Northern Taiwan tour from Taipei: Yehliu, Jiufen, Pingxi

Sky lanterns drift upward from an active train line where tourists step aside for passing cars.

This eight-hour tour covers four major sites in and around Taipei with a private English-speaking guide and driver. You start at Yehliu Geopark to see the Queen's Head and other rock formations along a 1,700-meter cape, then move to Jiufen Village to walk the old streets lined with teahouses and local snack vendors overlooking the Keelung sea. The tour includes time at the Pingxi Branch Rail Line, where you write wishes on a sky lantern (NT$150–200, your choice) and release it, then ends at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to watch the changing of the guard ceremony.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Yehliu Geopark1h · entry included
2. Jiufen Village1h 30m
3. Pingxi Branch Rail Line1h · entry included
4. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall1h · entry included

Northern Taiwan scenic and cultural tour

• Visit Yehliu Geopark geological formations
• Explore Jiufen Village and teahouses
• Release sky lanterns at Pingxi Rail Line
• See Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and guard ceremony

The experience

Yehliu Geopark sits on a cape jutting into the ocean, shaped over thousands of years by geological movement. The Queen's Head is the most famous formation, but the park also holds Sea Candles, Fairy Shoe, Ginger Rocks, Elephant Rock, Ice Cream Rock, Kissing Rock, and Princess' Head: each one a distinct rock shape carved by wind and water. You walk the cape to see them, and the ocean views frame the whole experience.

Jiufen Village climbs into the hills northeast of Taiwan, next to mountains and facing the sea. It was once the center of gold mining, and that history still shapes the place: teahouses occupy the old buildings, and the narrow streets sell yam dishes and other local snacks alongside historical items. The village sits high enough to overlook the Keelung outer sea. You have time to wander the streets and stop at a teahouse if you want.

The Pingxi Branch Rail Line runs through an old coal-mining town with no fences on either side of the tracks. Trains pass regularly, and tourists step aside as they roll through slowly. You pick a sky lantern (single-color for NT$150 or multicolored for NT$200), and use a calligraphy brush to write your dedication and wishes on it. After a selfie with your lantern, you light it and release it to the sky. The ceremony takes place on an active street where the past and present run side by side. The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall closes the day: the changing of the guard ceremony runs every hour from 10 AM to 4 PM and lasts around 15 minutes, an elaborate ritual at the monument on Liberty Square.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board.
• English-speaking licensed guide and driver.
• hotel pickup.
• bottled water.
• tolls and parking fees.
• travel insurance including accidental death or bodily disablement coverage (NT$2,000,000 per person) and accidental medical reimbursement (NT$200,000 per person).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Audio guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by UpToGo

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a private vehicle and guide to set the pace across four northern sites in one day, rather than coordinating your own transport and timing between stops.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

What is the Queen's Head at Yehliu Geopark?

The Queen's Head is an iconic rock formation at Yehliu Geopark, a distinctive shape carved by thousands of years of geological movement on a 1,700-meter cape that juts into the ocean. It is the most famous of the park's rock formations, which also include Sea Candles, Fairy Shoe, Ginger Rocks, Elephant Rock, Ice Cream Rock, Kissing Rock, and Princess' Head.

Can I write and release a sky lantern on this tour?

Yes. At the Pingxi Branch Rail Line, you choose a sky lantern (single-color for NT$150 or multicolored for NT$200), write your wishes on it with a calligraphy brush, take a selfie with it, then light and release it to the sky. The lanterns are symbols of prayers for blessings and good health according to ancient custom.

What happens at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall?

The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall sits on Liberty Square and is known for its changing of the guard ceremony, an elaborate ritual that runs every hour on the hour from 10 AM to 4 PM and lasts around 15 minutes.

What is Jiufen Village known for?

Jiufen Village was once the center of gold mining in northeast Taiwan. Today it is a mountain village with teahouses in restored buildings, narrow streets selling local snacks like yam dishes, historical items on display, and views overlooking the Keelung outer sea.