Remains of the 13 Levels

Known as "Taiwan's Castle in the Sky" and "the Potala Palace of the mining mountain," the Remains of the 13 Levels (Shuinandong Smelter) is a gold and copper ore processing plant built during the Japanese colonial era. Its workshops rise in thirteen tiers up the hillside — hence the name. On 14 March 2007 it was registered as a historic building by the then Taipei County Government (now New Taipei City), and it is a candidate site for Taiwan's World Heritage list. Night illumination: daily 18:00–21:00, in place since 2019. Organized by Taipower and led by international lighting master Chou Lien, the soft amber light restores the historic grandeur of the golden mountain town, dreamlike after dark. Best photo spots: the low-angle view from the Shuinandong parking lot, and the eye-level view from Changren Pavilion.