A Light Trip to New Taipei City: 20 Popular One-Day Park Itineraries Recommended

Text by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Travel Life Network, compiled and reported

 

For many office workers, the rare day off is a chance to recharge—but without the exhaustion of a long trip that drags fatigue into an unpleasant Monday. Why not opt for a simple one-day park outing? Not only can you enjoy nature and greenery, savor delicious food, but most importantly, these spots are easy to reach and allow for a relaxed, stress-free experience. The New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau has selected 20 distinctive parks and one-day itinerary options within its jurisdiction, and from now until June 20, is hosting the “New Taipei City’s Most Popular Parks Awards” voting campaign. Participants can enjoy a fun trip and stand a chance to win smartphones and tablets.

The 20 parks featured in this vote are paired with nearby attractions to offer diverse one-day itineraries covering ecology, art, culture, religion, historic sites, food, sports, and hiking. These are all great leisure destinations for weekdays or holidays. May is also the season when the tung blossoms are in full bloom. It's recommended to embark on a journey of physical and spiritual rejuvenation—start your morning in the early sunshine at the renowned Chengtian Temple, where you can not only take in the bustling cityscape of Greater Taipei, but also admire the romantic sight of white tung blossoms covering the hills like spring snow. Then stroll along the extensive forest trails, breathing in the forest’s phytoncides while listening to the symphony of frogs and birds. As you walk, delicate white tung blossom petals drift down like snow, forming a white carpet that leads all the way to Tucheng Tung Blossom Park. When it’s time for lunch, there are plenty of restaurants around Chengtian Road where you can rest and fill your stomach, as well as try many unique local dishes. As night falls, swarms of fireflies twinkle like little fairies, turning the dark park into an early summer Christmas tree. Paired with the archway inscribed with “Tung blossoms flutter white over the hills, firefly lights dot the starry sky,” it’s the perfect description of Tucheng Tung Blossom Park.

For those who love the town of Tamsui, the Japanese-style “One Drop of Water Memorial Hall” in Heping Park, with its strong Japanese aesthetic against a backdrop of blue skies and greenery, makes it feel as though you’ve traveled back in time to the Japanese countryside. The century-old wooden Japanese architecture is serene and elegant. The vast lawns of Hobe Fort Park attract many couples coming to take wedding photos, and its easy accessibility lets visitors enjoy a laid-back holiday surrounded by sunshine and greenery. Nearby attractions such as Fort San Domingo, Tamkang University, and Tamsui Old Street are popular local spots that add a quaint, deliciously rich touch to your Tamsui day trip.

 

Banqiao Rural Park, located near Jiangzicui MRT Station, is the first park in Taiwan themed around traditional rural life. The park features areas such as traditional sanheyuan courtyard homes, landscape gardens, and folk opera stages, showcasing a rich early farming village atmosphere. Rent a New Taipei City public bike and continue to Chaohé Temple, built in the 2nd year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty and dedicated to the Three Officials Gods, as well as the Xinpuxiao Snack Area for tasty street food and the colorful Banqiao Flower Market. From local history and culture to food and flowers, this lets visitors experience a side of Banqiao they never imagined. More travel routes and lottery information can be found on the event’s official website: ntpcpark2013.yeah-v.com.tw.

 

 

● Read more: A Stroll Through Tamsui Old Street — Discovering the Beauty of Tamsui Described by Literary Giants

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