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. After the mining resources were exhausted, the area began to decline. However, the traditional scenery, tranquility of the mountains and forests, and beautiful sea views of these small communities were rediscovered after films and advertisements started to be shot at these locations, attracting thousands of tourists and bringing vitality back to the area. Golden Mountain Town - Jinguashi is named after its gold mines. The shape of the mountain resembling a large pumpkin contributed to the name "Jinguashi." Due to its unique geological mineral beds and mining cultural landscape, combined with the buildings, abandoned mines, tunnels, tools, and monuments from the gold mining era, it reflects the East Asian mining economic activities and colonial history of the first half of the 20th century, along with many culturally significant landscapes worth preserving. Jinguashi is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the sea on one side, enriched with mineral resources. This area belongs to the Keelung Volcanic Group, bordered by the Pacific coast to the east and north, connecting to the Datun Volcano Group to the northwest, and connected to the Wufen and Yingshi mountain ranges to the south, creating a region characterized by both mountains and sea. Nostalgic Old Street - Jiufen Old Street became prosperous due to the booming gold mining and is also known as "Little Shanghai" and "Little Hong Kong." It is said that before the land routes were opened, all supplies depended on maritime transport. Since there were only nine households in the village, when they purchased supplies, they required "nine portions," leading to the name Jiufen. Jiufen declined with the reduction of mining but regained the world's attention when the film "A City of Sadness" won the Golden Lion at the 1989 Venice Film Festival. The once-prosperous old street, abandoned mines, unique mining scenery, and gold rush history attract artists and tourists to savor the rich emotions of this city of sadness. "Spring clouds, summer seas, autumn grains, winter mist" best describes the four seasons of Jiufen, where visitors can appreciate natural landscapes at different times throughout the year. Hometown of Black Gold - Houtong features spectacular high cliffs around 20 meters on either side of the Keelung River. The name originated from a cave inhabited by monkeys on the mountains above, initially called "Monkey Cave," which later changed to "Houtong" as coal mining sparked local industry, knowing that water was to be avoided in the mines. Houtong used to thrive due to coal mining, but as the mining industry waned, it gradually became desolate, leaving behind a beauty marked by the passage of time. To showcase Houtong's historical prosperity due to coal mining, the Houtong Coal Mine Museum Park was established, allowing visitors to once again experience the mining life of the past. The Ruifang Coal Yard and Ruifang Transport Bridge are located near Houtong Train Station, along the banks of the Keelung River. This black structure was operated by the mining giant Li Jianxing from Ruifang District and produced about one-seventh of the total coal output in Taiwan at its peak, ranking as the top mining company at the time. The Ruifang Arch Bridge spans the Keelung River, connecting Fuxing Pit and Ruifang's coal washery. From Jieshou Bridge, the picturesque scene of the Ruifang Arch Bridge standing on stone foundations reflecting in the river captivates with its elegant form, symbolizing the landscape of the Houtong area.
