Top Things to do in Ruifang
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Ruifang, New Taipei
Discover the best top things to do in Ruifang, Taiwan including Nanya Rock Area, Wuer Chahu Shan/Teapot Mountain, Bitoujiao Trail, Elephant Trunk Rock, Chiufen (Jiufen Old Street), Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park, Chiufen Shengping Theater, Golden Waterfall, Jioufen Gold Mine Museum, Cat Village Houtong.
Restaurants in Ruifang
1. Nanya Rock Area
2. Wuer Chahu Shan/Teapot Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By szotdogs - Melbourne, Australia
This might not be the easiest place to get to, but the hike is definitely worth it for the stunning views. You can walk from the Gold Museum, or get a taxi up to the trailhead to shorten the walking time if you wish. I chose the former and the walk will take you along a stair trail that had some cherry blossoms in bloom as a nice bonus. You will have to walk on the road at some point to reach the trailhead but the roads are very quiet so there is no problem in doing so. There are also some nice views as you walk, which will give you an idea as to what to expect when you reach the teapot. The surface of the trail (from the actual trailhead) head varies between loose gravel and larger loose stones, stone steps and smooth dirt. Do take some care on the parts where there are loose stones as it would be very easy land the wrong way and fall. There is a pavilion close to the teapot where you can get some nice views, but since you're so close, why not go to the teapot and climb through it? There are some ropes to help you climb through it, and the opening is fairly narrow so if you are carrying a backpack you might need to remove it and place it overhead at the top of the teapot before you can climb through. Once you're out of the teapot, you will then need to cross a small gap in the teapot and scale down a very short, yet angled rock face to reach the 'end'. There is a rope line as well as foot holds cut out of the rock to help you. However the effort and views are completely worth it! Probably the best views I had in Taiwan were from here. If you go on a weekend there's a very good chance you'll find other people there who will help or encourage you if you need it.
3. Bitoujiao Trail
4. Elephant Trunk Rock
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By matthewkbarnum
This is a short hike but the view of the rock and the surrounding ocean areas is amazing. You can climb onto the trunk of the elephant and take some nice pictures as well! There is no trail, it is kind of just a bunch of rocks that you need to hopping across. Probably not the easiest for people with weak legs or bad balance.
5. Chiufen (Jiufen Old Street)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5,611 reviews
Reviewed By 1flytheskies - Los Angeles, United States
Jiufen is a foodies paradise. Taste the amazing variety on offer. Onigiri, konpeito, taro balls, tea eggs, pineapple cakes, stinky tofu, king mushrooms, red bean cakes, amazing teas, peanut ice-cream roll, Japanese foods, Taiwanese cuisine—the list is endless. The smell of good cooking permeates the narrow lanes, drawing in unsuspecting visitors, as it did Chihiro’s parents in the movie Spirited Away. Come also to pay homage to Miyazaki’s anime Spirited Away. The parallels between town and movie are many: A Mei Teahouse, which is the inspiration for the bathhouse in the movie. The streets and staircases in the movie, so similar to the architecture of Jiufen. Food in all its wondrous variety. House of Ghost Masks. Remember the three bodiless heads in Yubaba’s living room? Gold. Jiufen was a gold mining. In the movie gold nuggets abound: payment, enticement, everywhere. Tunnels. Remember the opening scene where the family walks through a tunnel? There are many tunnels from the old mining days, most closed to the public. The main street strung with red lanterns. Tips Weekdays will be quieter. 2. Carry an umbrella. Unexpected showers happen. 3. You will enjoy recognizing the parallels between Spirited Away and the town if you watch the movie beforehand.
6. Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 422 reviews
Reviewed By LoveLoveLoveTaiwan
The Gold Museum shows how cruel Japanese were to British POWs. It was one of the main highlights of this Museum. Of course, in WW2, Japanese POWs were treated much worse in other frontline by Americans or British, but they keep quiet. It's fun to see the exhibitions that show Japanese human rights violation always. Chinese tourists must be satisfied with this reproach to Japan. On the other hand, Japanese family who were there looked feeling down. Very good exhibition to keep Japanese tourists away from this attractive tourist destination !! All Taiwanese city officers must come to this museum to know how to avoid Japanese tourists. 本黄金博物館では、日本軍による連合軍捕虜への虐待行為が非常に過激に展示されています。シンガポール陥落時に捕虜となった主には英国軍人への対応が非難されています。当時は現在のように人権が重視されない時代であり、もちろん日本人への白人社会の差別や、日本軍捕虜への徹底的な連合軍側による殺戮などもありました。その上で、７０年以上も前の対応を改めて金採掘の博物館に大きく展示することには、その意図を感じずにはいられません。現在、訪問者の多くは日本に友好的でない国からの団体客であり、日本人旅行者への雰囲気も良好ではありません。敢えて日本人が訪問するべき場所ではないと考えます。
7. Chiufen Shengping Theater
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By Jo-AnnKYTan - Shanghai, China
Awesome little theater. Well kept. Good knowledge for tourists. Started in 1934 it was a cinema and a place for opera performances. I loved the wooden chairs. Even in the olden days, the VIP section on the first floor consisted of wooden chairs!
8. Golden Waterfall
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By melharah - Markham, Canada
We stopped here on our car ride to Jiufen. It's not a very big waterfall but it's definitely quite unique and interesting. It's also very close to the Shuinandong visitor center, which offers a great lookout point with views of the Yinyang Sea and of the hauntingly beautiful abandoned Shuinandong Smelting Plant. All information plaques are in chinese, english, and japanese.
9. Jioufen Gold Mine Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By Ian62Macau - Macau, China
We visited Jioufen, an old gold mining town from years gone by, and now a tourist attraction center. About 90 min bt bus from Taipei central, even the bus trip was interesting, although slower when we hit the small winding roads near to Jioufen town, which is now full of interesting shops selling souvenirs, local foods and sweets, and of course many small restaurants serving up the local delicious foods.
10. Cat Village Houtong
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 578 reviews
Reviewed By Bluesphynx
A wonderful way to spend half a day away from the city. Took the train from Keelung to Badu, changed to Houtong and arrived in heavy rain at the station. Sheltered by having lunch at the nearest little shop selling signature noodles with fishballs and liver, delicious! Number of stalls to choose from, this one next to cat souvenir and pineapple tart shop where we bought larger umbrella. A black and white cat was boldly on the wet lawn next to the Visitors Centre where we collected a brochure. brochure and map. Made our way then across the station to the Cat Village, tried to stroke a calico on the Cat Bridge but it nastily tried to ward us off with a light scratch, so be warned, don't touch them unless they're really friendly! Very serene landscape of slopes and residences, some abandoned but pretty with greenery and gardens, the occasional cat lurking suspiciously, drinking water from a basin, jumping on the parapet, licking itself in a doorway. Visited the hospitable 217 Cat Cafe with 3 resident cats, and then walked up and down in all directions to enjoy the rural atmosphere. Several cat cafes and a number of souvenir shops here. Could see the abandoned coal mine and railway, adding to the charm of a nostalgic past. Reluctantly returned to the train station to get back to ordinary life.
