Ruifang Scenic Area Introduction
Ruifang District is located in the northern part of New Taipei City and is a coastal scenic area. In the early days, mining was the most important industry in Ruifang, including gold mines in Jiufen and Jinguashi, as well as coal mines in Houtong. However, as the mineral sources were exhausted, the area began to decline. It wasn't until movies and advertisements started to be filmed in these locations that the traditional landscape of these small communities, the tranquility of the mountains and forests, and the beautiful sea views attracted thousands of tourists once again, reviving the once bustling atmosphere. Jinguashi, also known as "Golden Mountain City," is named after the gold mines in the area, as the shape of the mountain resembles a large pumpkin. Due to its unique geological mineral deposits and mining cultural landscape, as well as the structures, abandoned mines, tunnels, tools, and monuments from the gold extraction period, Jinguashi records the East Asian mining economic activities and colonial history of the first half of the 20th century, along with many cultural landscapes worth preserving. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the sea on one side, Jinguashi boasts rich mineral resources and is part of the Keelung volcanic group. The mountain range to the east and north borders the Pacific Ocean, while to the northwest it connects with the Datun volcano group, and to the south it connects with the Wufen and Yingzishan mountain groups, making it a place where mountains meet the sea, characterized by the overlap of mountain and sea in its natural landscape. Jiufen Old Street, known for its boom during the gold mining era, is nicknamed "Little Shanghai" and "Little Hong Kong." Legend has it that when the road was not yet open, all supplies relied on sea routes, and due to the village having only nine households, they requested "nine portions" for external purchases, which led to the name Jiufen. Jiufen fell into decline with the retreat of mining, but it regained global attention after the film "A City of Sadness" won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1989. The once-prosperous old street, abandoned mines, unique mining scenery, and gold rush history attract artists and tourists to savor the deep emotions in this city of sadness. "Spring clouds, summer seas, autumn grains, winter fog" best depict the seasonal charm of Jiufen, where visitors can enjoy diverse natural landscapes at all times. Houtong, known as the "Hometown of Black Gold," features impressive cliffs around 20 meters high along both banks of the Keelung River. The name comes from a cave inhabited by monkeys above the cliffs in the past, originally called "Monkey Cave," which later changed to "Houtong" when the coal mining industry flourished here; due to a preference against water in the mines, "cave" was changed to "tunnel." Houtong was originally a thriving town due to coal mining but became lonely and desolate as the industry declined, leaving behind the beauty marked by the passage of time. To showcase Houtong's rich mining history, the Houtong Coal Mine Park was established, allowing visitors to experience the mining life of workers again. The Ruifang Coal Mine and Ruifang Coal Transport Bridge, located near Houtong Railway Station and the banks of the Keelung River, is a black building operated by mining magnate Li Jianxing from Ruifang District. At its peak, the coal production accounted for about one-seventh of Taiwan's total output and was the top mining company at that time. The Ruifang Arch Bridge crosses the Keelung River, connecting the Fuxing Pit with the Ruifang Coal Mine. From Jieshou Bridge, you can see the Ruifang Arch Bridge, standing on stone pillars, and its reflection in the Keelung River, an elegant shape full of strength and beauty, serving as a landscape landmark of the Houtong area.
