With ancient Taiwanese customs, impressive architecture and natural landmarks, Shifen is a great place to visit when touring the Pingxi District. This former coal-mining and railroad town sits on the Keelung River encompassed by wooded hills and dramatic rock formations. Stroll Shifen’s unique main street, enjoy walks into the countryside and learn about the region’s coaling heyday.
Atmospheric Shifen Old Street straddles an operational train track and beckons with its colorful souvenir shops and the aromas of street food stands. Sample typical snacks such as rice-filled boneless chicken wings and stinky tofu. Take part in the tradition of purchasing a sky lantern, writing a good luck message on it and sending it flying into the night sky. Horn-blowing trains regularly trundle through the street, causing visitors to scurry onto the pavements.
Stroll from the village center to the pedestrian-only Jingan Suspension Bridge to enjoy views of the river and lush hilly countryside. A 15-minute walk or short taxi ride away is Shifen Visitors Center, from where bridges and pathways travel into the Shifen Scenic Area. The area’s dramatic topography of forest-draped ravines, escarpments and unusual rock formations has been carved by the river over centuries.
Follow the Shifen Falls Walk, which crosses the creaking Siguangtan Suspension Bridge and Guanpu Suspension Bridge on its way to Shifen Waterfall. Locals call the waterfall Taiwan’s Niagara Falls because of its powerful curtain of brilliant white water. Continue on paved pathways and staircases on a loop track around Shifen Waterfall Park.
Be sure to include a trip to the Taiwan Coal Mine Museum. It features old mining machinery, displays of vintage photographs, a walk-though mining tunnel and working mine train.
Shifen is a 50-minute drive from central New Taipei City. Get here by traveling on the Pingxi Line from Ruifang. Use the train to reach Jiufen, Pingxi and other towns in the Pingxi District.
