By bus, car, motorcycle, or bicycle, Taiwan’s arresting north coast is ideal for a daylong excursion from Taipei, or even a more immersive overnight expedition.
Starting in Tamsui, the picturesque old town that was a key point of contact between Taiwan and the outside world during the 19th century, a clockwise journey around the coast reveals a tapestry of colorful seaside communities, deep-rooted history, and striking geological wonders.
Nicknamed the “Crown Coast” because the shape of Taiwan’s northernmost tip is like that of a monarch’s jeweled hat atop the island’s head, it’s a corridor of discovery on every level: cultural, scenic, and culinary.
Many of this region’s highlights fall within the North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area, and when you arrive in Tamsui, you will surely notice the peaks and ridges on the opposite side of the estuary. That area is named after Guanyin (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) because the topography is said to resemble the profile of the goddess as she reclines and gazes skyward. Guanyinshan’s highest point is 616 meters above sea level.
Residents of Greater Taipei have a multitude of choices when it comes to hiking trails, yet many rate the ascent of Guanyinshan as especially worthwhile. The 360-degree views from the top include not only the Taiwan Strait and the near side of Yangmingshan National Park, but also — if weather conditions are right — Taoyuan International Airport and Taipei 101.
The traditional way to cross from Tamsui to Bali, at the foot of Guan-yinshan, is by catching the local ferry. Since the opening of the Danjiang Bridge on May 12, 2026, however, it has been possible to drive across it. Named by CNN as one of the 11 most important buildings of 2025, the 920-meter bridge is an architectural landmark designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and the world’s longest single-tower asymmetric cable-stayed bridge. It spans the Tamsui River near its mouth, linking the port town of Tamsui and the district of Bali. The bridge includes lanes for motor vehicles, light rail, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Near the northern end of the bridge, Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf is an active fishing harbor that doubles as a leisure destination with seafood restaurants, cafés, and food stalls, attracting many visitors who come to enjoy the estuary scenery and sunset views.
Further along the coastline, the green grooves of Laomei Algal Reef are especially photogenic at low tide. Nearby is Shimen Cave, a rock arch between the coast highway and the ocean that was hollowed out by wave erosion, then lifted above sea level by tectonic forces.
The north coast’s most popular attraction may well be Yehliu Geopark, where wind and waves have carved the terrain into an otherworldly landscape. The most famous feature is the Nefertiti-like Queen’s Head, but there are also charming rock columns, honeycombed outcrops, and surfaces weathered until they resemble slabs of tofu.
Within Keelung — a city that owes its prosperity to one of East Asia’s finest natural harbors — Heping Island Geopark preserves curious sandstone formations and intertidal ecosystems. During warmer months, the park’s saltwater swimming pools draw those seeking a safe, refreshing dip in the ocean’s embrace.
Heping Island is also rich in history. It was here, from 1626 to 1642, that Spain maintained a small base from which it hoped to develop trade ties with China and Japan. In recent years, however, a pair of very different sights near the bridges that connect the island to the rest of Keelung have been getting much more attention.
Those looking southward as they leave the island will see what’s become known as the Zhengbin Port Color Houses, a set of seafront buildings enlivened with such bright shades as burnt orange, cyan, lime green, yellow, and pink. To the east, the eye-catching remnants of the Agenna Shipyard Ruins that went out of business decades ago attract photographers and industrial heritage enthusiasts. Because the site is off limits to the public, however, it can only be admired from the outside.
There’s another fascinating museum within Keelung itself: the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, which was created to educate visitors of all ages about marine ecology, oceanography, and related fields.
After dark, Keelung belongs to the hungry. Miaokou Night Market — which owes its name (“at the shrine’s entrance”) to the adjacent 153-year-old Dianji Temple — is one of Taiwan’s liveliest street-food spectacles. Some night market vendors are still active after midnight, by which time Kanziding Fish Market, less than 200 meters away, is stirring to life. If you make a middle-of-the-night excursion to this hive of auctioneers and shoppers, you won’t be surprised to learn that Taiwanese are among the world’s greatest per-capita consumers of seafood.
In recent years, Keelung has become a popular stop for cruise ships sailing between destinations in East Asia. There’s plenty to see and do within the city itself, and it’s within striking distance of Taipei.
Shore-excursion options often offered to cruise passengers include trips to the world-famous National Palace Museum, Taipei 101, and guided tours of Yehliu Geopark. Another destination within 40 minutes of Keelung’s docks is Jiufen, a nostalgic gold-rush town that’s been pulling in tourists since it was “rediscovered” in the late 1980s.
Jiufen’s narrow streets retain much of their pre-World War II personality, and on weekends and holidays there’s as much bustle as in the town’s heyday. Another key element in its appeal is the surrounding topography, which tumbles down steeply to the East China Sea.
Within walking distance of Jiufen — but also well served by buses from Keelung — Jinguashi has a similar history to its better known neighbor. Much of Jinguashi is now occupied by the New Taipei City Gold Museum, an engrossing multi-site celebration of the extractive industries which operated hereabouts until the 1980s. It’s not just legacy infrastructure and black-and-white photos: The carefully restored Ogon Shrine is a Shinto place of worship that dates from the 1895-1945 period of Japanese colonial rule.
Whether your focus is on nature, culture, or simply having a good time, the north coast offers a captivating combination of things to see and do.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Travelers interested in exploring Taiwan’s north coast can gather detailed information from the following websites:
North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area (multilingual)
Crown Coast Tourism Union (multilingual)
New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Department (multilingual)
Taipei City Government Travel Website (multilingual)
Keelung City Government Culture and Tourism Bureau (multilingual)
Tourism Administration (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (multilingual)
The 24-hour tourist information hotline (0800-011-765) is toll-free within Taiwan and staffed by speakers of English, Japanese, and Chinese.
The central government’s Tourism Administration and International Trade Administration are collaborating to encourage international travelers attending MICE events in Taiwan to explore the country through the Travel Incentive Program. In 2026, the program provides travel incentives of up to NT$2,000 per person per visit, with a maximum of NT$600,000 per proposal. The program aims to promote the development of both the MICE and tourism sectors, thereby supporting economic growth.
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