Jio Fen－Jin Gua Shi Route

Gold Mine Exploratory Journey JIOU FEN-JIN GUA SHI route

Gold Ecological Park The park emphasises on preserving culture heritages; therefore, the original buildings in the park are well preserved. Among the architectures in the park, there is the BenShan Wu Keng Ancient Trail, Japanese style buildings, light vehicles way, gold museum, gold temple, gold furnace, old post office, police office, residence of "Mige Kiku Zirou" and Crown Prince Chalet…etc. The Gold museum has the world largest gold brick, weight 220 kg with 99.9% purity. Crown Prince Chalet’s architecture is purely in Japanese Style and worth a close examination, such as the Fuji Mountain window. The attention in details of this building proves the privileged status of the owner at the time. Direction: From KeeLung training station (in front of the Yi Mei Store), takes KeeLung bus to JiouFen and get off at JinGuaShi Station. By car, get off at The RuiFang NuanNuan exit and follow the road signs.

Fu Shan Temple Constructed in 1848, the marvelous sight of "temple within temple" proves how the miners appreciated the local spirits. The topless angel above the local spirits expressed the liberal nature of Jiou Fen culture. Cherry blossoms spread throughout the trails around the temple has an interesting story: Japaneses planted them during the occupation in order to encourage miners to go outdoor instead of staying in the local brothels. Direction: Bus to Qin Xian junior high school station. By car from Jiou Fen, take 102 route towards to Jin Gua Shi.

Little Jin Gua Exposure Shaped like a head of hippopotamus, this is the place where gold was first discovered in Taiwan. In 1890, a rail road construction worker of Liu Ming Zhuan (the governor of Taiwan at the time) found gold flakes while washing his lunch box in the KeeLung River, he then went upstream and found the exposure. The amount of gold was so much that a bowl of mud can extract a handsome sum of gold. During Japanese occupation, this place was once known as the “Gold City of Asia”. Direction: 19.5km on No. 102 route.

BaoShi Mountain Observatory Deck The observatory platform is located at the highest point of Jun Gua Shi Mountain, facing the Eastern Sea, used to be an important military base. Constructed above the wooden pathway on the crest line, stray dogs can be seen here from time to time. It gets windy but the view is broad. Jin Gua Shi and Shui Nan Dong can be seen from here. Direction: Go up the road on the right side of the Quan Ji Temple.

Lian Dong Elementary School Built on the side of the KeeLung mountain, this school were full with children of the miners, the school had about one thousand students at one point. The campus is exceptionally located, with Pacific Ocean on the east, tea pot mountain down south, KeeLung mountain on the west, and KeeLung Island up north. The slide beside the entrance is fun and it is also the longest school slide of any Taipei province. Direction: Turn Right at 81.5 km point of Tai No 2 road, go up from the right side of the mountain road.

Big Cu Keng Town(1893-1980) Literally means “big hole”, an area lack of rich soil. There were about 300 families here due to mining business back in 1930, more than a thousand people came in and out here everyday back then. It had a nickname of "village of forigners" as a metaphor for its fine living standard. Here is also the home town of the famed film director Wu Nian Zhen. This place has been deserted for years; lively twon, hospital, school, and pool rooms are now in distant memories. Direction: Westside hill of the Little Gin Gua .

"Never Bored" Pavilion This pavilion is located between Jiou Fen and Shuang Xi. The name came from a famed ancient poem “Never Bored looking at each other” by Li Bai. The comforting breeze, silver grass by the road, with the wonderful view of mountains and sea, driving on No 102 road here is like exploring a romantic secret. Direction: Form Jiou Fen go on No 102 Road toward Shuang Xi.

Thirteen Floor Ruin This ruin plant with thirteen floors processed bronze from the area. Built in 1933 and shuttered in 1981. Location: About 81km into Tai No 2 road above Ling Dong Bay.

Jin Gua Shi Geography Park If little Jin Gua exposure is the beginning of Jiou Fen mining history, then the geography park would be the first chapter. Jin Gua, literally means “Gold melon”, the name came from the melon-shaped mountain. Follow the same trails that the miners once walked to get closer to the old mines. Location: 18km into No. 102 Road.

