Taipei Day Trip: Hop Aboard The Pingxi Railway Line

Taipei offers more than enough to fill several days, but one of northern Taiwan’s most enjoyable adventures begins beyond the city limits.

Running through the green hills and former mining settlements of New Taipei City, the Pingxi Railway Line connects atmospheric old streets, waterfalls, hiking trails and communities shaped by Taiwan’s coal-mining history. Its compact stations and slow-moving trains make the route particularly well suited to a hop-on, hop-off day trip.

Shifen receives most of the attention for its railway-side old street and sky lanterns, but travelling farther along the line reveals quieter stops such as Pingxi and Jingtong.

Here is how to plan a Pingxi Railway day trip from Taipei.

A brief introduction to the Pingxi Railway Line

The Pingxi Branch Line stretches approximately 12.9 kilometres from Sandiaoling to Jingtong.

Built during the Japanese colonial era to transport coal, it later developed into one of northern Taiwan’s best-known tourist railways. The branch includes seven stations: Sandiaoling, Dahua, Shifen, Wanggu, Lingjiao, Pingxi and Jingtong.

Most visitors join the service at Ruifang, a larger railway station connected to Taipei by regular Taiwan Railways trains. Services operating through the area may also connect Ruifang and Houtong with the Pingxi and neighbouring Shenao lines.

Trains are relatively infrequent compared with Taipei’s metro, so successful planning depends on checking the timetable and deciding how long to spend at each stop.

How to reach the Pingxi Line from Taipei

Take a Taiwan Railways train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station. Depending on the service, the journey generally takes around 40 minutes to one hour.

At Ruifang, transfer to a train serving the Pingxi Line. Some services may be displayed with Jingtong, Shifen or another branch-line destination, so check the platform information carefully.

Taiwan Railways offers a one-day pass for the Pingxi and Shenao lines, allowing unlimited rides within the pass’s valid area on the day of use. It can be convenient when making several stops, although travellers visiting only one or two stations may spend less by paying individual fares.

Pass prices, train times and operating arrangements can change. Check the official Taiwan Railways website or app shortly before travelling, particularly after severe weather.

A suggested Pingxi Railway itinerary

A full route can include Jingtong, Pingxi, Shifen and Houtong. However, trying to add Jiufen on the same day leaves limited time at each destination.

Begin at the far end of the branch line and gradually work your way back towards Ruifang. This reduces the risk of travelling all the way to Jingtong late in the afternoon and then rushing to catch the final connections.

First stop: Jingtong for railway and mining history

Jingtong sits at the end of the Pingxi Branch Line and provides a quieter beginning to the day than Shifen.

The small wooden railway station dates from Taiwan’s Japanese colonial period and retains much of its historical character. Around it, Jingtong Old Street offers traditional snacks, souvenir shops and reminders of the town’s mining past.

Walk towards the former mining areas and old railway infrastructure to understand why this remote valley once attracted workers and industry. You will also see bamboo tubes covered with written wishes hanging around parts of the town.

Near the old street, the Jingtong Electronic Sky Lantern Hall presents illuminated displays inspired by Pingxi’s famous lantern tradition. Operating times may vary, so check locally if this is a priority.

Allow around one hour in Jingtong before continuing to Pingxi.

Second stop: Pingxi for old streets and sky lanterns

Image credit: Nan-Cheng Tsai   

Pingxi gives the railway line its name and remains closely associated with the tradition of releasing sky lanterns.

Pingxi Old Street spreads across and around the railway tracks, with shops selling lanterns, snacks and souvenirs. Visitors can write wishes across the paper panels of a lantern before releasing it under the guidance of a local vendor.

Sky lanterns are available throughout much of the year, not only during the annual Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival. However, releases depend on weather and local conditions.

The practice also carries environmental and fire-safety concerns. Choose a responsible operator, follow all instructions and avoid releasing lanterns during strong winds or dry conditions. Travellers uncomfortable with releasing one can still explore the old street and learn about the tradition without participating.

The surrounding hills contain short walking routes and viewpoints, while Shidi Bridge is recognised by Taiwanese film fans as a location featured in You Are the Apple of My Eye.

Spend approximately one to 1.5 hours here.

Third stop: Shifen for old-town vibes

Probably the biggest tourist attraction outside of Taipei, Jiufen is a small town up in the mountains. It’s best known for its breathtaking ocean and sunset views, old streets, and perhaps most importantly, its movie fame: it is said that Jiufen inspired Japanese producer Hayao Miyazaki for his famous movie, Spirited Away! Take your time to try all the traditional snacks and food along the old streets. For instance, both Grandma Lai’s Taro Balls and A-zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll are a must!

Also read: I Spent A Day Eating My Way Through the Real-Life Town of ‘Spirited Away’

Shifen is the busiest and most recognisable stop on the Pingxi Line.

Watch the train pass through Shifen Old Street

Shifen Old Street developed directly beside the railway tracks. Visitors browse shops, eat snacks and decorate sky lanterns only a few steps from the active line.

