Jinguashi, which translates to something like “Gold Melon Rock,” is famous for its place in history as a vast gold mine exploited mostly by the Japane ... More
Jinguashi, which translates to something like “Gold Melon Rock,” is famous for its place in history as a vast gold mine exploited mostly by the Japanese colonists in the late 19th and early 20th century. Today, the mines are dried up; the gold rush has ended. However, it remains mostly intact, a stunning image of a bygone era, nominated for the honor of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.
Jinguashi is very near to Jiufen in Northern Taiwan’s Rueifang Township, Taipei County. Its geography offers the obvious mountains that once contained free money, and stunning views of the coast to boot.
Mostly, the site has been turned into the “Gold Ecological Park“, which offers a number of ways to see how the area’s history has been influenced by gold mining, and to get a peek into what life was like in the past. The park also aims to integrate the natural environment with the gold extraction, educating tourists on the geology of Jinguashi, along with its natural flora and so on.
Jinguashi Attractions:
1) Museum of Gold
It discusses the history of gold mining in Jinguashi, how the Japanese pulled it off, and there is even a section dedicated to the Prisoners of War camp for allied prisoners kept by the Japanese during World War II.
Also part of the Museum of Gold is the Benshan Tunnel, where you can go underground and get a feel for the everyday lives of miners working in the rough conditions.
2) Shinto Temple
3) Golden Waterfall
“Golden Waterfall,” like “museum of gold”, is much more literal than you might hope – the waterfall is laden with remnants of harmful minerals, meaning you should avoid coming in contact with it. Still, a “look, don’t touch” policy will lead to a good experience. The waterfall sources to the Yin-Yang Sea, visible from Jinguashi. A sharp drop in elevation has created the waterfall, check it out as it’s not far from the road.
From Taipei or other more distant places, you’ll have to take a trainor bus to Ruifang. At the Ruifang Station, you can get a bus ticket that will take you directly to the Gold Ecological Park at Jinguashi. Alternatively, taxis regularly ship tourists from the train station to the park and back, and with shared costs it even ends up being cheaper than the bus.
Buses can be taken to Jinguashi directly from Keelung (at the train station) or Jiufen, so that’s a good option if you happen to be in one of those places as part of a multi-stop trip.
Taipeitour
3km 
more+
more+
more+
Sbook(103)
Share trip & news(1)
Trip with me(0)
Feedback(0)
Point : 