Qi Tang Old Street Jiou Fen’s old street is the Ji Shan Street, also has the nickname as the “dark street”. Jin Gua Shi’s old street is Qi Tang road. For visiters who like the crowd, visit the lively Jiou Fen Old Street. To experience the silent nature of an abandoned mining town, visit Qi Tang Old Street. Black greasy asphalt roof, lazy cats, endless stairs, one fruit shop, one comic shop and one grocery store is all that has left. Direction: Take the stone stairs down from the left side of the Quan Ji palace.

Gold Coast This is the only sea in the world which contains gold flakes. Color of the sea varies depending on weather and season. Due to the acidic water from the mines, Fe3+ composite floats above the sea water. However, it is a natural phenomenon rather than a man-made pollution. Natural factors such as the sea breeze, earth rotation and its landforms, this golden section will not disperse. Location: About 80.7km on the Tai No 2 road.

TaiYang Mining Company The mining right was purchase by Yan Yun Nian from the "Fuzida" group during the Japanese occupation, later formed the Tai Yang Mining company as the administration of Jiou Fen mining. Beside the company, twisted roots from the banyan trees are visible on the ground. The most beautiful mining cave of JiouFen, Ba Fan cave, is located beside the company, close to the Shu Qi road and Qi She Road intersection. Location: Below the Jiou Fen Police Station.

Gold Waterfall Due to the mining history, underground water sprout out and became a striking waterfall. Waterfall's direction and sound changes according to the rain fall. When the rain water mixes with Iron and Carrollite, it oxidized and catalyzed by bacteria within iron and becomes yellowish-orange acidic water. Direction: Take Tai No. 2 road then turn to the Jin Shui road, go upwards to the mountain and the Chang Ren Community.

Jiou Fen Old Street Entering from the JuiDao entrance besides 7-11 convenience store, many local delicacies can be found in the JiShan Street, such us taro balls, JinZhi meat ball, taro sweets & vegetable rice pudding, grilled King Oyster mushroom, “Taiwan Treasure” Oolong Tea and traditional desserts of LiYi cake shop from Keelung. Shops are concentrated in the first quarter of the Old Street. In order to see a different Jioufen, Please walk through the rest to experience the full small mining town culture.

A-Mei TeaHouse The tea house owner A-Mei is also an experience dancer. She blends the dance rhythm into its interior design. The building has the typical low roof of Jiou Fen. Open windows were designed for the fresh mountainous air. With the extension of sea view and mountain view, the fixed interior space now seems limitless. During the rainy season, the rain drops fall down from the low roof, form a beautiful water curtain that leads people into their own imagination The relaxed space is suited for either tea or meal. The most popular meal for Japanese tourist is “farmhouse lunch set”, which features okra, salted vegetables, egg abalone salad, sweet fried taro & pork…etc. They are light and low in salt. On the tea menu, “past love” is a Oolong winter tea with a hint of fruit. Its tea leaves can be used nine times without losing its flavor. It is suggested to pair this tea with tea biscuit made with shredded tea leaves. The biscuit is flavorful and does not leave residue in your mouth. It is baked on order to ensure crispiness and quality. Address: No.20, Shixia Ln., Ruifang Township, Taipei County 224, Taiwan Phone: 886-2-2496-0833 Suggestion: Farmhouse lunch set, “past love” tea, tea biscuit.

Sky Castle Tea House Phone: 886-2-2496-7767 Address: No.308, Qingbian Rd., Ruifang Township, Taipei County 224, Taiwan Product & Services: tea, coffee, light meals and pottery

Shen Ao－Fu Long route

Seaside Rock Discovery Voyage Shen Ao－Fu Long route

 

Shen Ao Harbor Shen Ao Harbor is located between Ba Dou Zi and Shui Nan Cave. It is given a nickname “Aborigines Harbor” because the rock wall looked like a tribal chief face which examined from one side; another explanation is that this used to be where Kai Da Ge Lan Ping Bu tribe lived. From the harbor one can view Jiou Fen Keen Long Mountain. There is a sea corroded stone standing a ten-something meters by the Sea. It is shaped like an elephant with its nose in the sea drinking water. It is one of best known spectacle here. Direction: Form Jiou Fen go on Tai No 2 road towards Kee Lung.

