By MOOK Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin | Compiled & Reported
With the Lunar New Year approaching, many people will go out with their families for spring outings and visit temples to pray for good fortune in the coming year. The New Taipei City Government has introduced six blessing and hiking trails, including the Zhonghe Hōnglúdì Trail (Nanshan Fude Temple), Sanxia Yuanshan Trail (Qingshui Ancestral Temple), Xizhi Dajianshan Trail (Tianxiu Temple), Shiding Danlan Ancient Trail (Jijun Temple), Pinglin Shuiliubu Trail (Baoping Temple), and Bali Guanyinshan Hanyanling Trail (Lingyun Zen Temple), allowing visitors to enjoy the natural ambiance of the trails while ushering in good luck during the holiday season.
At dusk, Xizhi Dajianshan offers a view of the sparkling lights of the Taipei Basin coming alive. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
The six recommended hiking trails by New Taipei City Tourism Bureau each feature unique cultural charm and natural beauty. For example, the Shiding Danlan Ancient Trail is nestled between mountains and water, boasting beautiful scenery and an easy, gentle path that leads to an old street where you can sample local Shiding delicacies. The Bali Guanyinshan Hanyanling offers an exceptional panoramic view, with the entire Taipei and Bali area spread out before you, and even a distant glimpse of greater Taipei. The majestic Lingyun Zen Temple at the mountain’s base boasts a prime location.
A view of the Tamsui River estuary from the top of Bali Guanyinshan Hanyanling. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
The Sanxia Yuanshan Trail is close to the famous Qingshui Ancestral Temple and the Sanxia Old Street, where you can appreciate the artistic achievements of the temple and experience the charm of the old street. The Pinglin Shuiliubu Trail is lined with rows of mountain cherry blossoms, which have begun to bloom gradually from the lower areas, adding splashes of color to the green forest. The Zhonghe Hōnglúdì Trail on Nanshihjiao Mountain offers expansive views, while the bustling Nanshan Fude Temple halfway up the mountain is always filled with devout worshippers praying for wealth and blessings. Both Xizhi Dajianshan and Tianxiu Temple offer spectacular vistas—you can see Taipei 101 and the Miramar Ferris Wheel in full view, making them great spots for watching the sunset as well.
Blessing Trail Features, Recommended Itineraries & Transportation
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Trail Name
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Trail Features & Recommended Itinerary
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Transportation
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Zhonghe Hōnglúdì Trail
(Fude Temple) |
1. Offers a bird’s-eye view of the Taipei Basin and the Dahan and Xindian rivers, with distant views of the Guanyin and Datun volcanic mountain ranges and the Tamsui estuary. Cherry blossoms can be enjoyed along the trail in spring—some are already blooming. After sunset, enjoy the night scenery.
2. Recommended itinerary: Xingnan Road — Hōnglúdì Fude Temple — Nanshihjiao Mountain (return the same way).
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◎ Bus:
Take Taipei City Bus No. 249 or 670, get off at Hōnglúdì Station, turn left onto Section 2, Xingnan Road, Lane 399, and walk about 500 meters to the trailhead. Then hike up the trail through the parking lot and Fude Temple to reach Nanshihjiao Mountain.
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Sanxia Yuanshan (Qingshui Ancestral Temple)
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1. Known as one of the Five Scenic Spots of Sanxia, at dusk you can gaze at the Dahan River, the Sanxia district, and the first lights of thousands of homes.
2. Recommended route: Yuanfeng Road — Cihui Hall — Yuanshan Park (return the same way).
3. Nearby attractions: Sanxia Old Street, local delicacies, Qingshui Ancestral Temple, etc.
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◎ MRT:
Take the Bannan Line (Blue Line) to Yongning Station, then transfer to bus 275, 705, or 706 to Sanxia Old Street — walk toward Sanxia Old Street (Minquan Street) — turn right onto Ren’ai Street to reach the trailhead.
◎ Driving:
Take National Freeway No. 3 to the Sanying Interchange — follow County Highway 110 (Fuxing Road) and connect to Zhongshan Road into downtown Sanxia, then follow Ren’ai Street to Yuanfeng Road trailhead.
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Xizhi Dajianshan
(Tianxiu Temple) |
1. Provides a full view of the greater Taipei Basin, with layers of mountains, and at night, the glow of countless lights. Nearby waterfalls include the Qie? Waterfall and Xiufeng Waterfall. Mountain cherry blossoms are currently starting to bloom.
2. Recommended route: Qinjin Road — Tianxiu Temple — Xizhi Dajianshan (return the same way).
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◎ Public Transport:
Take the free Xin Bus F911 Dajianshan Line from Xizhi Railway Station to Shiyun Village Station, then walk up the hiking trail to Dajianshan, or take the Xin Bus to its terminal stop at Tiansiuxian Temple.
