Jinshan Old Street preserves the Qing-dynasty shophouse layout, with duck cuisine as the local signature dish. Walking north leads to Jumping Stone Coast, where reef rocks jut out from the water's surface and visitors must hop from rock to rock to proceed — the rugged scenery characteristic of the north coast unfolds along this shoreline. The lively old street and the wild coast form a striking contrast, making this a richly layered stop on a north coast itinerary.
What to see at Jinshan Old Street and Jumping Stone Coast
Jinshan Old Street extends along Zhongshan Road. Some surviving shophouses still retain the Qing-era qianzijiao (arcade) format; temples and food stalls coexist along the way, with Cihu Temple as the spiritual heart of the old street. The street is known for Jinshan duck, with several old shops each having their own braising method, drawing north coast travelers to stop for a meal. The atmosphere is more down-to-earth than Danshui or Jiufen, with a relatively lower degree of commercialization.
Jumping Stone Coast lies on the border of Jinshan and Shimen, along the seaward side of Provincial Highway No. 2. Reef rocks rise from the seabed to the surface, stretching for several hundred meters, and the name comes from the need to jump across them. The sound of waves striking the rocks is thunderous. At low tide, tidal pools between the rocks allow observation of marine life. When waves are large, the rocks are slippery — take care, and do not walk the rocks at high tide or in strong winds.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there and timing
- Public transport: buses from Taipei Bus Station or MRT Danshui Station (Royal Bus or Guoguang Bus) reach Jinshan in about 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Driving along Provincial Highway No. 2 (North Coast Road). Jinshan has several public car parks; parking is tight on weekends.
- Jumping Stone Coast has no specific opening hours, but reef walking is unsuitable at high tide or when waves are large. Check tide information before setting out.
Nearby connections
- Can be combined with Shimen Cave and Fugui Cape Lighthouse as a north coast half-day or full-day route.
- Jinshan Ganggang Fishing Harbor and Yeliu Geopark are nearby; extend the trip to Yeliu to see the mushroom-rock geological formations.
Source: New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Bureau, Jinshan District information; publicly available local business information. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.