Having traveled through more than two hundred towns and townships, Shuangxi District remains especially unforgettable to me. Because its commercial area and scenic spots are close to one another, starting from Shuangxi Railway Station, you can easily explore both its former prosperity and its present tranquility on foot. On the day I visited Shuangxi, I walked back and forth several times along Zhonghua Road, Chang’an Street, and Dongrong Street, encountering countless stories along the way. Shuangxi is like a slim yet deeply engaging book—effortless to open, yet so captivating that you can hardly bear to put it down.
Contents
◦ New Taipei City Travel Guide
01｜Transportation in New Taipei City
🚄 Taiwan High Speed Rail
🚄 Taipei Metro (MRT) Unlimited Travel Pass
🚗 Cross-city Chartered One-day Tour from Taipei
🚇 Taiwan Railway Pingxi One-Day Pass + Pingxi Sky Lantern Experience
🚇 Wulai Scenic Train Ticket
02｜Popular Attractions in New Taipei City
🎫 Taipei Fun Pass
🎫 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival
🎫 Yehliu Ocean World Ticket in New Taipei
🎫 New Taipei Gold Museum E-Ticket
🎫 Wulai Yun Hsien Resort Ticket
🎫 Austin Land Admission Ticket
🎫 Build Dream Kids HIGH 5 Ticket
🎫 Neidong Forest Recreation Area Ticke
03｜Things To Do in New Taipei City
🚐 Yehliu & Jiufen & Shifen Day Tour from Taipei
🚐 Jiufen Old Street & Yinyang Sea Half-day Historical & Nature Tour
♨️ Volando Urai Spring Spa & Resort
🙌 Hand-made Noodles & Scallion Pancake DIY & Nagashi Sōmen Parent-child Experience
◦ History of Shuangxi
Shuangxi is located in the northeastern part of New Taipei City. It gets its name from the confluence of the Mudan River and the Pinglin River. In its early days, Shuangxi was inhabited by the Pingpu people. Development began during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, when it also became an important stop along the Tamsui–Kavalan Trails. During the Japanese colonial period, Shuangxi experienced a boom due to coal mining. Today, it attracts many visitors with its rich natural landscapes and the remnants of its historic trails.
◦ Shuangxi Lotus Festival
The Shuangxi Lotus Festival takes place in Shuangxi District, which is home to over 7 hectares of lotus fields. Every summer, as you travel along the Shuanggan Highway through Pinglin, Shanglin, Diaoqiaotou, and Wanqiong, you’ll be greeted by vast expanses of blooming lotus flowers. The largest concentration can be found at the Shuangxi Lotus Garden.
Each year, from June to July, the festival comes alive with vibrant energy. In addition to admiring the lotus blossoms, visitors can browse small farmers’ markets, where fresh, organic local produce and specialty products are available for purchase.
◦ Attractions in Shuangxi
01｜Xinli Blacksmith Shop
After exiting Shuangxi Railway Station, turn left onto Zhonghua Road and walk straight ahead. Along the way, you can still catch traces of the area’s former prosperity. A few blacksmith shops remain on the street, and Xinli—tucked away in a low red-brick house—is the most representative among them.
This century-old shop was originally run by Master Mao, a highly respected blacksmith in the local community. He entered the trade at the age of 17 and devoted his entire life to the craft. After he passed away four years ago, the shop was taken over by his son. All the knives currently available were forged by Master Mao himself during his lifetime, and with each sale, one less remains. Nowadays, the shop closes irregularly from time to time. Once all the tools are sold out, it will officially come to an end. Each visit may well be your last—whether you get to see it depends on a bit of luck.
Xinli Blacksmith Shop Opening Hours: 0900-1700, irregular closures. No. 7, Zhonghua Rd., Shuangxi Dist., New Taipei City
02｜Shuangxi Old Street
Shuangxi was once a bustling center of commercial activity. Continuing along Zhonghua Road, you will first pass the largest local retail market—this area was formerly known as Shuangxi Old Street. Located near the local center of worship, Sanzhong Temple, Shuangxi Old Street still preserves its traditional streetscape. Within the area, you can find the century-old Lin Yi He Tang Chinese medicine shop, while nearby landmarks such as the Zhou Family’s historic residence and the old ferry pier also bear the weathered marks of time.
Shuangxi Old Street Chang'an St., Shuangxi Dist., New Taipei City
03｜Sanzhong Temple
Sanzhong Temple, located on Chang’an Street in Shuangxi, is the only temple in Taiwan dedicated to three loyal ministers of the Southern Song dynasty: Wen Tianxiang, Lu Xiufu, and Zhang Shijie. In the 46th year of the Qianlong reign (1781), Lian Yuanqiao from Fujian led a group of settlers across the sea to Taiwan, bringing with them a statue of Wen Tianxiang. After crossing mountains and rivers to reach Shuangxi, they were captivated by its scenic beauty and decided to settle and cultivate the land, building simple thatched huts to enshrine the statue. As the number of worshippers grew, it was proposed to create statues of Lu Xiufu and Zhang Shijie to be worshipped alongside Wen Tianxiang. Together, they became known as the “Three Loyal Lords,” and devotion to Sanzhong Temple gradually flourished.
Sanzhong Temple Opening Hours: 0800-1700 No. 15, Chang'an St., Shuangxi Dist., New Taipei City
04｜Donghe Theater
If it weren’t for the sign reading “Donghe Theater,” I would hardly have recognized that this place was once a cinema. During the mining boom of the 1960s, large numbers of people flocked to Shuangxi, and Donghe Theater screened countless films during that golden era. As the mining industry declined and residents moved away, the theater’s operations gradually came to an end. Today, only crumbling walls remain. Peering inside, you can see that the roof of the main structure has been removed, leaving just two walls and a dilapidated ticket booth.
