Northeast Coast Short Trails Guide

[Northeast Coast Short Trails Guide]

[Northeast Coast Danlan Old Trail North Route]

[Northeast Coast Danlan Old Trail North Route Short Trails]

1. Northeast Coast Jinguashi Shibao Mountain and Jinguashi Qitang Old Street

2. Northeast Coast Bitou Cape Trail

3. Northeast Coast Nanzilin Trail

4. Northeast Coast Longdong Bay Cape Trail

The Northeast Coast, apart from Hualien and Taitung, is where the mountains meet the sea in Taiwan!

To deeply explore and appreciate the beauty of the Northeast Coast, you must traverse its trails!

The excitement of the Northeast Coast trails lies in the joy of mountain and sea views simultaneously!

You can opt for half-day short trails or connect multiple trails for more than half a day.

Half-day trails are small and beautiful, perfect for a brief taste.

Half-day or longer trails offer a more satisfying and exhilarating experience!

This guide to the Northeast Coast trails will not include Jiufen Old Street,

as it is like a city with frequent bus services and convenient transportation.

A quote: “The longer I walk, the more I cannot separate my body, mind, and the surrounding environment. The external and internal worlds overlap. I am no longer an observer of nature, but a participant in it.”

[Northeast Coast Short Trails Guide][Half-Day]

1. Northeast Coast Jinguashi Shibao Mountain and Jinguashi Qitang Old Street

2. Northeast Coast Bitou Cape Trail

3. Northeast Coast Nanzilin Trail

4. Northeast Coast Longdong Bay Cape Trail

[Northeast Coast Islands][One Day]

1. Northeast Coast Keelung Islet

2. Northeast Coast Guishan Island

[Northeast Coast Long Trails Guide][More Than Half a Day]

1. Northeast Coast Caoling Historic Trail

2. Northeast Coast Taoyuan Valley Trail

[Northeast Coast Long Trails Guide and Multi-Trail Connections]

[More Than Half a Day and Multiple Days]

1. Connection of Jinzibe Historic Trail, Shumeikeng, Canguangliao, and Diao Mountain Historic Trail

2. Meeting Mackay on the Danlan Old Trail, Mackay’s Missionary Route

3. Northeast Coast Train Station Walking Tour

The primary focus of the Northeast Coast long trails is currently the Danlan Old Trail North Route,

mainly because the signage and paths are clear and transportation is convenient.

Once you enter the paradise of the Northeast Coast long trails,

you will fall in love with the beautiful scenery that resembles a utopia,

but you need to stay in Taiwan for a while to truly appreciate it!

[Northeast Coast Short Trails Guide]

1. Northeast Coast Jinguashi Shibao Mountain and Jinguashi Qitang Old Street

2. Northeast Coast Bitou Cape Trail

3. Northeast Coast Nanzilin Trail

4. Northeast Coast Longdong Bay Cape Trail

[Jinguashi Shibao Mountain and Jinguashi Qitang Old Street]

[Jinguashi Shibao Mountain]

Shibao Mountain, also known as Water Snail Mountain, has an elevation of 260 meters. It is said to be named after an alarm installed during the Japanese occupation that sounded regularly.

The Shibao Mountain Trail is a short round trip of just over ten minutes, accessible to people of all ages!

The Shibao Mountain Trail starts from the parking lot and takes about 15 minutes for a round trip. You will pass two viewing platforms offering a 360-degree view of Keelung Mountain, Wuer Teapot Mountain, Yin Yang Sea, the Thirteen Levels, and Jinguashi.

The 360-degree panoramic view from the Shibao Mountain Trail

[Jinguashi Qitang Old Street]

Located below Quanjitang, Jinguashi Qitang Old Street is considered the center of Jinguashi. It was the busiest shopping street during the peak of mining activity, known as “Jinguashi Ginza.”

During the prosperous mining period, the streets were bustling with miners and residents. As the population grew, shops were built along the slopes, forming a business district for daily necessities. The area had goldsmiths, fabric stores, barbershops, grocery stores, snack shops, billiard rooms, and taverns, catering to all aspects of life. After a fire and the depletion of ore veins, residents moved away, and the prosperity ended, but the old street still retains its former atmosphere.

You can reach Qitang Old Street from the British Prisoner of War Camp above Guashan Elementary School or from Quanjitang going down.

Walking down Qitang Old Street, a beautiful semicolon is Guashan Elementary School, which is very eye-catching as it offers a view of the beautiful Keelung Mountain!

Guashan Elementary School has been around for over a hundred years. Since the opening of the mines, the population of Jinguashi increased, reaching over 3,000 during its peak.

