Shulin
Introduction
Shulin District is an inner-city district in southwestern New Taipei City, Taiwan. If you are exploring this part of the city, you will find yourself in a district that sits within the urban fabric of New Taipei rather than on its outskirts.
Before you go
Before you go, it helps to picture Shulin's shape: a narrow strip of land in the southwest corner of New Taipei City, tucked between Taliaokeng Creek and Dahan Creek, running north to south with gentle slopes that roll eastward from higher ground to the west. The city borders Xinzhuang, Banqiao, Tucheng, Sanxia, and Yingge, so it sits within easy reach of several neighbouring districts if you plan to combine areas in one trip. Because the terrain rises in the west and eases downward to the east, expect some variation in elevation as you move around, and plan your days with that gentle gradient in mind rather than assuming flat, uniform ground.Getting there
Shulin is served by three Taiwan Railways stations. Shulin railway station on Zhanqian Street is the main station for the district, and it is also the origin point for most eastbound trains toward Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung — making it a practical starting point if your journey continues down the east coast. The other two stations are smaller. Shanjia station on Section 3 of Zhongshan Road and South Shulin station, also on Section 3 of Zhongshan Road, are both served only by local trains; South Shulin was converted from a depot. Plan on the main station if you need faster or long-distance services.Getting around
Shulin is a rail-oriented district, and the train is the backbone of both getting in and getting around. There are three TRA stations, and which one you use matters: Shulin railway station is the main station and the origin point for most eastbound trains to Yilan, Hualien and Taitung, while Shanjia station and South Shulin station are served only by local trains. If you need a faster or longer-distance service, head for Shulin main station; if you're staying near Shanjia or South Shulin, expect slower, more frequent-stop journeys. The Wanda–Zhonghe–Shulin metro line also links the district with neighbouring areas, so you can approach Shulin by metro and transfer between modes.
- Use local buses for short hops the rail network doesn't cover directly, treating the stations as your main interchange points.
- Taxis and ride-hailing apps are straightforward for door-to-door trips, especially late at night or with luggage.
- The three stations are spread along the district rather than clustered, so walking suits local errands around your base station, not crossing the whole district.
- Buy your ticket at your departure station; check whether your train stops at Shanjia or South Shulin before boarding, since both are local-train-only.
- If your trip continues to the east coast, start from Shulin main station rather than one of the smaller stops.
Where to stay
Lodging in this city is limited, and the source material offers no detail on specific hotels, hostels or neighbourhoods to base yourself in. Plan your stay around the places you intend to visit rather than expecting a defined accommodation district.
Food & drink
The source material for Shulin does not include any food or drink listings, so there is nothing to describe here.What to see and do
For a sense of Shulin's spiritual life, start with Haiming Chan Monastery on Haiming Street, a large and richly decorated Buddhist monastery. The town's temples and churches are scattered across its neighbourhoods: Sacred Heart Church on Section 1 of Zhongshan Road, Ji An Temple, Nanliao Fude Temple on Bao'an Street, and Zhen An Temple on Taiping Road. Outdoors, head to Antler Creek Constructed Wetland on Section 5 of Huanhan Road, a large riverside park with walking trails and other amenities. The Shulin Aboriginal Tribal Theme Park is another place to explore, and if you feel like playing rather than strolling, the Lujiaoxi Softball Field sits at the same Huanhan Road address as the wetland.Three days in Shulin
Day one: Base yourself in Shulin District, a corner of New Taipei City that works well as a starting point for the surrounding area. Zhanqian Street sits by the station and is the natural first stop, with the Taiwan Railways network linking Shulin to Xinzhuang, Banqiao, Tucheng, Sanxia and Yingge, and onward to Yilan, Hualien and Taitung. If you arrive by TRA, taxis are easy to find for the last stretch to your lodging.
Day two: Follow the water. Taliaokeng Creek and Dahan Creek shape the district, and a walk along either gives you a feel for how Shulin sits between the rivers and the hills. Shanjia Section and Zhongshan Road are useful reference points as you move around, and South Shulin is worth adding to the same day. Before you set out, plan your route, because the district spreads out and the walks between places are longer than they look.
Day three: Turn to the temples and churches. Haiming Chan Monastery on Haiming Street is a Buddhist site, and Ji An Temple and Sacred Heart Church round out the picture of religious life in the area. The Wanda and Zhonghe lines are options if you want to connect Shulin with the rest of New Taipei before you leave. Use the remaining time to buy a few things on Zhanqian Street, then head back to the station.