Ruifang -- Get in Touch with the Authentic Life

Jinguashi / Gold Museum

Jiufen / Jiufen Old Street

Most of the coffee shops and tea houses in the busy town of Jinfen are concentrated along the 300 meters of cobblestone steps of Shuqi Rd., which are between Jiufen Elementary School and Jiufen Precinct. Previously built to deliver goods, this road received a major boost after the international hit film "A City of Sadness" turned Jiufen into a popular tourist destination. The three main roads running perpendicular to Shuqi are also bustling: Jinshan St., home to Shengping Theater. Besides these main thoroughfares, there are small alleys that snake between and sometimes even underneath buildings. They connect to the main roads and have surprises hiding around each corner.

Jinguashi/Cyuanji Temple

Along the road between Keelung Mountain and Teapot Mountain is a large statue of Guan Yu, the ancient Chinese god and general. Nestled among a lush forest with his back to the mountains and face to the sea, the 10.6-meter bronze sculpture weights 25 metrics tons and is the largest statue of Guan Yu in Southeast Asia. This Jinguashi landmark is attached to the Cyuanji Temple, which was built in 1902 to encourage goodwill and to help people through times of struggle. It's purpose was to turn charity into an ingrained part of Jinguashi custom that could be passed through the generations. Also at the temple is a pair relief sculptures with detailed carvings of nature and human figures. They are treasures left behind by the late sculptor Huang Guei-Li, and their placement in such a beautiful setting only enhances their grandeur and meaning.

Jiufen / Jiufen Kite Museum

A deep passion of kites and fond childhood memories led this museum's curator to found Taiwan's first kite museum in Jiufen. Colorful kites of various shapes and sizes from around the world are on display as are kites that won major international competitions. Seeing these wondrous kites is like admiring beautiful paintings. THe museum also has a classroom, so visitors can make a kite of their own.

Jinguashi / Gold Museum

Gold Museum details the rise and decline of Jinguashi's mining industry by connecting the history and culture unique to the area with the surrounding natural scenery. It accomplishes it's goal through a series of themed facilities, including Benshan No.5 Tunnel, where visitors can get a taste of mining work; the Environmental Building, which explains the local geology, ecology and minerals; the Crown Prince Chalet, a Japanese-style building; and the Gold Building, where a 220-kilogram gold brick is on display. On a trip to the park, many visitors also take the time to explore nearby sites such as the Shinto Shrine, Teapot Mountain and the Taiwan P.O.W. Memorial Park. After exploring these areas, tourists leave with a different sense of what it means to experience nature and histoy.

Jinguashi / Qitang Old Street

Unlike the better-known old streets which are busy and crowded with stores, Qitang Old Street is tranquil and relaxed. It retains much of the original feel of a small mountain village. Looking down at the old street from Cyuanji Temple, there are noticeable height differences between the buildings. They lack the orderliness of a row of Japanese dormitories and the stateliness of the Crown Prince Chalet, located at the nearby Gold Museum. Damaged buildings with fading asphalt-covered roofs stand at irregular intervals, intermingled among a handful of drab shops. It is hard to imagine that this was once one of the main shopping centers of Jinguashi. But it does retain a genuine feel that is missing at many surrounding destinations , attracting tourists who want to pay homage to this piece of the past.