Pingxi Line day trip guide — sky lanterns, waterfalls, and mountain villages
New Taipei: Taipei Shifen Pingxi Sky Lantern
How do I travel the Pingxi Line from Taipei?
Take the TRA train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang (35–40 min, NT$49–61), then transfer to the Pingxi Branch Line local train. Buy a day pass (NT$80) to hop between Shifen, Pingxi, Sandiaoling, and Lingjiao stations. Total from Taipei to Shifen is about 75 minutes.
The Pingxi Branch Line: what it is and why it matters
The Pingxi Branch Line (坪林線) is a 12.9km narrow-gauge spur of the TRA rail network running through a mountain river valley in New Taipei City. It was built in the 1920s to transport coal from the Pingxi area’s mines to Ruifang for export. The mines closed; the railway became a tourist asset.
The line runs through five stations: Sandiaoling, Dahua, Shifen, Lingjiao, and Pingxi. Each is a different character of small mountain village. The railway tracks in several villages run directly through the main street — buildings on both sides, metres apart — creating a visual that is genuinely unusual and photogenic.
The sky lantern tradition in the Pingxi area dates to the Qing Dynasty, when lanterns were used as signals between villages. Today the lantern release is the area’s primary draw, though the landscapes, waterfalls, and quieter villages offer more for slow travellers.
| Where | New Taipei City, mountain valley east of Taipei via Ruifang |
| Cost | Around NT$80 for the day pass, plus NT$150–200 per lantern |
| Time needed | Half day for Shifen only; full day for the whole branch line |
| Getting there | TRA train to Ruifang (about 35–40 min), then Pingxi Branch Line |
| Best time | Weekday mornings; trains run roughly hourly, so time arrivals |
Getting there from Taipei
Taipei Main Station → Ruifang
TRA trains from Taipei Main to Ruifang run approximately every 20–30 minutes. Journey time 35–40 minutes. Cost NT$49 (puyma regional) or NT$61 (tze-chiang express). Buy a single ticket to Ruifang, then handle onward travel separately.
Alternatively, you can buy a combined ticket at Taipei Main that includes Ruifang + Pingxi Line travel, though purchasing separately gives you more flexibility.
Ruifang → Pingxi Branch Line
At Ruifang, exit the main fare gates and re-enter at the separate Pingxi Line platform (signposted in English). Trains run approximately hourly — check the timetable board at the platform. The branch line day pass (NT$80, unlimited travel for the day) is the practical purchase for anyone stopping at multiple villages.
Without the day pass: single tickets are NT$15–23 per segment depending on distance.
Village by village
Shifen (Shihfen) — most popular, sky lanterns on the tracks
Shifen is the most-visited station on the line. The village centre is a 200m stretch of buildings on both sides of the active railway track. Lantern stalls line the track; the vendor facilitates your launch in the gap between trains.
Key sights: Sky lantern release (NT$150–200), Shifen Waterfall 1.2km walk from the station (NT$50 entry — a 40m wide horseshoe-shaped fall worth seeing), Old Street riverside walk.
Time needed: 2–3 hours for lanterns and waterfall.
See the detailed Shifen sky lantern guide for the full breakdown.
Pingxi sky lantern and Shifen waterfall tour from TaipeiPingxi — the town the line is named for, quieter atmosphere
Pingxi station sits at the edge of a small mountain town that feels significantly less commercial than Shifen. The lantern releases happen from an open plaza next to the station rather than on the tracks. There are fewer stalls and fewer visitors.
Key sights: Sky lantern release (NT$150–200), Pingxi Old Street (100m, local snacks), Shifenliao Trail starting point (a less-visited waterfall walk), the small Pingxi Church (1937, Japanese-era wooden building), and views across the valley from the ridge above the town.
What makes Pingxi worth the extra stop: The town has a more genuine everyday feel. Local restaurants serve simple Taiwanese mountain food rather than tourist set menus. A bowl of noodle soup or local rice dish costs NT$80–120.
