Stand on the platform at Xizhi Station and the Keelung River is right there, bending between the hills that separate Taipei from Keelung. This is the point where the tide from the sea stops and turns back, which is exactly what the district's old name, "water returning site," describes.
Xizhi suits travellers who are already in Taipei or Keelung and want a half-day or full day out of the city without going far: walkers, temple visitors, and anyone interested in the older river-port layer of northern Taiwan that the electronics campuses now sit beside. This guide covers the sights and activities the sources describe, ordered so you can start with the strongest and work down.
Top things to do in Xizhi
1. Wuzhi Mountain Military Cemetery
Wuzhi Mountain Military Cemetery sits at roughly 700m above sea level and is the largest military cemetery in Taiwan. It is the district's most substantial site, and the altitude alone makes it a different outing from anything down in the river valley.
Come for the scale and the setting rather than a quick stop, and treat it as a half-day trip rather than something to squeeze between two other sights.
2. Gongbei Temple
Gongbei Temple is at No. 88, Section 3, Xiwan Road, and is one of the district's two named tourist attractions alongside the cemetery. It is a temple visit rather than a monument, so allow time to walk the grounds.
It pairs naturally with the other Xiwan Road side of the district; if you are relying on public transport, check your route before setting out, as this is not in the station-centred part of town.
3. Jide Temple
Jide Temple is at No. 239, Zhongzheng Road, which puts it in the older, denser part of Xizhi rather than out in the hills. It is one of several temples the sources list for the district.
Because it sits on Zhongzheng Road, combine it with a walk through the surrounding streets rather than making a special journey for it alone.
4. Zhongshun Temple
Zhongshun Temple is at No. 10, Gongyuan Road, and is open from 05:00 to 21:00. The long opening hours make it the most flexible temple stop in the district if you are fitting sightseeing around a train timetable.
It is on Gongyuan Road, the same road as Xizhi Park, so the two are an obvious pairing.
5. Jingxiu Temple
Jingxiu Temple is at No. 155, Xiufeng Road. It is a quieter temple stop than the ones in the town centre, and it shares its road with the Cihang Memorial.
Walk Xiufeng Road once and take in both, rather than making two separate trips.
6. Cihang Memorial
Cihang Memorial is at No. 247, Xiufeng Road. It is listed among the district's history and culture sights, and its position on Xiufeng Road makes it a natural companion to Jingxiu Temple.
Set aside a morning or afternoon for the Xiufeng Road pair together, since neither is in the immediate station area.
7. Su Residence
Su Residence is at No. 549, Section 2, Datong Road. It is one of the few named historic buildings in the district, and it gives you a sense of the built fabric that predates the electronics era.
It is on Datong Road, so it fits into a walk along that road rather than a dedicated trip.
8. South Tunnel
South Tunnel is listed among Xizhi's history and culture sights. It belongs to the district's transport history, which runs through the old highway and railway corridor between Taipei and Keelung.
Treat it as a short stop while you are already moving through the district rather than a destination in itself.
9. Xizhi Park
Xizhi Park is on Gongyuan Road. It is the straightforward green space in the district, useful when you want to break up a day of temples and streets.
Pair it with Zhongshun Temple on the same road, and use it as a rest point between stops.
10. Mount Dajian
Mount Dajian is one of the district's named nature sights. It is a hill outing rather than a stroll, so it belongs in a day when you have the time and the weather for it.
Build the rest of your day around it rather than after it, and keep an eye on conditions before committing.
11. Qiedong Waterfall
Qiedong Waterfall is listed among Xizhi's parks and nature sights. It is a waterfall visit, so expect a walk in rather than a roadside stop.
Combine it with the other nature sights only if you have a full day and your own transport, since the district's green sights are spread out.
12. Baipao Lake
Baipao Lake is one of the district's named nature sights. Like the waterfall and the mountain, it sits away from the station-centred part of Xizhi.
Plan it as part of a nature-focused day rather than tagging it onto a temple walk.
13. Xizhi Civil Sports Center
Xizhi Civil Sports Center is at No. 321, Xike Road, and is open from 06:00 to 22:00. It is the practical option on a wet day, when the hills and the waterfall are not appealing.
It is on Xike Road, which also has a train station of the same name, so it is easy to reach without a car.
14. Xizhi Swimming Pool
Xizhi Swimming Pool is at No. 9, Zhongxiao East Road, and is open from 06:00 to 22:00. It is a straightforward way to spend an hour or two, particularly in the heat.
Its long hours mean you can slot it in early or late around the rest of your day.
15. Farglory U-Town
Farglory U-Town is a multi-function commerce centre completed at the end of 2014, in one of the most central and convenient parts of the district. It holds a public food court on B1, international designer department stores across 1F to 3F, and a fitness centre on 4F, with a spa, swimming pool, business meeting rooms and offices on the remaining floors. Around it are hypermarkets including Carrefour and Costco, and electronics retailers.
Use it as your meal stop and your rain plan. The food court on B1 makes it the easiest place in the district to eat without planning ahead.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Zhongshun Temple on Gongyuan Road when it opens at 05:00, then walk through Xizhi Park on the same road. From there, head to Jide Temple on Zhongzheng Road and continue along Datong Road to see Su Residence.
Afternoon: Take the afternoon for the Xiufeng Road pair: Jingxiu Temple at No. 155 and Cihang Memorial at No. 247. If the weather is against you, swap this block for the Xizhi Civil Sports Center on Xike Road or the Xizhi Swimming Pool on Zhongxiao East Road, both open until 22:00.
Evening: Finish at Farglory U-Town, where the B1 food court handles dinner and the surrounding hypermarkets and shops give you something to browse before you head back to the station.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Xizhi?
Xizhi is a district in eastern New Taipei City in northern Taiwan, sitting between Taipei City and Keelung City in the Keelung River valley. Both north–south freeways and the West Coast Line railroad pass through it.
Why is it called Xizhi?
The old name, Tsui-tng-ka, means "water returning site," referring to the tide from the Keelung River stopping at Xizhi and going back to the sea. During Japanese rule the name was changed to Shiodome, meaning "end of tides," which is the source of the current name.
How do I get around Xizhi without a car?
Xizhi is served by three Taiwan Railway stations: Wudu Station, Xizhi Station and Xike Station. A Taipei Metro route and the MRT Keelung Line are planned for the district, but the railway is what you can use now.
What can I do in Xizhi on a rainy day?
The Xizhi Civil Sports Center on Xike Road and the Xizhi Swimming Pool on Zhongxiao East Road are both open from 06:00 to 22:00. Farglory U-Town, with its food court, department stores and fitness centre, is the other indoor option.
Check the train times for Xizhi Station, pick the sights that match your day, and you have enough to plan the trip.