Shifen 十分 and Pingxi 平溪

Some photos of Shifen and Pingxi

Introducing Shifen and Pingxi
During your exploration of the north of the island, Shifen and Pingxi are recommended stops. Crossed by a railway, these small villages lost in the mountains offer visitors a very traditional atmosphere, far from the modernity of big cities. Visitors flock there in large numbers, especially on weekends and during holiday periods. It is indeed during the Chinese New Year that Shifen and Pingxi attract larger crowds, during the Lantern Festival, when thousands of them are released into the sky, offering a magnificent spectacle. If such crowds scare you, you can of course come at any time of the year to make your own lantern and release it into the sky.

Shifen 十分
Among the stops to make during your crossing of the district of Pingxi, Shifen is like Pingxi a popular place for releasing lanterns and strolling through its small old streets. 30 minutes to the northeast of the village is also the Shifen waterfall, impressive by its span of 20 meters high and 40 wide, which you can reach after crossing a tropical forest (trail arranged with footbridges). The waterfall is recognized as one of the most scenic places in all of Taiwan.

Pingxi 平溪
Modest in size, the small town of Pingxi remains one of the most popular destinations for Taiwanese people, particularly for its famous Lantern Festival (between January and March, the dates vary depending on the year). But the festival setting wouldn’t be as idyllic without the village’s authentic architecture, its shops and small wooden houses dating from the 1930s and 40s and the Japanese colonial era. Very easy to access from Taipei, the Pingxi Valley is a must-see during your stay in Taiwan, and a more than welcome break if you’re staying in the capital.