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.
Brief Historical Background: The sandstone that forms Northern Taiwan was created between 10 and 20 million years ago and was pushed out of the sea along with northern Taiwan thousands of years ago. Sediment under the ocean millions of years ago was uplifted thanks to the collision of the Eurasian and Philipine plates. The rocks have then been slowly eroded away by wind and water, creating odd shapes that you see today. You can see similar formations at Yehliu Geopark. What is now Keelung and Taipei was once part of Basay aborigine lands. The area around Yilan was inhabited by the Ketagalan Aboriginal tribe, whose language is now extinct. The name Yilan comes from this language. Chinese settlers from Fujian began living in the Taipei Basin during the Dutch rule in the 1600s. Keelung was first settled by the Spanish in 1626, as their first settlement in what became their rule of northern Taiwan until they were defeated by the Dutch and left Taiwan in 1642. The Qing Dynasty then ruled western Taiwan starting from the late 1600s. The capital of Taiwan was moved to Tainan. In 1891, the first train connecting Keelung and Taipei was completed. During this time, the Qing Dynasty built many forts near Keelung in response to the Opium Wars and the Sino-French War. During the Japanese Era, the capital of Taiwan was moved to Taipei and a round-island railway was completed. Currently a High-Speed Rail extension is planned for Yilan, and is expected to be completed by 2036. The northern coast of Taiwan is a popular weekend destination for the nearly 8 million people who live in the greater Taipei area. Basic Taiwan Travel Tips:
When should you go to Taiwan's Northern Coast? In my opinion, the best weather in Taipei is from March-May, and October - November, when the temperatures stay around 26 degrees Celsius and there is not as much rain. Summers are also nice, with the most sunny weather, but also hot and rainy. Winters can be cold (but not below freezing) and usually wet. Overall, there is no wrong answer as to what time of year you should visit Taipei. You will have a great time here at any time of year. Hotels on Taiwan's Northern Coast: We recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). We have stayed at and recommend Gold Mountain Ranch, which is a horse ranch and glamping destination in Jinshan. You can book a night at Gold Mountain Ranch on Klook here. You can also check out our full blog on the ranch here. We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours of Taiwan's Northern Coast: There are many tour itineraries that you can enjoy along Taiwan's Northern Coast that will take you to multiple destinations and arrange transportation. For more information, you can check out Tripadvisor here, KKday here, or Klook here, which are both great tour websites that can connect you with the right tour and tour guide for you. Here are some of the most popular tours of Taipei on Tripadvisor:
You can book a customized tour of Taiwan's North Coast on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Attractions along Taiwan's Northern Coast: There are many attractions that you can enjoy along Taiwan's Northern Coast such as Yehliu Ocean World, Yehliu Geopark, National Museum of Marine Science and Biology, Heping Island Park, Ju Ming Museum, New Taipei Gold Museum, Futian Leisure Farm, Fort San Domingo, 13 Levels Archaeology Museum, Bat Cave, Candlestick Islet, Activities along Taiwan's Northern Coast: Don't forget that there are many activities available along Taiwan's Northern Coast such as Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Archery, Tree Climbing, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Shen'ao Rail Bike, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. Some of the Klook links may not work if you are using an Ad blocker. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: The only way to get to Taiwan is via airplane. Planes leave daily from Taipei's Songshan and Toayuan Airport. Taoyuan Airport: Taoyuan is Taiwan's largest airport and typically has cheaper flights and more flight times to choose from. It's about an hour's journey from Taoyuan Airport to the center of Taipei. You can travel via MRT, HSR, bus, or taxi to get to Taipei. You can get 30% off the Taoyuan Airport VIP lounge on KKday here. Songshan Airport: Songshan is a small airport in Taipei's city center, and can be a convenient option for people traveling within Asia. The airport is right on the Taipei MRT brown line. You can book cheap flights to Taiwan on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here. How to get around Taiwan's Northern Coast: Northern Taiwan's transportation system is convenient and safe. There are many options you can consider to get around along Taiwan's Northern Coast below: By Train: Gets you to Keelung, Fulong, and Yilan along the north and east parts of the North Coast. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By MRT: (Mass Rapid Transit, Metro train, subway) – Easily gets you around Taipei and Tamsui. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Bus: Buses run along the entire northeast coast, but they may be slow and there may not be many busses during weekdays. You can also book tickets to travel to Shifen via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD. You can search for private chartered cars on KKDay here. By Car: If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Scooter: Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Here is a map of the locations we will cover in this blog: Also below is our drone footage for some of the locations in this blog: Places we will cover in this blog: Taoyuan: Northwest Coast:
Keelung:
Northeast Coast:
Yilan
Let's get started! Zhuwei Fishing Harbor 竹圍漁港 
Zhuwei Fishing Harbor is a recreational tourist harbor in Taoyuan, Taiwan. It includes a large seafood market and a long rainbow arch bridge across the harbor. If you love fresh seafood for a good price, you definitely need to come here...(read more)
Check out our full guide to Zhuwei Harbor here. Guanyin Caota Sand Dunes 觀音草漯沙丘 
Despite Taiwan being a tropical island, it also has a surprising amount of sand dunes. The Guanyin Caota Sand Dunes in Taoyuan are Taiwan's longest stretch of sand dunes, over 8 KM in length. They have become a major Instagram selfie location due to being such a unique geological feature so close to Taipei...(read more)
You can book a tour to the Caota Sand Dunes on KKday here. Check out our full guide to the Caota Sand Dunes here. Shuiniukeng Offroad Park 水牛坑越野場地 
Shuiniukeng (aka Linkou Grand Canyon or Water Buffalo Valley) is one of the few off-roading areas around Taipei. If you have a 4x4, truck, or dirt bike, this could be a fun place to test out your off-road vehicle. Also you can sometimes spot cows grazing here...(read more).
