Jinshan Old Street is a Qing-dynasty street in Jinshan District, New Taipei, preserving its shophouse layout for more than 300 years and known for Cihu Temple and duck cuisine. Heading north along Provincial Highway No. 2 leads to Jumping Stone Coast, where volcanic boulders left by the Datun volcanic group are exposed at low tide — early residents had to hop from rock to rock to pass, giving the coast its name. The old street's lived-in atmosphere and the coast's volcanic geology make this a richly layered stop on a north coast itinerary.
Jinshan Old Street (Jinbaoli Old Street) is the only surviving Qing-dynasty street on the north coast, with a history of more than 300 years; Jumping Stone Coast lies along Provincial Highway No. 2 between kilometer markers 34 and 39 (from Zhongjiao to Caoli, Shimen), its boulders deposited by the Datun volcanic group, and it takes its name from residents once having to hop across rocks at low tide to pass.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Jinshan Old Street also called Jinbaoli Old Street?
Jinshan was formerly known as Jinbaoli, so the street is also called Jinbaoli Old Street — the only surviving Qing-dynasty street on the north coast, with a history of more than 300 years.
Where does the name Jumping Stone Coast come from?
Before the coastal highway opened, residents had to wait for low tide and hop across large shoreline rocks to get around, which is how the coast got its name.
When is the best time to visit Jumping Stone Coast?
Low tide exposes the largest area of reef, best for walking the rocks and observing tide pools; avoid the reef at high tide or in strong wind.
Sources
- 金山老街(金包里老街) | 新北市觀光旅遊網 — 金山老街三百多年歷史，北海岸僅存清代老街
- 北海岸及觀音山國家風景區管理處—跳石海岸 — 跳石海岸地質形成與地名由來，台二線里程