Taiwan's northern coast is an amazing, beautiful area with unique geology and rocks, lots of sandy beaches, amazing mountain views and hikes, old streets, night markets, historical sites, and much more to discover. Don't not come here.
Here is a map of the locations we will cover in this blog:
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The Wanli UFO Houses (aka Futuros) are a neighborhood of abandoned futuristic houses near Wanli Beach (aka Emerald Bay, Green Bay, or Feicuiwan) in Wanli District of New Taipei, and are some of the most popular urban exploration and Instagram destinations in northern Taiwan.
If you are looking for the Sanzhi UFO houses (三芝飛碟屋), stop looking; the Sanzhi UFO houses were destroyed in 2010. There are UFO houses all around Taiwan, but Wanli has the largest group of these houses. Go see them soon before they are demolished too! Background: The UFO house village was created in the 1970s by a Taiwan construction company. At the time during martial law, Wanli beach (Feitsui Bay) was one of the few places that American servicemen could enjoy a beach vacation, as most beaches were closed off at the time. These UFO houses had these servicemen in mind. However, a slowing economy and the severing of official diplomatic ties with the USA prevented the area from taking off, and the UFO resort town fell into decay. For a more complete historical background on this area, check out this blog by Josh Ellis. Common Courtesy When Visiting:
Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By Bus: There are many buses that pass the area. You'll want to get off at Green Bay (翡翠灣). By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial highway 2 west out of Keelung, and keep going until you reach the Howard Green Bay Resort. Map: Please see below: 
Dawulun Fort is a Qing Dynasty era fort that once guarded the coast along Wanli, Jinshan, and Keelung, among a network of other forts. Now it stands as a wonderfully preserved monument to the past, with great views of Keelung Harbor and Wanli District.
Background: Dawulun Fort started as a seaside fortification in 1875 in order to protect Dawulun Harbor, Keelung Harbor, and the road from Tamsui to Keelung which goes through Jinshan. Soldiers began being stationed on the hill at Dawulun as early as 1840. The fort was an important piece of defense during the Opium Wars and the Sino-French War. A total of 10 Canons were placed at the fort at one time. After the Japanese took Taiwan, the fort was not used after 1935 and fell into decay. When the ROC took Taiwan, they took down all the remaining canons. The fort was declared a national historic monument in 1985. Since the early 2000's some people have illegally dug around the site looking for buried treasure, even though a study in 2003 found that there was no treasure buried in this site. Now it is a popular attraction in the area especially because of the great view of Keelung and Wanli that can be seen from the fort. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By car/scooter: Take provincial highway northwest out of Keelung, and take a right on Jijin First Road toward Keelung Chang Kung Hospital. The Dawulun Fort parking lot is at the top of the hill after the road turns into one lane. There is lots of parking. The trail is not wheelchair or stroller friendly. By bus: Unfortunately there are no buses that directly get there, so you will have to walk from provincial highway 2, or take a taxi. Map: Please see below: 
Zhongjiao Bay (aka Zhongjiaowan 中角灣, or Zhongjiao Shazhu Wan 中角沙珠灣) is a long sandy beach in Jinshan District of New Taipei, known as the most popular surfing location in Northern Taiwan. It is popular for surfing and swimming, and nearby there are also hikes, interesting rock formations, and the nearby Jinshan Old Street and Jinshan Hot Springs. It is definitely a relaxing place to spend an afternoon. Nearby you can also find other sandy beaches such as Jinshan Beach and Xialiao Beach 下寮灣 (Jinshan Ocean Waterpark).
Background: The first people to live in the Jinshan Area were plains indigenous peoples. The name "Jinabaoli" comes from the Chinese transliteration of the indigenous name of the place. Chinese people began to settle here during the late Ming Dynasty, coming mainly from Fujian, and even more came to settle here during the Qing Dynasty. During the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, a road was built to connect Jinshan to Keelung and Tamsui, making it easier for people to visit. This road was improved in the ROC period to become provincial highway 2. Jinshan now has a population of about 22,000 people. Currently Jinshan Beach is a popular place to visit for day-trippers from Taipei. Due to the shape of the bay facing east, Zhongjiaowan has constant waves year round. Recently the area has been promoted as an international surfing base by New Taipei City. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free （showers: 10 NT - coin operated) How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From Keelung, take provincial highway 2 north along the coast until you reach Jinshan and see the sign for Zhongjiaowan. The beach is located northwest from the old street. There is limited free public parking in front of the beach. By Bus: There are busses that leave from Taipei City Hall station to Jinshan hourly. The ride takes about an hour. From the city center, the beach is a short walk (1 KM or so) or taxi ride. Maps: Please see below: 
Bitou Cape (aka Bitoujiao/Bítóujiǎo) is a scenic area of coastline in Ruifang District of New Taipei, along the northeast coast, with popular hiking trails, interesting geological formations, a refurbished tourist military complex. and steep sea cliffs. It is a beautiful area along the coast that you should be sure to not miss.
