Free tour in English - Hidden Hiking Trail near Downtown Taipei

Duration: 3h and 30min
Languages: English, Spanish
Guru: Shih-Heng
Registered on May 09, 2018

Hey there!:) I am Shih-Heng from Taipei...an enthusiastic road cyclist, an amateur violinist, a data analyst during the week, and of course, your English/Spanish/Chinese tour guide in Taipei! I started to work as a part-time tour guide outside of regular office hours (as a SQL/Python geek) since 2017, right after studying in Spain/Denmark/Slovenia for my master's degree and joining free walking tours myself in 20 European countries. Unlike most tour guides you meet in other touristy cities/countries, I am not making a living by offering these tours (don't get me wrong, I am still a licensed tour guide) - so why am I here anyway? Well, it is because I see walking tours as nice opportunities to share my knowledge about Taiwanese history/nature/culture with you, and get to know more about your own culture:D I have a great interest in languages, since I not only speak native Chinese (Mandarin) as well as Taiwanese but also English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and a bit of German and Catalan. I am also quite familiar with the cultures in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, so if you happen to be from these regions, I am pretty sure that you will understand the Taiwanese culture more easily from the stories I prepare for you on my tours. So far, I have shown 2,000+ international travelers from 30+ countries around Taipei City, and I look forward to seeing you as well! Are you a foodie, nature lover, or culture explorer? If so, I am exactly your ideal mate to accompany you in getting to know Taipei and Taiwan better! Book a tour with me or send me a private message to personalize your itinerary (especially if you are passionate about hiking, cycling, and food)!

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  • No minimum number of attendees
    No minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free

Tour description

🚩Who is recommended to book this tour?

  • Nature lovers who would like to go slow hiking and see panoramic views of the city
  • People who have traveled to Taiwan and are now eager to explore the less touristy places that are not well known among international travelers


Thinking of hiking in Taipei but don't want to exhaust yourself? Well, here is the best itinerary for you! 😎

Although normally associated with the image of a modern city, Taipei is surprisingly home to more than 100 hiking trails. On this tour I am going to take you to one of the steepest paths in the neighborhood called Neihu as well as the biggest temple here. In addition to enjoying the panoramic view of Taipei and getting closer to the amazing nature, being a citizen has been living in this neighborhood for more than 20 years, I will also share some historical and religious stories that only locals know here. At the end of our tour, you will have the opportunity to buy some local agricultural products. We are also going to try the typical Taiwanese tofu pudding (douhua)!

🌳This tour includes the following stops:

  • We take advantage of nature in the park along the Dagouxi River
  • Yuanjue Waterfall, perhaps the most accessible waterfall in Taipei
  • Yuanjue Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Neihu
  • Bishan Temple, a Taoist temple that is the largest temple in that neighborhood
  • Baishihu Suspension Bridge
  • Snack time at a tofu pudding shop
  • We will take the local bus to return to Neihu subway station


Insider Tips:

  • Although this is NOT a super challenging hike, for people rarely exercise or never do hiking, please reconsider your physical condition before making the reservation 
  • Wear suitable walking shoes; sneakers/trainers will be just fine!
  •  Bring your EasyCard or coins to take local bus, a single trip costs TW$15
  • While offering walking tours is just my hobby (and yes I am one of the few licensed Spanish tour guides in Taiwan), your tips will be highly appreciated!:) There is no fixed amount regarding how much the travelers should tip, but as helpful information, the minimum hourly rate according to the Taiwanese law is 6 USD/hour or TW$ 180/hour


🌊Besides:

  • If the weather is bad and it is not so safe to go hiking, I am going to recommend some tourist sites where you can explore on your own. For me, the safety of travelers is always above all things!:)

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Highlights

What will we visit on this tour?

