The Shen-Ao Pingxi Line is now officially connected — enjoy a hassle-free trip along Taiwan’s most scenic railway branch

▲ The Shen-Ao Line, hailed as “Taiwan’s most beautiful railway branch,” was officially connected to the Pingxi Line today (July 16). (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

Reporter Chen Rui-zhong / Comprehensive report

The Shen-Ao Line, known as “Taiwan’s most beautiful railway branch,” and the popular Pingxi Line were officially linked and opened to traffic today (July 16). In the future, travelers can take the Pingxi-Shen-Ao Line to easily explore the mountain-town charm of Pingxi and the seaside scenery of Shen-Ao.

The Shen-Ao Line, which was suspended in earlier years, resumed service on January 9 this year, allowing the public to travel from Ruifang to the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology. After Taiwan Railways integrated the platforms and routes of the Pingxi and Shen-Ao Lines, starting today, the Pingxi-Shen-Ao Line connects ten stations: the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, Ruifang, Houdong, Sandiaoling, Dahu, Shifen, Wanggu, Lingjiao, Pingxi, and Jingting. It is scheduled to operate 20 services per day, providing transport capacity for approximately 8,500 passengers.

▲ A ceremony marking the opening of the Shen-Ao Pingxi Branch Line was held on July 16. (Photo / Provided by the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology)

With the opening of the Pingxi-Shen-Ao Line, travelers can now visit the grandly opened National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, the nostalgic mining town of Pingxi, the wishing sky lanterns of Shifen Old Street, the natural beauty of Shifen Waterfall, the unique sight of trains passing over rooftops in Pingxi Old Street, or the quaint Jingting Station — each stop offers its own distinctive travel appeal, perfect for a relaxing weekend getaway.