Background: The sandstone that forms Bitou Cape was formed as sediment under the ocean millions of years ago and were then uplifted thanks to the collision of the Eurasian and Philippine plates. The rocks are mainly sedimentary and are part of the same formation that forms the special rock formations on the northern coast around Keelung. Because of this, there are many interesting eroded rock formations around the cape. The name Bitou (鼻頭) means the tip of the nose in Chinese. Bitoujiao Lighthouse was completed in 1897, built by the Japanese. Later it was repaired in WWII, and is still used today. The ROC army/navy military base at Bitou Cape has been sitting dormant for over 20 years, and was finally opened to the public as a rainbow "pink" military base to attract tourists on May 1st, 2020. The area is a popular weekend destination for many residents of Northern Taiwan. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From Keelung, take provincial highway 2 east along the north coast until you reach the Bitou Fishing Harbor. There is limited parking near the harbor, and further free parking on the other side of the tunnel but it is a bit of a walk. By Bus: From Keelung TRA Station, take Keelung Bus 791 east about two hours to Bitou cape. Map: Please see below: 
Jinguashi is a small village in Ruifang District in New Taipei, famous for its now defunct mines. Here you can explore the Gold Mine Musuem, touch a multi-million dollar gold ingot, see golden waterfalls, go on some of the best hikes in Taiwan, check out the old mining town, see Japanese era historic sites, and explore abandoned mining sites.
Historical Background: In 1890 during the Qing Dynasty, gold was found in the Keelung River during the construction of Taiwan's first railroad, which led to a small gold rush. Gold seams were eventually found in the mountains behind Jiufen around what is today Jinguashi. The name Jinguashui (金瓜石 Jīnguāshí), literally meaning "Gold Gourd Stone" comes from the shape of the nearby Keelung Mountain, which resembled a Pumpkin "Nánguā 南瓜" to early settlers, and the fact that early gold miners found lots of little gold seams resembling small gourds. After Taiwan was colonized by the Japanese in 1895, the Japanese quickly took control of the mines at Jinguashi, banning locals from owning mining rights. They quickly found many more copper and gold seams, and Jinguashi became the number one gold mine in the Japanese empire. During WWI, the mine came upon difficult times, and mining rights were passed to what is now Japan Energy, who built the 13 level complex that sits abandoned today. By 1938 it had become the most profitable gold mine in Asia, and population grew to over 80,000. During WWII, the mining operations switched from gold to copper, and the area was used as a POW camp. After the ROC took Taiwan, the mines were used mainly for copper, as the cost of refining gold was too high. The Chalet built for the crown prince of Japan at Jinguashi was later used by Chiang Kai-shek. After worldwide copper prices collapsed in the 1980s, the mine shut down for good in 1987. After that, people moved out of the town, and Jinguashi has a population of just about 2,000 people. Later mining initiatives have been met with strong criticism from environmentalists. In 2004, the New Taipei City Gold Mine Museum was completed, using several abandoned mining sites near Jinguashi, making it a popular tourist attraction in the area. Gold Mine Museum Hours: 9:30 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays Gold Mine Museum Price: 80 NT per person (Free for New Taipei Residents) How to get There: By Train: Take TRA to Ruifang Station, then transfer to Keelung Bus which goes directly to Jinguashi every few minutes (about a 15 minute ride from Ruifang). By Bus: Buses directly to Jinguashi leave from Taipei Main Station, Taipei City Hall, and Songshan Station regularly via Keelung Bus. By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 to Ruifang and then travel on highway 102 all the way up to Jiufen, then go over the mountain and keep going down to Jinguashi. Parking is scarce, and if you drive a car you need to park at the bottom of the hill and take the bus up to the gold mine museum. There is free scooter parking at the entrance. Tours: You can book a tour with My Taiwan Tour here. Map: Please see below: 
Jinshan Old Street (aka Jinbaoli Old Street 金包里老街 Jīnbāolǐ lǎojiē) is a popular historical street in Jinshan District of New Taipei. The most famous delicacy here is duck, but you can also find other traditional Taiwanese snacks among the numerous shops and restaurants here. It is definitely worth a stop on your trip to Taiwan's Northern Coast.