  • Meeting point:
    Dahu Pk, Neihu District, Taipei City,...
    Dahu Pk, Neihu District, Taipei City, Taiwan 114
    View on map

    Outside exit 1 of Dahu Park Station (Brown Line) you can find me wearing camouflage hat and sign showing "GuruWalk"

  • 1
    Outside visit
    Dagouxi Waterfront Park
  • 2
    Outside visit
    Cataratas Yuanjue

    Perhaps the most accessible waterfall in Taipei City! This is where the locals in Neihu always come to appreciate the nature and learn about the geology of Taipei

  • 3
    Free admission
    Yuanjue Temple
  • 4
    Free admission
    Bishanyan Kaizhang Shengwang Temple

    This temple might not be as famous and busy as Longshan Temple in the city center, but this is exactly why we are exploring the spot. Being a gigantic temple sitting on a slope in Taipei's suburbs, it provides a breathtaking panoramic view just as the well-known Elephant Mountain does. Come visit, and you will be "wowed"!

  • 5
    Outside visit
    Baishihu Suspension Bridge
  • 6
    Free admission
    Mingguwu Bakery

    After the short walk, we will enjoy some local tea and snacks here to refresh ourselves a bit before heading back to the metro station.

  • 7
    Outside visit
    MRT Neihu Station

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

52 ratings
5.0
By category
Professionalism
4.98
Fun
4.98
Expression
4.98
Quality
5.0
Route
4.88
Generic
5 stars
52
4 stars
0
3 stars
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2 stars
0
1 star
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Ilias 28 Nov 2023
Las Vegas

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Nov 2023
Once in a lifetime tour. A must if you are visiting and be sure to pack light - small hike but well worth the walk. Learned a lot about culture and history.
cheng 26 Nov 2023
Singapore

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Nov 2023
Shih Heng is a great guide, he is effectively bilingual in Mandarin and English and knowledgeable about the area since he stays in the neighbourhood. He is able to adjust the pacing well, if you have done the walk up Bukit Timah hill in Singapore, you should be able to do this walk with no issue. There are some steps, maybe around 4-5 storeys high that are more challenging but overall do-able if you do not have major knee issues. The trail is well pave, might get a bit slippery if it rains, recommend shoes with a bit more anti slip soles or hiking boots. There are also pit stops along the way to rest and for water breaks. Overall enjoyable and a great way to enjoy Taipei, apart from the eating and shopping.
Nurul Farhana 12 Nov 2023
Singapore

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Nov 2023
I recently embarked on a hiking adventure that turned out to be unexpectedly fun and rewarding. The trail, though challenging, provided an exhilarating experience that I will cherish for a long time. One of the journey's highlights was the incredible support and encouragement provided by the trail guides. Their patience and motivation were crucial in keeping the group energized and determined to conquer the ascent. Despite the physical challenges, their positive attitude created an uplifting atmosphere that made the climb enjoyable. The trail was no walk in the park, offering a genuine test of endurance and skill. However, the sense of accomplishment upon reaching the summit was unparalleled. The view from the top was nothing short of breathtaking, with panoramic vistas that made every step of the climb worthwhile. The guides also shared fascinating knowledge about the local flora, fauna, and geological features, adding an educational element to the adventure. One unexpected but delightful aspect of the hike was meeting fellow travellers. The shared experience of conquering a challenging trail created a sense of camaraderie among the group. Exchanging stories and tips with other hikers enriched the journey, turning it into a social adventure. In conclusion, this hiking trail provided more than physical exertion; it offered a holistic experience that combined challenge, motivation, stunning views, historical insights, and the joy of connecting with fellow adventurers. I highly recommend this trail to anyone seeking a memorable and rewarding outdoor experience. A big thank you to the guides for making this adventure truly unforgettable!
joan 06 Nov 2023
New York

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Nov 2023
Beautiful hike, lots of interesting information, very nice guide. He paced it well for the diverse group, had extra water and snacks to keep us going, and we ended at a wonderful tea house. I never would have found this gorgeous trail on my own.
Barbara 15 Oct 2023
Sursee

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Oct 2023
Einfach Fantastisch Die Route sowie die Aussicht sind wirklich toll. Shih-Heng weiss so viel über die Geschichte Taiwans & spricht authentisch und ehrlich über die Religion/Kultur in Taiwan. Der Besuch im Tempel ist sehr lehrreich um kulturelle Details zu verstehen. Der letzte Stop im Tee-Haus ist sehr lecker 😋 Ich würde wieder gehen Ri
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Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Suitable for carrying pets.

What should you know?

Minimum of attendees
There is no minimum number of people required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Only cash payment is accepted.
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