You can book an off-road ATV experience in Linkou on Klook here. Check out our full guide to Shuiniukeng here. Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology 十三行博物館 
Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology (aka the 13th Site Museum of Archaeology) is a museum in Bali District of New Taipei featuring archaeological exhibits on Taiwan's history and prehistory, as well as international archaeological exhibitions. Here is one of the best places in Taiwan to see clearly what Taiwan was like in prehistoric times...(read more)
Price: 80 NT per person You can book tickets for a discount on KKday here. Check out our full guide to Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology here. Bali Old Street 八里老街 
Bali Old Street (aka Bali Ferry Dock Old Street 八里渡輪頭老街) is a shopping area near Bali Wharf, connecting with Tamui Old Street via ferry and bicycle route. It is one of the oldest ports in Taiwan, with a long history of businesses and great seafood nearby...(read more)
You can also book a SUP / sand bar digging experience near Bali Old Street on KKday here. You can also book a sailing experience on the Tamsui River on KKday here. Check out our full guide to Bali Old Street here. Tamsui 淡水 
Tamsui District of New Taipei is famous for its delicious food and historical atmosphere. It is one of the most popular and well-known areas in all of Taiwan. Some local delicacies here include A-gei, iron eggs, fried squid, and other seafood. Historical places near here include Fort San Domingo, Hobe Fort, Tamsui Old Street, Bali Old Street, and the Shihsanhang archaeological site. There is plenty here to see and do for almost every kind of traveler...(read more)
You can book a tour of Tamsui on TripAdvisor here or Klook here. We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Check out our full guide to Tamsui here. Shalun Beach 沙崙海水浴場 
Shalun Beach is a long sandy beach with shallow water in Tamsui, New Taipei. It is a popular beach for locals, and now has convenient access to public transportation via the LRT, making it the closest and fastest beach to reach from Taipei. However, swimming here is forbidden and there are no showers. It is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area...(read more)
You can book a horseback riding activity at Shalun Beach on Klook here. Check out our full guide to Shalun Beach here. Haiweizi Beach 海尾仔 
Haiweizi is a small beach along the coast in Tamsui. Once there was a bike path here, but it was damaged by wave action, so no one is allowed on the south side of the beach. It is usually devoid of people and is a nice place for a stroll...(read more)
You can check out our full guide to Haiweizi here. Qianshuiwan Beach 淺水灣 
Qianshuiwan (aka Qianshui Bay) in Sanzhi District of New Taipei is a popular beach destination, which includes a pristine bike path that goes all the way to Baishawan. There is also a nice sandy beach, pier, and lots of beach side restaurants nearby. It is a great beach destination along the northeast coast of Taiwan...(read more)
You can check out our full guide to Qianshuiwan here. Shuangwan Bicycle Path 雙灣自行車道 
Shuangwan Bicycle Path follows a quiet stretch of beach in northern Taiwan. The entire path is flat and only takes about an hour to complete, with a total length of 8KM. However, at low tide, it is full of rocks. There is also a popular bike path that connects it to the sandy beaches of Baishawan and Qianshuiwan...(read more)
You can check out our full guide to Haiweizi here. Linshanbi Cape Recreation Area 麟山鼻遊憩區 
Linshanbi Cape is a rocky area on the south side of Baishawan Beach. Here you can find great views of the surrounding area, volcanic rock formations, as well as a variety of marine life. It is a great place to connect with nature along Taiwan's North Coast...(read more)
Check out our full blog on Linshanbi Cape here. Baishawan Beach 白沙灣 
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...(read more).