Sky lantern experience here: The Pingxi sky lantern experience with customised stickers is particularly popular for those who want a more personalised design:
Pingxi sky lantern experience with stickersSandiaoling — waterfalls for hikers
Sandiaoling is the eastern terminus of the branch and the least-visited station. The main reason to come here is the Sandiaoling Waterfall Trail — a moderately difficult 3.2km trail (one-way) through secondary forest passing three significant waterfalls:
- Hegu (合谷) Falls: wide curtain fall, 20 minutes from trailhead
- Motian (摩天) Falls: the most dramatic, 60m drop, 40 minutes from trailhead
- Pipa (琵琶) Falls: smallest but most intimate, 50 minutes from trailhead
The trail is well-maintained with wooden walkways over the river crossings. It is genuinely quieter than Shifen or Pingxi and sees a different type of visitor — more local hikers, fewer tour groups. Allow 2–3 hours return. Bring water and closed-toe shoes. The trailhead is a 10-minute walk from Sandiaoling Station.
Lingjiao and Dahua — skip on a first visit
These two intermediate stations have minimal infrastructure for visitors. Lingjiao has a small temple; Dahua is primarily residential. Unless you are specifically seeking complete quietness, there is not enough to justify a stop on a first Pingxi Line visit.
How the day actually feels on the line
The branch line is slow by design. The local train winds up the valley past small houses, banana groves and stretches of forest, and the pace suits the scenery. Sit on the river side if you can, and keep a hand free for the camera: the moment the carriage squeezes between the shopfronts at Shifen is the one most people want on video.
It helps to think of the day as a series of short stops stitched together by trains, rather than a single destination. Each village asks for an hour or two, and the timetable decides the rhythm more than your own wishes do. Travellers who relax into that rhythm tend to enjoy the day far more than those who try to squeeze every stop in.
If you have never used Taiwan’s rail and metro systems, read the Taipei MRT guide and the EasyCard guide before you go. Getting to Taipei Main Station smoothly is half the battle, and it keeps the first hour of the morning stress-free.
Choosing between lanterns, waterfalls and quiet villages
The Pingxi Line packs three different kinds of day into one railway, and it is worth deciding early which one you want. If you are here for the photograph of a lantern rising between the tracks, Shifen is the answer and you can plan the rest around it. If you would rather spend the day walking beside water and forest, Sandiaoling is the better anchor. If what you want is a slower, more local feel, Pingxi village gives you that without the crowds around the tracks.
Most visitors blend the three, which works, but the blend has a cost: more stations means more waiting for the next train. A focused half-day often leaves people happier than a rushed full one. For a wider comparison of what else is within reach, the best day trips from Taipei guide and the tour versus DIY day trips comparison will help you judge whether the line is the right fit for your time.
Lanterns: what to expect and how to behave
Releasing a lantern is a small ritual rather than a ride. You choose colours, and each colour traditionally stands for a different wish, such as health, fortune or success. You then write your messages on the paper with a brush, often alongside friends or family, and the vendor helps hold and light the lantern for the release. Take your time with the writing; it is the part you will remember.
A few courtesies make the experience better for everyone:
- Step aside from the tracks whenever a train approaches, and follow the stall staff’s signals.
- Do not rush the people in front of you while they write; there is usually a queue on busy days.
- Keep your phone ready but your hands steady while the lantern is lit.
- Pack up any rubbish you create and use the bins provided in the village.
For dates, festival timing and the seasonal side of the tradition, see the Pingxi sky lantern festival dates post. If you want to compare the two best-known lantern villages before you commit, the Jiufen vs Shifen guide lays out the differences.
What to wear and carry
The valley is humid and prone to sudden showers, so layers and a light rain jacket are more useful than an umbrella on narrow platforms and wet paths. Shoes with grip matter, especially if Sandiaoling is on your plan, because wooden walkways and river rocks get slick. Bring a small bag, water, and some cash for stalls and snacks, since small vendors in mountain villages do not always take cards. The Taipei packing tips page has a fuller checklist if you want to prepare properly.
