Shihfen Waterfall Park Reopens; Come to New Taipei for “7-Treasure Hunt” During New Year’s Holiday

▲ During the New Year’s holiday, the New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau has specially launched seven travel routes, inviting everyone to come to New Taipei City for a “7-Treasure Hunt.” The photo shows Tourism Bureau Director Chen Kuo-chun. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau, the same applies below)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The four-day New Year’s holiday is approaching, and the New Taipei City Government has launched “7-Treasure Hunt in New Taipei,” featuring seven travel routes. Among them,Shihfen Waterfall Park, home to Taiwan’s largest curtain-style waterfall, will reopen on December 29 (Monday),and New Taipei City Happy Christmas Town, voted by netizens as the hottest Christmas attraction in Taiwan, will also offer additional exciting stage performances during the four-day New Year’s holiday and add three brand-new free amusement facilities.

Seven Travel Routes in “7-Treasure Hunt in New Taipei”

▲ A new amusement facility launched by New Taipei Happy Christmas Town – a carousel.

1. Dreamy Children's Playground. 435 Art Zone → Crescent Bridge → New Taipei City Civic Plaza and Surroundings
▪ New Taipei City Hall is located in Banqiao District, where soaring commercial buildings coexist harmoniously with the classically elegant Lin Family Garden. The once fertile plains where early settlers thrived and the bustling river transport hub have now become the political and commercial heart of New Taipei City—shining and ready for the future. Embracing tradition while transforming into a diverse cultural and creative landscape that marches toward the future. During the New Year’s holiday, spend a day as a literati at the 435 Art Zone, admire the interplay of water and light on Crescent Bridge, enjoy family fun at New Taipei City Happy Christmas Town, and experience a dreamlike wonderland.

▲ Shihfen Waterfall.

2. Railway and Waterfall Forest Adventure. Houtong Cat Village / Houtong Coal Mine Ecological Park → Shihfen Visitor Center → Shihfen Waterfall → Pingxi Police Substation
▪ Visitors can take a train to nearby Houtong to visit the cat village and explore mining relics. Then, via the green corridor trail, enter the Shihfen Waterfall Park area, where the walkway is lined with various types of trees and accompanied by the sounds of insects and birds, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in nature. Finally, head to the Pingxi Police Substation (Sky Lantern Police Station) in Jingmei to display your wishes on the glass canopy of the “Police Sky Lantern,” offering a unique alternative to traditional sky lanterns.

▲ Shuishe Cave – Golden Waterfall.

3. Extreme Eastern Sunrise, Spreading Happiness. Shuishe Cave Craft Travel, New Year’s Day Flag-Raising (Santiago Cape) → Ruifang Station Area Local Cuisine
▪ This New Year’s Day, try something different for a sunrise event. Stay overnight in Shuishe Cave on December 31, handcraft your own unique wooden chair, and then sit with it on New Year’s morning to watch the clouds and greet the sunrise. Alternatively, you can attend the flag-raising ceremony at “Taiwan’s easternmost point,” Santiago Cape, where exquisite scarves and sunrise postcards are given out, along with steaming “abalone porridge” for everyone to enjoy, as you welcome the first ray of sunlight together. After the sunrise event, return to Ruifang Station, savor local delicacies nearby, and explore the old mining landscapes of Jiufen and Jinguashi.

▲ Biting Pavilion Light Show.

4. Relaxing Hot Spring Retreat. Biting Pavilion → Biting Pavilion Light Show → Wulai Scenic Area
▪ Located on the southern edge of the Taipei Basin, Xindian and Wulai boast beautiful mountains and rivers, along with steamy hot springs, creating a captivating blend of nature and culture, ruggedness and delicacy. In Xindian, you can admire the daytime lake and mountain scenery of Biting Pavilion and the beautiful light show on Biting Pavilion Bridge at night. The light show runs from now until January 31 (Saturday), every evening from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on the hour. After the light show, take a bus for about 40 minutes to reach the Wulai Scenic Area, stroll through the Wulai Old Street, soak in the hot springs, and warm up from the inside out. Spring visitors can also enjoy the brilliant mountain cherry blossoms, adding even more charm to the hot spring retreat.

▲ Sanxia Old Street.

5. Heritage & Creativity. Sanxia Qingshui Zushi Temple → Sanxia Old Street → Sanying Heart Art Space
▪ The towns of Sanxia and Yingge, not far from the heart of Taipei, possess a unique industrial and cultural charm. A stroll through these areas offers not only a taste of lively local hospitality but also an appreciation of the beautiful fusion of life and aesthetics. Explore the Yingge Ceramics Street to discover your favorite cups and bowls, or try your hand at crafting a one-of-a-kind vessel. Or wander through Sanxia Old Street to experience the once-thriving indigo dyeing industry—watch as plain cloth transforms into vibrant blue patterns, a fascinating process you can even try yourself as a dyer.

▲ Tamsui Pastor’s House Garden Café.

6. Riverside Sunset. Pastor’s House Historic Garden Café, Missionary Hall → Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf
▪ Or take a trip to Tamsui and Bali, relaxing from daily stress with a riverside sunset. Visit the Pastor’s House and Missionary Hall to admire their elegant architecture, sit down for a cup of coffee, and in the evening, head to Fisherman’s Wharf to gaze at the sea view and enjoy the sunset glow.

▲ Shimen Cave.

7. Wanjinshi Mountain and Sea Journey. Shipi Visitor Center and Celebrity Museum → Shimen Cave → Yehliu Geopark → Jinshan-Wanli Hot Springs → Wanjinshi Marathon Course
▪ The northern coast’s “Wanjinshi Mountain and Sea Journey” awaits your exploration with its beautiful landscape of green mountains, clear waters, deep seas, and blue skies. Highlights include Yehliu Geopark, the marine erosion wonders of Shimen Cave, the Shipi Visitor Center and Celebrity Museum, and the hot springs of Jinshan-Wanli. Each spot is captivating. Take advantage of the New Year’s holiday to plan a rich journey that combines nature and culture.