Tripbaa Funbaa!, Asia’s expert in independent travel
Have you noticed how incredibly nice the weather has been lately? The sun keeps popping out just when you need it... This kind of weather is perfect for taking photos by the sea—the most beautiful and picturesque moments. We took advantage of the good weather during the recent holiday and planned a trip to the North Coast, gathering all the hottest IG spots there. We’ve quickly compiled them here to share with everyone, so you can follow in our footsteps and explore the North Coast on your next day off too.
Honestly, the scenery along the North Coast is truly stunning, and many of the spots are perfect for relaxing, taking photos, or playing in the water. But… where exactly are these IG-famous photo spots? How beautiful and photogenic are they really? Now, let’s take you on a journey to discover these incredibly gorgeous and Insta-worthy North Coast hotspots.
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First up, we’re sharing the super popular photo spot “Laomei Green Reef,” which has been all over my Facebook feed lately. It’s probably one of the newer trendy spots in recent years—I remember when I first came here, there were barely any visitors.
There were so many empty parking spaces near the pavilion that you could park wherever you wanted. Now, good luck finding a single spot—it’s a nightmare. But there’s a reason this spot has become so popular: it’s home to Taiwan’s only natural stone reef.
Every year from March to May, these stone reefs are covered in vibrant green seaweed, creating an absolutely breathtaking view. This period is when Laomei Green Reef is at its most enchanting—and also when it sees the most visitors. Because this unique landscape exists nowhere else in Taiwan, it has attracted countless social media influencers and photographers, which is how most people discovered it.
To capture the scene of blue skies, ocean waves, and green seaweed coming together, you’ll need to keep an eye on the tide times. Fortunately, the New Taipei City Government has thoughtfully posted a tide chart at the entrance to help visitors plan their visit and not miss the view. That’s because if it’s high tide, you won’t be able to see the seaweed. I think that’s a really considerate touch by the city government.
The scenery at Laomei’s Green Reef is truly unlike your typical seascape—it has its own uniquely captivating charm. No wonder so many people make the trip here just to take photos. When we visited, there were tons of tourists, so we recommend going on a non-holiday to get better shots.
■ Address: Xia Yuan Keng, Shimen District, New Taipei City
■ Best viewing period: Mid-March to early May each year
■ Official site: New Taipei City Tourism – Laomei Green Reef
Peace Island Park is one of Keelung’s most well-known tourist attractions, featuring stunning natural erosional rock formations that draw visitors specifically to admire and photograph them. But… Peace Island isn’t just about natural scenery. It’s also a great place for locals to swim and explore marine ecosystems—many families bring their kids here.
Peace Island Park has just completed its latest renovation and is currently in a trial operation phase, so the entrance fee is just NT$20. I think that’s pretty affordable, considering you can not only play in the sand and observe nature but also enjoy swimming in the sea. The park even has a rather unique saltwater swimming pool.
There are quite a few erosional rock formations along the North Coast, and the rest of our itinerary will feature similar spots, so we’ll skip the natural landscape details for now. Instead, let’s talk about this saltwater swimming pool. When we visited, quite a few people were swimming here, and the whole vibe was incredibly relaxing and laid-back.
A friend said it reminded them a bit of the seaside pool near Tenerife in Spain from “Yin Shi Tang 2.” Honestly? It really does have that Tenerife vibe. Swimming here feels a bit like being abroad.
Besides enjoying the sea views and swimming, this place is also rich in marine life. I noticed many parents bringing their kids here to learn about ocean creatures—it’s super educational and fun. So, if you’re looking for a great summer activity to do with your children, I’d say this is a fantastic choice.
■ Address: No. 360, Pingyi Road, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City
■ Opening hours: 08:00–18:00
■ Official site: Keelung Tourism – Peace Island Park
Located near the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, Chaojing Park has recently gained popularity—entirely thanks to this broom. This installation art piece, dubbed the “Harry Potter flying broom,” has drawn crowds eager to take photos and check in. We even saw a group of college students taking graduation photos here on the day we visited.
Honestly… the park is really well designed. Aside from the flying broom, there are plenty of other art installations to snap photos with, as well as some playground equipment for kids, making it a fun spot for families.
