Don’t let traffic ruin your mood—explore New Taipei’s hidden gems with these 6 must-visit routes.

▲ Yin-Yang Sea in Northeast Coast. (Photo courtesy of Gold Museum)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

During the Lunar New Year, besides treating yourself to a feast, it’s also the perfect time for family reunions and outings. Have you planned where to go for your spring excursion? Follow the recommended 6 “New Year Chicken” travel routes by the New Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau. Whether you want to escape the hustle and bustle, immerse yourself in nature, or soak up the festive atmosphere, visiting these 6 traffic-free hidden spots in New Taipei will make your holiday even more enjoyable.

Route 1: Ji(Fu) Fu Xi (Double Joy) – Welcoming the Spring

Travel along the Ji-Fu Highway to explore Shuangxi and Pingxi:

★ Shuangxi Route: Stroll Shuangxi Morning Market → Shuangxi Station → Nantian Garden → Three Loyal Temples → Lin Yihetang → Old Ferry Pier → Pinglin Leisure Farm (dining + eco-experience) → Shoushan Temple

★ Pingxi Route: Shifen Waterfall (closed on New Year’s Eve) → Pingxi Old Street → Jing Tong Sky Lantern Police Station (closed on New Year’s Eve)

Starting from the Ji-Fu Highway to Shuangxi symbolizes the “chicken year” and “chicken fortune.” Then rent a bike at the low-carbon station near Shuangxi Station and leisurely cycle around Shuangxi. Have a special meal at Pinglin Leisure Farm at noon, then visit Shoushan Temple to pray for blessings and longevity for your family while enjoying the green mountains and rivers of Tai Ping area.

▲ Cycling in Shuangxi. (Photo courtesy of New Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau, same below)

In “Pingxi,” take a relaxing stroll in the Shifen Waterfall area to enjoy nature’s cleansing embrace, breathing in the refreshing negative ions. In the evening, head to the Sky Lantern Police Station to buy a sky lantern postcard, write down your wishes for yourself and loved ones, and watch as the electronic lanterns carry your hopes skyward.

▲ Shifen Waterfall.

▲ Pingxi Sky Lantern Police Station.

Route 2: Wulai Hot Springs – Warm Up Early (Chicken)

★ Route: Wulai Fushan → Wulai Visitor Center → Wulai Old Street → Wulai Atayal Museum of Culture and Nature (closed on New Year’s Eve & Day 1) → Wulai Forestry Life Museum (closed on New Year’s Eve & Day 1) → Wulai Waterfall → Wulai Hot Springs → Tung 9 Jia Line Bucket Chicken Cuisine → Bitan Water Dance Show (suspended on New Year’s Eve)

Take advantage of the Lunar New Year holiday to visit Wulai and experience Atayal culture and indigenous life. Dine on Wulai Old Street for aromatic indigenous delicacies. Nearby, Wulai Waterfall is a must-visit—breathe in the rich phytoncides and don’t miss the famous “Beauty Spring” hot springs for a warm and comforting experience.

▲ Soaking in Wulai Hot Springs with scenic views.

After the hot spring, enjoy a dinner with great ambiance and lighting at a restaurant by Bitan’s Bitan River, and catch the international-level light and water dance show until April 5. From January 23 to February 11, enjoy special Lunar New Year limited editions like “Celebrating the New Spring” and “Fantasy Aladdin” for a visual and auditory treat.

▲ Bitan Water Dance Show.

Route 3: Sanying Baiji – Spring Walk for Good Fortune

★ Route: Sanxia Old Street & Qingshui Zuoshi Temple → Baiji Xingxiu Temple → Yingge Ceramics Museum (closed on New Year’s Eve & Day 1) → Yingge Old Street → Xu Xinwang Ceramics Memorial Museum (closed on New Year’s Eve) → Tucheng Handxin Workshop Creative Rice Cake Culture Museum

During the Lunar New Year, bring your family and friends to explore Sanxia’s indigo dyeing and Yingge’s ceramics. Visit the bustling Qingshui Zuoshi Temple and Baiji Xingxiu Temple for blessings. Don’t miss the Yingge Ceramics Museum, the ceramic old street, and the expansive Sanying Heart Space Art Zone by the Dahan River. After exploring Sanying, head to Handxin Workshop in Tucheng for a fun family activity making pineapple cakes—spark creativity and invite good luck.