◎ Driving:
Head west from Xizhi Railway Station toward Xiufeng Road, turn left, cross the New Taiwan Fifth Highway, follow Qinjin Road to reach Xiude Temple first, then Tiansiuxian Temple.
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Shiding Danlan Ancient Trail – Shiding Section
(Jijun Temple) |
1. Also known as the Wai’an Ancient Trail, it starts along the Keelung River near Nuannuan, crosses Sandiao Ridge and Caoling Mountain areas, and reaches Dali and Shicheng near the Lanyang Region. It later became a key route for transportation, migration, and trade between Tamsui Hall (Taipei) and Kavalan Hall (Yilan).
2. Recommended Route: Shuangxi Kou – Danlan Suspension Bridge – Hike the Ancient Trail – Shiding West Street – Jijun Temple.
3. Nearby Attractions: Shiding Old Street (featuring century-old stone houses, blacksmith shops, Tianjian Tian Street, and stilt houses), local cuisine, Shiding Elementary School, and Shiding Jijun Temple.
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◎ Public Transport:
1. Take the Taipei Metro Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Jingshui Station or the Wenhu Line to Muzha Station, then transfer to Xinxing Bus 666 and get off at Shuangxi Kou.
2. Transfer to Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 795 Muzha Pingxi Line at Muzha Metro Station, and get off at Shuangxi Kou.
◎ Driving:
1. From Taipei, take National Freeway No. 3, then connect via the Taipei Interchange to Shenkeng, and continue on Wenshan Road (Provincial Highway 106B) of the Shenkeng Outer Ring Road to Shiding Shuangxi Kou.
2. Taipei – National Freeway No. 5 – Shiding Interchange – Provincial Highway 106 – Shuangxi Kou.
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Pinglin Shuiliujiao/Guanyin Platform Trail
(Bao Ping Temple) |
1. The trailhead is located beside the Pinglin Gas Station. One side of the trail is lined with a cherry blossom tree-lined road. At the mountaintop pavilion, you can look left to view the Pinglin Tea Museum and right to enjoy the scenery of Beishi Stream, offering a panoramic view of Pinglin.
2. Recommended Route:
(1) Pinglin Archway Gas Station – follow the industrial road on the left side of the gas station to the trailhead – scenic pavilion offers great views – there’s a trail branch at the pavilion (leading to the district office) that goes straight down to Bao Ping Temple in Pinglin Old Street.
(2) Pinglin Old Street toward Provincial Highway 106B – Guanyin Platform Trail trailhead – Guanyin Platform Trail.
3. Nearby Attractions: Old Street Bao Ping Temple, Pinglin Old Street and local cuisine, Tea Industry Museum, etc. (Closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day).
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◎ Public Transport:
Take Green 12 or 923 Bus from Xindian Metro Station to Pinglin Visitor Center and Pinglin Station.
◎ Driving:
1. From Taipei, take National Freeway No. 5 directly to the Pinglin Interchange.
2. From Taipei, take National Freeway No. 3 to Shiding Interchange, then connect via Provincial Highway 106B to reach Shiding, Pinglin, and other areas.
3. From Taipei, go to Jingshui, then follow Provincial Highway 106 through Muzha, Shenkeng, and Shiding, and take Provincial Highway 106B to Pinglin.
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Bali Guanyin Mountain (Lingyun Zen Temple)
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1. Guanyin Mountain has six hiking trails: Fulungshan, Niugangling, Yanghanling, Jianshan, Fengguidouhu, and Niulaopu trails.
2. Hard Man Ridge is the highest point of Guanyin Mountain. The Hard Man Ridge Trail can be accessed from the trailhead near Lingyun Temple. From the summit, you can enjoy panoramic views of Taipei 101, Grand Hotel Taipei, Guandu Bridge, and the mouth of the Tamsui River.
3. Suggested Itineraries:
(1) Lingyun Temple – Hard Man Ridge Trailhead – Hard Man Ridge (round trip).
(2) Lingyun Temple – Forest Canopy Trail – Guanyin Mountain Visitor Center.
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◎ Public Transportation:
1. Take the Sanxing Bus “Beimen–Guanyin Mountain” and get off at the terminal stop “Kaishan Lingyun Temple.” Follow the signs to reach the destination.
2. Exit at Exit 1 of Luzhou MRT Station – take Bus Orange 20 – arrive at Lingyun Temple.
◎ Driving:
1. National Freeway 1 (Wugu Interchange) → Highway 64 (Guanyin Mountain Interchange) → Section 3 of Lingyun Road → Guanyin Mountain.
2. Taipei – Dadu Road – Guandu Bridge – toward Sanchong and Wugu – Chengtai Road (County Road 103) → Lingyun Road (Township Road North 53-1) → Guanyin Mountain.
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● Read More: New Year Cultural Strolls in New Taipei City – Collect Stamps to Win Zhu Ming Artworks
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