Bitan is a slow moving part of the Xindian River in Xindian District of New Taipei. It is also known as Bitan Lake, or Bitan Scenic Area (碧潭風景區). Here you can bike ride, paddle boat, go hiking, and shop at Xindian Old Street (新店老街). With convenient transportation via Taipei MRT, it is definitely worth a stop on your trip to Taipei.
Background: The name Bitan means "green lake" in Chinese, which was coined by Sun Ke, vice chairman of the KMT after WWII. It is also known as Chibi Lake (赤壁潭)、Shibi Lake (石壁潭)、and Shishan Big Lake (獅山邊大潭). Bitan suspension bridge was completed in 1937. Before that time, ferry boat was the best means of transport. In 1997, the National Freeway 3 bridge was completed across the lake. In 2000, Bitan Suspension Bridge was refurbished. It is also known as one of Taiwan's top 12 or top 8 sights. It is also a very popular recreational spot for Taipie residents on the weekend. Near Bitan is Xindian Old Street (新店老街), which sells street food, fruits, and vegetables. It has been the main acrigultural market in Xindian for over a hundred years. The Changxing Temple on the Old Street (長興宮) is over 150 years old, and is dedicated to the Earth God. Hours: About 8 AM to 10 PM. Price: Free entrance Ferry boat: 20 NT one way Paddle boats: 300 NT for a two person boat, more for more people or electric boats Bike rental: 15-70 NT per hour depending on the bike SUP Paddle Boarding: 2000-3000 NT You can book an SUP / Stand up Paddle boarding experience at Bitan on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Tours and Activities: You can book an SUP / Stand up Paddle boarding experience at Bitan on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. How to get there: By MRT: Take the Green Line MRT south to Xindian Station, or Xiaobitan Station. Xindian Old Street is within walking distance of Xindian Old Street. From Xiaobitan Station, you can rent a bike and ride up the river to Xindian Old Street. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By car/scooter: From Taipei, go south on provincial highway 9 until you reach Xindian Old Street. There is paid parking near the old street. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 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 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 Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below: Our Journey: I have been to Bitan about three times. The beauty of this place always blows me away. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery. You can book an SUP / Stand up Paddle boarding experience at Bitan on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. For a full view of Bitan, see our drone footage below. Please note this footage was taken before March 31st, 2020, when Bitan became banned for drone flying. If you don't want to waste data watching the above video, check out our 360 photo taken via drone below:
Right before I took this photo there was an ambulance and fire trucks rescuing someone from the river. Also last time I came someone broke their leg near the suspension bridge, so I guess me going there is bad luck for others.
An introduction to Bitan Scenic Area.
Xindian Old Street 新店老街 
Near Bitan is Xindian Old Street (新店老街, officially Xindian Road 新店路), which sells street food, fruits, and vegetables. It has been the main agricultural market in Xindian for over a hundred years. The Changxing Temple on the Old Street (長興宮) is over 150 years old, and is dedicated to the Earth God.
On the weekends there are usually quite a few people touring the old street.
Bitan Suspension Bridge 碧潭吊橋 
Bitan suspension bridge was completed in 1937. Before that time, ferry boat was the best means of transport. In 1997, the National Freeway 3 bridge was completed across the lake. In 2000, Bitan Suspension Bridge was refurbished.
There are usually a ton of people walking across the bridge at any given time. Across the bridge you can find more shops and roadside stalls.
View looking south on the bridge.
View looking north on the bridge to National Freeway 3.
View above the suspension bridge via drone.
Another view of the bridges via drone.
Paddle boats in storage in a parking lot after a typhoon.
The day I took the most photos here was just after a typhoon, so the water was pretty dirty. Normally the water is not this ugly.
Here you can take a ferry to the other side of the river for 20 NT one way. 
Another popular activity is to go paddle boating on Bitan. I took the human powered two person boat for 300 NT.
When I went there were white egrets (白鷺) literally everywhere.
Another close up on the egrets.
People relaxing on the banks of Bitan.
A couple paddles on a swan boat on Bitan.
This is what the ferry that goes across the river looks like.
People getting off the ferry.
White egret guarding a boat.
A dragon boat racing team practicing.
White egret in flight.
White egret landing.
Someone kayaking.
A dock on the other side of the river.
Bitan full of boats on a spring evening.
People waling across Bitan Suspension Bridge.
More people in paddle boats.
Biking underneath National Freeway 3.
There are so many nice parks and places to stop along the Xindian River.
The dam the makes Bitan. So technically it is a reservoir.
A beautiful pedestrian bridge across the Bitan River.
You can book an SUP / Stand up Paddle boarding experience at Bitan on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Don't forget that there are many activities available around Taipei such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, water biking, Diving, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, photo shoot, Jingtong Sky Lantern Police Station, Shifen Sky Lantern Experience, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. There is lots of more beautiful scenery to enjoy around Bitan. Get our there and enjoy it for yourself! Check out our guide to the best day trips from Taipei here. Also be sure to check out our guide to Taipei here. You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.
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Author 作家I am an American expat who has extensive experience living, working, and traveling in Taiwan. In my day, I had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But I have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. This blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. I am just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Categories
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