A short trip for Chinese New Year! Five themed travel routes in New Taipei City featuring hot springs and prayers for blessings

Night view of Jiufen Old Street. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

New Taipei City relaxes and unwinds to welcome Chinese New Year! The New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau has specially plannedthe “Five Blessings Bring Prosperity” five travel routes, allowing the public to easily explore various themed attractions in New Taipei City and celebrate the New Year joyfully!

Shuangxi Bicycle Trail. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)

1. Railway Waterfalls & Happiness Prayers
Visit Pingxi and Shifen Old Streets. Besides releasing sky lanterns to make New Year’s wishes, you can also visit Shifen Waterfall to enjoy the fresh mist and nature’s phytoncides. Along the Jifu Highway, you can cycle around Shuangxi, a town nestled by mountains and water, tasting local fresh vegetable dishes and classic traditional pastries, connecting with nature up close.

Site of the Shuishe Cave Thirteen Layers. (Photo / From the Ministry of Culture)

2. Gold Rush Nostalgia in Shuijinjiu
In addition to the well-known JiuFen Old Street and Jinguashi Museum, where you can experience the history of gold mining, why not visit the hidden gem “Shuishe Cave”? Shuishe Cave offers natural coastal and mountain scenery, along with historical coal mine sites such as the Thirteen Layers and abandoned flues. The former old Taiwan Power Company auditorium and restaurant have now been transformed into exhibition galleries and creative spaces for local artists. While enjoying the natural landscape, you can also immerse yourself in the artistic ambiance of the galleries.

Yingge Ceramics Museum. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)

3. Festive Stroll Around Sanying
Come and experience the indigo dyeing of Sanxia and the ceramics of Yingge! Yingge is not only home to traditional architecture and delicious snacks but also offers a wonderful experience through its ceramics, as well as the expansive Sanying Heart Space Art Zone by the Dahan River. The Sanxia Qingshui Zuoshi Temple, known as the Eastern Art Palace, is also a great choice. From the New Year’s Eve head incense rush to the Qingshui Zuoshi Festival from the sixth day of the New Year, Sanxia Old Street is filled with festive cheer.

Jinshan Hot Springs. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)

4. Healthy Getaway: Mountain, Sea, and Hot Springs
Soaking in hot springs to keep warm is also a great way to relax during the still-chilly Chinese New Year. Hot spring spots can be found in Wulai, Jinshan, Wanli, Bali, Tucheng, and Sanxia. Take Wulai Hot Springs as an example: besides strolling the old street and taking the Wulai Train, you can also admire the cherry blossoms in full bloom in spring. Then head to the Neidong Forest Recreation Area or explore the Fushan Tribe to experience the lush green beauty of nature. On the way back via Xindian, you can also enjoy the nighttime light show on the Bitan Bridge.

The hot spring resources in Jinshan and Wanli along the North Coast also feature rare submarine hot springs, making them recommended hot spring destinations for the Spring Festival. After soaking, you can also enjoy the locally famous dishes such as duck meat, sweet potatoes, sesame cakes, and hearty seafood directly from the harbor.

Zhonghe Hongludi. (Photo / From the Facebook page of Huanludi Nanshan Fude Temple)

5. Step Up for a Prosperous New Year
While exploring nature, you can also embark on a prayer journey along blessing trails, praying for smoothness in the Year of the Goat and feeling the arrival of spring. The hiking trail at Zhonghe’s Hongludi not only brings fortune but also symbolizes rising step by step. The route features beautiful scenery, blooming mountain cherries, and a stunning night view of Taipei after sunset. Tamsui Yuantian Temple is also a great option — following the “Shanziding Hiking Trail,” you can enjoy pristine natural landscapes and remnants of old residential settlements. At the end of the trail, the water tower viewing platform offers a distant view of the North Coast scenery.

For detailed travel information, please refer tothe website of the New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau.