🚂 A guide to traveling around Taipei on the Pingxi Line, New Taipei City, Taiwan😺
🚂 Pingxi Line Railroad Travel Guide: Taipei Suburbs, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Transfer to the Pingxi Line at Ruifang Station, about 40-50 minutes from Taipei. This 13km-long line, formerly a local railway connecting coal mines, has now been transformed into a charming tourist destination (9 stations in total).
A one-day Pingxi Line Pass costs about 80 NTD and allows unlimited hop-offs along the way. In addition to spectacular views, you can also enjoy a leisurely stroll around the city, lantern displays, and the cat village.
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🐾 Houtong Cat Village: A mountain village where cats play a central role
First, get off at Houtong Station and you'll find a town filled with cats nestled between the mountains and the station. This mining village once thrived due to its coal mining industry. Since 2008, it has been reborn as a place of cat lovers, earning it international fame as "Cat Village."
Cat-themed footbridges, cafes, and souvenir shops are scattered throughout the area. It's a particularly recommended spot for cat lovers to relax. Local volunteers provide cat litter boxes and rescue and neuter cats.
The recommended stay is 2-3 hours. Go early in the morning to experience the most active cats.
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🏮 Shifen Old Street: The Town of Train Track Cafes and Lantern Experiences
Next, we head to the shopping street directly connected to Shifen Station. This unique location, lined with food stalls and souvenir shops on the railroad tracks, offers a popular sky lantern experience. Writing your wishes on them and releasing them into the sky is a photogenic sight.
From here, you can also walk to Shifen Waterfall. The 40-meter-high waterfall is known as "Taiwan's Niagara" and is definitely worth a visit. Including a stroll to view the waterfall, you can enjoy the lanterns and the waterfall for about two to three hours.
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🏘 Pingxi Old Street & Jingtong Old Street (including Pingxi & Jingtong / Lingjiao)
Other recommended stations on the Pingxi Line include:
• Pingxi Old Street (around Pingxi Station): Enjoy the old townscape, sky lantern viewing, stone steps, and local streets.
• Jingtong Old Street / Jingtong Station: This town, located at the end of the line, retains a retro atmosphere reminiscent of its days as a mining town in the 1930s. With cafes, general stores, and mining memorial facilities, it's perfect for a tranquil stroll.
• Around Lingjiao Station: This is the entrance to Lingjiao Waterfall. The natural scenery of the stream and waterfall makes it a great place for a short hike. However, swimming has been prohibited in recent years, so please enjoy it for viewing purposes only.
The recommended time to stay at each location is about an hour. A popular itinerary is to visit Houtong → Shifen → Pingxi → Jingtong in that order.
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🗓 Sample Itinerary (Day Trip from Taipei)
Time Schedule
Morning: Taipei → Transfer from Ruifang Station to the Pingxi Line → Houtong Cat Village (2-3 hours)
Around noon: Visit Shifen Old Street for lantern-making, lunch, and a stroll around the town (approx. 1 hour), then explore Shifen Waterfall (+1-2 hours)
Afternoon: Stroll through Pingxi Old Street (approx. 1 hour), then head further to Jingtong Old Street (1 hour)
End: Get off at Lingjiao Station to view Lingjiao Waterfall (a quick stop for sightseeing)
Return: Return to Taipei via Ruifang
This route allows you to explore all the highlights along the Pingxi Line in one day, while also allowing you to enjoy it at your own pace, making it a great choice for beginners.
■ Full of Attraction! Taiwan's Pingxi Line: Railroad Travel Suggestions
Enjoy a relaxing, unforgettable trip from Taipei, surrounded by tranquil, friendly mountains, a local train line, and other relaxing spots. The Pingxi Line, accessible via Ruifang Station, is a charming local railway line, featuring a townscape reminiscent of an abandoned coal mining town and unique experiences like the "Cat Village" and "Lantern Festival."
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😺Highlights
Houtong Cat Village
Once a prosperous mining village, this has been reborn as a "Cat Village," where hundreds of cats live leisurely. Cat motifs can be found in the station plaza, footbridge, and cafe. Cat lovers will love spending two to three hours here!
Shifen Old Street & Waterfall
In the old street that stretches over the railroad tracks, sky lantern-raising (sky lantern) experiences are popular. The sight of people writing their wishes on lanterns and releasing them is sure to impress on social media. Accessible by foot, Shifen Waterfall boasts a magnificent 40-meter-high waterfall. The combination of lanterns and the waterfall creates a memorable experience.
Pingxi Old Street & Jingtong Old Street
A strolling spot featuring cobblestone streets and retro architecture reminiscent of the mining era. After leisurely browsing for souvenirs and snacks in Pingxi Old Street, you can soak up the quiet, nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere at the end of the trail, Jingtong.
Lingjiao Waterfall
A hidden gem of a natural spot. Enjoy a short stroll along the stream, admiring the small waterfalls, and experience the feeling of hiking. However, swimming is prohibited.
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■ Travel Tips and Itinerary Points
• The most efficient way to travel is to purchase a one-day pass (80 NTD) and enjoy stops at each station. 
• Trains between stations run about once per hour, so we recommend checking the timetable and planning accordingly.  
• A popular tourist itinerary is to enjoy the cats in Houtong, see the lanterns in Shifen, then head to the waterfalls, Pingxi, and Jingtong.