 

NanYa Amazing Rocks On NanYa geographic trail and go down the stone stairs, one can enjoy the sight of rock mountains from by rains and wind corrosion. NanYa area has Da Puh fault which is consist of vertical layers. When rain seeps into the rock and oxidize the iron, a beautiful ruby red color becomes visible. Direction: 82.5 km into Tai No 2 Road (Seafront highway)Community.

 

Bitou Cape Lighthouse Trail Bitou Main Trail starts from Bitou Elementary School and ends at Bitou Lighthouse. The slope is moderate for easy to strolling. There is a visible seafloor fault below the lighthouse that extends three kilometers into the sea. At here you observe the tranquility of calm sea on the left and experience the rush of relentless from the right. Bitou Cape pluses the San Dion Cape from Gong Liao and Fu Gui Cape from Shi Men forms the three key capes of Northern Taiwan. Location: Go on Tai No. 2 Road, pass Shui Nan Cave and Nan Ya and to reach destination.

 

Long Dong Bay promontory trail The geography consists of hard sandstone; the rock wall has a distinct and clear cut pattern. This is a famous rock climbing and snorkeling site at Taiwan’s Northeastern corner. The trail is three kilometers long and takes about an hour from Long Dong Elementary School to Xi Ling Yan Temple. Direction: Go on Tai No 2 Road, pass Long Dong tunnel, turn left and go on cement road towards Long Dong fishing village to reach the ocean park.

 

Long Men Campsite Campsite has an area of 7,200,000 square meters including water. It used to be a sand excavation site. After Northeastern corner administration office revamped the site and turned it into a campsite that includes mountain, sea and river. Campers can BBQ, bike, kayak, and go fishing. A quick walk through 202 meter red Long Men suspension bridge to reach Yan Liao beach. Direction: 100km into Tai No 2 Road.

 

Fu Long Sea Park This Park has been a recreation place since Japanese occupation. It crosses Shuang Xi River’s Rainbow Bridge and connects Blue-Sky Road and Gold sand beach. Its length is 3000 meter and 80 meters wide. Fu Long is where Taiwan’s sport sailing and surfing originates. Beginners can practice at the calm Shuang Xi River. Every summer, HO-HAI-YAN Rock festival is held here with much fanfare. Rock and Roll, beer and bikini inject refreshing energy into the park. Direction: On Tai No 2 road towards Tou Cheng, passes Yan Liao and arrive at destination.

 

Old Grass Hill Tunnel This tunnel is the one depicted in the famous Taiwanese folk song (Due-Due-Dong). Tunnel total length is 2,167 meters. Besides the entrance of tunnel has two plaques carved Zhi Tian Xian and Guo Yun Fei Chu. This tunnel connects Yilan’s Tou Cheng and Gong Liao’s Fu Long. It is currently a bike trail. Temperature in the tunnel is cool and sound effects from a passing train make this a worthwhile place to visit. Direction: From the right site Fu Long train station go along Bei Hui Railroad towards Shi Cheng.

 

Fu Long Meal Box A few meal box shops are outside Fu Long Train Station. The box filled with cabbage, dried tofu, pork, pickled vegetables, sausage, egg, chick and salted carrot. The flavor has not changed at all through generations. The shop called “Shiang Ye meal box” is the most traditional tasting and best selling.

 

Jia Yi Seafood Restaurant Ao Di Seafood Street has more than a dozen seafood restaurants. Among them Jia Yi Seafood restaurant is a suggested place to visit. In its 20 year history, it is a place where locals come here to feast. If customers are not familiar with seafood, the owners can suggest some great dishes such as chicken grunt, eels, stonefish, Southern Drummer and Parrotfish. Phone: 886-2-2490-2652 Address: No.82, Renhe Rd., Gong Liao Township, Taipei County 228, Taiwan

 

A-Hua Shark Soup A small shop that only has a few items such as grill shark, shark soup, fish belly and fish ball...etc. Flavor and price is very sensible. Location: In Shen Ao Harbor.

