Breathtaking scenery is right around the corner – explore the tides and hidden terraced fields on the Gongliao Mountain & Sea Mini-Tour

Reporter Chen Zi-Yin / Reported from New Taipei

The northeast coast is one of the most beautiful corners of Taiwan, boasting not only majestic shorelines but also easy access to the mountains. In the peak of summer, New Taipei City launched the “Mountain & Sea Mini-Tour,” taking visitors to Taiwan’s most ecologically rich intertidal zone and pristine mountain terraced fields tucked away in nature. Wondering how to spend a day on this tour? Reporters from ETtoday EBC News Cloud went on the trip and share their experience for your reference. Come and refresh your mind, body, and soul with a one-day mini adventure.

1. Liyang Temple

▲ Liyang Temple in Ma’ao Fishing Village is home to Taiwan’s only basket-carrying Guanyin. (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)

Just as many Buddhists and Taoists believe in paying respects to the local earth god before visiting a place, the Gongliao Mountain & Sea Mini-Tour begins at Liyang Temple. Located in Ma’ao Fishing Village in Gongliao District, New Taipei, this Guanyin temple is the only one in Taiwan that enshrines a Guanyin holding a basket in her hand — a sight that amazes all visitors. Wu Wen-yi, head of Fulian Village, shared that during the Guangxu era, villagers found a statue of Guanyin holding a basket full of fish on the beach, which inspired them to raise funds and build a temple. Though there are now eight replicated statues inside the temple, the original basket-carrying Guanyin remains unique to this site in all of Taiwan.

This basket-carrying Guanyin statue is believed to have drifted from mainland China to Taiwan, although there is no concrete evidence to confirm this. Legend has it that after the fishing-dependent village found the basket Guanyin, their catches became abundant — a blessing they attributed to the goddess.

2. Stone Houses


▲ The century-old stone houses of Ma’ao Fishing Village. (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)



The tranquil “Ma’ao Fishing Village” is an old, small fishing settlement on the northeast coast, where century-old stone houses built with locally sourced materials still stand. Although no longer as bustling as in its heyday, the village retains a rare traditional charm. Head Wu Wen-yi explained that these stone houses are both durable and comfortable — cool in summer and warm in winter — which is why they have endured over time. Nestled next to the coastline, some of the stone houses are now abandoned ruins, while others are still lived in. Ma’ao Fishing Village is like a peaceful, secluded hamlet waiting to be explored by travelers.