You can book a Private Laomei Green Reef Day Tour from Taipei on TripAdvisor here or KKday here. You can check out our full guide to Baishawan here. Harbor City complex 海灣城市 
There are lots of abandoned buildings along the northeast coast, but this one is particularly obvious. For more information about this place, check out this blog by Alexander Synaptic.
You can see more photos in our blog here. Fuji Fishing Port 富基漁港 
Fuji Harbor (aka Fuji Fishing Port) has one of the best seafood markets on Taiwan's northern coast and specializes in the locally caught Crucifix Crab. In addition to the Mexican hat-shaped market, there are also quite a few restaurants here. It is definitely worth a stop for all seafood lovers in Taiwan...(read more)
You can book a tour of Fuji Harbor on KKday here. You can check out our full guide to Fuji Harbor here. Fugui Cape 富貴角 
Fugui Cape is the northernmost point on the main island of Taiwan, in Shimen District of Taipei. Nearby you can find hiking and biking trails, as well as some breathtaking beaches and coastline. It is definitely worth a trip for anyone in Taiwan...(read more)
You can book a tour to Fugui Cape on KKday here. You can check out our full guide to Fugui Cape here. Shimen Songshan Terraced Feilds 石門嵩山梯田 
If you feel like leaving the country for some different scenery, you can instead head over to the Shimen Songshan terraced fields in New Taipei (aka 100 year stone terrace fields 百年石砌梯田)
near the border of Yangmingshan National Park. Here you can enjoy walking around the only stone terraced fields in the entire country...(read more) Check out our full guide to the Shimen Terraced fields here. Laomei Green Reef 老梅綠石槽 
Laomei Green Reef 老梅綠石槽 is another popular tourist destination just a kilometer up the coast from Baishawan, past Fugui Cape. If you catch the reef at a super low tide, the rocks will be covered in green. Obviously I didn't catch low tide. These rocks were formed from the same volcanic activity that formed Baishawan.
You can book a Private Laomei Green Reef Day Tour from Taipei on TripAdvisor here or KKday here. You can check out our full guide to Laomei Green Reef here. Shimen Cave 石門洞 
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...(read more).
You can check out our full guide to Shimen Cave here. Qianhua Shibawang Temple 乾華十八王公廟 
Shibawang Temple in Shimen, New Taipei can trace its origins to over three hundred years ago. Today it is a popular stop along the north coast especially because of the many Zongzi stalls in front of the temple, selling these delicious snacks. Zongzi were traditionally used as offerings to deities by the local people here. It is a must stop location on your trip to the northeast coast...(read more)
You can check out our full guide to Shibawang Temple here. Zhongjiao Bay Beach 中角灣 
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)...(read more)
You can book surfing lessons at Zhongjiao Bay on Klook here. Check out our full blog on Zhongjiao Bay here. Gold Mountain Ranch and Resort (金山驛境) 
Gold Mountain Ranch and Resort (aka Jinshan Yijing in Chinese, or simply "Horse Camp") is a campground and horse ranch in Jinshan District of New Taipei. A stay here includes activities such as horseback riding, four-wheeling, archery and bb-gun practice, and also a filling BBQ dinner and western style breakfast. Staying here makes you feel like you are in the rural American West, which is a unique experience in Taiwan. With a shortage of ranches and horse riding opportunities in Taiwan, Gold Mountain is a special place that you should not miss on your trip along Taiwan's northern coast...(read more)
Price: 1600 NT - 2750 NT per night per person Additional horse rides charged per hour/lesson. You can book a night at Gold Mountain Ranch on Klook here. You can check out our full guide to Gold Mountain Ranch here. Jinshan Old Street 金山老街 
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...(read more)
You can book a walking tour to Jinshan Old Street on Klook here or KKday here. Check out our full guide to Jinshan Old Street here. Jinshan Beach 金山海濱浴場 
Jinshan Beach 金山海濱浴場 (aka Xiaoliao Wan 下寮灣) is a nice stretch of beach near Jinshan Old Street. On the other side of the beach is a rocky shoreline popular for hikers called the "Jinshan Shuiwei Port Mysterious Coast 神秘海岸" which you can also check out...(read more)
Check out our full guide to Jinshan Beach here. Yehliu Geopark 野柳地質公園 
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...(read more)
Price: 120 NT per person. You can book discount tickets to Yehliu Geopark on Klook here and KKday here. You can book a tour to Yehliu on TripAdvisor here. Check out our full blog on Yehliu Geopark here. Ocean World 海洋世界 
Another great attraction in Yehliu if you have time is the Ocean World aquarium that sits in the parking lot next to Yehliu Geopark. It is like the SeaWorld of Taipei and is by far the best aquarium in northern Taiwan. The one in Kenting is better though. There is also a tank where you can see sea turtles up close...(read more)
