Pingxi and Jiufen Day Trip From Taipei: Old Pingxi Railway Line and Sky Lantern Experience
Taipei, Taiwan
Rating: 
Trip Type: Day Trips
Duration: 7 hours
Travel to the remote mountain town of Pingxi, renowned for its annual Sky Lantern Festival. Stop at the Yin-Yang Sea and Shifen Waterfall before a stroll down Shifen Old Street where you can write wishes on a lantern and watch it glow in the sky. Enjoy a scenic train ride on the historical Pingxi railway line back to Jingtong. Hotel transport from Taipei by luxury sedan, van or minibus is included. Numbers are limited to 7 people, ensuring an intimate experience with a small group.
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Travel to the remote mountain town of Pingxi, renowned for its annual Sky Lantern Festival. Stop at the Yin-Yang Sea and Shifen Waterfall before a stroll down Shifen Old Street where you can write wishes on a lantern and watch it glow in the sky. Enjoy a scenic train ride on the historical Pingxi railway line back to Jingtong. Hotel transport from Taipei by luxury sedan, van or minibus is included. Numbers are limited to 7 people, ensuring an intimate experience with a small group.
Your guide picks you up at your Taipei hotel in the morning and drives your small group to the Yin-Yang Sea, located on Taiwan’s northern coast. Stop here to view the fascinating two-toned sea where blue water is mixed with yellow mineral run-off from Jinguashi's old copper mines. You’ll also visit the nearby Golden Waterfall and marvel at this yellow-hued wonder.
In Jiufen, walk the narrow streets and steep steps of this charming historical village, used as the set for several films including the award-winning Japanese anime Spirited Away. You can purchase lunch at a local eatery or bring your own. Then delight in a cup of Chinese tea at one of the many teahouses (own expense) and enjoy the ocean view.
At Jingtong Station, one of Taiwan’s best-preserved traditional railway stations, you’ll find old wooden houses, abandoned coal carts and local shops just steps away from the train tracks.
Then drive to Pingxi, stopping en route to admire the impressive Shifen Waterfall. The130-foot-wide (40-meter) cascade is the country’s broadest waterfall, known as ‘Taiwan’s Niagara Falls.’
On arrival, meander around Shifen Old Street to browse the souvenir shops for miniature sky lanterns. The village owes much of its fame to the Sky Lantern Festival where up to 200,000 glowing lanterns — made of oiled rice paper, satin or silk — are released together into the luminous sky. Even if you aren’t here for the annual festival, you won’t miss out on this magical tradition. Stop to write wishes on your own lantern (shared with one other person), light a candle at its base and watch it take flight.
Then hop aboard an antique railcar with your small group and take the historical Pingxi railway line back to Jingtong. The route passes through vivid scenery as the train winds through rivers, wooded gorges and waterfalls.
In the late afternoon you’ll return to Taipei by shared vehicle with drop-off at your hotel.
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