North Coast Taiwan Road Trip: Yehliu, Jinshan, Laomei Green Reef, Fuguijiao & Baishawan by Car from Taipei or Keelung

North Coast Taiwan Road Trip: Yehliu, Jinshan, Laomei Green Reef, Fuguijiao & Baishawan by Car from Taipei or Keelung

Taiwan's North Coast is the classic day trip by car from Taipei. Start at Yehliu Geopark (野柳地質公園) in Wanli to see the famous Queen's Head rock, have lunch at Jinshan Old Street (金山老街) and maybe soak in a hot spring, then follow Provincial Highway 2 west to the Laomei Green Reef (老梅綠石槽) in Shimen, Fuguijiao Lighthouse (富貴角燈塔) at the northernmost tip of Taiwan's main island, and finish with sunset at Baishawan Beach (白沙灣) before heading back via Tamsui. The sights are spread along about 40 km of coastal road. There are buses, including the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 716 (Crown North Coast Line), but you wait again at every stop. With your own car you stop wherever you like — which is exactly why this coast is made for a road trip.

This guide covers only the North Coast (Wanli, Jinshan, Shimen and Sanzhi): drive times from pickup points in Taipei, Songshan and Keelung (Google Maps), Yehliu's official opening hours, when the Laomei reef turns green and how tides matter, parking and monsoon tips, plus three day plans. For other routes around Taipei see Taipei Self-Drive: 5 Routes; for Jiufen and Jinguashi see the Jiufen & Jinguashi Self-Drive Guide.

Mushroom rocks at Yehliu Geopark (Unsplash, for illustration)

Where to pick up: Keelung is closest, Taipei Main Station and Songshan are most convenient

The North Coast lies north of Taipei and west of Keelung, so every pickup point works. Staying in Taipei? Pick up at Taipei Main Station or Songshan Store and take National Freeway 1 or 3 to the Jijin Interchange, then Highway 2. Already in Keelung, or want Yehliu as your first stop? Keelung Railway Station is just over 20 minutes away. Coming back via Tamsui, you can also return the car at Banqiao Station (returning to a different location is a one-way rental; the fee is shown in the online quote).

Drive times are Google Maps estimates (weekday 09:00 and weekend 08:00/17:00 departures); actual times depend on traffic. More on each location: Taipei Car Rental: 5 Pickup Points and Keelung Car Rental.

Drive-time table: following Highway 2 from east to west

Almost every North Coast sight sits on Provincial Highway 2 (the Northern Coastal Highway). The easiest plan is to drive west from Wanli to Sanzhi, or do it in reverse.

Google Maps estimates for a Wednesday 09:00 and Saturday 08:00 or 17:00 departure, covering the alternative routes shown. Weekend traffic back into Taipei via Tamsui and Guandu is the slowest part of the day, so allow extra time.

Yehliu Geopark: the Queen's Head, mushroom rocks and tofu rocks

Yehliu is a narrow cape about 1,700 m long. Waves and the northeast monsoon have carved it into mushroom rocks, grid-like tofu rocks and pitted honeycomb rocks. The star is the Queen's Head, joined by the Fairy's Shoe, the Princess and many more. Allow about 1.5–2 hours for Areas 1 and 2, and more if you want to walk to the tip of the cape in Area 3; parts of Area 3 are a conservation zone with guided activities announced on the official website.

The Queen's Head at Yehliu (Unsplash, for illustration)

• Opening hours: the official website lists 08:00–17:00 year-round (last entry 17:00) and 08:00–18:00 in summer. Tickets are sold on site and online; check the website for prices. The park can close for typhoons, heavy rain or drills, so check the latest news before you go.
• Parking: there is a paid car park, and the official website shows how many spaces are left. It fills up around midday at weekends, so arrive early. General tips: Parking in Taiwan.
• Getting there by car: the park suggests three routes — Freeway 1 (Badu exit) or Freeway 3 (Jijin exit) then Highway 2 towards Jinshan; Taipei to Tamsui then Highway 2; or Yangde Boulevard and the Yangjin Highway to Jinshan, then on to Yehliu.
• On the rocks: stay behind the red lines, don't climb or touch the formations, and keep away from the edge when the waves are high.

Looking out to sea from Yehliu (Unsplash, for illustration)

The fishing harbours of Yehliu and Guihou next to the park are lined with seafood restaurants. If you plan to explore Keelung too, see Keelung Attractions.

Jinshan: lunch on the old street and an optional hot-spring soak

Jinshan is 12–18 minutes west of Yehliu. Jinshan Old Street (also called Jinbaoli Old Street) is the liveliest stop on the coast, with street snacks, a temple and souvenir shops — an easy lunch stop. The lanes around it are narrow, so park in one of the surrounding car parks and walk in.

