8 "Happy Farming Light Travel" online registrations available – experience tea tasting and handmade tofu

ReporterYan Xintong/Comprehensive Report

As autumn approaches and the weather turns cool, it's the perfect time to head outdoors for a light travel experience. New Taipei City’s Tourism Bureau has launched 8 “Happy Farming Light Travel” programs, featuring special itineraries planned by eight districts—Shiding, Pinglin, Sanzhi, Shimen, Shuanghe, Gongliao, and Shuangxi. These include activities such as tea picking, handmade tofu making, strolling through old streets, and enjoying rural charm.

1. Shiding-Pinglin Tea Journey
It’s recommended to visitXu Family Handmade Wheat Noodlesto experience traditional handmade noodle crafting. Autumn is also the season of osmanthus. At the tea-growing region’s Osmanthus Farm, you can savor the fragrant aroma of osmanthus cakes. The historic Shiding Old Street is also a must-visit destination, offering a rich cultural landscape.

▲ Pinglin Hiking Trail (Photo / Screenshot from New Taipei City Tourism Website)

2. Sanzhi-Shimen Farming Journey
The famous terraced fields are a unique sight in the Sanzhi-Shimen area. Head to Fanpolin Leisure Farm to experience fruit-picking farm work. Don’t forget to check outFortune Cape Art Zonefor a visit. Opened at the end of August, Fortune Cape features military barracks, offering entirely new experiences. There’s also the Li Tianlu Puppetry Museum at Zhibai Art Village, where you can appreciate the beauty of art.

▲ New Taipei City’s water terraced field experience activities open for registration in the afternoon. (Photo / Screenshot from New Taipei City Government Agriculture Bureau)

3. Shuanghe’s Urban Exploration and Reading Delights
Although located in a bustling city, it also offers cultural charm. Hidden beside the SOGO Department Store is theWorld Religion Museum, a spiritual retreat in the urban jungle. There are also distinctive Korean and Myanmar Streets to explore, as well as serene temples like Yuantong Temple. Altogether, Shuanghe is truly a multicultural hub.

▲ World Religion Museum (Photo / Screenshot from the official website of the World Religion Museum)

4. Gongliao’s Mountain-and-Sea Adventure
In Gongliao, you can enjoy both mountains and the sea. This area features expansive water terraced fields, and you can also sign up to experience the joy of farming. Visit the Kengqin Water Park to admire the scenery, or hike the Caoling Historic Trail for a very healthy journey. Beach lovers can head to Longdong Bay or go straight to Fulong Beach to enjoy a Fulong lunchbox. And don’t miss the serene beauty ofSan Diego Cape Lighthouse — the easternmost light on Taiwan.

▲ New Taipei Gongliao’s Hehe Water Terraced Fields (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziyin)

5. Shuangxi Old Street and Hiking Trail Tour
Shuangxi is theonly destination that offers a 2-day-1-night itineraryand is also great for cycling trips. On your first day in Shuangxi, you can stay at a local hotel or homestay, explore Shuangxi Old Street, the traditional Chinese medicine shop Lin Yihetang, or the Zhou family’s ancestral house. There’s also the well-knownMudan StationWith its unique crescent-shaped platform and track design, it’s a must-visit spot for railway enthusiasts.

▲ Mudan Station (Photo / From Wikimedia Commons)

The New Taipei City Department of Tourism stated that these activities are all registered online. The quota for each session of activities in Shiding, Shuanghe, Pinglin, Gongliao, and Shuangxi is limited to 18 participants per session, while the activities in Sanzhi and Shimen can accommodate up to 40 participants per session. Registration begins now and continues until all spots are filled.

For details, please visit the official website of the New Taipei City Department of Tourism:http://tour.ntpc.gov.tw/tom/lang_tw/index.aspx