Jinbaoli Street used to be Jinshan’s main commercial thoroughfare. That honor now belongs to Jhongshan Road – which runs parallel and is considerably wider, and which is where you’ll step off the bus if you arrive using public transportation.

Jinbaoli Street – the name derives from a place name in the language of the lowland aborigines who lived here before Han Chinese settlers began to appear in the 1700s – was an important business district as early as the first half of the eighteenth century. These days, it is still busy, especially on weekend mornings. It’s a place for aimlessly wandering while browsing the stores and stalls.

The existing buildings along Jinbaoli Street aren’t especially old, however. And what remains of the old wood-and-redbrick structures has, in many cases, been obscured by the new sidealk coverings erected along the length of the street. But, if you look carefully, you’ll find some interesting carvings and other details that are worth a few minutes and a photograph or two.

Jinbaoli Street is a good place to see what farmers grow on the hillsides around Jinshan: sweet potatoes (several vendors sell ready-baked ones for immediate consumption), asparagus, flowers, bamboo shoots, and vegetables such as cabbages.

Open Time Late morning is the best time.

Public Transit: Parking near Jinbaoli Street varies between difficult and impossible.

Personal Transit Buses from Keelung and Danshui all stop in Jhongshan Road, a stone’s throw from Jinbaoli Street. If you’re on a bus that doesn’t terminate here (many do), get off when you see the Watson’s store.

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