Zhongjiao Bay Beach 中角灣

Share

---

Tweet

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:

Zhongjiao Bay:

Xialiao Beach:

Our Journey:
​
Zhongjiao Bay 中角灣:

I have been to Zhongjiao Bay once. My friend from Korea came one time to surf here, and before that I did not know Jinshan had any good beaches. It turns out that this is the premier beach for surfing in northern Taiwan. 

Zhongjiao Beach as seen from the roadside. 

Near the entrance to the beach is a large parking lot surrounded by many surf shops. 

The main building here has some lockers, paid showers, and areas to relax.

If you need, you can rent surfing equipment from the many shops nearby.

Rules of the beach, At least swimming isn't outright banned like at many beaches in Taiwan. 

View to the left of the beach.

View to the right.

View of the sand (no filter or photoshop).

Another view of the right side of the beach. Notice that there are lifeguards on duty here. 

View of the mountains behind the beach.

Xialiao Beach 下寮灣

I have been to Xiaoliao Wan twice (aka Jinshan Oceanside Waterpark 金山海濱浴場), once with nice weather and once with crappy weather. I have way more photos of when the weather was crappy.

Here is when the weather is nicer. Does this look like a beach you want to go to? Yeah, tons of trash every time I have been.

A few years ago I had a friend that came to Taiwan and decided to go surfing at Jinshan Beach. I mean there are probably some nice waves here. But of all the public beaches in Taiwan, if someone were to tell me Jinshan was the dirtiest, I would believe them. 
If you want some good surfing/swimming, stay at Zhongjiao Bay. However there are some nice places to hike and enjoy the scenery here if you will not get in the water.

There is a beautiful pedestrian bridge across the Yuantan River called the Yuantan Rive Bridge.

From there you can reach the beach.

View up the Yuantan River.

Another view of the Yuantan River.

There is some parking and shops near the beach as well.

Abandoned house likely dating back to the Qing Dynasty. 

To be honest this is not the cleanest beach I have seen in Taiwan. There has been quite a lot of trash when I have gone both times, but I know they clean it sometimes. I mean you can search Google. Maybe I am just unlucky and come when there is a particularly large amount of trash on the beach.

Another view of the beach.

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. 

When you are done checking out the beach, be sure to check out Jinshan Old Street. Also nearby are many hot spring hotels which you can stay at, which are arguably cheaper and better than those of Wulai or Beitou.

Thanks for reading and be sure to check out more of our blogs on the northeast coast!

Share

---