Price: 450 NT per person. You can book discount tickets to Yehliu Ocean World on Klook here and KKday here. You can also book tickets to the Yehliu Ocean World Parent-Child playground on Klook here. You can book a tour to Yehliu on TripAdvisor here. Check out our full blog on Yehliu Ocean World here. Emerald Bay (Feitsuiwan) 翡翠灣 
Feitsui Bay is another popular beach area in Wanli District of New Taipei. Besides swimming in the ocean, the most popular activity here is paragliding. You can jump from the hills above or be pulled into the air by Jet Ski. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taiwan's north coast...(read more)
You can also book a SUP / Paddle Board experience at Feitsui Bay here on KKday. Check out our full blog on Feitsuiwan here. Wanli UFO Houses 翡翠灣太空玲瓏/飛碟屋 
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...(read more)
You can also book a SUP / Paddle Board experience here on KKday. For more information, check out our full blog on the Wanli UFO Houses here. Lion Park (Wanli) 萬里獅子公園 
Lion Park sits above a quiet and beautiful stretch of coastline in Wanli District of New Taipei. There is also a 1 KM pedestrian path that connects the park to Dawulun Beach. Popular activities here include hiking, fishing, paddle boarding, and watching the sunset...(read more)
Check out our full blog on Lion Park here. Lovers Lake 情人湖 
Lovers Lake is a small lake a recreation area in Anle District of Keelung City. It has some easy trails, bridges, and a tower that looks over the area. The lake trails also connect to Dawulun Fort. Overall it is a nice scenic spot for a day trip in Northern Taiwan...(read more).
You can book a hiking tour of Lover's Lake on KKday here. Check out our full blog on Lover's Lake here. Lover's Tower 情人塔 
Lover's Tower, which is about a half hour hike through the woods from Lover's Lake. It is one of the best spots to enjoy the scenery on Taiwan's Northern Coast. It is definitely a must visit on your next trip to Keelung...(read more)
You can book a tour to Lover's Tower on KKday here. Check out our full blog on Lover's Tower here. Dawulun Fort 大武侖砲台 
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...(read more)
You can book a tour to Dawulun Fort on KKday here. Check out our full blog on Dawulun Fort here. Dawulun Beach 大武崙沙灘 
Only a 20 minute car drive away, Dawulun Beach in Keelung is the closest sandy ocean beach to Taipei City. Although it is small, it has a calm shallow swimming area and the sand looks like it was shipped straight from Kenting. It is definitely worth a visit for all beach lovers in Taipei...(read more)
Check out our full guide to Dawulun Beach here. Keelung Islet 基隆嶼 
Keelung Islet is a small but tall rock off the coast of Keelung City. It first opened for tourists in 2001, but was closed in 2013 due to Typhoon damage, but then opened again in 2019. You can hike to the top of the island to its lighthouse and enjoy the views of Taiwan's Northern Coast. You can take a ferry ride to the island from Keelung harbor, but tourists are barred from visiting in the winter months...(read more)
Price: Boat trip to the island and hike to the lighthouse: about 700 NT Boat trip to the island, lighthouse, and other places such as elephant trunk rock: about 1200 NT Again, you can book tickets on Klook here or KKday here; booking on these sites is usually cheaper than buying tickets in person. Check out our full guide to Keelung Islet here. Baimiweng Fort 白米甕砲台 
Baimiweng Fort is an abandoned fort in Keelung that is now open to the public, dating back to the Dutch colonization of Taiwan. Here you can learn more about Taiwan's colonial history, and enjoy amazing panoramic views of Keelung and the surrounding area. Keelung Lighthouse is also within walking distance...(read more)
Check out our full blog on Baimiweng Fort here. Keelung Lighthouse 基隆燈塔 
Unfortunately, Keelung Lighthouse was closed for renovations when we visited. It was built during the Qing Dynasty in 1900 and refurbished in 1962. It is still an important lighthouse for ships in the area...(read more)
Check out more photos near Keelung lighthouse in our blog here. Miaokou Night Market 廟口夜市 
Keelung's Miaokou Night Market is a large night market in northern Taiwan, full of all kinds of delicious Taiwanese street food considered by some to be the best in Taiwan. The market consists mostly of food stalls in front of the Dianji Temple in Keelung, stretching on both sides down the street. It is said to be a must see night market and one of the busiest in Taiwan...(read more)
You can book a tour to Miaokou Night Market on Klook here or KKday here. You can check out our full blog about Miaokou Night Market here. Ershawan Fort 二沙灣砲臺 
Ershawan Fort (aka Ershawan Battery or Tenable Gate of the Sea 海門天險), is a Qing Dynasty era fort that once guarded Keelung Harbor among a network of other forts. For a brief time was taken over by the French during the Sino-French War. Now it stands as a wonderfully preserved monument to the past, with great views of Keelung Harbor...(read more).
