Exploring New Taipei by Taipei MRT – Zhonghe-Xinlu Line (Luzhou branch)

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Exploring New Taipei by Taipei MRT – Zhonghe-Xinlu Line (Luzhou branch)
Category :
MRT Travel
Travel days :
1 day
適合對象 :
Public

推薦路線

Day
    第一天

      Introduction

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      The Luzhou branch of Zhonghe-Xinlu Line spans across Luzhou and Sanchong Districts. Both districts belonged to Luzhou Township before 1947. Now they are collectively called Sanlu District, surrounded by Erchong Floodway and Tamsui River like an island. There are 12 bridges connecting Taipei City and Wugu-Xinzhuang area. With a vast waterfront area, this location is highly suitable for cycling.

      Luzhou branch of Zhonghe-Xinlu Line is entirely underground. Launched in 2010, this branch has a total of five stations, including Sanchong Elementary School (O50), Sanhe Junier High School (O51), St. lgnatius High School (O52), Sanmin Senior High School (O53), and Luzhou (O54). As a satellite town of Taipei City, the Sanlu area is only separated from Taipei City by a bridge. It is also the district with the highest density of temples in Taiwan. Take the MRT now and visit Sanlu!
      中和新蘆線_蘆洲端

      Luzhou (O54): Breeze Canal
      "Luzhou Fanyue" (paddling under the moonlight at Luzhou) was one of the eight scenes of Tamsui River in Qing Dynasty, capturing the scenery of river and sandy bays around Luzhou in the early days. Although Luzhou has been highly urbanized today, it is still possible to enjoy the mountain and river scenery in the waterfront area. Breeze Canal is located within Erchong Floodway. It is a designated waterway in New Taipei City for hosting international competitions of rowing and canoeing. The annual Dragon Boat competition is also held here! On usual days, the waterway is also open to the public for activities such as windsurfing and kayaking. This location is blessed with the widest view in the Sanlu area, with Guanyin Mountain and Yangmingshan standing on two sides of Tamsui River. The natural scenery here is rare in the city.
      微風運河

      Sanmin Senior High School (O53): Luzhou Li's Residence, Yonglian Temple, Luzhou Temple Street Commercial District
      The historic site of Li's Residence in Luzhou is a cultural landmark in the Luzhou area. In Luzhou, where the population density is as high as 27,000 people per square kilometer, it has not been easy to preserve Li's Residence in its complete, original appearance. Luzhou Li's Residence was built in 1895 with nine halls and sixty rooms. There is a lotus pond in front of the courtyard. It is a grand mansion of a prominent local family. The architecture is of a combined layout of a farmhouse and an official's residence.
      蘆洲李宅古蹟-李友邦將軍紀念館遠景

      The Li family of Luzhou immigrated from Quanzhou, Fujian to Luzhou during the Qianlong period of Qing Dynasty. The third generation of the family after immigrating, Li Shuhua, served as a Confucian School official in Anping and Fengshan counties, which greatly enhanced Luzhou’s scholarly culture. The fifth generation of the family after immigrating, Li Youbang, was a lieutenant general who performed well in the Second Sino-Japanese War who eventually died in the White Terror political oppression. Consequently, General Li Youbang Memorial Hall was set up at Li's Residence in Luzhou, in memory of the modern history of Taiwan.
      蘆洲李宅

      When it comes to the most representative delicacy of Luzhou, it has to be Qiezi noodles (tshı̍k-á-mī in the Taiwanese dialect)! The name, Qiezi, comes from the movement of shaking noodles in a skimmer when the noodles are cooked. It is served with a rich broth made from pork bones and added with leeks and bean sprouts so it is fresh and filling at the same time. Qiezi noodles is a representative noodle dish of northern Taiwan, equally well-known as Danzi noodles from Tainan in southern Taiwan. Qiezi noodles originated from the stalls in front of Yonglian Temple. Today, Luzhou Temple Night Market that developed around Yonglian Temple has become the liveliest commercial district in the area! Qiezi noodles as well as Yonglian Temple are important identities for Luzhou locals!
      湧蓮寺
      蘆洲廟口商圈

