A Light Travel Getaway: Explore Six Hidden Gems in New Taipei

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 
The nine-day Spring Festival holiday has come to an end, and many people have returned to work to prepare for the new year. But there may also be many who, though physically back in the office, still have their minds wandering elsewhere. If you haven’t quite gotten back into the swing of things yet, why not take advantage of the weekend to explore New Taipei City and give yourself one last light, refreshing trip to ease back into routine.

● Tian Deng Police Station XLingjiaoliao Hiking Trail Recharge Hike
Want to make a wish for the Year of the Monkey? Visit the world’s only “Tian Deng Police Station,” located next to the entrance of Jing Tong Old Street. It is made of a 9-meter-tall glass curtain wall shaped like a sky lantern and features nearly 200,000 LED lights. Every half hour after evening falls, a personalized light show is staged, making it hard for visitors to resist stopping and admiring the display.

If you’re looking for a relaxing mini getaway, head to the “Lingjiao” section of the Pingxi Branch Line and hike the Lingjiaoliao Mountain Hiking Trail to shake off any extra weight. The trail connects Wanggu and Lingjiao, with entrances at both locations near train stations, allowing visitors to choose a one-way hike. Start by arriving at Lingjiao Train Station, then exit to “Da Lu Che Workshop” to enjoy hand-brewed coffee, handmade buns, and steamed buns. Next, visit the red-brick Japanese-style Western house “Tsai Family Mansion” to soak in the historical charm of the past. Then proceed to “Wanggu Waterfall” to take in the breathtaking view of the cascading white falls and the emerald pool below, breathe in the fresh mist, and absorb the rich forest phytoncides.

● Stroll Through the Mountain City and Shuinsen Cave XArtistic Dining Delights
The Shuinsen Cave Scenic Area boasts four world-class wonders: the enchanting Yin-Yang Sea, the Shuinsen Cave Smelting Plant, abandoned flues, and the Golden Waterfall. Located near Jiufen, Shuinsen Cave gets its name from a mountain cave on the ridge that resembles the Water Curtain Cave from Journey to the West. The ruins of the Shuinsen Cave Thirteen Levels, an indelible part of Taiwan’s copper smelting history, were built in 1933 and constructed layer by layer along the mountain slope. Nearby are three massive flues, as well as a water diversion system and the uniquely distinctive ruins of the Thirteen Levels.