Here’s everything you need to know about Yingge Old Street. Keep reading to know whether you should take a day trip there.
After visiting a few times, I’ve gathered a lotta details to help you decide if it’s worth a trip. Let’s dive on in.
Key Takeaways
- Worth visiting for most travelers.
- Not wheelchair-friendly.
- Yingge Ceramics Museum costs NT$80 to enter.
- 30-minute train ride from Taipei.
Is It Worth Visiting?
Yingge Old Street is a must-visit for ceramics lovers. If you’re staying in Northern Taiwan for over a week, it’s worth considering. Getting there isn’t that easy, though.
You’ll find plenty of pottery, but similar pieces are available in Taipei and New Taipei, where transportation is more convenient. By “easier” I mean areas connected by either county’s MRT and bus systems.
Accessibility note: This area isn’t wheelchair-friendly. Many shops have stairs, and the roads aren’t great for wheels.
Still unsure? Let’s check out what there is to do.
What to Do at Yingge Old Street
The following sections will dive deeper into what I recommend doing at Yingge Old Street.
1. Explore Ceramic Shops
My favorite spots in Yingge were Shu’s Pottery and a shop that sold bird water whistles.
Shu’s Pottery has some really cool ceramic souvenirs, and the cashiers pack them well. I bought a Matsu Islands-themed color-changing cup for about NT$700. But… I ruined the decals by microwaving it — learn from my mistake.
The whistle shop is harder to pinpoint, but you’ll know it when you hear it. There’s always a woman outside playing one. When you add water, the whistle sounds just like a sparrow.
Otherwise:
I can’t recommend any specific souvenirs. Because that’ll depend on your tastes.
If you buy something big, you’ll have to handle shipping yourself. Yingge doesn’t have tourist-friendly shipping services. Compare international carriers with Taiwan’s Chunghwa Post to find the best rates.
2. Try a Pottery Class
Shu’s Pottery also offers a DIY pottery class ranging from NT$100 – 300, lasting 1.5 – 2 hours. Instructors teach in Mandarin, but staff might help if you don’t speak the language. Whether an English-speaking instructor is available depends on the day.
I highly recommend booking through KKday. This guarantees your spot and lets you earn credit card and KKday rewards points.
Book onlinePrices for booking online will range from NT$380 – 560.
If you choose to ink your ceramics, expect a 90-day drying period. After that, they’ll ship within Asia (e.g., Singapore, South Korea, Japan) for an additional fee. Expect high shipping costs, so Western travelers may want to skip inking.
Thus, Westerners probably shouldn’t consider inking their ceramics.
3. Visit the Yingge Ceramics Museum
| Hours | Mon – Fri: 9:30 AM – 5 PM |
| Sat & Sun: 9:30 AM – 6 PM | |
| Admission | NT$80 |
The museum closes on the first Monday of every month, as well as Lunar New Year and election days. Check ahead to avoid surprises.
Here’s a link to the museum’s hours and discount policies.
If you’re a foreigner, you’ll need to pay the NT$80 admission fee unless you’re a New Taipei City resident.
Outside, you’ll find public art exhibits, which are free to explore. Inside, you’ll need a ticket to see the main exhibitions.
Is it worth visiting?
I’ll be honest — I haven’t visited yet. But based on a Reddit thread, a lot of people highly recommend it, despite Taiwan’s reputation for underwhelming museums. I will visit next time since I already went twice this year.
You could take part in a tour group that includes:
✔ Daxi Old Street (another great spot)
✔ Yingge Old Street
✔ Yingge Ceramics Museum
✔ Daxi Wood Art Ecomuseum
✔ Daxi Tea Factory
A host will take you from Taipei, making it one of the best day trip options for guided tours.
P.S. Here’s a list of things to do while you’re in Taipei.
Book Online4. Street Food & Cafes
You’ll find typical Taiwanese street food here — nothing too unique.
However…
I highly recommend trying ice cream spring rolls. They pack cilantro, ground peanut nougat, and ice cream into a rice paper wrap. This is my favorite Taiwanese dessert and the perfect snack on a hot day.
Here’s the stand I usually visit:
They also added Han’s Burger, which feels just like a classic American burger joint. It’s one of the few places in Taiwan with real American-style milkshakes — and were they good? Hell yeah. Best milkshakes I’ve had in Taiwan.
Inside one of the malls, you’ll find Cafe Esüwa, a bakery that requires you to buy four cinnamon rolls—but trust me, they’re worth it. They also sell croissants and Twissants.
You’ll also find plenty of tea shops. One standout is Zhong Jiawei Tea Shop, located near Shu’s Pottery.
Wait, how would you get here?
How to Get to Yingge Old Street
Yingge isn’t the most convenient place to get to, but here are the options you have available to get there:
- Train
- Taxi
- Car
I’ll dive deeper into each option throughout the following sections.
Let’s begin with the medium most folks will use.
1. Take a Train
Take a train to Yingge Station. The type of train you need depends on where you’re coming from.
If you’re traveling from Taipei, expect a 30-minute ride.
I highly recommend using an EasyCard, iCash 2.0, or iPASS to pay for train rides. These cards make public transportation quick and hassle-free, and you can easily refund the balance before leaving Taiwan.
For most people, the EasyCard is the best choice. But if you’re unsure, check out my comparison guide to pick the right one.
2. Hail a Taxi
If you’re close enough to Yingge, a taxi is the most convenient option. The best apps for booking a regular taxi are FindTaxi and 55688.
While you’re downloading those, see these other apps I recommend downloading while you’re in Taiwan.
Don’t trust taxi meters? Same here. If you want a fixed fare, Uber works in Taiwan, and you don’t need to tip.
🚫 No Grab, Lyft, or DiDi in Taiwan — Uber is your best bet.
3. Drive There
If you’re renting a car, parking is scarce unless you arrive right when the shops open. Even then, we waited 10 minutes just for one spot to open up.
The cheapest parking I found was at a school parking lot across from the main entrance to Yingge (near Starbucks).
🚗 Need a rental? Check out my guide on renting a car in Taiwan.
What do you do once you’re done here?
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
If you’re looking for more to do, here are some nearby attractions within walking distance:
- Yingge Ceramics Museum: Various ceramics exhibitions.
- New Taipei City Art Museum: Art displays.
- Sanying Art Village: Outdoor art installations near the Art Museum.
Want to explore beyond Yingge?
These spots:
- Sanxia Old Street: Features historic architecture, but nothing too special otherwise. You’ll need a bus or taxi to get there.
- Yuanshan Hiking Trail: A short, easy hike if the weather’s nice.
- New Taipei City Hakka Museum: A cultural museum focused on Hakka heritage.
- Nanjing Ceramics Riverside Park: A cycling path with scenic views.
If you don’t mind structured group tours, the one I mentioned under the museum section covers several spots, including Daxi Old Street, which I really enjoyed for its amazing views.
Is there anything special that tourists should know before visiting?
Practical Tips for Tourists
| Local Name | 鶯歌老街 |
| Hours | 10 AM – 8 PM |
| Closed on Tuesdays | |
| Admission (Yingge Old Street) | Free |
Note that all the items in this market aren’t handmade. As some of them may be mass-manufactured slop. Keep an eye out for where it’s made. But if you think it’s cool, then it’s whatever.
The weather here is similar to that you’ll find in Taipei. Dress for the reason. I wrote a separate piece with recommendations on what to wear each month.
Where to Stay
FAQs
Is Yingge Old Street family-friendly?
Yes, Yingge Old Street is family friendly.