Lee Sichuan Unveils Tourism Platform Featuring ‘Youth Mountain and Coastline 2.0’ and a Cable Car to Jiufen

A cable car from Ruifang railway station to the hillside town of Jiufen is one of the headline ideas in Lee Sichuan’s proposed tourism plan for New Taipei.

Lee, the Kuomintang candidate for New Taipei mayor, said on the first day of the month that he would launch “Youth Mountain and Coastline 2.0,” building on the existing program promoted by current Mayor Hou You-yi. The new version would connect the city’s mountains, coastline, rivers, urban areas and the distinct character of all 29 districts.

The proposed Jiufen cable car would link a station near Ruifang railway station with the mountain town. Lee also called for the possible restoration of old mining tunnels and mine-cart tracks in the Shuinandong-Jinguashi-Jiufen area, alongside the Thirteen-Level Remains and the Gold Museum, to promote deeper tourism in the mountain communities.

Other proposals include a dedicated cycling and pedestrian route from Shen’ao to Gongliao, gradually connecting Bali, Tamsui and Taiwan’s northeastern coast. Lee also wants the Tamsui River to carry sightseeing boat services linking Zhongxiao Wharf, Dadaocheng Wharf and the Tamsui waterfront, with food, markets, music and a joint Taipei-New Taipei fireworks festival.

A further proposal would link metro routes with mountain trails so visitors could reach nature directly by public transport. Lee said the plan would upgrade the Smile Mountain Line and Tamsui-Kavalan Trails and connect routes across Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan and Yilan. He also proposed expanding the North-Northwest Taiwan Fun Card to include Taoyuan, combining transport, attractions, hotels, food and local cultural experiences across the 29 districts.