Beautiful Scenery that Evokes Nostalgic Japan: 4 Recommended Tourist Spots in Jinguashi

The Gold Museum was established based on the concept of a “region-integrated museum,” meaning the entire surrounding area is considered part of the attraction—not just the indoor exhibits. In addition to the museum building, you can experience going inside an old mining tunnel, see the remains of a Shinto shrine from the Japanese colonial period, preserved Japanese staff dormitories, and a building originally constructed to welcome the Crown Prince (later Emperor Showa). Some areas are open to the public for viewing.
Inside the Gold Building, gold is on display and visitors can actually touch it. Below the gold display is the day’s market price, letting you see its value—it’s so tempting you might want to take it home!

2. Golden Waterfall

Heading downhill toward the sea from the Gold Museum, you’ll come across this waterfall. There’s also a bus that leaves from the Gold Museum bus stop once every hour heading toward the coast, which will take you here. Unlike typical waterfalls that flow from rivers or lakes, this one has no river or stream before or after it—the water seems to spring directly from underground before cascading down. The appearance changes with rainfall, and after heavy rain, it becomes truly spectacular.
The golden-orange hue of the water is created when rainwater seeps through and reacts with minerals like pyrite and the rare enargite found here. People who saw this striking color named it “Golden Waterfall.”

3. Qitang Old Street

Qitang Old Street was once a bustling town when gold was discovered in Jinguashi, so much so that it was called the “Ginza of Jinguashi.” During its heyday, Japanese people lived in the area around today’s Gold Museum, while Taiwanese residents lived around Qitang Old Street.
While Jiufen has transformed into a major tourist spot preserving its old-time charm, Qitang Old Street has faded so much that it’s hard to imagine its past prosperity. Yet, this unique atmosphere evokes the passage of time and has its own deep charm.
With narrow staircases and alleys full of surprises, you’ll find renovated cafés in old buildings and an emerging sense of revival. On weekends, some visitors can be seen, but it’s still relatively quiet, and some cafés may be closed depending on the day.

4. Shanqian Road Tourist Trail

This historic trail connects Jiufen to Jinguashi and further on to Shuinandong along the coast. It was once used to transport gold from the mines in the area. Today, it’s a walking trail with many historical sights, such as an old aqueduct used to carry water for washing gold.
The trail passes along the east side of Mt. Keelung, offering sweeping sea views. The water’s color varies—part tea-brown from minerals carried by mountain streams, part deep blue—creating a striking contrast. At the end of the trail by the coast, you’ll arrive at the “Remains of the Thirteen Levels,” the ruins of a smelter built by the Japanese. The hike from Jiufen to Shuinandong takes about two hours, making it a great way to combine sightseeing with light hiking.

◎ Summary

Jinguashi was home to many Japanese people during the colonial period, and visitors can still enjoy scenery reminiscent of old Japan. Jiufen may be the better-known spot among Japanese tourists, but just a short trip beyond it leads to attractions where you can enjoy history, nature, and culture all at once. Use this guide to help you make the most of your visit to Jinguashi!