This article is a complete guide to Taiwan attractions, including opening hours, tickets, and the best routes.
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Jiufen, the mountain town that rose to prominence due to gold mining, is actually an important gateway to the Northeast Coast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area. Although Jiufen itself is not a national park, it is located within Taiwan's only national-level scenic area that spans both mountains and seas, making it the best starting point for exploring the ecological treasures of northern Taiwan.
From my years of field experience in old streets across various locations, what makes Jiufen unique is that it's not just a tourist old street, but an ecological transition station connecting urban areas to nature. When you walk through the bustling Shenglij Road, one turn can lead you to rarely-traveled mountain paths—a contrast rarely experienced in Taiwan's other old streets.
Ecological Highlights: A Geological Wonder Where Mountains Meet the Sea
Centered on Jiufen, the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area showcases Taiwan's rare volcanic geology and marine erosion landforms. The ecosystem here includes subtropical broadleaf forests, grassland ecology, coastal vegetation, and secondary forest environments formed by the mining history. Especially the fog brought by the northeast monsoon in autumn and winter creates a unique fog forest ecology in the surrounding mountains of Jiufen, where many moisture-loving ferns and mosses thrive.
Most worth mentioning is that this area is currently undergoing ecological restoration experiments. Although past gold mining destroyed the original vegetation, it unexpectedly created new habitat environments, attracting many adaptable birds and small mammals to settle here.
Recommended Ecological Exploration Points
Jilong Mountain East Peak Trail
Starting from Jiufen Old Street, a 30-minute drive, this trail is an excellent classroom for observing volcanic cone landforms. Jilong Mountain at 588 meters elevation is an ancient volcanic remnant, and along the trail you can see andesite outcrops and unique weathering landforms. During the rhododendron blooming season from March to May each year, the entire hillside is covered with red and white flower seas—a secret spot for photography enthusiasts. The trail is well-maintained, but some sections are quite steep, so it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes.
Teapot Mountain Ridge Trail
This trail connects Jiufen and Jinguashi, two historical settlements, with a total length of about 4 kilometers. Its greatest feature is being able to overlook both the Pacific Ocean and the Taipei Basin simultaneously, and on clear days you can even see the Snow Mountain range in the distance. The trail preserves cable car remnants from the Japanese colonial period, and the miscanthus grassland along the way is one of the largest natural grasslands in northern Taiwan. When the miscanthus blooms in autumn, golden waves sway in the sea wind—considered the most beautiful ridge scenery in Taiwan.
Gold Museum Ecological Park
Although known for its mining cultural history, this is also the best case for observing artificial ecological restoration. The "Environmental Hall" inside the park displays the impact of mining on ecology and the restoration process, while the outdoor "Ecological Pond" recreates the wetland environment before development. The "Bat Cave Observation" activity is especially recommended—the abandoned mines have become bat habitats, with 6 species of bats recorded staying here during winter.
Yin-Yang Sea Geological Park
Located below Jinguashi, the Yin-Yang Sea is a rare natural geological phenomenon observation point in Taiwan. The seawater appears yellow-brown because the iron pyrite on the mountain oxidizes when meeting water—this phenomenon is rarely seen globally. The geological park has explanatory trails that allow close observation of marine erosion platforms, sea caves, and other landforms, making it an important research site for coastal ecology.
Caoling Old Trail Northern Section
Although the complete Caoling Old Trail spans both Taipei and New Taipei cities, the northern section starting from Jiufen has the most ecological value. This section of the old trail preserves relatively intact secondary forests, where you can see Taiwan lilies in spring and rhinoceros beetles and stag beetles in summer. The giant taro clusters on both sides of the old trail's stone steps represent the largest area in the Taipei region and serve as important habitats for various bird species. Transportation From Taipei, you can take bus route 1062 directly to Jiufen, with a journey time of about 1.5 hours and a fare of NT$90. Self-driving via the Second Northern Highway to Route 2 Ding is more convenient, but parking is scarce on weekends, so it is recommended to arrive before 8 AM. Most ecological trail entrances have free parking lots, but capacity is limited. Admission Fees
Most trails are free to access. Admission to the Gold Museum Ecological Park is NT$80, with half price for ages 65 and above and students. Yin-Yang Sea Geological Park is free to visit, but guided tour services require advance reservation at NT$150 per person. Best Time to Visit Ecological observation is best from March to May and September to November, avoiding afternoon thunderstorms in summer. Although the fog season (October to March) affects visibility, it offers a unique misty atmosphere around Jiufen. For bird observation, early morning from 6 to 8 AM is recommended, when tourists are scarce and bird activity is most frequent. In recent years, the surge in tourists to Jiufen has placed considerable pressure on the surrounding ecology. It is recommended to visit on weekdays with fewer crowds and strictly follow the "Leave No Trace" principles. Especially on the Teapot Mountain Trail, please do not step on the grassland areas—those seemingly ordinary bushes may be native plant restoration zones. Bringing trash downhill, not feeding wild animals, and not picking plants—these basic guidelines are especially important on this land undergoing restoration. If you truly love this mountain-sea landscape, walk through it with the lightest footsteps, so it can continue to remain beautiful.Practical Information
Sustainable Travel Reminders
