Klook’s Guide to Rail Travel in New Taipei City

Ah, old streets adorned with lanterns, gorgeous seascapes, and truckloads of tea and delicious food — there couldn’t be a dreamier destination for relaxation other than New Taipei City. 

Not to be confused with the bustling Taiwanese capital, New Taipei City is home to some of the most picturesque spots, such as the iconic Jiufen Old Street that inspired the Studio Ghibli classic, the sandy shores of the Yin Yang Sea, and heaps of cultural attractions.

The surrounding parts of Taipei show off the cultural and indigenous sides of Taiwan — beautiful locales like Ruifang and Tamsui are popular destinations for both Taiwanese and foreign visitors, where they can slow down and take time to enjoy some of the best sights in the country.

So, what’s the fastest way to get to this picturesque destination? By riding the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR), which will take you from Taipei to New Taipei in just 15 minutes tops. Just head to the Taipei Main Station and look for the THSR sign, then hop aboard the train to Banqiao Station. Make sure to check the Taiwan High-Speed Rail schedule for trains in advance for 100% convenience. Once you arrive at Banqiao Station, you’re free to take the bus to wherever you wanna go. 

Alternatively, if you’re coming from Taichung, you can also ride the THSR to the very same station — the whole journey from THSR Taichung Station to Banqiao Station takes only 40 minutes, splashed with gorgeous scenery throughout! 

Need a guide? Here’s everything you need to know about Taiwan’s High-Speed Rail:

You can buy your tickets from Klook and book ‘em in advance, so all you’ll have to worry about on the day of the trip is navigating your way through the dizzying maze inside the Taipei Main Station. With Klook, you’ll enjoy a discounted price for your one-way ticket, plus handy dandy skip-the-lines perks.

Alternatively, you can opt for the Taiwan Rail Pass if your travel plans include going to multiple places. With unlimited train travel for up to three days with the pass, it’s totally worth it if you’re traveling around Taiwan!

Curious to know more? Read all about it with our Taiwan Rail Pass guide and make the most out of your trip using the pass:

Once you’re in New Taipei, feel free to explore the city yourself! If you have no idea where to start, check out our list of recommendations below:

A scenic locale in New Taipei City (aka Xinbei City), you’ll find the famous tourist destination Jiufen Old Street here. If you’d rather get out of the city, however, you can also take public transport in the district to make your way to the Northeast Coast of Taiwan, where you’ll be amazed by the jaw-dropping natural landscape dotted with unique rock formations.

Ghibli fans, this one’s for you! The charming village that inspired the Ghibli classic “Spirited Away” is a popular day trip destination for tourists to experience the fusion of Chinese and Japanese culture. A lovely small town that became well-known for the discovery of gold in the surrounding mountains during the Japanese occupation, you can still recall the Japanese influence on the architecture and material culture amidst the alleys of souvenir shops and vendors of local Taiwanese food.

You can find interesting Chinese craft pieces along Jiufen Old Stree, such as wooden postcards with calligraphy and ocarinas (tao di).  If you are a fan of history and culture, you’d probably want to stop by every shop to explore their stories.

The name of this tourist spot tells it all: the sea is literally a stark contrast of yellow and blue highly reminiscent of yin and yang. Years ago, there were mining activities along the coast, which explains the yellowish color caused by chemical runoff. For a panoramic view of this magnificent sight, we recommend a short climb uphill.

Fun Fact: The two colors are most distinctive immediately after heavy rain, so you’re in for a treat should you be lucky enough to witness it!

Nanya is known for its spectacular rock formation, shaped by years of weathering and erosion into natural sculptures standing by the sea. The most prominent one has a dynamic wave-like pattern that reminds viewers of a tornado, which makes for a good souvenir photo. Take a closer look at the rock surface, patterned by the reddish and yellowish veins formed by the flow of water from the rain.

Want to hit up all these spots without having to plan the itinerary yourself? Go with the Jiufen Village and Northeast Coast Tour, and enjoy hassle-free travel with Klook!

A traditional Taiwanese dessert enjoyed throughout the year, taro balls are a must-try here at Grandma Lai’s shop, where you can see the taro balls being made on the spot! Typically served with sweet potato balls, you can enjoy this treat hot or cold, depending on what suits your fancy.

Having been open for three generations, Grandma Lai’s shop is one of the most renowned brands selling taro balls in Taiwan today. The shop also offers free samples to visitors, so you can try a bit of the different varieties and see what you like best.

Here in Jiufen, A-Zhu offers a taste of this delicious dessert from Yilan: a roll of handmade rice paper filled with two scoops of taro ice cream and ground peanut candies. The chewy and crunchy peanuts match surprisingly well with the soft ice cream — definitely a tasting experience you’ll remember. A bite of A-Zhu’s peanut ice cream roll simply takes you to heaven, especially in the boiling hot Taiwanese summer.

Taiwan’s king mushrooms might be the most gigantic mushrooms you’ll ever see, and they’ll definitely catch your eye when you pass by a stall selling them! The mushrooms are brushed with soya sauce and grilled until golden brown, giving them their delicious taste and juicy texture. This healthy vegetarian snack is the perfect snack on-the-go!

Located at the northern tip of Taipei, Tamsui is a picturesque small town famous for its stunning sunset landscape along the coastline. A popular day-trip destination for visitors who want to take a short break from city life, you can spend a relaxing day wandering around the old part of the city and sitting at a cafe by the coast to watch the impressive sunset.

Tamsui Old Street generally refers to a specific public area in Tabsui filled with various local souvenir shops, restaurants, and game stalls. It’s located very close to the waterfront, which is the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset over the Tamsui River. Unlike in Ximending or Xinyi, the shops in Tamsui sell handicrafts and childhood goodies that will awaken your childhood memories.

A classic shooting location for many Taiwanese dramas due to its romantic scenery, Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf was once an important fishing harbor in early Taiwanese history. Known nowadays as one of the representative landmarks of Taiwan, it is home to the Tamsui Lovers’ Bridge, a must-visit for any couple to perform the couple tradition of taking selfies together.

Fun Fact: The white-colored, cable-stayed Lovers’ bridge has had its romantic name since Valentine’s Day in 2003.

If you want a quick break, there’s also the Tamsui Historical Museum, a red-bricked museum where you’ll learn about the district’s fascinating history. Fort Domingo, the main building of the museum, was constructed in 1886 for the country’s coastal defense, which explains all the canyons out of the waterfront. Not a history buff? You can snap some awesome shots with the museum and the Beacon Tower during sunset instead.

Xu Yi Fish Crisps are a crunchy snack that comes in two different flavors: original and spicy. Tamsui is famous for its fresh and tasty seafood, so its snacks naturally also come in various types of fish flavors.

Another historical street food stall from Tamsui, Keko has remained popular through the years for a good reason: their fish balls are exceptionally bouncy and stuffed with juicy minced meat, completely satisfying your taste buds! If you visit Tamsui, make sure you have a bowl or two of Keko fish balls to complete the experience.

With its lush forests and magnificent mountains, New Taipei’s Neidong Forest is a must-visit place for nature lovers. This eco-park is one of the country’s best-kept-secrets, filled with gushing waterfalls and towering trees — all just an hour away from Taipei! Neidong Forest’s peaceful streams will soothe your soul if you need a quick break from the city.

Make sure you complete your travel requirements before flying and book your Taiwan High-Speed Rail tickets via Klook!

Still not ready to hit home? Check out our 72-hour itinerary around Taiwan!

Or travel by the rails around Taipei and Taichung: