The Remains of the 13 Levels were built in 1933 during the Japanese occupation as a facility for processing and extracting precious metals. Traces like these make mining history a distinctive part of a trip to Taipei. The geography tells its own story, too: the confluence of the Tamsui River, Xindian River and Keelung River gave rise to New Taipei City. Keelung Mountain provides a contrasting landscape. At 588 meters high, it is one of Taiwan’s 100 small peaks.
Mining history and its sites
The Gold Museum showcases mining culture and the history of gold extraction. Its offerings also include the BenShanWuKeng Tunnel experience in the mine tunnels. The Gold Museum complex also includes the Crown Prince Chalet, with its preserved Japanese architecture and gardens. Mining, architecture and garden design thus come together within the same theme.
The exhibition at the Ruisan Coal Preparation Plant offers a different way to explore the past: it tells the historical stories of miners through multimedia and interactive lighting and sound technology. Houtong preserves further traces of mining, including tunnels, mine carts, a coal transport bridge, miners’ housing and relics of the Ruisan Mining Company. The Houtong Cat Bridge is a pedestrian overpass between the cat village and Coal Mine Park, and serves as an access route to Houtong Station.
Temples, old streets and crafts
The Sanxia Qingshui Zushi Temple was founded in 1769. Its stone and wood carvings reflect the work of craftspeople and contemporary artists from various schools. The Sanxia History Museum offers another perspective on the area’s history, displaying old documents and antiques related to Sanxia’s industries, the temple and Sanxia Old Street.
Red-brick arcades and Baroque-style buildings catch the eye along Sanxia Old Street. The street is also known for its Horn Bread. Those interested in a traditional craft can find indigo-dyeing classes and DIY activities at Sanxia Dye House. History, architecture and craftsmanship each offer a different focus here, so your discoveries need not be limited to a single theme.
Railway lines, local scenery and cuisine
Old houses line Pingxi Old Street, clustered along the hillside and on both sides of the railway. The Pingxi Line is 12.9 kilometers long and runs from Sandiaoling Station to Jingtong. The annual festival calendar includes the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, held during the Lantern Festival. Pingxi Old Street also offers local Taiwanese street food.
At Tamsui Old Street, food and local life go hand in hand: you’ll find traditional bakeries and local dishes such as A Gei, fish balls and fried fish crackers. Ferries from Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf go to Bali or Tamsui Old Street; you can take the Blue Highway. Check the ferry schedule when planning your trip. The 165-meter-long Lover’s Bridge connects the waterfront promenade with the tourist fish market at the wharf.
Trails and landscapes
At Shifen Waterfall, visitors can walk from Shifen Visitor Center via Siguangtan Bridge to the potholes and Yanjingdong Waterfall. Another way to take in the area is the Keelung Mountain Hiking Trail, which leads visitors from Shuinandong, Jinguashi and Jiufen to the summit of Keelung Mountain.
The 三貂岭生态友善隧道 is a 3.19-kilometer cycling path created from disused railway tunnels on the Yilan Line. At Yehliu Geopark, meanwhile, the tidal platform is an important ecological conservation area. Reservations for the paid guided tours offered there are required 14 days in advance. Taipei’s attractions thus bring together cultural sites, trails and protected landscapes—choose the focus that interests you most.
Discover more destinations: Neihu District, Wenshan District, Nangang, Shenkeng, Sindian, Taipei, Beitou, Pingtung
For the main travel overview: Taiwan.
