Taipei's Spring Only Scenery｜Shimen Matcha Carpet Laomei Green Reef

Before heading to Green reef, you'll pass a large beach.

The rare and beautiful green reef trough volcanic terrain – be careful not to damage it

Most coastlines are sandy beaches or rocky shores, but the "stone troughs" along the coast of Laomei Community are volcanic reef terrain. They are the result of the eruption of the Datun volcano in Yangmingshan hundreds of thousands of years ago. Over the years, the soft parts have been gradually eroded by the waves, and the hard parts left behind have formed longitudinal sea erosion grooves.

Laomei Green Reef is a natural scenic spot that is only visible in spring. Over the years, seawater erosion and weathering have carved grooves into the rock surface. The northern coast has the strongest winds and waves in all of Taiwan. Laomei Green Reef is one of the eight hidden gems in Taiwan, as voted by CNN. The North Coast is full of beautiful scenery. Let's work together to protect the ecosystem and avoid being punished. The sampan displayed in Laomei Community, where Green Reef is located, is a small fishing boat that was very common in early coastal towns in Taiwan. Linshan Cape （ Lingshanbi ） at the end of Baisha Bay on the North Coast. Scenery along the North Coast. The coastline is mostly composed of volcanic rock, making it unsuitable for swimming. The best time to visit is at low tide in the evening, when the lush green stone troughs stretch out to the sea, making for beautiful photos from any angle. The green stone trough is so beautiful, straight from the image without any color adjustments! The most spectacular time is from mid-March to the end of May. The waves crash against the shore, and the water flows along the channels, adding dynamism to the whole scene. The northeast wind bring waves that crash against the green stone trough, a sight that never gets old.

The strong northeast monsoon in northern Taiwan causes waves to crash against the surface of the rock troughs, slowly nurturing green, hair-like seaweed. As the seaweed dies, its remains harden into a thin layer of limestone, upon which new algae continue to grow. This cyclical life process creates the magnificent "Green Rock Trough" algal reef landscape with its fine, delicate veins.

The best time to appreciate the "Laomei Green Reef" is during the low tide period in spring, from about March to May each year. It is recommended to arrive before 4:30 pm on a sunny day so that the golden afterglow can slowly fall on the Green Stone Trough and the sea, making the coast seem to be covered with a soft and charming golden veil.

In the late evening of March, at low tide, the Laomei Green Reef.

However, this beautiful green algae trough is facing a survival crisis and is very fragile due to the warm winters and human trampling in recent years. Therefore, when you come here, please be sure to "look but don't touch," and never step on the algae to allow the precious green algae to survive sustainably. Also, the waves crashing against the algae trough make it very slippery, and it's easy to slip and get injured. It's recommended to keep your distance and enjoy the view from the beach.

The "Laomei Green Reef" in Shimen resembles a matcha carpet, with volcanic rocks tinged with the fresh green of spring. The North Coast

Laomei Green Reef

Address: Laomei Community, Laomei Village, Shimen District, New Taipei City

Phone: +886 2 2638 1721

Transportation: Take bus route 862 to Laomei Station, then walk for about 5 minutes.

Website: https://www.northguan-nsa.gov.tw/user/article.aspx?Lang=2&sno=04002497

Nearby attractions and food: Fragrant sea-view cream puffs and sticky meat dumplings

Besides the "Laomei Green Reef," Shimen District in New Taipei City has many other attractions worth visiting. For example, you can stroll along the beach and wade in the waves at Baisha Bay, or enjoy seafood at Fuji Fishing Port. When in Shimen, you absolutely cannot miss the local cuisine. Along the coastal highway, there are many famous rice dumpling shops; for instance, Liu Jiar Meat Dumplings in Shimen offers a variety of flavored dumplings, and their Four Gods Soup is a must-try.

The white archway opposite Liu Jiar Meat Dumplings is a well-known spot for wedding photos. The very famous "Liu Jiar Meat Dumplings". Liu Jiar Meat Dumplings near Laomei Green Reef is a well-known rest stop. On the second floor of Liu Jiar Meat Dumplings, you can enjoy meat dumplings and Four Gods Soup. Liu Jiar Meat Dumplings Liu Jiar Meat Dumplings Takeout Area.

Liu Jiar Meat Dumplings Original Store - Fuji Store

Address: No. 58-18, Kanzijiao Road, Shimen District, New Taipei City

Phone: +886-2-2638-0888

Opening Hours: 10:00-19:00( Weekdays) ， 09:00-20:30 （ Sat & Sun ）， Wednesday closed

Transportation: Take bus route 862 to Fuji Fishing Port (Shimen Wedding Plaza) stop, and walk for about 1 minute.

Website: liujiarice.com.tw

There's also "Mishiti " （米詩堤極北藍點） in Shimen, a cream puff shop with a sea view cafe where the cream puffs are bigger than an outstretched palm!

