Jiufen

The tourism boom continues to this day. Finding space within Jiufen’s narrow winding streets is no easy
task. It is, however, entirely worth the trouble.

To get into the town centre, the easiest approach is via Jiufen Old Street (Jishan Street). You’ll find the
entrance next to the 7-11 on the main highway to Keelung.

1. Visit the Santorini of Taiwan at Jiu Fen Old Street

a. Egg Pudding right from its shell at Jiufen bus station

When you alight from the train or bus from Taipei City, there is a bakery near the interchange that sells
Paris Baguette's replicated Royal Pudding. But this Egg Pudding is eaten straight from its shell and costs
only approximately NT30.

b. Handmade Fishball Vermicelli

c. Filtered Coffee
d. Ah Ma Orh Yi (Taro Balls)
e. Dorayaki Ice Cream

Getting There: From Taipei, take the train north to Ruifang Station. After exiting the station, cross the
street to the bus stop next to the Wellcome Supermarket and board the Keelung Transit bus towards
Jiufen. The bus trip takes roughly 15 minutes, and the fare is NT$21 during the weekdays, NT$15 during
weekends/holiday.

Pingxi

Next to Jiufen and Jinguashi, Pingxi should be high priority for day trips from Taipei. The claim to fame
for this historic little town is the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, one of the biggest festivals of its kind in
Taiwan.

Pingxi Old Street is at the heart of any visit to the town. Along it you’ll find a multitude of souvenir
shops and, of course, numerous stops to chow down on some Taiwanese food. Follow your nose to one of
the sausage stalls (the more crowded, the better) to grab a delicious lunchtime snack.

Even when the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival isn’t rockin’, releasing lanterns is a popular activity in Pingxi.
If you’re visiting as evening breaks, find yourself a lantern at one of the tourist shops and join in the fun!

Getting from Taipei to Pingxi

From Taipei Main Station, grab any northbound train to Ruifang Station. Transfer at Ruifang to the
Pingxi Branch Line. The trip from Ruifang to Pingxi Station is about 39 minutes. To ride the line, you’ll
need to buy a one-day Pingxi Branch Rail Line pass (NT$54). You should be able to find it at most train
stations in Northern Taiwan including Taipei and Ruifang.

Cost: NT100 - 200 for sky lanterns

Getting There: 
By Train: From Taipei Main Station, take a northbound train (except Keelung-bound trains) towards
Ruifang Station. Transfer to the Pingxi Line (平溪線) and purchase a One Day Ticket for the Pingxi Line,
NT$52.

Shifen

The most popular destination along the historic Pingxi Branch Rail Line, Shifen, gives off a similar small
town vibe as Pingxi. And while both towns are appealing and worth a visit, Shifen’s rail-side charms will
grab your attention more forcefully out of the gate.

Wandering around Shifen starts at Shifen Old Street, an atmospheric collection of shops and
restaurants wrapped around an active train track. (No, you’re right. It’s not much of a street at all!)

While the old alleyways, restaurants, and shops of Shifen are a nice escape, the biggest treat for travellers
might be Shifen Waterfall, about a 20-minute walk from town. At 20m high and 40m wide, Shifen
Waterfall is Taiwan’s widest waterfall. Despite the short trek to get there, don’t expect to have the views
all to yourself. It’s an über-popular place with Taiwanese city dwellers!

Getting from Taipei to Shifen

Follow the directions above for Sandiaoling, but continue on to Shifen Station, two stations past
Sandiaoling Station. Your one-day Pingxi Branch Rail Line pass is valid for travel to Shifen.

Release a sky lantern at Shi Fen Old Street

Getting There: By Train: From Taipei Main Station, take a northbound train (except Keelung-bound
trains) towards Ruifang Station. Transfer to the Pingxi Line (平溪線) and drop at Shi Fen Station.

Before you get to Shi Fen Waterfall, you will pass by this iconic suspension bridge. This cascading
waterfall is labelled the Niagara Falls of Taiwan; being the largest natural waterfall along Pingxi Line. 