      Sanhe Junier High School (O51): Bihua Temple, Bihua Fabric Street
      With great location advantages, Sanchong is only a bridge away from Taipei City. In the era of rapid economic and population growth in Taiwan, a large number of people poured into Sanchong. In the 1970s, the government pushed the "your living room as the workshop" campaign and turned the whole population into a workforce and created economic miracles. The prosperous Sanchong Bihua Fabric Street, in its heyday, was where more than 300 fabric stores gathered in the 1980s. Having witnessed the rise and fall of Taiwan's garment industry, it has now been transformed into a fabric museum. Offering a wide variety of fabrics at affordable prices, it is a favorite of DIY enthusiasts and students! At the end of Fabric Street, you will find the century-old Bihua Temple which used to be dedicated to Sakyamuni, and now has become a temple integrating Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. It is a popular place of worship.
      碧華布街
      碧華寺

      Sanchong Elementary School (O50): Sanhe Night Market
      As it gets dark, you will find yourself at the last stop of Luzhou Branch, Sanchong Elementary School. From here it is an 8-minute walk to Sanhe Night Market, which is the night market frequented by Sanchong locals. There are many stalls that have been around for more than three decades, and the price here is more affortable compared to tourist night markets such as Shilin Night Market. Sesame oil chicken soup, wontons, rice balls, xiaolongbao, milk sticks, ba-wan (Taiwanese meatballs), papaya milk, sweet potato balls, crispy sticks, and green onion cakes are all popular delicacies at Sanhe Night Market.
      三和夜市
      Previous
      Take the MRT to Savor New Taipei’s Michelin Bib Gourmand Delicacies
      The Michelin Guide is the world's premier dining and travel guide. Since its debut in Taiwan in 2018 with the Michelin Guide Taipei, it has significantly boosted the international visibility of Taiwanese cuisine and driven the upgrade of the catering industry. In 2025, New Taipei City was included in the evaluation for the first time, with a total of 15 restaurants receiving the Bib Gourmand recommendation, showcasing the profound strength of New Taipei's local street food. Many award-winning shops are located near popular attractions; use the MRT to connect sights with flavors for a New Taipei food day trip! Image source: Michelin GuideTake the MRT to Xindian Station in the morning; the famous Bitan Scenic Area in Xindian District is located right next to the station. Bitan is situated in the middle reaches of the Xindian River, where the wide waters resemble a sea at the edge of a basin, making one feel relaxed and happy. Walk across the Bitan Suspension Bridge or ride a swan boat to admire the lake and mountain scenery of Bitan from different angles.Superman Sea Bass🚇MRT Xindian District Office StationAfter enjoying Bitan, take the MRT for one stop to Xindian District Office. Superman Sea Bass is located along the bustling Beixin Road. The made-to-order sea bass soup features tender meat and springy skin. The broth is brewed with clams and milkfish, with goji berries and basil added to enhance the aroma and sweetness—fresh, sweet, and stomach-warming! A wide array of side dishes, maltose braised pork knuckles, and braised pork rice are also must-order popular items in the shop. After enjoying the sea bass soup, take the MRT to Dingxi Station. From Exit 1, a half-minute walk brings you to the street with the most authentic "Korean flavor" in all of Taiwan. Yonghe Zhongxing Street is known as "Korean Street" or "Little Korea." In the 1950s, Korean expatriates settled in Yonghe, forming the earliest cluster of Korean goods in Taiwan. The neighborhood features lifestyle Korean language signboards and Korean traditional toy experiences. Shops line both sides, offering everything from instant noodles, seaweed, and ginseng to clothing, cookware, and electric blankets. Song Jhao🚇MRT Dingxi StationSong Jhao's warm and low-key sign is hidden inside the market next to Korean Street. The two-story hipster-style dining space is comfortable and cozy. Since its opening in 2022, it has focused on exquisite Sichuan-style cuisine: the must-order dish is Mouth-Watering Chicken, with tender and fresh meat paired with a secret sauce that is numbing, fragrant, and appetizing; Spicy Braised Pork Rice is another signature dish, with distinct grains of rice drizzled with braised sauce and fatty pork cubes, full of collagen and melting in your mouth. As the lights illuminate and the evening begins, Lehua Night Market gradually becomes lively. Located in