Jinguashi

Jiufen is a former gold mining town located on a steep hillside above the northeast coast, about an hour from Taipei. Its stair-lined alleyways, traditional teahouses, and red lanterns make it the most popular day trip from the capital, especially in the late afternoon when the lights come on and the view extends over the sea.Following gold discoveries in 1893, the village grew into a mining town, its golden age coinciding with the Japanese colonial era. The present-day old town, centered around Jishan Street, primarily reflects those years. After the decline of mining, the town fell into disrepair and only later experienced a resurgence as a popular tourist destination. In the neighboring town of Jinguashi, the Gold Museum, located on a former mine site, recounts the history of gold extraction.

The North around Taipei is the most densely populated part of Taiwan and the entry point for most travelers. Here you land in Taoyuan, eat your way through the capital's night markets, and drive in an hour to the mountains above the Northeast Coast.The Greater Taipei Area, including New Taipei and Keelung, is home to around seven million people. The metro reaches Yangmingshan National Park with its extinct volcanoes and Beitou's hot springs. In Ruifang District lies the former gold mining town of Jiufen, next door to the Gold Museum in Jinguashi.

Taiwan's capital in the north of the island blends Qing-era temples, colonial architecture, and the 509-meter-tall skyscraper Taipei 101 with a vibrant night market culture. Taipei is the perfect starting point for any trip: This is where you land, where you'll find exceptionally good and affordable food, and where mountains with hot springs are right on the city's doorstep.In the west, around Wanhua and Dadaocheng, the 1738-founded Longshan Temple and the shops of Dihua Street reflect the city's 19th-century trading past. To the east, shopping districts and skyscrapers define the Xinyi area. The National Palace Museum houses one of the world's largest collections of ancient Chinese art, and to the north, the city borders Yangmingshan National Park, home to extinct volcanoes and hot springs.

Taroko Gorge, north of Hualien, is Taiwan's most famous natural landscape: The Liwu River has carved its way through marble cliffs, with walls rising steeply. The area is home to the Truku people.The earthquake on April 3, 2024, severely impacted the park. Well-known trails like the Shakadang Trail, Swallow Grotto, and Zhuilu Old Trail remain closed. Accessible areas include the Visitor Center at the park entrance with the Dekalun Trail, and parts of Tianxiang. Before any visit, check the latest advisories from the National Park Administration.

Hualien on the east coast is the gateway to Taroko National Park and the Pacific coast, where the Central Mountain Range drops almost vertically into the sea. The city itself is relaxed and manageable; its appeal lies in its surroundings: pebble beaches, steep cliffs, and the famous Marble Gorge.The earthquake on April 3, 2024, severely impacted Taroko Gorge. Many well-known trails, such as the Shakadang Trail, Swallow Grotto, and Zhuilu Old Trail, remain closed even in 2026. Open areas include the visitor center at the park entrance with the Dekalun Trail and parts of the Tianxiang area. Before any excursion, check the latest information from the National Park Administration. Between the city and the gorge lies Qixingtan pebble beach.