjoy the spacious view surrounded by waters on three sides: Yeliu Cape and Keelung Islet to your east, and Huanggang to your west.Twin Candlestick Islets standing in the center of the sea in front of you are formed by two giant connecting sea stacks. They look like a pair of candlesticks standing still in the sea in despite of surging waves. The unique scenery has become the symbol of Jinshan District Office. Twin Candlestick Islets used to be at the tip of Jinshan Cape, but they have turned into islets in the sea due to plate movement and coastal erosion. A circular frame has been set up next to Zhongzheng Pavilion, and it is the best location to check in!Going back to the trail from Zhongzhang Pavilion, we descend as sea level gradually drops. What welcome us are the sea stretching to the horizon and wave-cut platforms. This is the east coast of Jinshan Cape, which is also known as the Mysterious Coast. You can feel the surging sea within a short distance as waves crash against jagged rocks that extend hundreds of meters.👉The road condition of the Mysterious Coast is easily affected by tides. Therefore, if waves are strong, it is recommended that you return and stay on Lion’s Head Mountain trail for the sake of your safety. Let’s soak in the hot spring at once after feasting our eyes on beautiful scenery. Walking along the Mysterious Coast, we arrive at Zhongshan Hot Spring Park after passing by Shuiwei Fishing Port. The park that is adjacent to Jinshan Old Street is now open to the public again after four years of renovation. The park has foot-soaking pools, a landscape waterway, landscape pool, banyan tree square and other facilities. It is a new hot spot of Route 2 Taiwan in New Taipei City.Jinshan is Taiwan’s northernmost hot spring area, and it belongs to the geothermal area of Datun Mountain. It has been a well-known hot spring resort since Japanese Colonial Period. The hot spring in Zhongshan Hot Spring Park has won the name of “golden hot spring” because it is rich in iron, and it turns golden brown after it contacts air. There are two foot-soaking pools in Zhongshan Hot Spring Park. The temperature in one pool is between 35 and 38 degrees Celsius, and the other is between 40 and 42 degrees Celsius. You can choose the foot-soaking pool based on your needs to relieve the fatigue of your feet with the golden hot spring.👉The foot-soaking pools are open until 5PM every day. Please clean your feet at the foot washing station before getting into the pool.Many Taiwan cherry blossoms have been planted on both sides of the landscape waterway at Zhongshan Hot Spring Park. They bloom in the park between January and March during the lunar new year to add color to monotonous winter. You can come to the hot spring park to admire gorgeous cherry blossoms in full bloom while soaking your feet in the hot spring leisurely.Of course, you do not enjoy yourself to the full if you just soak your feet in the hot spring. Jinshan District has many public bathrooms, private hot spring rooms and hot spring hotels for you to choose from. Jinshan hot spring is unique because it is located right by the sea. Therefore, it has four different kinds of hot springs, sulphur springs, sea sand springs, carbonic acid springs and iron springs. You can choose a private hot spring room that meets your need to help hot springs get rid of coldness in winter, stretching your body and cleansing your mind.After soaking in the hot spring, you might as well enjoy delicious food on Jinshan Old Street. Being called Jinbaoli Old Street in the past, Jinshan Old Street has over three hundred years of history, and it is the largest old street at Taiwan’s Northern Coast. Rich local atmosphere has been preserved. You can see vendors selling the agricultural products of Jinshan, such as red yam and tiaoshi taro. Restaurants on the street serve dishes, such as crab porridge, taro balls and honey yam, with local agricultural products. Have a bowl of seafood porridge and enjoy sweet potato balls to warm your stomach and heart.