the heart of Yonghe, this night market has developed since the 1970s into a large-scale night market covering Yongping Road, Section 1 of Baofu Road, and Lane 18 of Baoping Road, merging with the Dingxi shopping district and Beyond Plaza department store into a vibrant area. A-Pa's Taro Balls🚇MRT Dingxi StationThe popularity king of Lehua Night Market—A-Pa's Taro Balls—is deeply loved by taro enthusiasts. The signature "Taro Meets Mud Sugarcane Flake Ice" uses refreshing and delicate sugarcane flake ice as a base, topped with homemade chewy taro balls, dense and rich taro mash, as well as Job's tears, white jade tangyuan, and pearls. The multi-layered textures and rich flavors bring surprises with every bite. The walls covered with sticky notes add to the youthful and vibrant atmosphere. After exploring Lehua Night Market, take the MRT to Banqiao Station. Centered around the multi-rail Banqiao Station, the Xinban Special District is the largest urban-type shopping district in New Taipei City. Every year on the eve of Christmas, the dazzling "Christmasland in New Taipei City" debuts in the Xinban Special District and Fuzhong Shopping Area. Take beautiful photos in the brilliant light zones, enjoy spectacular light shows, and browse the Christmas market to immerse yourself in the holiday atmosphere. Daonegone Lamb🚇MRT Xinpu Station / Xinpu Minsheng StationLocated on the outskirts of the Xinban Special District, Daonegone Lamb is the top choice for a late-night snack after visiting Christmasland. After ordering and taking a number, wait for the piping hot mutton soup and "black gold" braised pork rice to be served. The angelica broth, simmered all day, exudes a sweet herbal fragrance, paired with Australian mutton to warm and nourish the body. The black gold braised pork rice features springy rice grains and fatty pork mince overflowing with collagen, savory and well-seasoned. Paired with a braised egg, it is aromatic and deliciously perfect.
      Next
      Take the Ankeng LRT and Explore the Hidden Gems of the Mountain City
      Stations K1 to K9: Public art on the entire line of Ankeng Light RailAnkeng Light Rail is the second light rail system in northern Taiwan. During its planning stage, several artists were invited to portray the natural environment and cultural significance of the Ankeng area using various materials and techniques. The installation “The Fireflies’ Way Home” at K9 Shisizhang Station is composed of thousands of micro power generators emitting blue and green lights to simulate the firefly's light, guiding people into the mountainous wilderness where various butterflies gracefully dance along the connecting pathway. It is also equipped with a QR code. By scanning it with your mobile phone, you can learn more about these beautiful creatures.The public art situated in light rail stations has transformed platforms into a rail waiting space full of imagination. For example, the “Stellar Universe Ankeng” at Rose China Town Station; “Manbo Ankeng” and “Floating Ankeng” at Xinhe Elementary School Station; and “Stellar Universe Ankeng” and “Soaring Ankeng” at Shisizhang Station. All of these characters appeared in the picture book created for the Ankeng Light Rail have been transformed into the cutest waiting companions.Between Shuangcheng Station and Jinwen University of Science and Technology Station, several public artworks, including “Warmth During the Journey - Enchanted Forest”, “Friends During the Journey - Hand in Hand Dancing”, “Peace of Mind During the Journey - Guardian Spirit”, “Charm During the Journey - Sharing Fragrance”, and “A Pause During the Journey - Happy Moments”, have been installed to accompany travelers with fireflies, the family of frogs, Swinhoe’s pheasants and giant katydids (Phyllophorina kotoshoensis) on each of their journeys.K3 Taipei Xiaocheng Station: Erbazi Botanical GardenTo align with the launch of Ankeng Light Rail, the shuttle buses have also commenced service simultaneously. There are currently five shuttle bus lines that take travelers into the big and small communities and scenic spots in the mountain village of Ankeng. When you arrive at K3 Taipei Xiaocheng Station, you can transfer to Ankeng Line 1 to journey into the mountains. In just 15 minutes, you will reach the Erbazi Botanical Garden, renowned as the “Emerald of Ankeng” to escape the urban hustle and bustle.The Erbazi Botanical Garden, located on Ankeng's landmark “Tutangshan” (Tutan Mountain), is situated near several large mountain communities, including “Daguan Commmunity”, “Rose China Town” and “Taipei Xiaocheng”.It is said that when the ancestors looked down from this high place, they saw the gentle