Linkou is not just about the OUTLET — its five popular attractions are also super fun

Text by / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

Located in New Taipei City’s Linkou District, it has become a popular shopping destination thanks to Mitsui Outlet Mall, and with the opening of the Airport MRT, Linkou has emerged as a new suburban getaway for city dwellers. In addition to shopping malls like Mitsui and Uni-President, Linkou also boasts many other worthwhile spots. Here are five recommended attractions that visitors should check out on their next trip to Linkou.

1. Majestic Grand Canyon — Linkou Buffalo Pit
The Grand Canyon in the United States is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, and Linkou offers a similar spectacle. Located beside the West Coast Expressway (Provincial Highway 61), Linkou Buffalo Pit, also known as Linkou Grand Canyon, features unique landforms and nearby privately raised cattle herds, attracting many visitors. It has become a hidden gem for wedding photography and social media photo ops.

2. Fashion Meets Public Architecture — Xiàfú Lǐ Civic Activity Center
The Xiàfú Lǐ Civic Activity Center in Linkou was built using local community benefit funds and was designed in collaboration with a Spanish architect and his IMO team. Drawing inspiration from the ornate roof ridges of traditional temples, the design ingeniously incorporates temple roof tiles and drip edges into the building’s silhouette. Paired with the architectural team’s expert use of Western lighting techniques, it completely redefines the conventional image of public activity centers, offering a fresh take on a century-old tradition.

3. Urban Slow Living — Xinliao Leisure Trail
The newly constructed Xinliao Leisure Trail stretches nearly 1 kilometer, connecting Laogongqi Trail and Ren’ai Viewpoint, making it a great spot for walking and strolling. In addition to linking several scenic spots, the other side of the trail borders a quiet valley, offering different views in all seasons. With expansive vistas, it’s also an ideal place to enjoy beautiful night scenes.

4. Night View Sanctuary — Ren’ai Viewpoint
Located near the Linkou Branch of National Normal University and Xingwu University of Science and Technology, Ren’ai Viewpoint is the only spot in Linkou District where you can take in the full beauty of the Greater Taipei Basin. Recently, the district office added binoculars, nighttime light projections, and photo frames at the viewpoint, which went viral online and attracted many visitors. Overnight, it has become a new recreational landmark in Linkou and a popular spot for wedding photos.