View of Keelung Mountain and the back of Jinguashi area. Back to the Japanese colonial era, this area was a important mining place for Japan government. Villages were built and attracted many people moved in there for working. It included a huge mount of gold, silver and copper mine underground. That's the reason it was called "Jinquashi", it means gold stones in Mandarin. Then, the prosperity went down as Japan was defeated in the World War II and as the mines were exhausted. However, it became a famous tourist spot because of a movie "A City of Sadness" (directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien) filmed in there in 1989. People started to turn back there for sightseeing as a historical place or even moved in and lived there.
Gas exhaust pipes. The process of mines system will emit toxic gases, so the mine company built many pipes covered the mountains.
The buildings in the middle were ruined and it became a exciting exploratory place for tourists. On the left side, there is a pollution on the sea. Part of there were coloured in brown (or gold) by the emission from mine factory.
The pipes were damaged by people who wanted to pass through conveniently. Some were damaged by typhoons.
A unknown ruined building belong to the mine company. After the Second World War, Taiwan government received all the mine properties from Japan. But Jinquashi area had no worth to mine again (they might spend more money to build new factories). Although it was closed by government, some people still ignored a dangerous notice when they had a big curiosity.
The ruined factory and village.
On the other side of Jinquashi, there is the main village that most people living or lived here. There have a old street and local stores and restaurants. Tourists can even live in some B&B to experience the cultures of old Taiwan.
Tea restaurants are one of the special scene in there. It provide a Japanese colonial era style decoration and a view of coasines and mountains.
Pingxi Station, famous for the sky lantern. Pingxi line was a branch line in Taipei, it has 7 stations and all of them were built for transporting the coal mines. In 80's, it was experienced a risk caused by shutting down the mine factories and depopulation. Fortunately they were all preserved by the local people and government.
An old suspension bridge in Pingxi. Because of the terrain in here, people need to transport by bridges.
A waterfall in near Lingjiao Station.
The small village near the station. For the residents, this small truck represent a main role of market in there.
This building was belong to a rich and big family who earned their fortune during the coal mining era. It was once represented the golden age in this area. After that, they moved out by unknown reason.
The rail of Pingxi Station. Tourists likes to hang their blessings on the tree. It is free for public walking around the rail,.
View of Tamsui and Yang-Ming Mountain. The tide was ebbing, so it was possible to see a man on the Tamsui River. In history, Tamsui was once a biggest port in Taiwan. It had once been occupied and ruled by Spain and Netherlands as a midway to China or Philippines. Spanish even built a Fort Santo Domingo as base to defense Dutch, British and Portuguese. From 17th century to 19th century, it played a important role in economic and trading in Taiwan. During this time, Tamsui was highly developed as a prosperity city. After the Japanese Colonial era, it was replaced by Keelung Port because of siltation and it was too small for bigger ships.
A vital transportation between left and right bank in Tamsui. Recently, government decided to build a cross-river bridge in there for developing this area again.
The oldest street called "Chongjin St" in Tamsui. In the past time, it was the most popular street in Tamsui. But now there were only left behind. Some buildings are even empty or damaged now.
A view from Chongjian St. Chongjian means reconstruction in Madarin.
One of the oldest temple in Taipei. It was a god's birthday and a traditional drama was played for celebration.
During the celebration, many kind of traditional drama would be played in front of temple. This is Taiwan traditional pupertry. It would be traditional opera sometimes.
There are a lot of small port along the river side.
A small boat repair factory.
The Missionary Hall. In this garden, there also have Dr. Mackay's house (George Leslie Mackay, a famous doctor and a priest, 1844-1901) and a Girl's school.
Former British Consulate. It next to the Fort Santo Domingo.
A view from a window of the Fort Santo Domingo.
Fisherman's Wharf.
