New Taipei City · Nature & Scenery

Mangrove Ecology Education Center

淡水區 · Nature & Scenery

The Mangrove Ecology Education Center is a small but charming environmental education center. Its indoor exhibition spaces include a static display area and a multimedia audiovisual room, using text panels, posters, light boxes, and multimedia presentations to introduce the growth of the mangrove’s signature species, Kandelia obovata, as well as the ecology of fiddler crabs, mudskippers, and water birds found in mangrove habitats. Through its excellent viewing windows, visitors can take in sweeping views of the mangrove forest, the estuary seascape of the Tamsui River, Guanyin Mountain, and the striking red Guandu Bridge. Because the center is located right next to the Tamsui Mangrove Nature Reserve, visitors can observe the mangrove ecosystem up close. If needed, visitors may apply in advance for a guided outdoor ecological trail experience, where they can personally explore the mangrove ecosystem and get close to water birds, intertidal organisms, and the rich variety of estuarine life in the Tamsui Mangrove Ecological Reserve.

Wulai Scenic Train

Wulai District · Nature & Scenery

The Wulai Scenic Train began as a timber transport rail line. As tourism developed around Wulai Waterfall, passenger service was officially launched in 1963, initially with passengers pushed by hand. In 1974, the line was motorized with diesel engines to meet growing demand, and in 1987 a tunnel was excavated at the Waterfall Station to replace the original turntable, which remains in use today. The operating route runs 1.5 kilometers from Wulai to the waterfall, with round-trip service daily from 9:00 to 17:00 and extended hours during the summer peak season, operating on demand to serve visitors.

Manyueyuan National Forest Recreation Area

Sanxia District · Nature & Scenery

Located on a tributary called Nai-Zi Creek in the upper reaches of Dabao Creek in Sanxia, Manyueyuan National Forest Recreation Area is a beautiful little world of waterfalls, ecology, and autumn maple leaves. About 40 minutes from downtown Sanxia, the recreation area sits at an elevation of 300 to 1,700 meters and remains cool and humid year-round, creating a rich fern ecosystem that even includes the moisture-sensitive umbrella fern. The area once saw small-scale logging, and the neatly arranged planted forests today bear witness to that period. It is also home to abundant birds, amphibians, and butterflies, including notable species such as the White-throated Laughingthrush and the Rufous-capped Tit, making it an important birdwatching destination. Around December each year, the maple leaves turn brilliantly red, earning it a reputation as one of Taiwan’s most beautiful low-elevation maple-viewing spots. At the end of the hiking trail are Manyueyuan Waterfall and Virgin Waterfall, two of the area’s signature sights. From Manyue Bridge, the upper part of Manyueyuan Waterfall is hidden behind a towering rock face more than 10 meters high, and the water plunges straight down in a majestic display. Virgin Waterfall is gentler in character; on sunny days, light refracts through the spray, and a rainbow-like shimmer is often visible.

Neidong National Forest Recreation Area

Wulai District · Nature & Scenery

With the sound of waterfalls thundering in the distance, Neidong National Forest Recreation Area is a small but elegant fern paradise set among the mountains and water. This tranquil, green retreat in the upper reaches of the Nanshi River is about 50 minutes from Xindian and is one of the most accessible national forest recreation areas in the greater Taipei area. Sitting between 230 and 1,500 meters above sea level, and traversed by the Neidong Stream, the area is humid and warm—truly a fern haven. Along the short several-hundred-meter Waterfall Viewing Trail, visitors can find nearly 65 species of ferns, including rare climbing clubmoss and vine fern, all thriving as epiphytes on large trees. Its former name, "Wawa Valley," is said to come from the many frogs whose nighttime chorus echoed through the valley; you may even spot frogs in the drainage ditches beside the trails. The Neidong Waterfall is the star attraction of the park. At the end of the Waterfall Viewing Trail, its two tiers offer visitors varied scenery and a refreshing, fragrant surge of negative ions. On a sweltering summer day, escape the stuffy city and come to Neidong National Forest Recreation Area for a cool afternoon forest bath.

Tai-Hwa Pottery

Yingge District · Nature & Scenery

Founded in 1983, Tai-Hwa Pottery has built its brand through a spirit of continual innovation and a commitment to going beyond the status quo in kiln-firing techniques, form innovation, glaze development, painted porcelain craftsmanship, exhibition design, and industrial business models and strategy.