Background: The first people to live in the Jinshan Area were plains indigenous peoples. The name "Jinabaoli" comes from the Chinese transliteration of the indigenous name of the place. Chinese people began to settle here during the late Ming Dynasty, coming mainly from Fujian, and even more came to settle here during the Qing Dynasty. During the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, a road was built to connect Jinshan to Keelung and Tamsui, making it easier for people to visit. This road was improved in the ROC period to become provincial highway 2. Jinshan now has a population of about 22,000 people. Currently Jinshan Old Street is a popular place to visit for day-trippers from Taipei. Hours: All day until about 7 PM. Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From Keelung, take provincial highway 2 north along the coast until you reach Jinshan. The old street is right in the middle of town and there is free parking on the side of the road not far from the old street. By Bus: There are buses that leave from Taipei City Hall station to Jinshan hourly. The ride takes about an hour. Map: Please see below: 
Shimen Cave (aka Shimendong) is a sea cave on the Northwest Coast of Taiwan, in Shimen District of New Taipei. Its name (literally "stone gate") is the namesake for Shimen District in New Taipei. It is one of the major natural attractions along Taiwan's north coast.
Background: The sandstone that forms the Shimen Cave formation was created between 10 and 20 million years ago, and was pushed out of the sea along with northern Taiwan thousands of years ago. The cave itself was formed by wave erosion on the cave. Shimen Cave was named a protected natural sight in 1933 during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, but has not had the same status since after WWII. Now two marble tablets sit on either side of the cave, put there by government leaders during the ROC martial law period. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial Highway 2 from either Tamsui or Keelung North to Shimen. The Shimen Cave sits on the very northern edge of Shimen District. By Bus: Take Keelung bus from either Danshui MRT station or Keelung TRA station. You can also take the yellow and white North Coast Shuttle Bus to Shimendong station. Map: Please see below: 
Elephant Trunk Rock is a rock shaped like its name in the Shenao area of Ruifang District, New Taipei City. There are also many interesting rock formations in the area. It is one of the most recognizable rock formations on the north coast and a popular location for, kayakers, snorkelers, and instagrammers.
Background: The sandstone and sedimentary that forms the Elephant Rock formation was created between 10 and 20 million years ago, and was pushed out of the sea along with northern Taiwan thousands of years ago. The Elephant's head was formed by easily eroding sandstone, with the area under the trunk being eroded away by the sea and waves. Elephant Rock is so named because it looks like an elephant. The area around Elephant Rock was a protected military base until the year 2000, after which civilians were allowed to freely visit. Kayaking and Snorkeling are also popular activities near the Elephant Rock. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Drive to Keelung, then from downtown take provincial highway 2 east about 10 KM until you reach the Shenziao harbor, and there is some paid parking if you drive to the very end, which will put you closest to Elephant Trunk Rock. By Train/Bus: Take the TRA to Badouzi (八斗子） station, then walk about 1 KM east until you reach the elephant rock on the coast. Map: Please see below: 
Yehliu is perhaps the most famous geological park in Taiwan, with its most famous landmark being the Queen's Head rock. These rock formations have been forming for thousands of years through erosion of soft sandstone due to wind and water. Hurry and see these formations soon before they are gone forever!
