
▲ The Badouzi Station, reopened in December last year. (Photo provided by Taiwan Railways)
Reported by Yu Jiayun / Comprehensive Report
The Badouzi Station, reopened in December last year, boasts stunning natural scenery surrounded by mountains and the sea, reintroducing travelers to the Pingxi & Shan’ao Branch Line of the Taiwan Railways. Though the line may not sound familiar, it leads to well-known attractions such as Jiufen, JingTong, and Wangyou Valley. Since the two sections were connected in 2014, the Pingxi & Shan’ao Line has become an ideal choice for a one-day trip—with every stop offering breathtaking views!
JingTong
The exit of JingTong Station leads directly to the bustling JingTong Old Street, filled with local snacks, agricultural specialties, and souvenir shops that showcase strong regional character. The railway tracks are adorned with bamboo tubes inscribed with visitors’ prayers—an unusual sight that even attracted filming for a Korean drama!

▲ The nostalgic and retro-style JingTong Station. (Photo by reporter Chen Ruizhong)
Pingxi
Pingxi has long been a must-visit destination for many foreign tourists in Taiwan. Its classic yet lively old street, along with the New Taipei City Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival held annually for the Lantern Festival, is as famous as Yanshui Beehive Rockets during Taiwan’s festivities. The festival offers unique charm both during the day and at night.

▲ The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, which attracts numerous visitors every year. (Photo by reporter Xu Zhengt)

▲ Pingxi Old Street. (Photo provided by Yijie Enterprise)
Shifen
Known as the “Niagara Falls of Taiwan” due to its resemblance to North America’s Niagara Falls, Shifen Waterfall is majestic with its roaring waters and impressive scale. Up close, it is truly spectacular, and when sunlight hits, a rainbow sometimes arches over the falls, creating a rare and beautiful sight.

▲ The Shifen Waterfall, also called the “Niagara of Taiwan.” (Photo provided by New Taipei City Government)
Sandiaoling
Located in Ruoren Village, Ruifang District, Sandiaoling sits upstream of the Keelung River. With no factories nearby, the unpolluted environment fosters diverse ecosystems. From mid-April to mid-May, it’s firefly season, and the area’s famous Sandiaoling Waterfall cluster and mountain peaks are illuminated by the glowing dance of countless fireflies—a magical nighttime spectacle.

▲ Sandiaoling turns into a firefly wonderland every April. (Photo from New Taipei City Government website, provided by Mr. Zhao Jianxian)
HouDong
When talking about HouDong, you can’t miss the feline paradise known as Cat Village. In recent years, thanks to the initiative of a cat-loving netizen, a volunteer team was formed to improve the village environment, providing cats with a more friendly habitat. This has turned the village into a popular spot where visitors and cat lovers can get up close with the resident felines.

▲ The Cat Village in HouDong, transformed through community effort. (Photo from…)

Ruifang
Want to go to Jiufen? Don’t look for a non-existent Jiufen Station—get off at Ruifang and transfer to a bus instead. Jiufen has long been a favorite among Japanese and Korean tourists, with its classic red-brick buildings, glowing red lanterns at night, and stunning views of the sea and the mountain town skyline. For hikers, Ruifang’s Bao Shi Mountain is a great spot for an easy climb with panoramic views of the Yin-Yang Sea.

▲ Jiufen is a top pick for Japanese and Korean tourists. (Photo from Ruifang District Office official website)

▲ The Bao Shi Mountain Trail, where you can enjoy miscanthus grass in autumn. (Photo from Crooked Mouth Q Life & Food Moments)
National Museum of Marine Science and Technology
The National Museum of Marine Science and Technology is a museum that combines exhibitions, education, research, collection, and leisure. It aims to inspire visitors to “get close to the ocean, understand the ocean, use the ocean wisely, and treat the ocean kindly.” Here, you can see a wide variety of marine life, blending education with entertainment. Nearby, you can also explore Badouzi City and the Badouzi Fishing Port, and enjoy fresh seafood.

▲ The relatively new National Museum of Marine Science and Technology. (Photo from the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology official website)
Badouzi
To enjoy the boundless, breathtaking seascape of Northeast Taiwan, head to Badouzi Tide Museum Park or Wangyou Valley. The mountain-and-sea trails offer sweeping views of the landscape. Tide Museum Park features parking lots, large lawns, fish sculptures, bike paths, slides, viewing benches, and fountains—making it a great place for couples to stroll or for families to spend time outdoors.

▲ Badouzi Chaojing Park offers an unobstructed view of the ocean. (Photo provided by netizen Judy Liu. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)
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