On a wet day, the Taipei in the rain post has ideas for adjusting your plans. The Taipei typhoon season guide is worth a read if you are travelling in the months when storms are likely, because rail services can be affected.
Suggested itinerary for the day
Full Pingxi Line day (8–10 hours):
- 08:30 — Train from Taipei Main to Ruifang
- 09:10 — Train from Ruifang on Pingxi Line
- 09:40 — Arrive Sandiaoling, hike to waterfalls (2–3 hours)
- 12:30 — Train to Shifen
- 13:00 — Lunch in Shifen (NT$80–120)
- 13:45 — Sky lantern release at Shifen
- 14:30 — Walk to Shifen Waterfall and back (1 hour)
- 15:45 — Train to Pingxi
- 16:00 — Browse Pingxi Old Street, optional second lantern release
- 17:00 — Train back to Ruifang, TRA train to Taipei
Half-day Pingxi Line focus (4–5 hours):
- Train to Shifen only (arriving ~10:00)
- Sky lanterns + Shifen Waterfall
- Return to Taipei by 14:30–15:00
Combining the Pingxi Line with Jiufen
This is the most common combination day trip from Taipei. See Jiufen day trip guide for the timing. The key decision is whether to do Shifen first or Jiufen first — both orderings work; do Shifen first if you want clear morning light for the waterfall, do Jiufen first if you prefer to see the lanterns at dusk in better evening conditions.
Private tour: Jiufen, Shifen waterfall and Pingxi sky lanternPractical notes
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Trains are hourly on weekdays — check the board at Ruifang and plan your village stops around the departure times. Missing a train is a 45–60 minute wait, not a crisis, but worth avoiding.
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Rainy days: The Pingxi area receives high rainfall. Trails can be muddy and the lantern stalls may close in heavy rain. A light rain doesn’t stop operations but check the forecast. The waterfall trail is more scenic after rain.
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Food options: Shifen has the most food choices (restaurants, stalls). Pingxi has a few local places. Sandiaoling has nothing at the station. Bring snacks or eat in Shifen.
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Houtong Cat Village is on the TRA main line before Ruifang — you can add it to the same day if departing early (Taipei → Houtong → Ruifang → Pingxi Line). See Houtong Cat Village guide.
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Kids and mixed groups: Shifen is the easiest stop for families, since the lantern release and the short village walk need no special fitness. The Taipei with kids guide has more on what works for younger travellers.
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Tour or independent? Going alone is simple on this line because the trains do the routing for you. A guided option mainly saves effort if you want to combine several villages with road transfers.
Read next: the Pingxi destination page and the Shifen destination page give the local background for each stop, and the north coast day trip itinerary shows how to pair a rail day with the coast.
For full trip context, see best day trips from Taipei and Taipei in 3 days itinerary.
Shifen vs Pingxi vs Sandiaoling — which stops to prioritise
| Station | Best for | Skip if |
|---|---|---|
| Shifen | Sky lanterns on the tracks, the waterfall, first-time visitors | You dislike crowds — it’s the busiest stop |
| Pingxi | A quieter lantern experience, local food, a more genuine town feel | You are short on time and already doing Shifen |
| Sandiaoling | Waterfall hiking, avoiding tour groups entirely | You are not up for a 2–3 hour return hike |
If you only have time for one stop, Shifen covers the signature experience — lanterns and a proper waterfall — in the most efficient package. Add Pingxi if you want contrast, or Sandiaoling if hiking matters more to you than lanterns.
Frequently asked questions about Pingxi Line day trip guide — sky lanterns, waterfalls, and mountain villages
How often do trains run on the Pingxi Line?
Is the Pingxi Line day pass worth buying?
What is the difference between Shifen and Pingxi for sky lanterns?
What is the Sandiaoling Waterfall Trail?
Can I combine the Pingxi Line with Jiufen in one day?
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