Jinshan and Wanli are also well-known hot-spring areas, so you can make Jinshan your midday or late-afternoon break. Pickup points and drive times for hot springs across Taiwan are in the Taiwan Hot Spring Road Trip Map. Rest and drink some water after soaking before you drive again.

From Jinshan there are two ways back to Taipei: Highway 2 to the Jijin Interchange and Freeway 1, or over Yangmingshan on the Yangjin Highway (Highway 2A). The Yangjin Highway is a winding mountain road that gets busy at weekends; in spring you can combine it with the Yangmingshan flower season — see the Yangmingshan National Park Self-Drive Guide.

Shimen to Sanzhi: Laomei Green Reef, Fuguijiao Lighthouse, Shimen Cave and Baishawan

Past Jinshan, Highway 2 enters Shimen District and the coastline gets more dramatic. Lava from the Datun volcanoes flowed into the sea here and formed two capes, Linshanbi and Fuguijiao, where the monsoon winds have polished the rocks into sharp-edged ventifacts.

Laomei Green Reef: a coastline that turns green only in spring

Laomei Green Reef (Unsplash, for illustration)

At Laomei, waves have cut long channels into volcanic reef rock. In spring the channels are covered in seaweed and the whole shoreline turns green. According to the Shimen District Office, it looks best from about mid-March to early May, especially around the Qingming holiday in early April. The North Coast Scenic Area Administration notes that the green cover lasts only a few weeks; at other times of year you will see dark rock.

• Check the tide: the Administration recommends checking the Shimen tide table and arriving within 1–2 hours of low tide, when the most channels are exposed. Its website also has a live camera of the reef.
• Don't walk on the reef: the seaweed is extremely slippery and stepping on it damages it. Take photos from the beach or the path.
• Parking: spring weekends are busy; park only where markings allow and keep village lanes clear.

Spring is flower season too — see the Taiwan Flower Season Calendar by Car.

Fuguijiao Lighthouse: the northern tip of Taiwan's main island

Fuguijiao Lighthouse (Unsplash, for illustration)

Seven or eight minutes from Laomei is Fuguijiao Lighthouse, a century-old octagonal tower painted in black and white stripes — the North Coast's most recognisable landmark. The surrounding Fuguijiao Park combines ventifacts, sand dunes and reef shoreline, with trees bent sideways by the wind. A short loop path takes you to the northernmost views of the main island. It is very windy here, so hold on to hats and be careful with drones.

Shimen Cave, Linshanbi and Baishawan: all the way to sunset

• Shimen Cave (石門洞): a sea arch right beside Highway 2 between Jinshan and Laomei, carved through the rock by waves, with a path, pavilion and viewing deck. 15–30 minutes is plenty.
• Linshanbi (麟山鼻): a cape next to Baishawan with a trail past ventifacts and the remains of a shihu, a traditional stone fish trap built by early fishermen.
• Baishawan Beach: 8–10 minutes from Fuguijiao, the North Coast's best-known sandy beach and a great place for sunset. In summer, follow on-site notices and lifeguard hours, and change out of wet clothes before getting back in the car.

Keep going west and you reach Sanzhi and Tamsui — for dinner and sunset at Fisherman's Wharf, see the Tamsui Car Rental Guide.

3 day plans

Plan A: the classic loop from Taipei (about 100–120 km)

1. 09:00 Pick up at Taipei Main Station → Freeway 1 (about 40–70 min)
2. 10:00 Yehliu Geopark (about 2 hours)
3. 12:15 Lunch at Jinshan Old Street (12–18 min drive)
4. 14:00 Photo stop at Shimen Cave → Laomei (green reef in spring — check the tide)
5. 15:15 Fuguijiao Lighthouse and park trail (about 1 hour)
6. 16:30 Linshanbi and sunset at Baishawan
7. 18:00 Return to Taipei Main Station via Tamsui (about 50–120 min on weekend evenings)

Weekend traffic back to Taipei is heavy, so consider having dinner in Tamsui first. Taipei Main Station takes online bookings until 21:00; if you'll be later, call the store first to arrange the return.

Plan B: start in Keelung and make Yehliu your first stop

1. 08:30 Pick up at Keelung Railway Station → Highway 2 (about 24–45 min)
2. 09:15 Yehliu Geopark → 11:30 Jinshan Old Street
3. 13:30 Laomei → Fuguijiao Lighthouse → Baishawan
4. Back either way: return to Keelung Railway Station, or head towards Tamsui and return at Banqiao Station or Taipei Main Station (one-way rental; the fee is shown in the online quote — see One-Way Car Rental: 10 Routes)

Plan C: half day — Yehliu plus a Jinshan hot spring

Short on time or travelling with kids or older relatives? Do just Yehliu in the morning, lunch on Jinshan Old Street and a hot-spring soak in the afternoon, then drive back to Taipei via Freeway 1 or the Yangjin Highway — about 80–90 km in total depending on your route. On windy monsoon days this is the most comfortable option.