Background: The sandstone that forms the Yehliu formation was created between 10 and 20 million years ago, and was pushed out of the sea along with northern Taiwan thousands of years ago. The Queen's head is formed by two layers of sandstone, one soft fast eroding layer on bottom and a harder layer on top. This kind of sandstone formation can be seen around the world and is known as a hoodoo. The Queen's head was named after Queen Elizabeth I, because it is thought to look like her. The head is eroding .2 to .5 CM per year and is expected to fall at any time! The name Yehliu comes from the Spanish name for the area "Putno Diablos" which was then also used by the Dutch, and transliterated by the Chinese settlers in the area as "Yehliu" in Chinese. Yehliu Ocean world is the largest aquarium in northern Taiwan and has one of the few outdoor sea life amphitheaters in Taiwan. The facility features an indoor aquarium and outdoor show that is geared toward children. Hours: Yehliu Geopark: 8 AM to 5 PM in winter (tickets not sold after 4:30) 8 AM to 6 PM in summer (tickets not sold after 5:30) Yehliu Ocean World: 9 AM to 5 PM Price: Yehliu Geopark: 80 NT per person. Yehliu Ocean World: 330 NT per person (children are sometimes free) Can I touch the rocks? Don't you dare touch the rocks! How to get there: By Bus: There are inter-city buses that leave hourly from Taipei Main Station and Taipei City Hall to Yehliu. By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial highway 2 west out of Keelung, and keep going until you reach Wanli. The turnoff to Yehliu comes right after Wanli beach. Map: Please see below: 
Baishawan is one of the nicest beaches in northern Taiwan. The sand is white, the water shallow (and warm in the summer), and it is relatively well kept and clean. Due to its proximity to Taipei, it sees lots of visitors especially from foreigners. Swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and kite surfing are all popular activities at this beach.
Background: Baishawan (literally White Sand Bay) was formed roughly 800,000 years ago by volcanoes spewing lava into the ocean creating Fuigui Cape. Later coral grew near the shoreline, which makes up for most of the white sand seen on the beach today. The white sandy beach extends about one kilometer along the coast. Now it is one of the most popular destinations on the north coast of Taiwan. Because of its proximity to Taipei, there are sure to be many visitors, and because Taipei has the highest concentration of foreigners, be prepared to see a lot of other foreigners as well. How to Get There: By Bus: Take Keelung bus from either Danshui MRT station or Keelung TRA station. You can also take the yellow and white North Coast Shuttle Bus to Baishawan station. By Car: Drive on provincial highway 2 out of Danshui to the northeast, or out of Keelung to the northwest. The beach area is near Sanzhi District 三芝區. Price: Free Parking: Free. There is a parking lot in front of the main entrance. If this is full, you can park along the road next to it. Showers: Cold Shower: 20 NT Hot Shower: 40 NT Foot Wash: 10 NT If the main showers next to the visitors center are closed, there are other paid showers to the north and south, but without hot water. Hours: May, June, and October 9AM - 5PM July, August, and September 9AM - 6PM Map: Please see below: 
Longdong (aka Dragon Caves -龍洞 Lóngdòng) is a popular spot for snorkeling, scuba diving, and rock climbing. There is also a large sea cave there (pictured above) from where the place gets its name.
Background: The sandstone that forms Longdong was formed as sediment under the ocean millions of years ago and were then uplifted thanks to the collision of the Eurasian and Philippine plates. The rocks are mainly sedimentary and are part of the same formation that forms the special rock formations on the northern coast around Keelung. Because of this, there are many interesting eroded rock formations around the cape. The name Longdong (龍洞 Lóngdòng) means dragon cave in Chinese, named after the prominent cave in the area. The area is a popular weekend destination for many residents of Northern Taiwan. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From Keelung, take provincial highway 2 east along the north coast until you reach the Longdong. There is limited parking near the harbor, and further free parking farther away. By Bus: From Keelung TRA Station, take Keelung Bus 791 east about two hours to Longdong. Map: Please see below: Our Journey: Original post from May, 2014: On Wednesday we made the long trek to Long Dong 龍洞 where Matt was determined to do some awesome rock climbing. But alas it was raining the whole time, and the sea cliff was too slippery to climb. On a normal day though, the sea cliffs seemed like they would be a great place to climb, some of the cliffs were almost 70 meters high, and there were anchors in the rocks everywhere. We hiked around the beach until we decided we couldn’t go any further, the cliffs were too gnarly. So we went around to the other side of the beach to go to the dragons cave Long Dong. Scott stayed in the car, and I don’t blame him because the trek to the dragons cave was a treacherous one. There was a lot of boulder hopping on the way there, and it was raining, topped with the fact that there was also moss on lots of the rocks. It was fun, but at some points I had to get on all fours to not slip. There was also a small cliff jump which was fun, which I biffed on the way back, but I was fine. The cave was grand and majestic. 
Color photo of the cave.
Wider view of the cave.
View from inside the cave.
View of the ocean from inside the cave.
View of the cave dirt floor.
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Author 作家We are US Expats that have extensive experience living, working, and travelling in Taiwan. In our day, we had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But we have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. Our blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. We are just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Archives 檔案
January 2021
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