Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Spring outing to San Zhi

 a single visit satisfies both mountain and sea scenery.

San Zhi District, New Taipei City

San Zhi is a mid‑point along Taiwan’s North Coast, boasting a sapphire shoreline, lush rolling mountains, and pastoral scenery. It invites residents and visitors alike to unwind on holidays, immersing themselves in the district’s unique people, places, and culture.


Flamingo Footbridge

Built in 1998 (Republic of China year 87), the Flamingo Footbridge links the Flamingo Community with Qianshui Bay Seaside Park, providing pedestrians with a convenient crossing. From the bridge one can gaze out over the sea, watching the sunset paint the horizon in ever‑changing hues—hence the name “Flamingo Seawatch Bridge.”

Because the bridge is exposed to salty sea air and wind erosion, its paint has begun to flake. The San Zhi Office collaborated with local artist Yang Shusen to redesign the façade using “geometric patterns.” He incorporated gentle oval waves and sunshine‑like ripples, bright colors, and clean lines to evoke the sparkling light between mountain and sea. The result is a vibrant, dynamic art space that now presents a fresh, eye‑catching appearance.

Qianshui Bay Maritime View Platform

Located in Qianshui Bay’s “Zhilan Park,” the Maritime View Platform is one of the most photographed spots in recent years. Its primary color is a new “Turkish Blue.” The platform’s long, wavy walkway and irregular paving stones guide visitors along a 57‑meter water‑blue corridor, giving the sensation of stepping onto broken waves and walking straight into the sea. It has earned the nickname “North Coast’s most beautiful runway.

At the end of the walkway stands an installation art piece called “One Heart” (conveyed through a ring motif). Its smooth, interlocking lines resemble a ring, symbolizing steadfastness. Under the setting sun, the sculpture glows beautifully. From the platform you can look out at the endless blue ocean while hearing the soothing sound of waves, delivering a profound sense of happiness.

Feng‑Zhi‑Men Cycling Path

The Feng‑Zhi‑Men cycle path is one of Taiwan’s most beautiful bike routes, spanning roughly 4.5 km as part of the Twin Bay Cycle Path. The name is a pun: “Feng” (風) sounds like “crazy” (瘋), and “Zhi‑Men” refers to the starting point at San Zhi’s Dayliao and the ending point at Shimen’s Baisha Bay. Along the way, riders can enjoy North Coast beaches, wind‑shaped stones, intertidal zones, and coastal plant ecology. In the middle, the Lin‑Shan‑Nai recreation area—at the junction of San Zhi and Shimen—boasts spectacular algae reefs and natural geology; it even served as a filming location for the movie The Secret (不能說的秘密). Riding the path, the wooden boardwalks and country lanes, combined with the sea‑sky vista, make it hard to leave.

Sansheng Trail

Situated between Xin‑Zhuang and Heng‑Shan villages, the Sansheng Trail was built after the restoration of Dakeng Creek. Its concept focuses on “production,” “life,” and “ecology,” hence the name. The two‑kilometer trail is lined with over 300 trees of Showa cherry and Yoshino cherry. From February to March, a pink sea of blossoms blankets the surrounding fields, creating a romantic landscape.

Sansheng Trail also hosts the San Zhi cherry‑blossom season events. Every year, the San Zhi Office organizes a series of cherry‑viewing activities along the creek, inviting visitors to pause and enjoy the falling blossoms, listen to the creek’s babble, and gaze upon the sweeping Heng‑Shan rice terraces. Adjacent to the trail, the San‑He Community Market and a Hakka farmer’s market sell local agricultural products and traditional Hakka cuisine. Nearby young farmers plant crops such as white radish during the event; visitors can harvest these together, sharing the joy of a bountiful season.

Gǔ‑Zhuāng‑Li Lotus “Lotus‑Ling”

The “Mountain‑Pig‑Hole Lotus Field” is located near Ma‑Kai Medical College in Gǔ‑Zhuāng‑Li, San Zhi District, covering about 0.4 ha. It is free to the public. The field cultivates the Thai “Peony‑Lotus” variety, whose flowers are notable for their many overlapping petals. To promote San Zhi’s beautiful lotus scenery, a platform was built beside the pond. The design features a frog on a lotus leaf; the lotus girl, wearing a chibi‑style frog hat, sits on an oversized leaf, making it a popular photo‑stop.

“Lotus‑Ling” also carries auspicious meanings of “good luck” and “happiness.” Visitors are invited to experience the grace of San Zhi’s lotus and to pray for continuous good fortune. The lotus field’s blooming season lasts until July, and lotus flowers will also gradually appear along the nearby Bǎi‑Lián Creek Trail. During pleasant weather, guests are welcome to enjoy the lotus field, the distant Mt. Dà‑tún view, and the summer agrarian atmosphere of San Zhi.



Why San Zhi Is a Must‑Visit During Holidays

During the holidays, don’t miss San Zhi. The San Zhi Office warmly invites you to admire the majestic mountain views below Mt. Dà‑tún and the vibrant North‑Coast sea, experience local art and culture, get close to the rural landscape, and enjoy the delightful times near Taipei.


San Zhi

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