Yingge 鶯歌
Yingge's reputation for high quality ceramics began after potters and brick makers began to produce tea sets to accompany specially cultivated tea locally produced by Hakka Chinese immigrants.
Originally named Yingge Stone Village (鶯歌石庄), the town has since been renamed multiple times, including Yingge Village (鶯歌庄), Yingge Street (鶯歌街), Yingge Small Town (鶯歌鎮), and finally Yingge District of New Taipei City (新北市鶯歌區).
The main attraction in the town is Yingge Old Street (鶯歌陶瓷老街), sometimes called Yingge Ceramics Street or Yingge Pottery Street, and is a pedestrian shopping street specializing in ceramic arts, pottery, porcelain, and other related products ranging all price points.
Yingge is the largest center for ceramic production in Taiwan, with over 800 ceramic-related businesses in the area around Yingge Old Street.
The nearby Yingge Ceramics Museum (新北市立鶯歌陶瓷博物館) houses exhibits about the history of ceramics making, local culture, as well as a ceramics studio. The museum is accessible easily from the train station.
From Taipei:
Take a local Taiwan Railways train (區間車) from Taipei Main Station south to Yingge station. There are many signs to direct you to both the ceramics museum and shopping street.
From Sanxia:
Many people prefer to first visit Sanxia, then go to Yingge before returning to Taipei. Although it is possible to take public transit, for the sake of ease and a stress-free vacation it is recommended to take a taxi. The drive is approximately 10 minutes. Tell the driver to take you to Yingge Train Station (鶯歌火車站, Yīnggē huǒchēzhàn).
Yingge Rock trail is a short hiking trail located about 10 minutes away from the train station. The main trail leads up to the rock and provides a view of Yingge's downtown area and across the river to Sanxia.
Located adjacent to Yingge is Sanxia Old Street. Many visitors prefer to visit both places in one trip considering their location in relation to Taipei City.
Although both Yingge and Sanxia Districts are both physically located in New Taipei City, due to their distance away they are generally considered to be almost part of Taoyuan.