Ruifang
Ruifang or Rueifang (็่ณๅ) is a district of New Taipei. The area was previously an important mining area but now relies more heavily on tourism.
Understand
During the Japanese colonial period, the Ruifang area was important for its coal and gold mines.
Ruifang is also the site of the popular hillside town of Jiufen which is discussed in more detail in its own article.
Get in
By rail
The district is connected to the TRA network via 4 stations:
- ๐ Ruifang (็่ณ่ป็ซ), 82 Sec 3 Mingdeng Rd. The primary rail station for the area. The station itself was first opened in 1915.
- ๐ Houtong (็ด็ก่ป็ซ). The station sits atop what was once the largest coal mine in Taiwan.
- ๐ Sijiaoting (ๅ่ ณไบญ่ป็ซ).
- ๐ Sandiaoling (ไธ่ฒๅถบ่ป็ซ). The station is the only station in Taiwan not connected to a public road.
By road
Ruifang is accessible via the Provincial Highway 62 (ๅฐ62็ท), which connects it to Keelung.
Get around
See
Villages
- ๐ Houtong Cat Village (็ด็ก่ฒๆ). Formerly a prosperous coal-mining town, the village was on the verge of disappearing until some local residents started a project to care for local stray cats which gained much attention throughout Taiwan. Today, the settlement has a large cat population, and a variety of public art displays celebrating its feline residents.
- ๐ Jinguashi (้็็ณ). A small village which is near the Gold Ecological Park and the Jinguashi Mine, which is one of the largest gold mines in the world. The area was previously used by the Japanese as an internment camp.
- ๐ Jiufen. A former gold mining town, now a popular escape from the capital. Studio Ghibli fans will find quaint streets and tea houses evocative of the movie Spirited Away.
Historical sites
- ๐ Remains of the 13 Levels (ๅไธๅฑค้บๅ). The building used to be a copper and gold smelter plant called the Shuinandong Smelter that used to process refined ore from Jinguashi and Jiufen. The facility was shut down after the minerals in the area were exhausted.
- ๐ Sijiaoting Fort (ๅ่
ณไบญ็ ฒๅฐ). The ruins of an old fort near the border with Keelung.
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Culture
- ๐ Bitoujiao Lighthouse (้ผป้ ญ่ง็ๅก). The lighthouse was built by the Japanese in 1897. The lighthouse is at the end of a trail that offers spectacular views of the ocean and eroded landforms.
Museums
- ๐ New Taipei City Gold Museum (ๆฐๅๅธ็ซ้ป้ๅ็ฉ้คจ). Formerly known as the Gold Ecological Park, the site is an open-air museum consisting of a number of buildings and facilities to document the history of the gold mining industry in Taiwan. The museum is accessible by bus from Ruifang Station.
Temples
- ๐ Ruici Temple (็ๆ
ๅฎฎ), โ +886 2 2497 5539.
- ๐ Lungyen Temple (้พๅทๅฎฎ), No. 30, Yikeng Road, โ +886 2 2497 2807.
Parks and nature
- ๐ Golden Waterfall (้ป้็ๅธ). A stepped series of waterfalls known for its unique golden-brown colour. The water of the waterfall contains high level of toxins due to its proximity to the nearby gold mining area.
- ๐ Shen'ao Elephant Trunk Rock (ๆทฑๆพณๅฒฌ่ง่ฑก้ผปๅฒฉ), โ +886 2 2960 3456. A rocky outcropping near the sea that used to resemble an elephant's trunk. The trunk and face collapsed in December 2023, losing everything that made it interesting.
- ๐ Nanya Rock (ๅ้
ๅฅ็ณ), โ +886 2 2499 1210. Nanya is renowned for the wind and sea sculpted rock formations scattered along its shores. Facilities in this area include a parking lot, footpaths, and pavilion viewpoints. Nanya is the northern gateway to the Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area. Here you can take in miles and miles of sea and wind eroded rocks formations and outcroppings dotting the vibrant and pristine coastline, set against an idyllic mountain background and quaint fishing villages. Nanya is famous for its unique rock formations, so drivers should take their time traveling through here in order to enjoy the spectacular vistas.
Do
- ๐ Shen'ao Fishing Port (ๆทฑๆพณๆผๆธฏ). A fishing port with views of both Jinguashi and Jiufen. The area is popular for its seafood restaurants, as well as its views.
Hiking
- ๐ Jinzibei Historical Trail (้ๅญ็ขๅค้), โ +886 2 2497 2250.
- ๐ Bitoujiao Trail (้ผป้ ญ่งๆญฅ้), Bitou Road, โ +886 2 2499 1210.
- ๐ Teapot Mountain Trail (็ก่ณ่ถๅฃบๅฑฑ็ปๅฑฑๆญฅ้).