Experience Pingxi Sky Lantern and Shifen Waterfall from Taipei
Safety measures
4 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English and 3 more
Overview
Experience the historic relics, natural wonders, and cultural traditions of Pingxi on this half-day tour from Taipei. Discover the age-old tradition of releasing a sky lantern; discover the town’s coal mining heritage as you walk down Shifen Old Street; and marvel at the magnificent Shifen Waterfall. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.
- Half-day tour of Pingxi from Taipei
- Learn about Taiwan’s heritage on a visit to the historic coal-mining town of Pingxi
- Stroll down Shifen Old Street, where movies such as ‘Dust In The Wind’ were filmed
- Enjoy magnificent views of Shifen Waterfall
- Hotel pickup and drop-off included
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Your tour begins with pickup from your central Taipei hotel by air-conditioned coach. Soak up the scenery as you drive through New Taipei City, then head into the countryside, winding along mountain roads into the Pingxi district.
Arrive in Pingxi, a historic coal mining town that played an important role in Taiwan’s 20th-century coal boom. Learn about the age-old tradition of releasing a sky lantern. The nostalgic ritual is said to bring good health and good fortune, and your guide explains the origin of the tradition and how it’s become the focal point of the annual Taiwan Lantern Festival.
Continue to Shifen Old Street, a lively street set around the historic Pingxi rail line, which was built in 1918, and now runs as a tourist train, following a scenic route through the Keelung River Valley. Hear how famous Taiwanese movies such as Hou Hsiao-hsien's ‘Dust In The Wind’ were filmed here and pose for photos on the atmospheric street.
There’s just time for one more stop before returning to the city—the magnificent Shifen Waterfall, a natural wonder nicknamed the ‘Little Niagara of Taiwan’.
Back in Taipei, your tour ends with drop-off at your hotel.
Arrive in Pingxi, a historic coal mining town that played an important role in Taiwan’s 20th-century coal boom. Learn about the age-old tradition of releasing a sky lantern. The nostalgic ritual is said to bring good health and good fortune, and your guide explains the origin of the tradition and how it’s become the focal point of the annual Taiwan Lantern Festival.
Continue to Shifen Old Street, a lively street set around the historic Pingxi rail line, which was built in 1918, and now runs as a tourist train, following a scenic route through the Keelung River Valley. Hear how famous Taiwanese movies such as Hou Hsiao-hsien's ‘Dust In The Wind’ were filmed here and pose for photos on the atmospheric street.
There’s just time for one more stop before returning to the city—the magnificent Shifen Waterfall, a natural wonder nicknamed the ‘Little Niagara of Taiwan’.
Back in Taipei, your tour ends with drop-off at your hotel.
Itinerary
The first stop is Shifen Railway Station. The station is located down Keelung River from the waterfall area, right alongside Shifen Old Street, originally built for transporting coal during Japanese colonization. Today it stands as a reminder of Taiwan’s history.
Shifen Old Street is lined with souvenir shops, sky lantern shops and eateries. You will also see a lot of people set up their sky lanterns on the railway track, getting ready to release them into the sky. Since you are here, of course, you will not miss out on the opportunity to experience this special tradition.
Sky Lantern release in Taiwan originates from Shifen in Pingxi District, New Taipei City. Nowadays, the lanterns are used as the symbols of peace and good fortune.
3 or 4 people will share one lantern, and each of you can write down your wishes on one side of the lantern. Your tour guide will teach you how to release a sky lantern correctly, so you can fully enjoy the tranquil and peaceful moment.
Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Your tour continues with a visit to Shifen Waterfall. Shifen Waterfall is one of the most popular attractions in this area, widely-known as the “Little Niagara Falls” of Taiwan, a cascade-type waterfall similar to North America’s Niagara Falls.
There are several viewing platforms near Shifen Waterfall, where the visitors can see the waterfall from different angles, even have a close-up look. On sunny days, if you are lucky, you can capture a beautiful rainbow created by the mist of this 20-meter tall waterfall as it splashes into the lake.
Duration: 1 hour
Admission Ticket Free
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Traveler Tips
- "This is less than a half day tour and probably better done by train gets very busy with lanterns and nice waterfall but not much else." See review
- "It’s not actually 5 hours tour, more like 3 hours." See review
Reviews by Viator travelers. We perform checks on reviews
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Experience Pingxi Sky Lantern and Shifen Waterfall from Taipei
4 hours
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