Pingxi Line by Train: Ruifang Transfer, Houtong and Shifen in Order

Local train from Taipei Station to Ruifang Unreserved local trains (區間車) let you just tap in with a transit card such as EasyCard (悠遊卡). Under Taiwan Railway's rules, transit cards also work on branch lines including the Pingxi Line.

Board the train marked 菁桐 Some Pingxi Line trains start at Ruifang, others start at Badu (八堵) or Badouzi (八斗子) and pass through Ruifang. Whatever the origin, if the destination reads Jingtong (菁桐), it's your train.

Stop at Houtong first Houtong is about 6 minutes from Ruifang, and local trains from Taipei stop there too. According to New Taipei's tourism site, the cat village (猴硐貓村) is right beside the station, so visiting it first and catching the next Pingxi train to Shifen keeps the route tidy.

Shifen, then Pingxi and Jingtong Shifen is the biggest station on the line, known for trains running through its old street and for sky lanterns (天燈). Then see the Pingxi and Jingtong old streets and take a train back toward Ruifang from Jingtong — no doubling back.

The day pass costs NT$120 According to Taiwan Railway, the Pingxi/Shen'ao Line One-Day Pass (平溪線/深澳雙支線一日週遊券) is NT$120 for adults and NT$60 concession. It gives unlimited rides that day between Badouzi, Ruifang and Jingtong (as of October 2026).

Four rides are cheaper as singles Ruifang → Houtong → Shifen → Jingtong → Ruifang is four rides totaling NT$110 (22+22+22+44), less than the pass. Add one more stop at Pingxi to make five rides and it comes to NT$132, so the pass wins.

Taipei–Ruifang is extra The pass only covers Badouzi–Ruifang–Jingtong, so you pay separately from Taipei to Ruifang. It's sold at stations including Taipei, Banqiao, Songshan, Ruifang, Houtong, Shifen, Pingxi and Jingtong, is valid only on the day of purchase and can't be refunded.

A transit card is fine too If you only plan three or four stops, just tap an EasyCard. If you have a Taipei Fun Pass, it includes one Pingxi Line round trip — see the Fun Pass post below to do the math.

Heavy rain can stop the line Heavy rain in late October 2025 washed out part of the track bed, and the full line only reopened on 31 January 2026. Services are also suspended during typhoons, so check Taiwan Railway's service status page (路線運行狀態) before you set out.

Last trains leave around 8–9 pm On the Saturday 31 October 2026 timetable, the last trains toward Ruifang leave Jingtong at 20:30 and Shifen at 20:57. Times can vary by day, and Taiwan Railway suggests rechecking the timetable about a week before travel.

Don't cross the tracks in Shifen New Taipei's tourism site asks visitors to follow the warning signs on Shifen Old Street and not to cross the tracks casually. Step to the side when a train comes through the street.

Don't feed the Houtong cats New Taipei's animal protection office says volunteers feed the Houtong cats at set times every day, so don't bring food, chase them or pick them up. Old-street shops close on different days — check the current opening hours on Google Maps before you go.