 

Gong liao－Ping Xi route

Quiet Trail, Flying Wish Lamps, Black Gold Rail Road Tour Gong liao－Ping Xi route

TaoYuan Valley Trail The most attractive feature of this trail is the thirty degree slope and total length of three kilometers large grass area nicknamed “The Green Carpet”. There are four trails, the longest trail Da Xi line is five kilometers long. From Gong Liao enters the “Nei Liao Line”, and rest is the steeper sloped “Shi Guan Yin Line” and “Cao Ling Line”.

Tea Flower Plantation Every year from November to April of next year is flower viewing season. Over 800 specimens of tea flowers in the plantation come from countries such as Japan, China, U.S.A. and Canada. Chin Dynasty’s scholar ZHUANG TING CAN left a old house. There is a vibrant tea flower craving art on the stonewall. Phone: 886-2-2493-2631 Address: No.67, Meizhuxi, Shuangxi Township, Taipei County 227, Taiwan

Grass Hill Old Road The road connect Gong Liao viewing platform with The Yilan Da Li Tian Gong Temple. Its total length spans 8.5 kilometers and part of ancient Dan Lan road. Ancestors walked on this road when exploring Yi Lan from Taipei. Ching Dynasty general LIU MING DENG left two stone tablets carved the words “Tiger” and “Xiong Zhen Man Yan” Direction: From Fu Long take route 102 and follow the sign into Gong Liao viewing terrace.

Jing Tong Train Station If time is a constraint, one can choose to visit this station. Jing Tong is Ping Xi line’s last station. Built in 1929, the old Japanese style wooden station still retained its style. It is now a state designated level three historic heritage. Train Story Museum is a great place to buy gifts. Then take a tour of Crown Prince Chalet, Mining Memorial Park and lastly stop by and order Jing Tong Old Street’s much media reported Yang’s chicken roll. Direction: Drive on No 106 route or take Ping Xi train and get off at Jing Tong.

Coal Mine Museum Modified from The New Ping Xi coal mine that ended its operation in 1997, the current vibrant museum is suited for outside learning and family interaction. Itinerary includes mining tour, safety training road, cart riding and simulated mining…etc Direction: Drive No 106 route at Shi Pen 69 kilometers cross rail road, turn left and go uphill.

Ba Xian Cave Cave is located at left side of Gua Yin Hill. It was used as a bomb shelter under Japanese occupation. Cave inside is cool, and there are caves within caves. There is also stone made furniture in it. This cave is a great secret base for explorers with strong heart. Direction: Drive or take train to Ping Xi station and follows signs to climb Guan Yin Hill.

Ling Jiao Ping Xi upstream has fewer tourists. Even the train station is basic and without a ticket agent. Ling Jio Street has a strong cultural flavor. Ping Xi town’s second largest water fall – Ling Jaio Waterfall. Antique bridge built during Japanese occupation and Tsai family red bricks apartment are within walking distance. Direction: Drive on No. 106 route or take Ping Xi train and get off at Ling Jiao Station.

Shi Fen Waterfall Also named the “Taiwan’s Niagra Falls” It is shaped like a screen curtain due to its layered rock. Water flows off cliff and drops with such brute force 15 meters down into deep lake. Water vapor slowly rises from the lake and becomes rainbow under sunlight. Direction: Drive on No. 106 road and passes Ping Xi, Ling Jiao and arrives at Shi Fen Tourist Center. Then either walk or take Ping Xi train to Shi Fen Station.

