Four Scenic Routes for a One-Day Trip to Taipei’s Suburbs to Admire Breathtaking Mountain Views

By the MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Holidaymakers looking to get out and enjoy nature without venturing too far will find the suburbs an excellent choice. Taipei’s suburbs—including Jiufen, Shiding, Pingxi, and the Northeast Coast—offer a variety of scenery, including seascapes, mountain views, historic sites, and traditional streets. Visitors can consider these options for their next trip.

1. Jiufen: Gold Museum → Jinguashi Shrine → Shiping Theater → Jiufen Old Street
Jiufen and Jinguashi boast rich historical, cultural, and natural assets. Among them, the Gold Museum is Taiwan’s first museum built based on the concept of an ecological museum.

In addition to admiring the area’s unique geology and natural beauty, you can also stroll through Jiufen Old Street to experience the glorious prosperity of Asia’s Golden City.

2. Shiding: Thousand Island Lake → Wutuxi Trail → Shiding Old Street
Located about 30 to 40 minutes by car from downtown Taipei, Shiding features stunning hidden gems. Standing in Shiding’s tea plantations, you can not only enjoy the fragrance of tea but also take in the breathtaking views of Thousand Island Lake. Additionally, you can choose to walk along the nearby Wutuxi Trail or sample local delicacies at Shiding Old Street.

3. Pingxi: Tsai Family Mansion → Lingjiao Waterfall → Pingxi Old Street
Besides the century-old Sky Lantern Festival, Pingxi also offers stunning waterfalls and trail scenery. The Lingjiao Mountain Hiking Trail showcases a variety of natural vegetation, including acacia, camellia, and snakegourd. Along the way, you’ll pass by the “Three Treasures of Lingjiao” (Tsai Family Mansion, Wanggu Waterfall, and Lingjiao Ancient Bridge), where you can get an up-close view of the beauty of Wanggu Waterfall—one of the city’s rare hidden paradises.