Wenzhou Migrant Workers’ Story

During the Japanese occupation, census data showed that Ruifang Village had 30,000 locals, about 1,000 Japanese, and 700-800 people from Wenzhou and Fuzhou, mostly concentrated in Jinguashi and Jiufen. As locals were unwilling to take on less skilled mining jobs, many single young men from Wenzhou were recruited and lived in simple shacks near Quanjitang, known as Wenzhou Dormitories.

Compared to the houses on Qitang Road, these dormitories were long rows of connected houses. Most single Wenzhou men squeezed into small rooms where they could barely lie down to rest.

Later, when the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out, Taiwan’s connection with mainland China was cut off, and national defense became the priority. Mining equipment was dismantled for other uses, and the mining industry declined. Many Wenzhou workers left, and only the Wenzhou Dormitories remained.

After the Mukden Incident, Sino-Japanese relations deteriorated rapidly, making it difficult to recruit Chinese workers. Some Wenzhou workers in Jinguashi died, while others left, gradually emptying the Wenzhou Dormitories, which were later converted into a prisoner of war camp.

During World War II, the Japanese army rampaged through Southeast Asia, brutally killing in China and the South Seas. After the British army surrendered in Singapore, many foreigners were sent to the mines, including British, American, Australian, Dutch, Singaporean, and Malaysian prisoners.

Among the dozens of POW camps across Taiwan, Jinguashi was the largest at the time.

The POWs faced the threat of mass slaughter. They were taken to work in the pits daily, doing tasks like digging, pushing carts, and mining in the hot, humid conditions exceeding 50 degrees Celsius. Many fell ill, and although there were two doctors, there were almost no medical supplies, leading to high mortality rates.

Towards the end of the war, the U.S. military adopted the “leapfrog” strategy in the Pacific, gradually reclaiming islands occupied by the Japanese.

Some generals suggested skipping the Philippines and attacking Taiwan directly for strategic reasons. However, General MacArthur insisted on retaking the Philippines, where he had once been defeated and fled in haste, famously promising, “I shall return!”

The Pacific War ended with the U.S. dropping atomic bombs on Japan. Orders that would have endangered the lives of the POWs were never carried out, sparing thousands of lives in the Jinguashi POW camp.

The POW camp’s site, formerly the Wenzhou Dormitories, now only has entrance pillars, a small section of wall, open space, and a newly built POW memorial.

Walking through the historical corridor, cherish peace and pray for world peace!

You can take a bus to Guashan Elementary School, stroll through Jinshui Highway to the Peace Memorial Park, and reach Qitang Old Street! From there, walk up to Quanjitang and take a bus back.

The colorful stairs of Qitang Old Street are beautiful

The view of the beautiful mountains from Quanjitang, the religious center of Qitang Old Street

The quaint Qitang Old Street with endless stories, with the Great Belly Beauty Mountain behind it

The quaint Qitang Old Street with endless stories, once the busiest street in Jinguashi

[Northeast Coast Bitou Cape Trail]

The four capes in northern Taiwan are Fugui Cape, Sandiao Cape, Bitou Cape, and Tri-Cape, all featuring cape landforms with lighthouses!

The Bitou Cape Trail resembles a seaside Great Wall, featuring mountain and sea views and marine erosion platforms.

Walking along the trail feels like being abroad.

If you love the sea more, take a trip to the Bitou Cape Trail. If you love the mountains more, take a trip to the Nanzilin Trail. If you love both, take both trails—you won’t regret it!

Bitou Cape is located in the Northeast Coast Scenic Area and administratively belongs to Ruifang Town. The area is a cape with rugged terrain, well-developed marine erosion cliffs, marine erosion caves, and marine erosion platforms. Facing the northeast monsoon, it is cold and rainy in autumn and winter and too hot in summer. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, as it is neither too hot nor rainy.

You can see Bitou Cape from Provincial Highway 2, whether traveling north or south. It is visible from Fulong, Xianglan, and Mao’ao, and you can see it from Guishan Island and Keelung Islet when looking back at the main island.

The trail starts from Bitou Elementary School, leading to the Haita Pavilion, offering a panoramic view of the sea and sky, including Keelung Islet, Longdong Bay, and Sandiao Cape. Walking along the ridgeline trail to a wide open area, you can see Nanzilin Mountain and Keelung Mountain to the north. The main landscapes of the Northeast Coast come into view simultaneously.

If the weather is partly cloudy, it feels like being in Matsushima, Japan!