On the day I visited, I happened to meet some urban exploration enthusiasts who were thrilled by the site. In their eyes, the sense of decay left behind by the passage of time carries an indescribable beauty of its own.
Donghe Theater Ln. 3, Dongrong St., Shuangxi Dist., New Taipei City
05｜Lin Yi He Tang Chinese Herb Store
When I visited, the shop owner and his grandson were watching TV. He kindly offered me some hawthorn candy and invited me to look around at my leisure. Founded in the 13th year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing dynasty (1874), Lin Yi He Tang was the first traditional Chinese medicine shop in Shuangxi. Its Western-style façade, featuring decorative balconies and red-and-white ceramic tiles, reflects the prestige it once held in the community. Inside the display cabinets, celadon jars are neatly arranged, each filled with a variety of medicinal herbs. Lin Yi He Tang is not only a century-old shop but also a vessel of Shuangxi’s history and culture, which is why it has become a filming location for many television dramas.
Before leaving, I bought a bottle of freshly brewed sour plum juice and a few packs of their traditional preserved “Eight Immortals fruit.” I have to say, sour plum juice made with smoked plums and herbal ingredients truly tastes different—refreshing with a lingering sweetness, and a subtle herbal aroma that stays with you long after.
Lin Yi He Tang Chinese Herb Store Opening Hours: 0900-2000 No. 3, Chang'an St., Shuangxi Dist., New Taipei City
06｜Zhou Family Historic Residence
Continuing further in, across from the old ferry pier, stands a distinctive historic residence. Its original owner, Zhou Buchan, served as the first head of Ding Shuangxi Township during the Japanese colonial period—roughly equivalent to today’s district chief—and was respectfully known by locals as “Premier Zhou.” Built primarily with sandstone and red brick, the residence blends Chinese and Western architectural styles. At the time, it was the most magnificent house in Shuangxi, reflecting the extraordinary status of its owner.
After Taiwan’s retrocession, the property was purchased and inhabited by the Lin family. Over time, however, it has been left vacant, with no one living there today.
Zhou Family Historic Residence Taichang St., Shuangxi Dist., New Taipei City
07｜Shuangxi Ferry Pier
Located at the end of Chang’an Street, Shuangxi Ferry Pier sits at the confluence of the Pinglin and Mudan Rivers. During the Qing dynasty, it served as an important transshipment hub along the Tamsui–Kavalan Ancient Trail, helping transform Shuangxi into a thriving town. At its peak, Chang’an Street was lined with all kinds of businesses—cinemas, traditional Chinese medicine shops, rice stores, fabric shops, and inns—creating a lively commercial scene. With the gradual development of railways and roads, the ferry pier declined over time. Although its former prosperity has faded, the area has taken on a quieter, more unhurried charm.
Shuangxi Ferry Pier Chang'an St., Shuangxi Dist., New Taipei City
◦ Restaurants and Snacks in Shuangxi
01｜Haishan Bakery
Founded in 1964, Haishan Bakery has remained committed to handmade production every day, offering pastries that are both traditional and subtly innovative. Their agar jelly pudding sponge cake has become a popular signature item in recent years. Although the name sounds trendy, it is essentially a classic old-style sponge cake, rich in aroma with a soft, bouncy, and delicate texture—no wonder it has become a must-buy favorite.
I’m especially fond of their mung bean pastry. The crust is crisp and fragrant, while the filling is not overly sweet or greasy, making it a great choice for those who prefer lighter flavors.
Haishan Bakery Opening Hours: 0830-1830, closed on Mondays. No. 2, Zhonghua Rd., Shuangxi Dist., New Taipei City
02｜Ajuan Eatery
Located right next to Haishan Bakery, Ajuan Eatery specializes in seafood and stir-fried dishes. It offers generous portions at affordable prices, which explains its strong popularity.
While dining, I couldn’t stop staring at the honeycomb hanging overhead. After reading the information posted on the wall, I realized that besides their signature hairy crab, the restaurant also serves seasonal specialties such as omelets with bee larvae, deep-fried bee larvae, and stir-fried bee larvae. s for these limited-time dishes—I wasn’t quite brave enough to try them, so I’ll leave that challenge to the more adventurous diners!
Ajuan Eatery Opening Hours: 1100-1800 No. 8, Zhonghua Rd., Shuangxi Dist., New Taipei City
03｜Shuangxi Cai Ice Shop
After enjoying Haishan’s mung bean pastry and Ajuan’s hairy crab, I saved room for dessert at Shuangxi Cai Ice, located just outside the market. The shop is very popular—I visited on a weekday, and it was almost full right after opening. I ordered a mixed shaved ice. The toppings are handmade and slow-cooked daily; the chewy jelly, tapioca pearls, peanuts, and red beans were all delicious and pleasantly soft. On a hot summer day, a bowl like this is both refreshing and deeply satisfying!
Shuangxi Cai Ice Shop Opening Hours: 1100-1930, closed on Mondays. No. 50, Taiping Rd., Shuangxi Dist., New Taipei City
◦ Flying Over Taiwan
◦ Other Areas in New Taipei City
➤ Gongliao | Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival
➤ Pingxi | Pingxi Lantern Festival
➤ Banqiao | Christmasland in New Taipei City