46 Shenkeng St., Shenkeng Township (深坑鄉深坑街46號), tel: (02) 2664-4525
9. Tang-shan-po old-style plum soup (唐山伯古味酸梅湯)
Many of Shenkeng's restaurants offer plum juice as an accompaniment to their meals. Here a whole range of plum products are on display. Plum concentrate, crystallized dried plums, stewed plums and delicious plum wine that has a palette of a good red wine, the depth of brandy and the edge of sherry.
111 Shenkeng St., Shenkeng township (深坑鄉深坑街111號), tel: (02) 2664-5639
10. Ah Tsung popsicle (阿宗枝仔冰)
There are around 30 flavors to choose from, ranging from peanut to chocolate, durian to strawberry. The owner insists that they contain no artificial preservatives or flavors.
143 Shenkeng St., Shenkeng township (深坑鄉深坑街111號), tel:), tel: (02) 2662-3323
11. Grand Union Recreational Restaurant
(see review at restaurants of the week)
12. Wenshan Driving Range (文山高爾夫練習場)
Golfers of all levels of ability are represented. A box of 30 balls costs NT$50. There are golf pros who will give you coaching for NT$800 per hour. Thirty hours of lessons from the local pro will cost NT$20,000. Tea is free.
55 Ah-rou Yang, Ah-rou village, Shenkeng township (深坑鄉阿柔村阿柔洋55號), tel: (02) 2664-9199
13. Lai Lai Fishing Pond (來來魚池)
Not exactly scenic and you cannot take your fish home, but owner Chang Hsin-chi (張信啟) says the fish in his ponds are massive and stretches his arms out like fishermen all over the world do to show just how big. Naturally, these lunkers are not easy to catch, and at NT$800 an hour some might say they make expensive sport.
14. Trails
There are several good walks around Shenkeng and some hiking trails in the hills too, though these are sometimes hard to find. Try the trail to "Like a Dragon Waterfall" (似龍瀑布). It used to be called Golden Dragon waterfall because the morning light turned the water a golden color. To get there, walk up to Chishan (吉山) from Shenkeng. It's not too steep and there are views of Taipei to the north, including a view of the giant giraffe painted on the smoke stack of the Mucha incinerator. Spring is a good time to go, as flowers are in bloom making an explosion of mauves and pinks and vermilion.
15. "Like a dragon" restaurant (似龍休閒餐廳)
Halfway up Chishan, this is a good place to take a rest or eat lunch as the menu has some surprising treats in store, such as bee pupae and fried eggs with tea leaves (special, soft tea leaves are used). The small pond behind the restaurant contains five different kinds of fish and even novice anglers can catch them, according to the owners. Some Sundays there are fishing competitions, where the top prize is NT$150, but the aim seems to be eating and drinking. It is civilized and possible to drink a beer or cup of tea from the veranda while fishing for supper.
2 Junliao, Shenkeng township (
16. Oldest house in town
Said to be 180 years old and still inhabited, this house is not as well preserved as Yung An Chu (see 1), nor was it ever as grand. Visiting can be a bit uncomfortable, as one is literally walking into someone's home, but with due sensitivity, a tour is definitely worthwhile.
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