Don't Just Change Trains in Ruifang! Here's What You're Missing

A pre-arranged day in Ruifang, New Taipei, Taiwan takes us from a hot pepper bun to neighborhood lanes, market lunch and hillside temples. Local guides tell their own stories, with complete conversations left in. This visit was commissioned and arranged in advance. CHAPTERS Most travelers only stop in Ruifang to change trains, but there is an entire world of history waiting just outside the station. This trip was pre-arranged to take us beyond the typical transit experience. We start with a steaming hot pepper bun, catching a glimpse of the meticulous preparation that goes into these classic Taiwan street snacks. Exploring the Ruifang food scene is rewarding, though navigating the narrow, winding lanes can be a real puzzle. Finding the right address is part of the charm when you have a local guide showing you the way. The day moves from a market lunch to exploring hillside temples and a rebuilt mining arch that tells the story of the region. We even hear the local legend about a lion statue famously known for biting people. It is a look at the real side of New Taipei travel, featuring unscripted stories from the people who live here. Subscribe for weekly Taiwan travel guides, and let me know in the comments if you have ever successfully navigated these tricky local addresses. 00:00 Pepper buns in Ruifang 01:48 Dragon-leg snacks 02:40 Longxing lanes 04:27 Lunch at the market 05:33 Temple carvings 07:13 A rebuilt mining arch 08:16 The hillside path