The trail is a loop system divided into three sections: “Bitou Cape Lighthouse Trail,” “Bitou Cape Ridge Trail,” and “Bitou Cape Coastal Trail.” The “Lighthouse Trail” is the main trail, running along the mountainside from Bitou Elementary School to the prominent Bitou Cape Lighthouse. The “Ridge Trail” crosses the ridges of the cape, offering high views of the Northeast Coast. The “Coastal Trail” runs close to the coast, showcasing the diverse marine erosion geological features of Bitou Cape. Each trail has its unique characteristics.

The Bitou Cape Lighthouse, built during the Japanese occupation, is a hexagonal iron lighthouse destroyed by U.S. bombings during World War II and rebuilt in 1971. Currently, the Bitou Cape Lighthouse and Lighthouse Trail are closed to the public.

On this walk, we took the Ridge Trail, ending at Bitou Cape Fishing Harbor. Though we always return to the fishing harbor, our hearts remain on the Bitou Cape Trail!

The trail is suitable for all ages, but there are no food services along the trail, so be prepared. Food is available at Bitou Fishing Harbor.

The Bitou Cape Trail is beautiful in the misty dawn

The Bitou Cape Trail is like a fairyland in the misty dawn

An aerial view of Bitou Cape showing the lighthouse and the beautiful mountain and sea scenery

[Northeast Coast Nanzilin Trail]

The Nanzilin Trail and Bitou Cape Trail are both five-star trails with 360-degree panoramic mountain and sea views.

These two trails are like display windows of the Northeast Coast Scenic Area, showcasing the great beauty of the mountains and the sea in the shortest time!

Nanzilin Mountain overlooks the Nanya Strange Rock Coast and is backed by the famous “Golden Ridge” of Banping Mountain. The surrounding mountain and sea scenery can be considered national or even world-class!

Due to its proximity to the Northeast Coast’s Shuijinjiu, this area is the essence of the northern section of the Northeast Coast.

The trail is easy to walk, with an elevation of only 196 meters. From the trailhead, it takes about half an hour to reach the summit. Park at the Nanya Fishing Harbor parking lot, walk to the entrance across the street, pass through the Nanya Fishing Village paths, and cross a small bridge to reach the trailhead.

The trail is over 900 meters long, taking about 40 minutes to reach the summit for faster hikers and nearly an hour for slower hikers. With 280 steps, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the mountain and sea beauty after climbing.

As you climb the trail, the coastal scenery changes with every glance due to the different perspectives.

The summit offers excellent views, allowing you to take in the beautiful scenery of the Northeast Coast.

Looking west, you can see the 18 levels of the Taiyen Copper Refinery, Shuinandong, Keelung Mountain, and Shen’ao Cape;

Looking east, you can see the beautiful cape and bay scenery from Nanya Fishing Harbor to Bitou Cape; looking south and back, you can see the majestic ridge of Banping Mountain;

Looking north, you can see the endless Pacific Ocean.

The views include the Nanya Strange Rocks, Bitou Cape, Keelung Mountain, Keelung Islet, Yin Yang Sea, Banping Mountain’s grand ridge, Shuinandong Fishing Harbor, and Bitou Cape Fishing Harbor, making it an unforgettable experience!

Both summer and winter visits have their charm, but autumn and winter are more beautiful with silvergrass!

The great beauty of mountains and seas;

All things, each has its beauty; thousands of forms, each shows its splendor!

Big as the void, small as the needle’s tip; existing as one, perfectly equal and identical!

Grateful for the winter sun and the 360-degree world-class mountain and sea intersection in the morning’s mist and sunshine, and the seasonal silvergrass.

About an hour round trip.

The world-class Nanzilin Trail

The Nanzilin Trail is beautiful in the silvergrass season

The world-class Nanzilin Trail offers a view of the majestic ridge of Banping Mountain

The world-class Nanzilin Trail offers a distant view of Keelung Mountain

The world-class Nanzilin Trail summit offers a distant view of Keelung Mountain and Keelung Islet

[Northeast Coast Longdong Bay Cape Trail]

Walking along the cliffside trail, you see the azure ocean on one side and the green mountains on the other.

The name Longdong comes from the coastal rocks resembling a dragon coiled on the shore. The cape trail connects two major capes on the Northeast Coast, linking the 6-million-year-old Bitou Cape with the 35-million-year-old Longdong Cape, telling two stories from different times. You will feel awe for nature and the wonder of the intersecting timescapes.

