Shimen sits at Taiwan’s northern tip, where the Tieguanyin drinks sea moisture all year but is sheltered from the wind by the land itself. Do the tea-hill trail, then the waterfall, then the seafood — that is a day.
Itineraries1
Shimen in a day: tea hill and coastDay tripTea-hill trail (tea flowers and gardens) → Linshanbi trail → Qingshan waterfall → Fuji fishing harbour → Fugui Cape park → the Shimen sea archHills in the morning, coast in the afternoon. The contrast in a single day is the point of Shimen.
Sights and trails
Qingshan waterfall trail
The path follows an irrigation channel, level and easy, ending at a three-tier fall. Cool in summer.
Fuji fishing harbour
Pick your seafood at the stalls and hand it to a restaurant alongside to cook — the standard way to eat on this coast.
Fugui Cape lighthouse
The northernmost point of the main island, marked by a black-and-white striped lighthouse. The coastal path is windy.
What is on, and when
November–JanuaryTea flowers are out and the tea-hill trail is at its best. Also the season for Shimen’s winter tea.
Eat, sleep, travel
EatWhatever came in that morning at Fuji harbour. Shimen is also known for its zongzi — you will see the shops from the road.
SleepMost people go back the same day. There are hot-spring inns and sea-view guesthouses along the coast.
TravelBus from Tamsui MRT along the coast (the Crown North Coast route). By car, Provincial Highway 2. No MRT out here, and buses run less often than in town.
