Readers’ Photos

New Taipei City has the largest population of any special municipality in Taiwan, and an expansive territory with over 120 kilometers of coastline. The North Coast boasts fascinating landforms, including the Nanya Rocks in Ruifang District, shaped into a variety of contours by sea erosion; Fist Rock in Wanli District; and Shimen Cave—actually an arch formed by erosion—in Shimen District, with great views of the ocean, the horizon, and the sunset. Travelers find such places very approachable because of their small harbor atmosphere, the warmth of the people, and their rich local color. Trips to such small towns allow visitors to experience the local culture and cuisine.

Jiufen is an old town in Ruifang District where gold mining once flourished. The old-fashioned, nostalgic teahouses and distinctive mountainside scenery, which provided locations for Hou Hsiao-hsien’s film City of Sadness, appeal to travelers from around the world.

At the entrance to Shenkeng Old Street there is a large bishopwood tree, and the street is best known for its tofu dishes, such as braised tofu, black tofu, and grilled stinky tofu.

The Sky Lantern Festival in the little town of Pingxi attracts tens of thousands of visitors after the Lunar New Year. Lighting and releasing sky lanterns as a prayer for a blessings in the coming year is a custom unique to Taiwan, so come here for a magnificent cultural experience.

As the seasons change, so does Tamsui’s scenery. The Tamsui Presbyterian Church, located at the end of the Old Street, has hosted many Western missionaries over the years. In early spring Wuji Tianyuan Temple is home to cherry blossom season, with the pink flowers adorning the mountain forest. The New Year’s Eve fireworks at the Danjiang Bridge construction site are another can’t-miss, with a remarkable setting combining the architecture of the partly completed bridge, the Tamsui Golden Riverside, and beautiful sunsets.

Pingxi Sky Lanterns (Zhang Xiuhuang)

Pingxi in New Taipei City has a unique geographic environment that has enabled sky lanterns to become a traditional cultural experience attracting countless visitors.

The Gold Mining Town of Jiufen (Wu Jiaren)

Jiufen by night is mesmerizing, with golden-yellow lights illuminating the entire mountain town.

A Photo with the Eight Generals (Liu Zhaojun)

The sumptuous attire and colorful facial makeup of an Eight Generals performance troupe draw attention to Taiwan’s festival culture and arts.

Shenkeng Old Street (Chen Meixiu)

Shenkeng is surrounded by mountains on all sides, so it appears to be in a pit, accounting for its Chinese name, which translates as “Deep Pit.” The town’s tofu cuisine is famous far and wide.