The Ankeng Light Rail traveling between the riverside and the mountain town can be connected to the Xindian River Cycling Route and Bitan Scenic Area. Explore both banks of the Xindian River, visit the springtime-exclusive fireflies of Hemeishan (Hemei Mountain), and enjoy the Bitan Water Show during an in-depth journey. Make the most of various transportation options such as the Ankeng Light Rail, the public bicycle system (PBS), and man-powered ferries to explore both sides of the Xindian River!Starting from Shisizhang Station, this is the intersection of the Ankeng Light Rail and the MRT Circular Line. The Ankeng Light Rail has 9 light rail stations, and the entire system is located in Xindian District. The Ankeng Light Rail has collaborated with several artists to create various public artworks at light rail stations to showcase the abundant mountain and forest ecology of the Ankeng area.Walking on the connecting pathway of Shisizhang Station, you can see numerous butterflies dancing along the corridor. By scanning the QR code with your mobile phone, you can delve into a deeper understanding of common butterflies in Taiwan.The platform space of the light rail Shisizhang Station is adorned with the public art “The Fireflies’ Way Home”, which is composed of thousands of micro power generators emitting dot-like blue and green lights to simulate flying fireflies, guiding people into the mountainous wilderness of Ankeng area.Step into the gleaming golden-painted light rail train and enjoy the scenery through panoramic windows. Disembark at K07 Sunshine Sports Park Station, hop on a public bicycle to reach the riverside of the Xindian River, where you'll find the expansive 20-hectare Sunshine Sports Park.The Park features a roller-skating track, a 400-meter running track, a beach volleyball court, a soccer field, and an inclusive, all-age, and land-water-air versatile children's playground, making it the top leisure choice on the left bank of the Xindian River.The Yangguang Bridge (literally refers to the Sunshine Bridge) of Xidian River, which is located behind the Sports Park, features a bridge deck supported by steel cables resembling musical strings and five graceful arches. Its elegant, curved structure makes the Yangguang Bridge one of the most beautiful bridges in the Xidian River Watershed.As a connecting bridge exclusively for pedestrians and bicycles, Yangguang Bridge connects both banks of the Xindian River. Cyclists can lead their bikes across Yangguang Bridge and access the cycling route on the right bank of the Xindian River.The Xindian River Cycling Route is one of the top six riverside cycling routes in New Taipei City. Riding upstream towards Bitan, you will enjoy lush greenery along the way, making for a very pleasant journey.On clear days, you can even see the layered mountain ranges of Xindian and Wulai. After traveling approximately 4 kilometers, you will arrive at the Xidian Ferry Terminal located on the south bank of Bitan.The exclusive provider of man-powered ferries in Taiwan: Xidian Ferry Terminal. Man-powered ferries are a well-kept secret of unique transportation in Bitan. In the past, they were the primary mode of travel between Xindian Shopping Street and destinations like Wantan, Zhitan, and Tutan!The ferry terminal began operating as early as 1881. During its heyday, there were nine ferry terminals along the middle stream of the Xindian River. Crossing Bitan on a ferry allows you to not only appreciate the serenity and history, but also savor the joy of traveling by water along the riverbank.By taking a man-powered ferry to the west bank of Bitan, you can access the ecologically rich Hemeishan Trail. The Hemeishan Trail is divided into the waterside Green Trail and the mountainous Blue Trail, both of which feature stone steps or wooden boardwalks throughout.After reaching the 153-meter-high summit of Hemeishan, you can enjoy panoramic views of Bitan's waterfront and suspension bridge, with Nanganbshan (Nangang Mountain) and Taipei 101 clearly visible in the distance. When you turn around, you'll spot Qingtan on Xidian Beiyi Road and Xinwu Road. If you wait until after sunset, you can also experience the enchanting sight of fireflies twinkling in the forest.👉It is recommended to use mosquito repellent as mosquitoes are more active in the forest in the evening.The Hemeishan Trail features rich biodiversity, with hundreds of species of flora and fauna living in its forest, creating a natural ecological paradise. The most famous among them are the fireflies. During the firefly breeding season from April to May, countless glowing dots dance in the forest after dark, creating a galaxy-like scenery. This spectacle attracts many urban residents away from city lights to enjoy the beauty of twinkling fireflies.👉The best time to observe fireflies is from sunset to 8 PM. Remember to turn off flashlights to avoid disturbing their reproduction.Leaving the company of fireflies on Hemeishan Trail, you will find yourself on the north bank, where the Bitan Suspension Bridge stands. Built during the Japanese colonial period, the Bitan Suspension Bridge is the most iconic landmark in Xindian. The projection mapping light show of the Bitan Suspension Bridge at night is a beautiful memory of several generations of Xidian residents. Its splendid lights reflected on the river is the classic nighttime scenery of Bitan.碧潭上則有精彩萬分的水舞秀，「2023碧潭水舞」於3月31日盛大登場，一路展演至5月28日止，以雷射作為畫筆、以和美山壁作為畫布，在和美山上勾勒出各種圖案，讓和美山山舞與新店溪水舞互動起舞，使碧潭風景區越夜越美麗。👉碧潭水舞於每晚6點30至8點30分，每半小時演出1次，並在晚上8點45分進行最後一場表演，每晚共6場，將有2首各4分半鐘的精彩曲目交錯演出