Check out our full blog on Ershawan Fort here. Heping Island 和平島 
Heping Island Park is a geo-park and water park on Heping Island, just outside of downtown Keelung. Here you can find many interesting rock formations in the sedimentary rock along the seashore. There are also salt water swimming pools, amazing places to go diving, a playground, hiking trails, and historical sights. Some would say this island is the world's best kept secret. It is definitely worth stopping here along Taiwan's northern coast...read more.
Price: 80 NT per person You can buy a discount entrance ticket to Heping Island Park on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book a tour to Heping Island on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Check out our full guide to Heping Island Park here. Chaojing Park 潮境公園 
Chaojing Park is a rocky area along Taiwan's north coast in Keelung. It includes a seafood market, marine science museum, and a wide grassy area. There are also many interesting rock formations in the area. It is a popular location for its seafood, flying kites, hiking, and enjoying the ocean scenery...(read more)
You can book tickets to Chaojing Smart Aquarium on KKday here. Check out our full blog on Chaojing Park here. Badouzi Harbor Seafood Market 八斗子漁港海鮮市場 
Badouzi Harbor is a busy fishing harbor with a popular seafood market in Keelung, and also has a few seafood restaurants inside. You can also take a ferry to Keelung Islet from here. It is definitely worth visiting on your next trip to Keelung...(read more)
Check out our full blog on Badouzi Harbor here. Keelung Marine Science Museum (國立海洋科技博物館) 
The Keelung Marine Science Museum (國立海洋科技博物館) is a former power plant that has been converted into a museum. It features educational exhibits about Taiwan's sea life and marine science. It is definitely worth a stop during your next trip to Keelung...(read more)
Price: The price for admission is 200 NT. You can book tickets for a discount on Klook here. Check out our full guide to the Keelung Marine Science Museum here. Baodouzi Weekend Night Market 八斗子假日夜市 
Badouzi Weekend Night Market is a popular night market on the coast of Keelung near Baodouzi Harbor. Even though it is only open on weekends, you will find almost every Taiwanese night market snack you could want here. You probably won't see any other tourists or foreigners. Popular foods here include fried squid, steak, onion pancakes, papaya milk, and more...(read more)
Check out our full blog on Badouzi Weekend Night Market here. Zhengbin Harbor 正濱漁港 
Zhengbin Harbor is a fishing harbor in Keelung that has recently become well-known for its colorfully painted houses. Recently it has become an Instagram selfie spot. There are also many interesting historical sights in the area for you to explore...(read more)
You can book a walking tour to Zhengbin Harbor and Heping Island on Klook here. Check out our full blog on Zhengbin Harbor here. Elephant Trunk Rock 象鼻岩 
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...(read more).
Here you can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, and more activities which you can book on Klook here or KKday here. You can check out our full guide to Elephant Trunk Rock here. Jiufen Old Street 九份老街 
Jiufen is an old mountain village in Ruifang District of New Taipei City, and has perhaps the best old street in all of Taiwan, with authentic Taiwanese food, sloping steps, traditional Chinese architecture, and great views of Su Ao and Keelung Harbors. There are also multiple historical sights within the town. The entire village is built on a mountain slope so that you can enjoy views of Taiwan's north coast from basically anywhere in the city...(read more)
You can book a tour of Jiufen Old Street with TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Check out our full blog to Jiufen here. Mt Keelung 基隆山 
Mt Keelung is a great hike between Jiufen and Jinguanshi, with great views of the surrounding area all along the trail.
Teapot Mountain 茶壺山 
The most popular hike in the area is Teapot Mountain, which is literally shaped like a teapot and has great views of the surrounding area.
Stegosaurus Ridge (劍龍稜) and Saw Ridge (鋸齒稜) 
You can also visit Stegosaurus Ridge (劍龍稜) and Saw Ridge (鋸齒稜), which are two other awesome and scary hikes higher up.
