Visiting Jinguashi (金瓜石) in Taipei

February 8, 2009

1 minute read

Jinguashi(金瓜石) is a town in Taipei County, Taiwan, notable for its historic gold and copper mines. It also knows as Kinkaseki in Japanese.

Although the minerals have since been depleted, the town still attracts many visitors to its Gold Ecological Park, which opened in October 2004. Jinguashi was named a potential World Heritage site in 2002.

To get there, you can take a train from Taipei Main Station (台北車站) to Rueifang Station (瑞芳). After alighting from the train, walk about 2 minutes to the main road directly in front of the station; cross the road; and board one of the bus heading towards Jinguashi. If you are carrying heavy luggages, you may want to deposit them at the train station for a small fee (Rachel and I found that extremely helpful).

Here are some photos taken during our trip last year.

Creepy miner uncle who greeted us at the entrance

Lets head to the mines! — Let’s head to the mines!

Holiday villa for the Japanese prince last time

Close-up of the villa - very nice hor? — Close-up of the villa – very nice hor?

Rachel wishes she owns a villa like this

yellow helmets for kids; white for adults

Can tell she dont really like the job — Can tell she don’t really like the job

A colleague whos scare of loud noises — A colleague who’s scare of loud noises

Our two lazy colleagues, Ah Beng and Ah Seng chao kenging

Our hardworking colleagues, Ah Huat and Ah Chye keeping themselves busy

Money very hard to earn... — Money very hard to earn…

Our colleague got caught stealing from the mine

Hobbits mining (kidding: they are figurines in the museum)

Rachel and I are typical Singaporeans - everything must touch! — Rachel and I are typical Singaporeans – everything must touch!

At the end of the day, despite the sweltering hot weather, Rachel and I quite enjoyed ourselves at Jinguashi. We learn a fair bit about the gold mine’s history and the crappy working conditions early gold miners have to endure. 🙂

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