▲ Exploring Sanxia Old Street.

▲ Xu Xinwang Ceramics Memorial Museum.

Route 4: Shuijinjiu Gold Rush – Hug the Golden Chicken

★ Route: Shancheng Art Gallery & Yin-Yang Sea → Shancheng Restaurant (open all holidays) → Gold Ecological Park Gold Panning (closed on New Year’s Eve & Day 1) → Jiufen Old Street (Kishan Street & Shuqi Road)

The captivating Shuinandong Scenic Area features world-class wonders like Yin-Yang Sea, Shuinandong Smelter, and Gold Waterfall. To enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the 13-Level Ruins, Shuinandong Settlement, Shuinandong Fishing Port, and the coastal highway, visit the nearby “Changren Community” for stunning vistas. Also, check out the “Art Performance Gallery” showcasing works by local artists and dine at “Shancheng Restaurant,” which serves healthy vegetarian cuisine.

▲ View of Yin-Yang Sea.

In the afternoon, head to the Shuijinjiu area to try gold panning. The Gold Museum, in collaboration with the National Taiwan Museum, is running the “Ticket Root to Gold” event until January 31. Visitors holding 2015 or 2016 tickets for either museum can enter the Gold Museum’s Main Pit 5 and other NTM branches for free. At dusk, stroll through Jiufen’s Kishan Old Street, enjoy tea, and take in the scenery.

▲Jiufen Old Street.

Itinerary 5: Tamsui Golden Waterfront & Jiji Li

★Route Plan: Tamsui Old Street (freshly baked “chicken” cake) → Hobe MacKay Hospital (closed Dec 30–Jan 2) → Tamsui Historic Sites Museum (Fort San Domingo / Pastor’s House / Little White House closed Dec 30 & Jan 1) → Fisherman’s Wharf

If you want to explore all of New Taipei’s historic landmarks in one go, don’t miss the famous Fort San Domingo, Hobe Fort, and Little White House. Tamsui has it all. As evening falls, head to the internationally renowned Fisherman’s Wharf with your loved one to watch the sunset. With the majestic Guanyin Mountain in the background and Tamsui’s glowing sunset as your canopy, ring in the new year in style.

▲Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf.

Itinerary 6: Relax in Hot Springs Along the Northern Coast – Jinbaoxi

★Route Plan: Jinshan Cihyu Temple → Jinkouli Old Street → Yehliu Geopark (service hours Dec 30: 8am–3pm, normal hours from Jan 1) → Yehliu Fishing Port (try New Year’s seafood) → Jinshan/Wanli Hot Springs

The Jinshan-Wanli area along the northern coast boasts abundant hot spring resources, including rare seabed springs and sulfur-rich white sulfur springs. The local cuisine in the hot spring district is equally impressive—try the popular duck dishes from Jinkouli Old Street or hearty seafood feasts fresh from the harbor. It’s perfect for family outings with both young and old. Aside from Yehliu Scenic Area, the entire Northern Coast stretching across Wanli, Yehliu, Jinshan, Shimen, Sanzhi, and Tamsui features golden sandy beaches, azure waters, and majestic mountain views forming a scenic coastal strip ideal for day trips or longer stays.

▲Jinshan Old Street.

▲Yehliu Geopark.

Holiday Period: Visitor Center & Facility Opening Hours Overview

(Except Shifen Waterfall Park closed on New Year’s Eve & Bitan Water Dance suspended on New Year’s Eve, all other facilities open 8am–12pm on New Year’s Eve and resume normal hours from Jan 1)

Houtong Coal Mine Museum Park (including Tourist Information Station, Houtong Vision Hall, Houtong Sand Drying Room & Miners’ Memorial Hall), Shifen Visitor Service Center, Wulai Visitor Center, Tamsui MRT Station Travel Service Center, Xindian MRT Station Travel Service Center, Banqiao Railway Station Travel Service Center, Ruifang Railway Station Travel Service Center, and Jiufen Visitor Center will be open from 8am to 12pm on New Year’s Eve. Shifen Waterfall Park is closed all day on New Year’s Eve, and Bitan Water Dance performance is suspended on New Year’s Eve. All resume normal operations from Jan 1.