Gold Mine Museum 黃金博物館 
Jinguashi is a small village in Ruifang District in New Taipei, famous for its now defunct mines. Here you can explore the Gold Mine Museum, 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...(read more)
Gold Mine Museum Price: 80 NT per person (Free for New Taipei Residents) You can book discount tickets to the New Taipei Gold Mine Museum on Klook here or KKday here. You can book a tour to Jinguashi on TripAdvisor here, Klook here or KKday here. Check out our full guide to Jinguashi here. Jinshui Highway 金水公路 
Jinshui Road winds up from the ocean up to Jinguashi. Even though it is one lane, buses still come up and down this thing constantly. From the mountains above you can enjoy views of this unique, steep, winding road in northern Taiwan...(read more)
You can book a tour to Jinguashi on TripAdvisor here, Klook here or KKday here. Check out our full blog on Jinshui Road here. Golden Waterfall 黃金瀑布 
Golden Waterfall is a popular tourist destination along Taiwan's northern coast. The waters here are colored gold because of the mineral runoff collected as the water moves through old mines. It is a unique natural attraction that you should not miss on your next trip to northern Taiwan...(read more)
You can book a tour to Golden Waterfall on TripAdvisor here, Klook here or KKday here. Check out our full blog on Golden Waterfall here. 13 Levels Ruins 十三層遺址 
The thirteen levels smelter, also known as "Shuinandong Smelter 水南洞選練厰" or Potala Palace of Mountain Mines built by the Japanese and abandoned in the 1980s. Nowadays it is one of the most popular abandoned sites in Taiwan...(read more)
You can book a tour to the 13 Levels Ruins on KKday here. Check out our full blog on 13 Levels Ruins here. Yinyang Sea 陰陽海 
The Yinyang Sea "陰陽海" on the coast of Ruifang, New Taipei is so named because it looks like a Yinyang symbol due to impurities in the runoff from the old mines that run into the ocean near Shuinandong Harbor. It is a unique part of the northern coast worth stopping and taking a look...(read more)
You can book a tour to the Yinyang Sea on KKday here or Klook here. Check out our full blog on the Yinyang Sea here. Nanya Rock 南雅奇石 
Nanya Rock (aka Nanya Peculiar Rock) is a layered sandstone column on the shore 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...(read more)
You can book a tour to Nanya Rock on Klook here or KKday here. Check out our full blog on Nanya Rock here. Bitou Cape 鼻頭角 
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...(read more)
You can book a tour to Bitou Cape on KKday here or Klook here. Check out our full blog on Bitou Cape here. Long Dong 龍洞 
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...(read more)
You can book activities at Longdong such as Rock Climbing, Cave Draping, Diving, Snorkeling, SUPing, Freediving, and more on Klook here or KKday here. Check out our full guide to Longdong here. Jinshawan Beach (Golden Bay) 金沙灣 
Jinshawan (aka Golden Bay) is one of the nicest beaches in northern Taiwan. The sand is golden, the water shallow (and warm in the summer), and it is relatively well kept and clean. Due to its lack of public transportation and small size, it does not see so many visitors compared to other beaches in the area. Swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and kite surfing are all popular activities at this beach...(read more)
You can book a Stand Up Paddle Board experience at Jinshawan on Klook here or KKday here. Check out our full blog on Jinshawan here. Meiyanshan 美灩山 
Maiyanshan is a small area on the northeast coast with aquaculture farms. There are interesting rock formations along the beach, and usually large waves here which are mesmerizing to watch. This place also has a few seafood restaurants and is worth a stop on your next trip to the northern coast...(read more)
You can book a Stand Up Paddle Board experience near Meiyanshan on Klook here or KKday here. Check out our full blog on Maiyanshan here. Lanwan Beach 藍灣海濱休閑園區 
Lanwan Beach is another nice beach area up the road right across from the mothballed fourth nuclear power plant.