Longdong Bay Cape Trail boasts world-class scenery! The newly constructed viewing platform next to the parking lot is the most beautiful infinity viewing platform on the Northeast Coast and a popular spot on Instagram. The trail starts from Xilingyan Temple, and within a few minutes, you will reach the viewing platform.

The trail is as easy to walk as the Shibao Mountain Trail, with a rest pavilion in the middle where you can enjoy the stunning sea and sky view. This is the Nordic style if you want to see mountains, seas, cliffs, and other features.

The viewing platform next to the parking lot has an extended platform that makes you feel like you are walking into the sea.

The trail is very easy to walk, well-maintained, and takes less than half an hour to reach the top.

Longdong Bay Cape Trail is a living geological classroom with Sandiaoling in front

The beautiful sea and sky view of Longdong Bay Cape Trail. If you want to see mountains, seas, cliffs, and other features, this is the Nordic style.

Longdong Bay Cape Trail is a living geological classroom with rare cape landforms in Taiwan

[Transportation Information]

[Northeast Coast Jinguashi Shibao Mountain and Jinguashi Qitang Old Street]

Google map Jinguashi Shibao Mountain Trail

224, Ruifang District, New Taipei City

https://maps.app.goo.gl/mXeqneAqEhyGeSoj9

Jinguashi Qitang Old Street

Google map Qitang Old Street

Qitang Road, Ruifang District, New Taipei City 224

02 2496 2800

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LMTniKn6q9sgwBz39

Transportation to Jinguashi Shibao Mountain Trail and Qitang Old Street:

Take bus 891 or 1062 to Quanjitang Station, walk for 5 minutes; there is a parking lot for drivers, making it very convenient.

[Northeast Coast Bitou Cape Trail]

Google map Bitou Cape Trail

Bitou Road, Ruifang District, New Taipei City 224

02 2499 1210

https://maps.app.goo.gl/BbT5gcor9P8kiNT77

Transportation to Bitou Cape Trail:

Take the high-speed rail or Taiwan Railways to Taipei Station, then transfer to Kuo-Kuang Bus 1811 (to Luodong) or 1812 (to Nanfang’ao) and get off at Bitou Cape Station.

Take the Taiwan Railways to Ruifang Station, then transfer to Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 856 Golden Fulong Line and get off at Bitou Station.

[Northeast Coast Nanzilin Trail]

Google map Nanzilin Trail

Nanzilin Trail

Ruifang District, New Taipei City 224

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ULQVgTYW3FX9E3to6

Transportation to Nanzilin Trail:

Keelung Bus Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 856 Golden Fulong Line (Ruifang Railway Station – Fulong Visitor Center) → Get off at Nanya Nanshengong Station.

Keelung Bus 791 (National New City – Fulong) → Get off at Nanya Nanshengong Station.

Keelung Bus 886 (Ruifang – Hemei Elementary School) → Get off at Nanya Nanshengong Station.

Kuo-Kuang Bus 1811 (Taipei Railway Station – Luodong) or 1812 (Taipei Railway Station – Nanfang’ao) → Get off at Nanya Station.

New Bus F805 (Ruifang – Hemei Elementary School) → Get off at Nanya Li Station.

[Northeast Coast Longdong Bay Cape Trail]

Google map Longdong Bay Cape Trail

Longdong Bay Cape Trail

Gongliao District, New Taipei City 228

02 2499 1210

https://maps.app.goo.gl/8oWqHv5m245ye8Hu5

Transportation to Longdong Bay Cape Trail:

You can enter from either the north end (Hemei Elementary School) or the south end (Longdong Four Seasons Bay).

South End (Longdong Four Seasons Bay)

Keelung Bus Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 856 Golden Fulong Line (Ruifang Railway Station – Fulong Visitor Center) → Get off at Longdong Four Seasons Bay Station.

Keelung Bus 791 (National New City – Fulong) → Get off at Fozi Temple Station.

Kuo-Kuang Bus 1811 (Taipei Railway Station – Luodong) or 1812 (Taipei Railway Station – Nanfang’ao) → Get off at Longdong South Entrance Station.

New Bus F837 (Gongliao Railway Station – Bitao Village Parking Lot) or F839 (Gongliao Railway Station – Bitou Cape) → Get off at Fozi Temple Station.

North End (Hemei Elementary School)

Keelung Bus 886 (Ruifang – Hemei Elementary School) → Get off at Hemei Elementary School Station.

New Bus F837 (Gongliao Railway Station – Bitao Village Parking Lot), F839 (Gongliao Railway Station – Bitou Cape), F805 (Ruifang – Hemei Elementary School) → Get off at Hemei Elementary School Station.