New Taipei City Travel

With its history of more than 300 years, Xinzhuang Old Street is a microcosm of Taiwan's contemporary history. Behind the bustling tourist night market, there are so many historic temples, quaint old shops, and alleys with historical traces hidden in them.Xinzhuang Dizang Temple, an important religious center filled with strong incense, was founded in the Qing Dynasty, so the temple has been around for a long time. It has not only held annual religious events in Xinzhuang but has also served as an important meeting point for all Xinzhuang people, where youth make new memories and the elderly look back at shared memories.From Zhongzheng Road it is about eight-minute minute walk to Xiangrenhe Bell and Drum Factory. With a history of more than half a century, this factory’s products are praised for their quality. Besides exhibiting various drums from other countries in the museum, the factory also displays the rare drum-making process, allowing visitors to experience the master's dedication to this traditional craft.You may also pay visits to Guangfu Temple, Fude Temple, Wenchang Temple, Ciyou Temple, Chaojiang Temple and other shrines and temples along the way. The name of Mishixiang stems from the dockworkers carrying bags of rice. The last step is the iron forging workshop, an old shop inside the Xinzhuang Temple Street, where knives are made the traditional way to this day. The store will also teach customers the correct way to use and maintain them!

Jinzibei Historic Trail’s starting point at the Mudan end is the same as that of Canguangliao Historic Trail; Canguangliao exits from Jinguashi, while Jinzibei hiking trail exits from Houtong. After getting off from Shisanceng Old Tree Stop, walk for 15 minutes and you will arrive at “Jinzibei Historic Trail Entrance/Exit”. Along the Trail, visitors will come upon century-old historic sites of Jinzibei and Fengxianshijin Tablet; the total distance of the Trail is approximately 3.4km, and it takes about 2.5 hours to finish walking the Trail. The Trail is mainly made of stone path and stone stairs, which will take some energy to finish the route; but the lush green woods give refreshing coolness along the way. After exiting the Trail, visitors will connect to Jiuqiongqiao Rd. and then Houtong Rd. if they continue going straight. And going further down, visitors will see Ruisan Coal Transporting Bridge and Ruisan Coal Preparation Plant. Walking into the “Vision Hall” transformed from previously the coal preparation warehouse, visitors will have an in-depth experience of the old-time glory of Houtong’s coal mining industry as well as an overview of the local coal mining development through the introduction provided inside the Vision Hall. The other key feature of Houtong would have to be “Cat Village”! Walking over Houtong Cat Bridge, and visitors will arrive at cat lovers’ “promised land” – Cat Village. Let us kindly remind all visitors to follow the rules here, and please do not hit, feed, disturb, or pet the cats, and please do not free your cats here and do not litter. Let’s safeguard this precious “cats’ heaven” together as we enjoy a healing holiday and wander amidst the historic paths.