Whenever a train approaches, staff clear people from the tracks and the carriage passes remarkably close to the shopfronts. Listen for warnings, remain behind the marked boundaries and never linger on the railway for photographs.

Sky lantern releases are especially popular here. Shops normally provide brushes and ink, help visitors photograph the experience and explain when it is safe to release the lantern.

Walk to Shifen Waterfall

From Shifen Station, follow the signs towards Shifen Waterfall. The journey takes roughly 25 to 35 minutes on foot, depending on your pace and starting point.

Along the way, you can cross suspension bridges and enjoy views of the Keelung River valley.

Shifen Waterfall is Taiwan’s best-known cascade-style waterfall. Its broad curtain of water has earned it the nickname “Taiwan’s Niagara Falls”, although it is considerably smaller than its North American counterpart.

Viewing platforms present the waterfall from several angles, and mist rising from the pool can create rainbows on sunny days.

Set aside at least two to three hours for Shifen if you plan to visit both the old street and waterfall.

Optional stop: Houtong Cat Village

Image credit: travel oriented

To all the cat lovers out there, this is a purr-idise you do not want to miss. Houtong is an old mining village and the home to literally hundreds of (nice and tame) cats. To top it off, it has beautiful scenery of mountains and rivers. There are a few village shops where you can bring back cat-related souvenirs from cat socks to cat phone covers or even cat-shaped pineapple cakes!

Can you add Jiufen to the same itinerary?

Image credit: cotaro70s

Jiufen is frequently paired with Shifen and Pingxi, but it is not located on the Pingxi Railway Line.

To reach Jiufen, return to Ruifang Station and take a public bus or taxi uphill. Several bus services connect Ruifang with Jiufen, but routes and boarding points can change, so check the latest directions using a local navigation app.

Jiufen Old Street is known for its steep lanes, teahouses, sea views and Taiwanese snacks such as taro balls, herbal rice cakes and peanut ice cream rolls.

The town is often described online as an inspiration for Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. However, the filmmakers have not confirmed that Jiufen inspired the animated setting, so it is better appreciated for its own history and atmosphere.

Combining Jiufen with Jingtong, Pingxi, Shifen and Houtong produces an extremely long day. For a less rushed itinerary, choose one of these two plans:

Option one: Focus on the Pingxi Line

Visit Jingtong, Pingxi, Shifen and Houtong before returning to Taipei.

Option two: Combine the major highlights

Visit Shifen Old Street and Shifen Waterfall, then travel through Ruifang to Jiufen for the late afternoon and evening.

The second option sacrifices the quieter railway towns but works better for first-time visitors determined to see both Shifen and Jiufen.

Other stops along the Pingxi Line

Travellers with more time can explore the smaller stations between the headline attractions.

Sandiaoling

Sandiaoling provides access to forest trails and waterfalls. Some hiking routes can be slippery or temporarily closed after heavy rain, so verify trail conditions before setting off.

Dahua

Dahua is a peaceful stop near sections of the Keelung River known for their rock formations and potholes. Facilities are limited, making it better suited to experienced independent travellers than casual sightseers.

Wanggu

A short trail leads from Wanggu towards a small waterfall surrounded by greenery. The village receives far fewer visitors than Shifen and offers a quieter glimpse of the valley.

Lingjiao

Lingjiao is known for its curved station platform, traditional houses and nearby waterfall. It is a rewarding stop for travellers who have already visited the route’s more famous attractions.

Because trains may arrive only around once an hour, adding these stations requires careful timetable planning.

Tips for planning your Pingxi Railway trip

Check the timetable before leaving

Trains are not frequent enough to simply turn up whenever you are ready. Save the schedule on your phone and set a reminder for the departure from each stop.

Start early

Leaving Taipei in the morning gives you more room to adjust when a train is full, delayed or missed.

Avoid packing in too many destinations

Three substantial stops are usually enough for one comfortable day. Shifen alone can take several hours once the waterfall walk is included.

Wear proper walking shoes

Old streets, riverside paths and waterfall trails may be uneven or slippery, particularly after rain.

Prepare for changing weather

The Pingxi valley receives frequent rain. Bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket and protect electronics inside your bag.

Do not stand on the tracks for too long

The railway remains active. Follow staff instructions, leave the tracks immediately when warned and never assume the timetable guarantees that no train is approaching.

Travel on a weekday when possible

Shifen becomes extremely crowded on weekends, during public holidays and around the annual lantern festival.

Is the Pingxi Railway worth visiting?

The Pingxi Line offers much more than a quick sky-lantern photograph.

Its old stations, former mining communities and forested valley tell a broader story about northern Taiwan’s industrial past and transformation into a tourism destination. Shifen provides the spectacle, but Jingtong, Pingxi and the smaller stops give the railway much of its character.

Plan around the train schedule, resist the temptation to squeeze every nearby attraction into one day and leave enough time to enjoy the journey itself.

After all, the slow ride through the valley is not merely transportation. It is part of the experience.