Ruifang Scenic Area Introduction
Ruifang District is located in the northern part of New Taipei City and is a coastal scenic area. In the past, mining was the most important industry in Ruifang, including gold mines in Jiufen and Jinguashi, as well as coal mines in Houtong. After the mining resources were depleted, the area began to decline, until film and advertisement shoots at these locations revived the traditional character of these communities, the tranquility of the mountains and forests, and the beautiful sea views, once again attracting thousands of tourists and bringing vibrancy back to the towns. Jinguashi, known as the Golden Mountain City, got its name from the gold mines. It derives its name from the shape of a large pumpkin resembling the mountain's outcrop. Jinguashi features unique geological deposits and mining cultural landscapes, along with structures, abandoned mines, tunnels, tools, and monuments from the gold mining era, documenting the mining economic activities and colonial history of East Asia during the first half of the 20th century, as well as many invaluable cultural landscapes. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the sea on one side, the area has abundant mineral resources and belongs to the Keelung volcanic group; the group borders the Pacific coast to the east and north, connects to the Datun volcanic group to the northwest, and links with the Wufen and Yingzi mountain ranges to the south, characterized by its unique natural terrain of mountains and sea. Jiufen Old Street is known for its former prosperity during the gold mining era, earning the nicknames "Little Shanghai" and "Little Hong Kong." It is said that when the road was not yet open, all supplies relied on sea routes, and since there were only nine households in the village, they would request "nine portions" when purchasing goods, which led to the naming. Jiufen fell into decline as mining diminished, but regained attention when the film "A City of Sadness" won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1989. The once-bustling old street, abandoned mines, unique mining area scenery, and gold rush history attract artists and tourists, allowing them to savor the deep emotions of this "city of sadness." "Spring clouds, summer sea, autumn barley, and winter fog" perfectly describe the seasonal charms of Jiufen, and visitors can appreciate different natural landscapes at various times of the year. Houtong, known as the hometown of black gold, features towering cliffs around 20 meters high along both banks of the Keelung River, creating a spectacular landscape. The name derives from a cave where monkeys used to inhabit, originally called "Monkey Cave." With the rise of coal mining, the term "cave" was changed to "洞 (dong)" to reflect the mining context, hence "Monkey Cave" became "Houtong." Houtong was originally a prosperous town due to coal mining, but it gradually became quiet and desolate as the mining industry declined, leaving behind the beauty marked by the passage of time. To showcase Houtong's historical prosperity due to mining, the Houtong Coal Mine Museum Park was established, allowing visitors to experience the mining life of the past. The Ruifang Coal Company and the Ruifang Coal Transport Bridge, located near Houtong Station by 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 the total output in Taiwan, ranking it as the top mining company of the time. The Ruifang Arch Bridge spans the Keelung River, connecting the Fuxing Mine with the Ruifang Coal Mine, and viewed from the Jieshou Bridge, the Ruifang Arch Bridge stands tall on stone pillars, reflecting beautifully in the waters of the Keelung River, becoming a scenic landmark of the Houtong area.
