A One-Day Trip to Taipei’s Suburbs: Four Routes to Breathtaking Mountain Views

By the MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

When you want to get out and enjoy nature on a holiday but don’t feel like traveling far, the suburbs are a great option. The suburbs of Taipei—including Jiufen, Shiding, Pingxi, and the Northeast Coast—offer diverse landscapes, including seascapes, mountain views, historical sites, and old streets to choose from. Travelers can use these as references for their next outing.

1. Jiufen: Gold Museum -> Jinguashi Shrine -> Shaping 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 with the concept of an ecological museum.

In addition to appreciating the area’s unique geology and natural beauty, you can also stroll through Jiufen Old Street to experience the splendor and glory of Asia’s Golden City in its heyday.

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

3. Pingxi: Tsai Family Mansion -> Lingjiao Waterfall -> Pingxi Old Street
In addition to its century-old Sky Lantern Festival, Pingxi also offers stunning waterfall and trail scenery. The Lingjiao Mountain Hiking Trail features a variety of natural vegetation such as acacia trees, camellia trees, and snakegourd herbs. Along the way, you’ll pass by the Lingjiao Three Treasures (Tsai Family Mansion, Wanggu Waterfall, and Lingjiao Ancient Bridge), where you can get a close-up view of the beauty of Wanggu Waterfall—one of the city’s rare hidden paradises.