This place has a calming effect as you gaze upon the deity sculptures along the waterfall. To better your
experience, get yourself a beverage from the cafe at Level 2 as you enjoy the natural rhythmic beats of the
waterfall.  

Cost: NT80

Getting There: Short walk from Shi Fen Train Station. There will be many signs leading you to the
waterfall. 

PRICE NT$500
HOURS 9am-10pm, last ticket sale 9.15pm

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

HOURS 9am-6pm

Shilin Night Market

Open from 4pm-2am

Raohe St. Night Market

Historically, Taiwan's legendary night markets were formed around temples — an organic response to
the crowds of people looking for something to eat after paying their respects. So began Raohe Night
Market, the oldest evening bazaar in Taipei. Find the stand at the main entrance to partake in the market's
famous Fuzhou-style black pepper buns, a charcoal-baked bun stuffed with delectable pork and black
pepper. The dish comes out piping hot and is well worth the long line. [$]

Xizhi Star Bridge

Characterized by its special microphone-shape supports, Xizhi Star Bridge stretches across Keelung River
and is now the landmark of Xizhi. Designed specifically for cyclists and pedestrians, this bridge offers a
stunning night scene along the coast. There are prism-shaped skyscrapers and neon lights flashing in
turn. The spot changes its color every second, constructing a romantic ambience. It also gets visitors’ eyes
hooked while they enjoy strolling along the river bank.

Section 1, Xiangzhang Rd, Xizhi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan

Ximending

Fort San Domingo

To the north of Taipei is a smaller city facing the Taiwan Strait called Tamsui or Danshui. It used to be the
shipping and commerce capital of the island in the 19th century, aside from being the seat of power of
some Western colonial powers. One must-see infrastructure is the Fort San Domingo or Red Hair Castle
built by the Dutch in 1641. When the Dutch left Taiwan, the compound housed the British Consulate from
the late 19th century to the early 20th century. From the Tamsui station of the Danshui line, visitors need
to take a bus to reach the fort.

Longshan temple

Feels incomplete without a visit to Taipei when the ancient temple is very famous; Longshan Temple. In
the temple built in 1738, you can see the statue of Guanyin Goddess of Compassion, a pair of dragon
decoration in the hall, and the four dragons in the den. Everything is fine and perfectly chiseled

Presidential Office Building

Yong Kang Street

Da’an District
 Yong Kang Beef Noodles
 Sunmerry pastries
 Original Din Tai Fung
 Smoothie House

Fujin Street
Songshan Airport Stop
 Have a Nice—store where you can make your own planner; there are maps of this street that you
can get usually in hotels or train stations