Shi Fen At the ShiFen Old Street, apart from the flying paper make-a-wish lanterns, one can also stop by for a meal. Restaurant features traditional Taiwan cuisines such as lightly flavored chicken, stir fried bamboos and all sorts of wild greens. Hearing the huge roaming noise of the trains as they rumble by while dining is a special experience not to be missed. Phone: 886-2-2495-8570 Address: No.116, Shifen St., Ping Xi Township, Taipei County 226, Taiwan

Taiwan Blue Magpie Coffee Surrounding by the green forest and sparkling river, sipping a fragrant coffee while waiting for the country’s emerald blue national bird (Taiwan Blue Magpie), is the best way to enjoy the quiet lifestyle of PingXi. Magpie Cafe is bird lovers' secret place. The place is serene, and scenery is superb, a worthwhile recommendation. Phone: 886-2-2495-2306 Address: No.2, Qianzhenlin, Ping Xi Township, Taipei County 226, Taiwan

JinShan－WanLi－KeeLung route

North Coast Soul Cleansing Journey JIN SHAN－WAN LI－Kee Lung route

 

Dharma Drum Mountain The temple is built by Taiwan’s’ very own soul guide – Master Sheng Yen. Opened in 2005, this is not a traditional Taiwanese Temple. The temple is surrounded by mountains. Whether one chooses to mediate, eat vegetarian meal, or just walk and visit, this place makes visitors momentary forget their real-life problems. Direction: Form Kee Lung train station take “Kee Lung – Jin Shan” charter bus.Or from Taipei take “Taipei – Dharma Drum Mountain” charter bus.

 

Lion Head Mountain Park In addition to the trenches and bunkers built during Marshall Law era, Loin Head Mountain Park has swallowtails, egrets, Japanese silver grass. Unique voice and jingle from birds and insects makes for an interest outdoor experience. Direction: Charter bus from Kee Lung to Jin Shan or Taipei to Jin Shan can reach this park.

 

Old Jin Shan General Hot Spring It uses the same Hot spring source as Da Dun Mountain. From the top floor’s open roof male bath, one can see the famous Jin Shan Scenery moon’s reflection in water at night. Phone: 886-2-2408-2628 Address: No.196, Minsheng Rd., Jinshan Township, Taipei County 208, Taiwan 金湯 Phone: 886-2-2498-8788 Address: No.197, Wan Lijiatou Rd., Wan Li Township, Taipei County 20741, Taiwan

 

Yeh Liu Geography Park Nature left many breath taking fine art pieces here. The oddly shaped rocks, tranches, holes and cliffs due to weathering are beautiful and extraordinary. Of course, never miss that special rock shaped like a queen’s head. Tel: 886-2-2492-6516 Address: No.167-1, Gangdong Rd., Wan Li Township, Taipei County 20744, Taiwan

 

Yun Park This is legendary diva’s final resting place. One can still hear DENG Li JUN’s song play continuously from the speakers here. There is also a huge piano keyboard on the ground that allows visitors to play piano with their feet. Direction: From Taipei, Kee Lung or Dan Shui take charter bus to Jin Shan Station. Then take taxi to ChinPaoShan.

 

Xian Dong Hill There are three sea corroded caves. Legend has it that someone successfully meditated here and became an immortal. Inside the caves one can find stone carved Buddha and language written in ink. The atmosphere is somber and grave. The stone stairway beside the cave leads to Sheng An Temple and Xian Dong Park. Climbing to the very top one can view freight unloading operation of Kee Lung Harbor. Direction: From Kee Lung City, take No 301 bus.

 

Kee Lung’s Canons Taiwan’s most concentrated location for cannons is in Kee Lung. For example, Er Sha Bay cannons by the in Zhong Zheng Park at Shou Shan Road, Da Wu Lun Cannons beside the Lover’s lake, Gang Zi Liao cannons beside Oceanic University and Bai Mi Weng cannon beside Kee Lung Harbor…etc. These are all state designated level one historic heritages fortresses.

 

Peaceful Island Park What used to be a key military installation is now a tourist attraction. The Peace Bridge connects the isolated island with Taiwan mainland to from a permanent passage. The famous sight is tens of thousands of mushroom shaped rock called “Million Crowd” and many square shaped rocks called “Thousand Layer”. Direction: From Kee Lung City take No 101 Bu to Vocational training center.

 

Local food such as Jin Bao Village Old Street’s duck meat, temple entrance’s stir-fry and yam, Kee Lung night market’s healthy sandwich, shredded ice, tempura, rolls and eels are some that one must try during this trip.