Day trip to Shifen 十分, Pingxi 平溪 and Jingtong 菁桐

Shifen 十分, Pingxi 平溪 and Jingtong 菁桐 are small towns on the TRA (Taipei Railway) Pingxi Branch Line. This train line was originally built for coal transportation, but now has been transformed into a tourist rail line for one to discover and experience Taiwan’s rich culture, history as well as astounding scenery.  To get there: From Taipei Main Station, catch train to Ruifang Station 瑞芳火車站. From there, get a Pingxi Branch Line Day pass.

My itinerary: Jingtong -> Pingxi -> Shifen. Many people also like to do it the other way around, either way it’s fine.Some direction signs. Below is Jingtong 菁桐 Old Street. It was early and the street isn’t that packed yet.

Yingge 鶯歌, New Taipei City

Yingge, as known as the ceramic/pottery village, is one of the urban districts in the Southwestern of New Taipei City. It is a heaven for pottery lover.. To get to Yingge, the easiest way is to catch the train from Taipei Main Station and get off at Yingge street, the town is easily accessible by foot..  Yingge Tourist Map and San-Ying Arts Village 3鶯藝術村

Yehliu Geopark 野柳地質公園

Located at Wanli District of New Taipei City, Yehliu Geopark is a 1.7 km long cape full of seawater-eroded holes and rocks, the famous ones being the mushroom and ginger rocks.. A visit to the park is a nice relaxing trip, not only being very educational, but also just being in nature gives a wonderful feeling..  The Queen’s head replica 女王頭 2.. The real one has a super long queue so I’m happy with its replica!The leopard.. 

Taipei Zoo 台北市動物園

Taipei Zoo is one of Taipei’s Tourist Attractions, but I realised there were more little children than tourists. Having said that, it is still worth a visit.. Mind you, the zoo is huge.. a lot larger than what I expected it to be, so expect a lot of walking.. Here are some pictures, in case you haven’t got a chance to visit the zoo, I hope my pictures will entertain you.. Red (or pink) flamingos? I’ve never seen this before..  Of all the animals, I found the monkeys are the cutest!

Jinshan 金山 Taiwan

On a beautiful day, decided to visit one of Taiwan’s districts near the coast, Jinshan. You could go to one of the hot springs here, or go to Shitoushan Park獅頭山公園, or simply have a nice stroll along the old street, which is what I did. I went there on Friday afternoon and it was rather quiet. Let me show you some photos I took on the day..Famous duck meat shop along the old street..Famous snack from Jinshan.. 

Shenkeng Old Street 深坑老街, New Taipei City 新北市, Taiwan 台灣

So you know how Taiwan is famous for its Stinky Tofu? And that you can practically get it anywhere: big shops, small shops, hawkers, night markets, etc.. But what about a street selling just that? Well, that’s the reason I pay a visit to this little town in New Taipei City..

Shengkeng Old Street (aka “The Tofu Capital”) is approximately half an hour from Taipei. It is quite easy to get to, there are numerous buses that pass through the old street, you just need to find the correct buses.. Let me show you some photos of the old street..

First, map…  What the old street looks like.. Old red-brick buildings.. Nice for photoshoot.. Now the fun begins.. Tofu and tofu…

Jiufen Day Trip, Part 2 – Jiufen Old Street 九份老街

Jiufen Old Street 九份老街 if the main reason why tourists go to Jiufen. Food, souvenirs, tea houses, you can easily spend few hours here without realising it. Just keep in mind though, that the old street is really packed on the weekend, so you might want to go there earlier.. Jiufen is famous for their taro balls, there are a few shops that sell them. These glutinous rice cake (you can either have sweet or savoury fillings) are really nice, I like them a lot.. 

Jiufen 九份 Day Trip, Part 1 – Keelung Mountain 雞籠山

Jiufen 九份, which used to be a prosperous gold mining town, now is one of Taiwan’s major tourist destinations. Because of its convenience (thanks to Taiwan public transport), this could be easily fit into a one-day trip. Not only can you learn and observe old cultures and buildings, but also, there are heaps of good food around, and if you are a nature lover, hike for about an hour and you will be rewarded by a fantastic view of mountains, towns and oceans!

To get there, get on Taipei Train and stop at Ruifang Station瑞芳火車站, then transfer to a bus that takes you to Jiufen. Here are some pictures..

This is Ruifang Train Station瑞芳火車站, and the sign that leads you to Jiufen九份. 

Sanxia 三峽 Day Trip Part 2 – Sanxia Old Street 三峽老街

Walk along Sanxia Old Street and you will encounter heaps of store selling what’s supposed to be Sanxia specialities, Bull Horn Croissant 金牛角. I’ve had so many French Croissant in my life that I didn’t feel like having anymore croissant, but since this is Taiwan, I better try one! So did I!So many flavours.. Sweet and savoury.. Another store..
Freshly baked!

Sanxia 三峽 Day Trip Part 1 – Temples, Architecture

Sanxia is one of the districts in New Taipei City, it is located in northern Taiwan. Sanxia is mainly known for its unique Qingshui Zushi Temple 清水祖師廟 and  also Sanxia Old Street 三峽老街, which sells anything from gifts/souvenirs, handicrafts, tea tools and of course, mouthwatering snacks.  Walking along Sanxia Old Street is like walking back into time, with its red brick buildings, hallways, alleys, traditional architecture like you’ve never seen before. And of course, not to mention several temples around, the most magnificent one must be the Zushi Temple. Let me show you some photos that I took on the day..  Sanxia Bridge 三峽橋 and Qingshui Street 清水街, one of the streets near the bus-stop.三峽三角湧老街, this is where the Sanxia Old Street with ancient buildings start..
Fude Temple, you will pass this temple on the way to the old street..