Written/Compiled and Reported by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin
As the Lunar New Year draws near, the New Taipei City Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau has launched five recommended travel routes for the festive season. These include “Praying for Blessings: A Heritage Tour of Xinzhuang Temple Street,” “Spring Strolling: A Railway Mini-Trip through Banqiao, Shulin, and Yingge,” “Attracting Wealth: The Gold-Rich Adventure along Shuǐjīnjiǔ (Gold, Gold, Nine),” “Sky Lantern Release: A Blissful One-Day Trip to Muzha, Shenkeng, and Pingxi,” and “Temple Fair Fun: Exploring the Festive Vibes of Sanxia Old Street.” These routes span both Taipei and New Taipei, offering international-caliber Lunar New Year events to welcome the Year of the Horse.
The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is hailed as a must-visit carnival. (Image provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
(1) Temple Street Prayers — Heritage Tour of Xinzhuang Temple Street
Visiting temples to offer incense and prayers is a traditional essential during the Taiwanese Lunar New Year. Xinzhuang Road, with its high density of temples, is also known as “Xinzhuang Temple Street” and is the perfect choice for a New Year excursion. This area boasts numerous century-old traditional shops and densely clustered historic temples. Within just 600 meters, there are multiple temples designated as national heritage sites, including the Grade II Guanfu Temple, Grade III Wusheng Temple, and Ciyu Palace.
Ciyu Palace on Xinzhuang Temple Street. (Image provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
(2) Railway Spring Stroll — Banqiao, Shulin, and Yingge Railway Trip
This Lunar New Year holiday is shorter than usual, and traffic congestion may be worse than in previous years. Opting for a railway-based spring trip to explore historic landmarks and scenic spots in the city is a wise choice. For just a small fare on the Taiwan Railways, you can reach attractions along the line such as the “Banqiao Lin Family Garden” (Lin Ben Yuan Garden Mansion), the Shanjia Railway Station — a municipal heritage site, as well as Yingge Old Street and the Yingge Ceramics Museum.
Enjoy a relaxing railway mini-trip during the Lunar New Year. (Image provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
(3) Attracting Wealth — Shuǐjīnjiǔ (Gold, Gold, Nine) Gold-Rich Adventure Route
Shuǐjīnjiǔ refers to three charming small towns: “Shuǐdòng (Shuinandong),” “Jīnguāshí (Gold Gully),” and “Jiǔfēn (Jiufen).” Shuǐdòng features the 13-Level Ruins, Yin-Yang Sea, and Golden Waterfall, along with the Shuǐdòng Visitor Center. Originally an idle old restaurant owned by Taipower, the visitor center has been repurposed through adaptive reuse of the historic building and the influx of local artists, making it the nation’s first tourist service center that combines cultural, artistic exhibitions, and performances.
Near Jīnguāshí, you’ll find the Gold Ecological Park, Qitang Old Street, Golden Shrine, Crown Prince’s Lodge, and the International Peace Memorial Park for the End of the War. Among these, the Gold Museum not only allows you to experience going deep into a mine shaft and panning for gold yourself, but also houses a massive 220-kilogram gold bar. Touching this huge gold bar during the Lunar New Year is believed to bring wealth and good fortune for the coming year. In the afternoon or evening, head to Jiufen — loved by international visitors for three consecutive years as one of Taiwan’s favorite spots — to enjoy its distinct daytime and nighttime atmospheres.
The Shuǐjīnjiǔ area is a popular travel destination in New Taipei City. (Image provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
(4) Temple Fair Fun — Sanxia Old Street Year-End Stroll
The Sanxia Qingshui Zuoshi Temple, known as the “Oriental Art Palace,” and the Sanxia Old Street, which buzzes with festive energy from the New Year’s Eve head-incense grab all the way through the Qingshui Zuoshi Festival on the sixth day of the New Year, are both spots brimming with Lunar New Year cheer and rich traditional local character. Visiting here during the festive season is sure to usher in a fresh and auspicious start to the new year.
This year’s Lunar New Year holiday extends through the fifth day of the first lunar month (February 4th), and most people will have to return to work on the sixth (February 5th). However, retirees are not bound by these holiday limits and might consider attending the Qingshui Zuoshi Festival on the sixth. To accommodate the large crowds, additional medical service stations and portable toilets will be set up around the old street.
The Qingshui Zuoshi Festival on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year in Sanxia is a significant local celebration. (Image provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau, Photo by Chen Dingxin)
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