Driving tips: monsoon winds, parking, refuelling and traffic

• Northeast monsoon: from autumn to spring the coast is windy and often wet, and it feels much colder than Taipei. Bring a jacket and rain gear, stay away from the rock edge when waves are high, and check the Scenic Area Administration's notices after typhoons or heavy rain.
• Highway 2: there are many junctions, bends and speed cameras, so stick to the limit. Only stop for photos where there is a shoulder or a car park, never on a bend. Taiwan drives on the right — see Taiwan Driving Rules for Foreign Drivers.
• Parking: Yehliu, Baishawan and Fuguijiao all have car parks; around Jinshan Old Street, park on the edge and walk in.
• Fuel: there are fewer filling stations along the coast than in the city. When the tank is around half, fill up in Wanli, Jinshan or Tamsui at a staffed station — ask the attendant to fill the car and pay with the Goodcars fuel card (self-service pumps may not accept it).
• Traffic home: on weekend afternoons, Tamsui–Guandu into Taipei and Jinshan towards the Jijin Interchange both get congested. Allow an extra 30–60 minutes.
• Breakdown or accident: contact your pickup store first (the number is in your booking confirmation).
• Which car: 2–4 people fit a 5-seater (on the Goodcars website: New Vios, New Yaris, Yaris Cross, New Colt Plus); families can choose a 7- or 9-seater (Wish, M7 Turbo ECO Hyper, Staria, Starex, Touran). Available models vary by location — see the booking page.

What it costs: rental + mileage fee + fuel card

• Rental: depends on model, date and pickup point. Economy cars start from NT$1,199 on weekdays and NT$1,399 on weekends; actual prices vary by location and date, so check the online quote. The more days you rent, the lower the daily average.
• Mileage fee: charged on the kilometres you actually drive, with no distance limit. A North Coast loop from Taipei is roughly 100–120 km, and about the same from Keelung and back (depending on your route).
• Fuel card: every car comes with a Goodcars fuel card and fuel is already included in the mileage fee, so you don't pay for fuel and you don't need to refill before returning the car. If you forget the card and pay yourself, keep the receipt and it is fully credited against your mileage fee.
• ETC tolls: every car has an eTag; freeway tolls are settled when you return the car, and the store can give you a breakdown on request.
• GO Worry-Free Protection Plan: an optional add-on at booking that lowers the amount you pay if the car is damaged; see the website for details.

How the mileage fee works: Mileage Fee and Mileage Charges Explained.

FAQ

Q1. Can I drive in Taiwan on my own licence?

If your country has a reciprocal agreement with Taiwan, bring a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) together with your original home licence and passport; you can drive for up to 30 days after entry, and beyond 30 days you need a visa endorsement for your IDP from a motor vehicle office. Japanese visitors instead need a Japanese licence plus an official Chinese translation (a Japan-issued IDP isn't accepted in Taiwan). Holders of a valid Hong Kong or Macau licence can rent with Goodcars; for Hong Kong visitors an IDP is recommended. Details: Taiwan IDP Guide.

Q2. When is the Laomei Green Reef at its greenest?

According to the Shimen District Office, from about mid-March to early May, at its best around early April. The green cover lasts only a few weeks each year. Check the tide table and arrive within 1–2 hours of low tide, or look at the Administration's live camera first.

Q3. How long do I need at Yehliu, and when does it open?

The official website lists 08:00–17:00 year-round and 08:00–18:00 in summer, with last entry at closing time. Most visitors spend 1.5–2 hours in Areas 1 and 2. Go first thing in the morning for fewer crowds and easier parking.

Q4. Is the North Coast worth it in autumn or winter?

Yes, if the weather cooperates. The northeast monsoon brings strong wind and frequent rain, but on clear days Yehliu and Fuguijiao look just as good. On rainy days switch to Plan C — Yehliu plus a hot spring in Jinshan.

Q5. How far ahead should I book? Can I rent at short notice?

Online bookings need to be completed 12–24 hours before pickup depending on the location. For last-minute rentals, call the store or message us on WhatsApp. International visitors need a credit card in the name of the person booking.

Q6. Do I have to pay for fuel or top up the tank at the end?

No. Goodcars cars come with a fuel card, fuel is included in the mileage fee, and you don't need to fill the tank before returning — you simply pay for the kilometres driven.

Q7. Can I pick up in Keelung and return in Taipei?

Yes. Returning to a different location is a one-way rental; the fee varies by location and is shown when you choose your pickup and return points in the online quote.