North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Introduction
The North Coast and Guanyin Mountain National Scenic Area was established on February 20, 2001. It integrates the three provincial scenic areas of the North Coast, Yehliu, and Guanyin Mountain, with the management office established on July 22, 2002. The area includes the "North Coast Region," which covers four administrative districts: Sanzi, Shimen, Jinshan, and Wanli in New Taipei City, as well as the "Guanyin Mountain Region," which covers two administrative districts: Wugu and Bali in New Taipei City. The area is rich in tourism resources, featuring the beautiful coastal highway of the North Coast with clear mountains and blue seas, lined with scenic spots and recreational facilities such as Baishawan, Liyu Cape, Fugui Cape Park, Shimen Cave, Jinshan, Yehliu, and Emerald Bay. It also offers a wealth of diverse cultural and artistic resources, including the Li Tianlu Puppet Museum and the Zhu Ming Museum of Art. Yehliu Geopark is famous for its Queen's Head and Fairy Shoe, showcasing the stunning formations created by the interaction of the Eurasian and Philippine plates. The wave-cut platform is a haven for intertidal zones and seasonal migratory birds. Guanyin Mountain’s majestic beauty can be admired from the top of Yinghan Ridge, where visitors can see the Tamsui River winding its way into the sea and the vibrant scenery of the Taipei Basin. The scenic views along the way and the advantageous high vantage points of Guanyin Mountain have led to the planning of six hiking trails: Fulong Mountain, Niugankeng Ridge, Yinghan Ridge, Jianshan, Fenggui Duhu, and Niuliaopu Trail. Yonghan Ridge is the highest point of Guanyin Mountain, with an elevation of approximately 616 meters. The main trail and the auxiliary trail (Fenggui Duhu Trail) provide access; the main trail leads from Lingyun Zen Temple to Yinghan Ridge, while the auxiliary trail from the back of the Guanyin Mountain Visitor Center is shorter but steeper, testing visitors’ physical strength. Upon reaching Yinghan Ridge, the expansive view opens up. Each trail has its unique features and is equipped with well-constructed wooden plank paths and directional markers to enhance the refined beauty of Guanyin Mountain during visitors' strolls. Watching the boats shuttle back and forth at Fisherman's Wharf across the river and the twinkling lights forming a sea of lights, one realizes that the nights at Guanyin Mountain can also be so beautiful! Reference data: Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, North Coast and Guanyin Mountain National Scenic Area Administration.
