[TW; 2023] Day 4 - Shuangxi District
Day 4
Route: Mudan Station 牡丹車站 > Sandiaoling Station 三貂嶺車站 > Shifen Station 十分車站 > Jioufen 九份 > Ximending 西門町
Mudan Station 牡丹車站
Because of it's famous curve train track - it is the most curved track in Taiwan!
We followed the signs to the tunnel - it is called Sandiaoling Tunnel 三貂嶺隧道.
I would highly recommend to cycle instead of walk... but my metro card was not working well for me to activate a youbike. There is a youbike docking station just right outside the Mudan Station. Click to enlarge the cycling map:
The town was really very peaceful... was nice walking around
We found the path to the tunnel and munching breakfast on the way.
This is a map of the whole stretch (click to enlarge):
The start of the tunnel - it was rather hot with hardly no shelter. Do bring your caps!
Finally at the end of the tunnel after probably an hour walk:
So much greenery around, so pretty:
I've been to Shifen a couple of times but I never went to the waterfall before... so this trip is just to check off the box!
We were told by an auntie that we should take the less touristy route, adventuring into the local residences, so that we can see pretty 油桐花 Tung blossom.
Finally after 20-30 minutes, we are here!
The journey to the waterfall was quite instagramable, so just prepare your cameras to take many photos.
THE WATERFALL!
We got some gifts from the stores within the waterfall area - they were slightly cheaper compared to the main street!
So it was another 20-30 minutes walk back to the main street (old street)...
Jiuofen is still so peaceful from the outside... but super packed with people.
We stopped by one of the teashop houses to watch the sunset view:
But it was rather foggy that day :(
This is the famous scene in one of the movie, so much Korean tourists trying to squeeze their way through to take this angle photo:
We decided to grab dinner before heading down back to Taipei:
Just a simple bowl of rice and some side dishes :)
Walked around Ximending and bought bubble tea...
The famous touristy Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle 阿宗麵線
And some fried supper!
Massive range of fried foodies and they tasted good (just a little pricey!)
This marks the end of a very walkable day trip!
Had to look for some activities around the station and there was a walkable tunnel that links you to either Sandiaoling Station or Houtong Station. Walking challenge accepted!
Going into the tunnel!Sandiaoling Tunnel 三貂嶺隧道
It was very cooling walk inside the tunnel (2km walk) - this was formerly a railway tunnel built by the Japanese. And reopened after 37 years for cyclists and pedestrians!
I really love how the plants overgrown the tunnel walls.
Sandiaoling Station 三貂嶺車站
So at the end of the tunnel, you have 2 options: Sandiaoling Station or Houtong Station. I've no idea which way will be the best route but we took the Sandiaoling route which was mentally tiring.
We could see the train station across the stream, but there was no bridge that we could cross over. We had to walk probably another 2km for the next available bridge to cross over.
We heard from an auntie that she took the Houtong Station route and loved it. Well she cycled, so it was a breeze I guess.
What I was thankful was, the route to Sandiaoling station was rather flat ground :) And we managed to see a little the town of Sandiaoling!
Crossing the bridge to the opposite side, which happens to be a train track! Lucky that we encounter a train crossing!
Do you know? Sandiaoling is the only train station in Taiwan that is inaccessible by car!
Shifen Station 十分車站
We hopped on the next train heading to Shifen and stopped by a random stall for lunch.
Food was quite decent, nothing much to pick on! Coke was the lifesaver!阿美的食堂
Then we realised we could see them everywhere in Shifen, no need to be adventurous. Nevertheless good walk around the small town.
That's where I realised, the waterfall will take another 20-30 minutes walk. That's only the entrance.
It is one of the popular place to put a 天燈 sky lantern in Taiwan.
Jioufen 九份
Hopped onto the train to Ruifang and change to the bus to Jioufen!
忘情小築
But a cup of tea is always nice in such pretty view :)
Roamed around Jioufen in the evening, and it was very nicely lit with red lanterns.
Ximending 西門町
Took the direct bus from Jioufen to Ximending - it was quite a drama where when someone tries to cut the queue they get scolded by the locals XD But it had a great view down:
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