Longmen 龍門 
Longmen is a scenic coastal biking area near Fulong Beach. Here you can also find sand dunes, a camp ground, and a large sports part. It is a great place to go cycling and enjoy the ocean views...(read more)
There are many activities available here at Longmen such as Windsurfing, SUP /paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and more on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book tickets to the international Sand Sculpture Art festival on Klook here or KKday here. Check out our full blog on Yehliu Ocean World here. Fulong Beach 福隆海水浴場 
Fulong Beach is my favorite beach in greater Taipei. It is easily accessible by public transportation (TRA Gongliao Station) and has beautiful golden sand, a large shallow swimming area, and tons of food options within walking distance. The paid part of the beach features sand sculptures and lifeguards, while the free part of the beach is less clean but there are no annoying lifeguards to whistle at you all the time, making it a foreigner's paradise...(read more)
There are many activities available here at Fulong Beach such as Windsurfing, SUP /paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and more on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book tickets to the international Sand Sculpture Art Festival on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book a Private Full Day Fulong International Sand Sculpture Tour on TripAdvisor here. We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, TripAdvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, TripAdvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Check out our full guide to Fulong Beach here. Caoling - Fulong Bicycle Loop 草嶺-福隆環狀線 
The Fulong-Coaling-Sandiao Cape- bike route is one of the most biker-friendly routes in Taiwan, the roughly 2 hour loop is something that the whole family can enjoy. It includes a 2KM ride through the Old Coaling Railroad Tunnel, as well as a ride along the Sandiao Cape coast on an enclosed bike path, where one can enjoy great views of the ocean, Turtle Island, wavy geological features on the coastline, and historical stone villages along the way. This bike route is highly recommended for people of all ages...(read more)
You can book a tour to the Caoling Tunnel on KKday here. Check out our full blog on the Fulong-Coaling-Sandiao Cape- bike route here. Lingjiushan (靈鷲山) 
Lingjiushan Monastery is an impressive temple in the mountains of New Taipei on the Northeast coast. You can only get there by foot. There you can find some large golden statues and some great views of the surrounding coastline...(read more)
Check out our full blog on Lingjiushan Monastery here. Sandiao Cape 三貂角 
Sandiaojiao Lighthouse (三貂角燈塔), also known as the Santiago Cape Lighthouse, marks the easternmost point on Taiwan's mainland. You cannot go inside, but you can enjoy the views from the top of the hill there and the museum inside. Overall, it is a great place to relax and enjoy the coastal views nearby...(read more)
You can book a tour to the lighthouse on KKday here or Klook here. Check out our full blog on Sandiaojiao Lighthouse here. Caoling Old Trail 草嶺古道 
The Caoling Old Trail (aka Caoling Historic Trail) is a section of the Danlan Old Trail connecting Gongliao District of New Taipei to Dali District of Toucheng Township in Yilan. In the past it was an important shipping route for goods from Yilan to Tamsui. Now it is a popular and family friendly hiking route due to its convenient public transportation, slow elevation gain, grassy mountain hills, and great views of the surrounding area...(read more)
Check out our full blog on Caoling Old Trail here. Taoyuan Valley 桃園谷 
The trail to Taoyuan Valley is about 4.8 KM long and follows the ridge. You can see lots of wild cattle here. There is a great blog about this trail here.
Bonus: Yilan Does Yilan count as Taiwan's northern coast? It's debatable. For the purposes of this blog, it does. Daxi Fishing Port 大溪漁港 
Daxi Fishing Harbor (aka Ta-Hsi Fishing Harbor) in Toucheng Township, Yilan County has one of the biggest seafood markets in the area. Originally it was smaller, but when the residents of Turtle Island were moved here, they expanded the harbor so that more boats could fit. This is where you can get some of the freshest seafood there is, every day at 2:30 PM...(read more)
You can book a tour to Daxi Port on KKday here. Check out our full blog on Daxi Fishing Harbor here. Toucheng Leisure Farm 頭城農場 
Toucheng Farm is not just a farm but also a leisure area, hotel, restaurant, and activity area. Here we also fed water buffalo, learned sustainable farming, the ancient art of sweet potato baking, lime juice fermentation, and painted T-shirts. Overall it is a fun time that the whole family can enjoy...(read more)
You can book tickets to Toucheng Leisure Farm on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also book a room there on Klook here, Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Trip.com here. Website: https://www.tcfarm.com.tw/en/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tcfarmeng/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/toucheng_farm Check out our full blog on Toucheng Farm here. Double Lion Beach 雙獅沙灘 
Double Lion Beach is a quiet surfing beach in Yilan County. There are fewer people here and awesome waves. The reason it is called Double Lion Beach is because of the two lions in front of the temple that looks over the beach. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Yilan...(read more)
You can book a surfing lesson at Double Lion Beach on KKday here. Check out our full blog on Double Lion Beach here. Wai'ao Beach 外澳沙灘 