"Mishiti " （米詩堤極北藍點） in Shimen is both a cafe and a cream puff shop. "Mishiti " （米詩堤極北藍點） in Shimen. The unbeatable ocean view of Mishiti Cafe. The famous "Mishiti" cream puffs come in flavours such as fresh milk, chocolate, taro, sweet potato, and sesame, and are generously filled.

Their signature flavour is golden cream puffs made from sweet potatoes, a specialty of Jinshan. They often sell out within a few hours of being baked in the afternoon, which is quite impressive.

The famous "Mishiti" cream puffs were only available in two flavours within two hours of being baked, and many Hong Kong tourists were seen taking several boxes home. These taro puffs are bigger than your palm, and the filling is incredibly generous.

Mishiti （米詩堤極北藍點）

Address: No. 1-101, Bajia Section, Touwei Sub-section, Shimen District, New Taipei City

Phone: +886-2-2456-0885

Opening Hours: 10:30-19:00 （ Sunday to Thursday ）、 10:30-20:00 （ Friday and Saturday ）

Transportation: Take bus route 862 to Demao Station, then walk for about 2 minutes.

Website: misty-cake.com.tw

Jinshan Old Street and Hot Springs: Slow down and enjoy a leisurely time

The streets of Jinshan are lined with restaurants after nightfall.

Jinbaoli Old Street in Jinshan.

If time permits, consider extending your trip to the neighboring Jinshan District. In the city center of Jinshan District, there is a bustling commercial street that has been crowded with people since the Qing Dynasty. It is now called "Jinbaoli Old Street", and some historical buildings are still preserved in the narrow alleys.

Cherry blossoms and plum blossoms can also be seen blooming along the streets of Jinshan in spring.

The most famous dish on the old street is "Jinshan Duck Meat" （金包里鴨肉） at the entrance of Guang'an Temple. It is known for its unique smoking and stir-frying method and tender taste, making it a popular destination for many tourists.

The most famous duck meat in Jinshan Old Street is full of smoky flavor and paired with a unique sauce, making it irresistible to eat one bite after another. Jinshan Duck Meat 's chicken rolls are made by wrapping meat filling in bean curd sheets and deep-frying them. Dried bamboo shoots and fried noodles are also must-order items.

Jinshan Duck Meat （金包里鴨肉）

Address: No. 104, Jinbaoli Street, Jinshan District, New Taipei City (at the entrance of Guang'an Temple)

Phone: +886-2-2498-1656

Opening Hours: 10:00-18:00

Transportation: Take bus route 862 to Jinshan District Office stop, then walk for about 2 minutes.

Jinshan District is also a famous hot spring resort in Taiwan. Like Laomei Green Reef, it is a gift of volcanic terrain. Moreover, the hot springs in Jinshan have diverse qualities, and some of them are even rare submarine hot springs, which are quite different from the hot springs in Yangmingshan, which are mainly sulfur springs with a strong sulfur smell.

Those who enjoy hot springs can choose to relax for a few hours at a hot spring hotel in Jinshan, or even spend the night to completely unwind. Jinshan District and the neighboring Wanli District offer numerous hot spring hotels and guesthouses, allowing you to choose according to your budget and preferences.

The "Wanjinshi Marathon," held annually in March, is a 42-kilometer race along the coastal highway from Shimen through Jinshan to Wanli, and is a target event for many long-distance runners.

Suggested bus itinerary for a one-day trip along the North Coast

Taiwan's northern coast, generally referring to the Shimen, Jinshan, and Wanli districts of New Taipei City, boasts a rich variety of natural landscapes and cultural attractions along the winding coastline of the Northern Coastal Highway (also known as the Danjin Highway).

The North Coast is about an hour away from Taipei City. It's usually accessible via mountain roads from Tamsui, or via the highway and coastal road from Taipei's East District. Visitors can plan a day trip, or, if time allows, a two-day, one-night journey to fully explore the North Coast's charm.

※ Morning: Take the MRT to Tamsui and stroll through Tamsui Old Street.

※ Afternoon: From Tamsui MRT Station, take one of the following buses to various attractions in Shihmen, or directly to "Laomei Green Reef": Bus 862 (towards Keelung) or Bus 863 (towards Jinshan). The journey takes approximately 40 to 50 minutes. Get off at "Laomei" Station and walk 170 meters (about 5-10 minutes) to Laomei Green Reef. It is recommended to arrive around 4 PM.

※ Evening head to Jinshan: After enjoying the Laomei Green Stone Trough, continue by taking bus route 862 or 863 from "Laomei Station" to "Jinshan District Office" station. The bus journey takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Upon arrival in Jinshan, a 5-minute walk will take you to the famous Jinshan Duck Meat Restaurant for a delicious dinner.

※ Returning from Jinshan to Taipei City: Take the Kuo-Kuang bus "1815" from the "Jinshan District Office" station to the "Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT Station" in Taipei City, and then take the MRT back to the hotel; Bus route 953 can also be taken from Jinshan District Office back to Taipei City, with a journey time of about 1 to 1.5 hours.

Attractions around Shimen Laomei Community.

Young people are painting murals on the walls of the Shimen Laomei community.

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