Jinguashi

Jinguashi used to be a pretty deserted wilderness. It wasn't until 1888 that five farming families moved to Beiwei, put up five thatched huts, and settled down. That’s actually how the local place name "Wuhao Liao" (Hut No. 5) came to be! Then in 1893, someone spotted a gold outcrop at Dajingua, and people rushed in to join the gold hunt. When the Japanese took over mining operations in 1895, the population boomed again, turning Jinguashi into a bustling area. Nearby communities like Guashan and Shanjian’an popped up, gradually forming a full-fledged local community.

Jinguashi was once dubbed the "No. 1 Gold Capital in East Asia." But as the mining industry faded away, the area was mostly spared from heavy commercial development, which helped preserve its authentic, historic charm.

If you visit, you can go on your own mining treasure hunt! A great starting point for exploring the old ruins is the Visitor Center at the New Taipei City Gold Museum. You can grab maps and guides there, check out local history exhibits, old photos, and cool mineral samples, or even try out some hands-on mining activities.