Wai'ao Beach (aka Gangao Beach 港澳沙灘, or Wai'ao Ocean Recreation Area 外澳海水浴場) in Toucheng township of Yilan County is one of the most popular surfing destinations in Taiwan. It features a long flat sandy beach and constant waves. It is also a special beach in Taiwan because you have a constant view of another island in the distance, Turtle Island. It is definitely a great beach worth visiting...(read more)
You can purchase tours and tickets for many activities in Yilan such as Surfing, Kayaking, Horse Riding, River Tracing, River Rafting, River Tubing, Pack Rafting, Water Biking, Snorkeling, Canoeing, and many others through Klook here or KKday here. You can check out our full guide to Wai'ao Beach here. Lanyang Museum 蘭陽博物館 
The Lanyang Museum focuses on Toucheng's history and artifacts. If you want to learn about the history of Toucheng, this is the place to visit. It is also a beautiful building, designed in the shape of Cuestas, or slanted rocks that appear commonly along Toucheng's coastline...(read more)
You can book discount exhibition tickets to the museum on KKday here or book a tour through Klook here. Check out our full blog on the Lanyang Museum here. Toucheng Old Street 頭城老街 
Toucheng Old Street (officially Heping Street 和平街) is the oldest street in Yilan, dating back to the Qing Dynasty. It was once the economic center of Yilan, but it's importance was later replaced. Now it sits as a monument to the past, with few changes as compared to its former glory. It's definitely worth a stop on your trip through Yilan...(read more)
Check out our full blog on Toucheng Old Street here. Turtle Island (Guishan Island) 龜山島 
Guishan Island (literally Turtle Mountain Island) is a turtle-shaped island off the coast of Yilan in Eastern Taiwan. Once inhabited by fishermen, it is now a coast guard base but is open for day tours. The island tour includes beautiful sea cliffs, hiking, a lake, an abandoned village, military tunnels, and whale watching just offshore...(read more)
Tours and Prices: Whale watching on a boat around the island: 800-1000 NT per person. Once around the island on a boat and 2-hour tour of the island: 800-1000 NT per person. Whale watching and island tour: 1200+ NT Island tour including hiking to the top of the island: 1200+ NT You can book a personalized tour and ferry boat tickets with Klook or KKday. Check out our full guide to Turtle Island here. Jiaoxi 礁溪 
Jiaoxi is a beautiful township in Yilan County, known for its waterfalls and hot springs. It is a town with a population of about 35,000 people, and it seems it relies mostly on tourism to survive...(read more)
You can check out our blog on Jiaoxi here. Wufengqi Waterfall 五峰旗大瀑布 
Wufengqi is a beautiful waterfall, only a five minute scooter ride from Jiaoxi. If you are looking for a peaceful place to connect with nature, and you are looking for an easily accessible hike for your family, then this is the place for you...(read more)
You can book a tour to Wufengqi Waterfall on Klook here. You can check out our blog on Wufengqi Waterfall here. Luodong Night Market 羅東夜市 
Luodong Night Market is the largest night market in Yilan and is one of the area's top tourist destinations. The night market covers a large area and usually is packed with people. Delicacies here include mutton soup, shaved ice, duck noodles, and onion pancakes. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Yilan...(read more)
Check out our full guide to Luodong Night Market here. Su'ao Crayon Factory 蜡藝蠟筆城堡 
Su'ao's Crayon Castle (officially Luck Arts Crayon Factory) is a crayon factory castle in Su'Ao township in Yilan County, that has been specifically designed as a DIY experience center for kids where they can make their own arts and crafts, as well as their own set of markers, and crayon in the shape of Taiwan! The DIY activities include making markers and crayons, face painting, painting porcelain, making chalk, and water coloring. Basically, it is a paradise for young children. (read more)
You can buy tickets for a discount on Klook here. You can check out our blog on Jiaoxi here. Su'Ao Neipi Beach 蘇澳內埤海灘 
Su'Ao's Neipi Beach in the Nanfangao area (Yilan County) is perhaps the most beautiful beach in northeast Taiwan. It is known for its romantic atmosphere and large waves, which attract surfers from all around. Popular activities here include surfing, kite surfing, kayaking, scuba diving, hiking, and watching the sunrise...(read more).
You can book a SUP experience at Su'ao beach on Klook here or KKday here. You can check out our blog to Su'Ao's Neipi Beach here. Some places we missed:
Don't forget that there are many activities available along Taiwan's Northern Coast such as Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Archery, Tree Climbing, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Shen'ao Rail Bike, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Go for a ride and discover the North Coast for yourself! There are so many amazing places for you to discover. Check out our guide to the best beaches near Taipei here. Check out our guide to the best day trips from Taipei here. Also be sure to check out our guide to Taipei here. Check out our guide to Taoyuan here. Check out our guide to Keelung here. Check out our full guide to Yilan here. You can also check out our full guide to Taiwan’s East Coast here. You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.
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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
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