contours of hills in the valley resembling the words of “eight” and “inverted eight”, which forms into “Two-Eight words” (“Erbazi”) together. This is the reason that this place is named Erbazi. The botanical garden covers a vast area of 150 hectares, providing a wide, open view with lush greenery.Erbazi Botanical Garden features a forest formation comprised of natural and secondary forests. The trails within the garden are gentle and suitable for all ages. They are also divided into paths for families, the Cherry Blossoms Trail, the Miscanthus Trail, the Selaginella Trail, the Psychotria Rubra Trail, the Tung Trail, the Butterfly Trail, and more. The trails are also equipped with detailed ecological information boards, enabling visitors to closely observe interesting plants such as “Meliosma rhoifolia Maxim” and “Common Schefflera”.K6 Ankang Station: New Taipei City Weather Park (temporarily closed) and Hu Lien Former Residence MemorialK6 Ankang Station is a major station on the Ankeng Light Rail and the most densely populated area in Ankeng. This is why, in addition to offering “full route service” from K1 to K9, the Ankeng Light Rail also provides “sectional service” from K6 Ankang Station to K9 Shisizhang Station, with peak-hour departures averaging just 7.5 minutes apart. Within the alleys around Ankang Station, you'll discover the recently launched New Taipei City Weather Park and the historic Hu Lien Former Residence Memorial. You can easily reach these scenic spots within a mere 10-minute ride on a public bicycle. The three green buildings surrounded by over 300 energy-saving boards are respectively the New Taipei City Weather Station, Meteorological Instruments Center, and Wind Tunnel Laboratory. This is the New Taipei City Weather Park, which was officially launched in January 2023. The design featuring dynamic curving lines reflects the isobars on the weather map, symbolizing the interaction between buildings, much like the airflow resulting from the convergence of low and high-pressure systems. To allow people to experience the power of nature through architecture, the Greenland Park located at the intersection is equipped with the incredibly beautiful mirror selfie spot “Weather@New Taipei City”, which is also a new highlight in the Ankeng area.The graceful and beautiful curved architecture, along with the brown energy-saving boards, create an excellent photographic composition as you weave through the lines of the buildings. Following the upward spiral staircase leads you into an endless canvas of the blue sky, where every angle offers a unique scenery.The Hu Lien Former Residence Memorial is the former residence of General Hu Lien, a renowned figure. Spanning 720 Ping, the Hu Lien Former Residence Memorial is a modernist-style building. However, it features a protruding fortification room on the western side and defensive gunports in the walls, carrying considerable historical and military significance. The garden of the Residence is adorned with four majestic hoop pines, symbolizing General Hu Lien's four-star military rank as a First-Class General in the Army. The Dragon Chinese Juniper (Juniperus chinensis L. var. kaizuka) represents General Hu Lien's style name “Po Yu”, showcasing the grandeur of the general's residence amidst its simplicity.General Hu Lien served as the commander of the Twelfth Army Corps, the Commander of Kinmen Defense, and the Special Ambassador with Full Powers to the Republic of Vietnam; participated in the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Battle of Kuningtou, and the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis; and established the Kinmen Distillery. He was deeply beloved by the local residents of Kinmen.At present, the Residence has opened its outdoor courtyard and the first-floor space. Inside, it showcases an array of historical artifacts from General Hu Lien's time in mainland China, Kinmen, and Vietnam. These artifacts include the honorary medals awarded to the General, paper currency exclusive to Kinmen, and European fine china used to entertain distinguished guests during his tenure as the Ambassador to Vietnam.There are also treasured scrolls of calligraphy and painting, and several hanging paintings gifted by the renowned calligrapher Yu You-ren. It is an Ankeng historical and cultural treasure trove that should not be missed by friends who appreciate modern history.👉As General Hu's descendants still reside within parts of the Residence, please visit the official website or FB Fanpage of the Hu Lien Former Residence Memorial to make a reservation when planning your visit to Ankeng!
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