Taiwan · Region
Pingxi
Pingxi is a former coal-mining district in the mountains of New Taipei City, strung along a narrow-gauge railway that link old streets, waterfalls, and hillside settlements. It is best known as the birthplace of Taiwan's sky lantern tradition, where releasing a wish-inscribed lantern over the railway tracks has become an iconic, year-round ritual (and the centerpiece of the famous winter Sky Lantern Festival).
Top attractions
attraction Lingjiao Waterfall: Pingxi Travel Guide (4.1★)
Lingjiao Waterfall (also spelled Lingjiao/Língjiǎo Falls) sits in Pingxi District, New Taipei City, reached by a short rainforest trail off the old railway line. 4.1★ (2,131 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Shifen Waterfall: Pingxi Travel Guide (4.5★)
Shifen Waterfall — Taiwan's widest waterfall at 40 metres — is a 20-minute walk from Shifen Station on the Pingxi branch line, open daily 9am–5:30pm. 4.5★ (29,608 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Taiwan Coal Mine Museum: Pingxi Travel Guide (4.3★)
The Taiwan Coal Mine Museum in Pingxi sits above Xinping Creek in Xinliao Village, a short uphill walk or shuttle ride from Jingtong Old Street. 4.3★ (1,518 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Top-rated things to do in Pingxi
Booking links are affiliate links — booking through them supports our free guides at no extra cost to you.
Where to stay in Pingxi
Compare Pingxi hotels and stays at the lowest price — deals, ratings, and real traveler reviews.
Search hotels in Pingxi →Booking links are affiliate links — booking through them supports our free guides at no extra cost to you.
Plan your trip to Pingxi
Taiwan eSIM & staying connected →
Some links above are affiliate links — if you book through them, Wander Atlas earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. It's how we keep every guide free.
When to visit Taiwan: month-by-month weather, crowds and holidays →
Frequently asked questions about Pingxi
How do I get to Pingxi?
Travellers reach Pingxi by taking a Taiwan Railways (TRA) train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station (~40 minutes to 1 hour), then transferring onto the Pingxi Line branch train, which trundles through Shifen, Pingxi, and other stops along the old coal route. A hop-on, hop-off day pass bought at Ruifang is the standard way to explore multiple stations along the line.
How many days should I spend in Pingxi?
Most visitors cover Pingxi's highlights — old street, waterfall, and lantern release — as a single ~1-day trip from Taipei, hopping between two or three stations along the line.
What is Pingxi known for?
Pingxi is a former coal-mining district in the mountains of New Taipei City, strung along a narrow-gauge railway that link old streets, waterfalls, and hillside settlements. It is best known as the birthplace of Taiwan's sky lantern tradition, where releasing a wish-inscribed lantern over the railway tracks has become an iconic, year-round ritual (and the centerpiece of the famous winter Sky Lantern Festival).