Also, because the area is quite open, many people come here specifically to fly kites. Blowing in the sea breeze by the coast, admiring the views, taking photos, and checking in—it’s actually a pretty nice experience.
For example, this fish sculpture is a great spot for photos. The weather here is really photogenic no matter what. Oh, and you can also walk along the trail from Chaojing Park all the way to Wangyou Valley, another recently trending spot. We didn’t make it there on the day we visited because the weather was just too hot (and I definitely won’t admit it’s because we were too lazy), but I think adding Wangyou Valley to your itinerary would make for a healthy and enjoyable trip.
■ Address: Lane 369, Beining Road, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City
Xiangbi Rock, located at the Shen’ao Cliff, is one of Taiwan’s 36 hidden gems and a recent IG-famous photo spot. This natural sea cave, eroded and weathered by the sea over the years, resembles an elephant’s trunk—hence the name “Xiangbi Rock” (Elephant Trunk Rock).
We recommend wearing comfortable flat shoes to get here, as most of the path is rugged rocky terrain. The walk from the entrance to Xiangbi Rock isn’t easy, so dressing casually and comfortably will help you avoid slips and falls.
Also, Xiangbi Rock is fairly high and a bit dangerous, so it’s best to admire it from a distance. One wrong step could mean a fall from several stories up. (Honestly, watching others climb made me break out in a cold sweat.)
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Besides the iconic Elephant Trunk Rock, which is very photogenic at Shen’ao Cape, the coastal area here also makes for fantastic photo opportunities. The sea is so vividly blue that no matter how you shoot it, the photos turn out beautiful. However, the rocks here can be a bit slippery, so do be careful when walking. I think the scenery here is in no way inferior to "Laomei Green Reef." The difference is that Laomei’s reef formations are more unique. So, when you visit, don’t just snap a few photos of the Elephant Trunk Rock and leave — take some extra time to enjoy the coastal views too; it’s really worth it.
■ Address: No. 189-9, Shen’ao Rd., Ruifang District, New Taipei City
The Golden Waterfall is located right beside Jingshui Highway. Whether you're heading to the Gold Ecological Park or Jiufen from the North Coast, you’ll pass by this spot. It's a must-visit destination on the North Coast for many foreign visitors. In the past, the upstream area was a copper mine, and mineral sediments accumulated on the riverbed. Due to oxidation, the water has taken on this golden-yellow hue — which is how the waterfall got its name.
The slightly golden riverbed paired with the lush green mountain scenery makes for truly stunning photos. However, the path here is quite narrow and gets crowded with visitors, so it’s recommended that you spend just 10 minutes quickly taking photos and then move on. After all, the waterfall isn’t very large, and keeping the path clear helps avoid traffic issues for vehicles heading up the mountain.
Additionally, the nearby ruins of the 13-Level Ore Refining Plant, located beside the Golden Waterfall, were once a popular Instagram hotspot. Originally an old mining facility of Taiwan Metal Mining Corp (TMC), it was abandoned after the mining industry declined and is now a site rich in history. It’s said that many music videos were filmed here in the past. However... due to the long period of disuse and potential safety hazards, the site is not open to the public.
From the elevated vantage point of the 13-Level Ore Refining Plant ruins, you can see a uniquely beautiful view of the Yin-Yang Sea. On a clear day, coming here to take photos and check in is truly a breathtaking experience — the scenery is almost like a painting.
■ Address: Jingshui Highway, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
■ Official Website: New Taipei City Tourism - Golden Waterfall
The North Coast attractions recommended this time make up a great summer route in Northern Taiwan that’s perfect for playing in the water and taking photos. This stretch of coastline is absolutely gorgeous. I highly recommend using your weekend holiday to come here, enjoy the sea breeze, and unwind. Snap some photos, check in on social media, and get a taste of being an internet influencer — I think it’s a pretty fun kind of trip.
[Authorized reprint from Tripbaa] Original article from [Laomei Green Reef × Chaojing Park × Elephant Trunk Rock | North Coast Spots for IG Check-ins]. Provided by guest blogger [Aileen, Living Happily].
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