Major city · Taiwan
Pingxi平溪
Do Pingxi as a day trip from Taipei: 4–6 h total, train ride 1 h each way, focus on Shifen Old Street, lantern release and waterfalls.
Pingxi is a small New Taipei district famous for its historic railway, sky‑lantern festival and waterfalls. It is reachable by TRA in about an hour from Taipei, making it ideal for a half‑day or full‑day visit. Most attractions are clustered near the stations, so a single day covers the highlights.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TWD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (cooler, lantern festival in Feb–Mar)
- avoid Jul–Sep (hot, occasional typhoon rain)
- Airport
- TPE
- Nights
- 0 (day trip) or 1 if staying in Shifen guesthouse
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Taiwan ↗Check visa-exemption length, passport validity and the online arrival card (TWAC) on the official sites before you fly.
- Taiwan ↗An EasyCard (or iPASS) covers MRT, buses, local trains and many convenience-store purchases; buy one at the airport or a station.
- Taiwan ↗When a local government declares a typhoon day, transport and sights can close for the day; follow the official notice, not the forecast alone.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Pingxi110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Tourism helpline0800-011-765
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pingxi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Night markets, breakfast shops and many small restaurants take cash only; carry NT$1,000–2,000 (≈ US$35–70) in small notes.Taiwan-wide
- SIM or eSIMChunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and FarEasTone sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at TPE and KHH arrivals…Taiwan-wide
- Tap waterTreated at source, but locals boil or filter it.Taiwan-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; a 10% service charge appears in many sit-down places and hotels.Taiwan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 110 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Taiwan-wide
- SafetyPingxi is safe for tourists; main risks are train schedule changes and wet trails.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean toilets in every MRT station, convenience stores and department stores; paper goes in the toilet in most new buildings — follow the sign.Taiwan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 0800-011-765 Tourism helpline (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on Monday (the National Palace Museum opens daily).Taiwan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTPE Taoyuan International Airport (Take MRT to Taipei, then TRA to Pingxi).
- Getting aroundUse TRA Pingxi Line; stations (Ruifang → Jingtong → Shifen → Pingxi).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealStreet snack (fried taro ball)NT$30–50 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))NT$300–400 (≈ US$10–14)
- Museum or sight ticketEntrance to Taiwan Coal Mine MuseumNT$100 (≈ US$4)
- Budget bedDormitory bunk, a night, per personNT$300 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse private room, a night, per roomNT$1,300 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedGuesthouse private room, a night, per roomNT$1,800 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NT$800 (≈ US$30) · Mid NT$1,200 (≈ US$40) · High NT$2,000 (≈ US$70)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TPE Taoyuan International Airport (Take MRT to Taipei, then TRA to Pingxi)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Mar
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jul–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pingxi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Feb
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Use TRA Pingxi Line; stations (Ruifang → Jingtong → Shifen → Pingxi). Walks from stations to attractions are 5–15 min. No local bus service; taxis are scarce.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Shifen Old Street & Lantern release
goDoor to door: ≈2 h total (round‑trip train + walk)
TRA Pingxi Line, Shifen station (≈1 h from Taipei Main Station)
Release sky lanterns after 18:00; buy kits at stalls.Release sky lanterns after 6:00 PM; buy kits at stalls.
Shifen Waterfall
goDoor to door: ≈2 h 30 min total
From Shifen station, walk 10 min north
40 m wide, 20 m high; trail may be wet.
Lingjiao Waterfall
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h total
TRA to Lingjiao station, then 5‑min walk
Check train schedule; limited service on weekends.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Shifen Guesthouse area
Small inns and B&Bs near Shifen station; good for early lantern release.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- NT$800–1,200 (≈ US$30–40) (hostel, street food, train)
- Mid
- NT$1,200–2,000 (≈ US$40–70) (guesthouse, meals, entry fees)
- High
- NT$2,000 (≈ US$70)+ (private room, lantern kits, taxi)
Trip budget
| Dormitory bunk1 × 1 night × NT$300 | NT$300 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × NT$800 | NT$800 |
| TRA round‑trip ticket Taipei–Shifen1 × NT$300 · check | NT$300 |
| Lantern kit (single)1 × NT$150 · check | NT$150 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NT$155 |
| Trip total≈ NT$1,705 per person per day, bed included | NT$1,705≈ US$60 |
2026 estimate in NT$; flights and train passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Street snack (fried taro ball) | NT$30–50 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Bottle of water (500 ml) | NT$30–45 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Rail ticket Taipei–Shifen (one way) | NT$150–200 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Entrance to Taiwan Coal Mine Museum | NT$100 (≈ US$4) |
| Taxi (5 km) | NT$300–400 (≈ US$10–14) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Last train from Shifen back to Taipei departs around 20:30; plan return early.Last train from Shifen back to Taipei departs around 8:30 PM; plan return early.
- Lantern release sites can be crowded during festival; keep lanterns small and follow safety rules.
- Waterfall paths can be slippery after rain; wear sturdy shoes.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Tourism helpline
- 0800-011-765
Pocket card
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Pingxi平溪
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
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請帶我到這裡To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Tourism helpline0800-011-765
Embassy
US consulate in Taipei (check address); other embassies in Taipei.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taipei Main Station → Shifen (TRA): about NT$150 (≈ US$5) one‑way, 1 h (check)
- Shifen → Lingjiao (TRA): about NT$70 (≈ US$3), 10 min (check)
Say or show
- 對不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duì bu qǐ)
- 謝謝 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 這個多少錢？ — How much is this? (zhè ge duō shǎo qián?)
- 洗手間在哪裡？ — Where is the restroom? (xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ?)
- 可以買天燈嗎？ — Can I have a lantern? (kě yǐ mǎi tiān dēng ma?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pingxi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr (cooler, lantern festival in Feb–Mar) · avoid Jul–Sep (hot, occasional typhoon rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Shifen for early lantern release (check guesthouse availability).
- Combine with Jingtong Coal Memorial Park for a mining‑history loop (train 1 h each way).
Sources
Ask about Pingxi
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