 Zhongzheng District
o Liberty Square
  Getting to Liberty Square: The quickest way into Liberty Square is through
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall MRT Station. From the station, head north on
Linsen S. Road, straight into the heart of Liberty Square.
o National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
 Getting to National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: Follow the directions for
Liberty Square. Once in the square Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall will be the
grandiose white building to your right.
o National Theater and Concert Hall
o Huashan 1914 Creative Park
o Gongguan Night Market
 Getting to Gongguan Night Market: Grab a train to Gongguan MRT Station.
The night market is close to Exit 1.
o National Museum of History
o Taipei Botanical Garden
o Guanghua Digital Plaza
 Getting to Guanghua Digital Plaza: From Zhonxiao Xinsheng MRT Station, exit
to Xinsheng S. Road. Heading north on Xinsheng, Guanghua Digital Plaza will
be to your left at the corner of Xingsheng and Civic Blvd.
o Dongmen Market
o Other Things to Do in Zhongzheng
 Xinyi District
o Taipei 101
 Getting to Taipei 101: It’s just about the easiest place to get to in Taipei. Hop
onto the Red Line (Line 2) and make your way to Taipei 101/World Trade Center
MRT Station. Follow the signs to Taipei 101.
o Din Tai Fung
 Getting to Din Tai Fung: If you’ve already made it to Taipei 101, just slip down
to the lower level in the front of the building (on Xinyi Road).
o Elephant Mountain
o Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
 Getting to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall: Head to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
MRT Station and take Exit 4 towards the hall.
o Songshan Cultural and Creative Park
 Wanhua District
o Longshan Temple
 Getting to Longshan Temple: From Longshan Temple MRT Station, pop out of
Exit 1 and walk through Mengxia Park. You’ll see Longshan Temple straight
ahead.
o Ximending
 Getting to Ximending: Head to Ximen MRT Station and take Exit 6 towards
Ximending. The shopping and restaurants will be up ahead, in and around
Hanzhong Street.
o Red House Theater
o Bopiliao Old Street
o Huaxi Street Night Market
o Guangzhou Street Night Market
o Other Things to Do in Wanhua
 Shilin District
o Shilin Night Market
 Getting to Shilin Night Market: The easiest approach is from Jiantan MRT
Station, not Shilin MRT Station. From Jiantan MRT Station walk north on Jihe
Road to the fork in the road. Whether you split left or right, you should be able to
find an entrance to the market as it’s wedged in between the two roads.
 o National Palace Museum
 Getting to the National Palace Museum: Take a train to Shilin MRT Station.
From the Zhongzheng Road exit (Exit 1), hop on bus 255, 304, 815 or 620, getting
off at Da Lun Wei Shan. The ride to the National Palace Museum should only be
about 15 minutes.
o National Taiwan Science Education Center
 Datong District
o Confucius Temple
o Bao’an Temple
o Ningxia Night Market
o Other Things to Do in Datong
 Da’an District
o Daan Forest Park
o Shida Night Market
 Getting to Shida Night Market: Hop on the Green Line to Taipower Building
MRT Station. From Exit 3, head north on Shida Road. The night market is no
more than 10 minutes by foot from here.
o Tonghua Night Market
o Other Things to Do in Da’an
 Zhongshan District
o Taipei Expo Park
o Taipei Fine Arts Museum
o Other Things to Do in Zhongshan
 Songshan District
o Raohe Street Night Market
 Getting to Raohe Street Night Market: Since opening in 2014, Songshan MRT
Station has made the trip to Raohe Street Night Market far less confusing. Simply
exit the MRT station to Songshan Road and hang a left. The night market gate
will be on your left where Songshan Road curves into Bade Road.
o Ciyou Temple
o Core Pacific City (Living Mall)
 Getting to Core Pacific City: From Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall MRT Station,
head north on Guangfu S Road. Cross under the elevated rail line, and take the
first street to your right. In three blocks, you’ll come to Core Pacific City.
o Other Things to Do in Songshan
 Wenshan District
o Maokong Gondola
o Taipei Zoo
 Tamsui District
o Tamsui Old Street
 Getting to Tamsui Old Street: Hop on the MRT to Tamsui Station at the end of
the Red Line. From Tamsui Station, take Exit 1 and filter off to the left towards
the river. The boardwalk is Old Street.
o Fort San Domingo
 Getting to Fort San Domingo: From Tamsui MRT Station, follow Zhongzheng
Road through town. After Zhongzheng Road merges with Wenhua Road, it’s one
block to the entrance path. Cross the road and veer off to the left for the path to
Fort San Domingo. It’s about a 20-minute walk from the MRT station.
o Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf
 Getting to Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf: You could walk to Fisherman’s Wharf
from Tamsui MRT Station in about an hour, but a quicker and more interesting
approach is to hop on the boat ($NT100) that departs from Tamsui Ferry Pier at
Tamsui Old Street.
 o Lover’s Bridge
 Getting to Lover’s Bridge: Follow the directions to Fisherman’s Wharf. You
really won’t be able to miss Lover’s Bridge from here!
 Beitou District (only 20 minutes from Taipei)
o Beitou Hot Springs Park (Qinshui Park)
o Geothermal Valley