Long Dong Taiwan (龍洞台灣)

Escape the summer heat by taking a quick day trip to Lóng Dòng (龍洞) in Northern Taiwan!

Long Dong translates to Dragon Cave in Chinese and is named so because from afar, it looks like a giant dragon crouching on unique sandstone cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

This destination is one of the most popular day trips from Taipei and is best known for cliff jumping, rock climbing, and snorkeling. It’s also personally one of my favorite places to go swimming near Taipei.

If you’re an adventure lover hoping to get out in nature, Long Dong is the perfect summer spot to check out!

Northern coast of Taiwan - Long Dong Swimming Hole
View from passenger seat out the front car window en route to Long Dong in Taiwan
Person taking a photo while walking over to Long Dong in Taiwan

How To Get There:

By Public Transportation (roughly 2 hrs):

  • From Taipei Main Station

These buses run five times a day from Taipei to Yilan. If you miss it, take the train or bus to Keelung or Ruifang and catch a local bus from there.

  • From Keelung TRA Station:
  • From Ruifang TRA Station:
    • 856 Gold Fulong Tourist Shuttle Bus heading to Magang. Get off at Longdong Bay Ocean Park.
    • 886 heading to Hemei Elementary School. Get off at Longdong.
    • F805 heading to Hemei Elementary School. Get off at Hemei Elementary School.

Use an Easy Card to get around by public transportation in Taiwan. You can purchase one on Klook, KKday, at any MRT station, or at any convenience store.

If you’re staying for longer, you can consider purchasing a TPass which gives you unlimited access for one month to Keelung City, New Taipei City, Taipei City, Taoyuan City’s public transportation systems.

By Driving (roughly 1.5 hrs):

  • From Taipei: take the National Freeway 1, exit at Badu Interchange, connect to Provincial Highway 62, connect to Provincial Highway 2 until you reach Longdong.
  • From Keelung: take Provincial Highway 2 East until you reach Longdong.

Parking is limited near the harbor and it can get crowded during the weekends. A lot of people park by Hemei Elementary School and just walk over.

If you’re looking for car or scooter rentals, check out Klook, KKday, or GetRentaCar.Com!

Gi Shieh, east asian female taking a selfie before she heads to swim at Long Dong in Taiwan
Taiwanese friends navigating rocks on the way over to Long Dong near Taipei

Weather + Things To Bring

Long Dong is located in the Gongliao District of New Taipei City. The best time to visit is during spring, summer, and autumn when the weather is mild. The temperature can range from 20-30 degrees Celsius (68 – 86 degrees Fahrenheit) and it tends to be cooler than Taipei.

I’d avoid going in the winter if you’re planning on swimming, snorkeling, or doing a water-related activity, as high tides and strong currents can make it pretty dangerous. If you’re planning on rock climbing, Long Dong is okay in the winter (as long as it’s not raining).

Please note that typhoon season is during the summer months so always check the weather before you go to ensure your safety!

We visited Long Dong during July and boy was it sunny! The cliffs can be quite breezy but please note that there is limited shade.

Make sure to pack plenty of water, snacks, sun protection, and of course, your outdoor gear (climbing gear/swimming gear depending no your plans). As usual, please do your part in protecting the environment by taking cleaning up when you leave. A lot of locals littered and it was truly one of the most saddening things to see.

Taiwanese people hanging out at Long Dong near Taipei during the summer
Gi shieh holding out a peace sign at Long Dong, Taiwan
Boulders across from main Long Dong swimming area in Taiwan

Things To Do At Long Dong, Taiwan

Cliff Jumping

Long Dong is famous for cliff jumping. The steep sandstone bluffs are the perfect launching grounds for running off deep blue ocean waters. Cliff jumping in Long Dong is an accessible, minimal equipment activity for adventurous people of all levels. Just make sure that you at least know how to swim and are in good-enough physical shape to climb back up.

Please note that it’s extremely important to only go cliff jumping in certain areas. Cliff jumping is a dangerous sport and without experience and knowledge of the area, you might accidentally take a giant leap and hurt yourself on hidden rocks.

Tips For Cliff Jumping:

  • Never go cliff jumping alone
  • Wear sneakers or water shoes
  • Make sure the water is deep enough and that there are no rocks
  • Keep your arms by your side and streamlined when you jump (especially from really high places)
  • Blow out through your nose

For cliff jumping in Long Dong, you should go to this exact location. From Hemei Elementary School, you’ll have to walk for 10-15 minutes through the rocky terrain but it should be pretty easy to find. It’s labeled 龍洞日出、龍洞跳水台 on Google Maps and is the perfect place to watch the sunrise and go cliff jumping with friends.

Rock Climbing

Long Dong is also one of the most popular climbing spots in all of northern Taiwan. The hard szuling sandstone cliffs are split into 9 different sections with over 600 routes for climbers of all levels.

The crags can be accessed from three areas: the north parking area hear Hemei Elementary School, the south parking area near Xilingyan Temple, and the central parking area near the hiking trail above the cliffs.

I personally have limited experience rock climbing at Long Dong but recommend that you get more information by checking out this post by Taiwanese Secrets, reaching out to The Bivy, or looking up more information at The Crag.

Snorkeling

Teeming with colorful fish, crabs, and other interesting sea life, Long Dong’s shallow reefs are the perfect spot for snorkeling in the summer months!

The two most popular spots for snorkeling are right by the harbor and at the previously mentioned cliff jumping spot. The harbor is definitely more convenient to get to and safer for beginners and kids. However, you’ll find that visibility is pretty limited. For the best snorkeling and swimming experience, I recommend going to the cliff jumping spot.

You can technically just go snorkeling anywhere off the coast, but currents in this region can be pretty strong so it’s safer to just go where everyone else is going.

To rent your snorkeling equipment, there are a plethora of shops right by the harbor. Just search up “浮潛裝備” in Google Maps and browse through reviews. You can also bring your own gear or book a tour if you want a more inclusive experience.

Standup Paddleboarding (SUP), Scuba, and Freediving

Some other popular activities at Long Dong include SUP, scuba, and freediving.

SUP and scuba both of these require significantly more equipment so I’d recommend reaching out to a local water sports shop to see if they do rentals. Most places in Taiwan just do tours and experiences as it limits liability and generates more revenue, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Tour Recommendations:

Freediving is a growing sport in Taiwan and Long Dong is one of the best places to do so in the north. If you have a dive buddy and equipment, feel free to head out and get some practice dives in! If you’re looking for people to dive with, reach out to the local dive shops to see if they have any upcoming sessions. You can also rent freediving equipment from Long Dong Cape.

Sunset on the coast near Long Dong, Taiwan

Emergencies:

Unfortunately, accidents happen and when you’re outdoors, it can be hard to get the help that you need. In case you need an evacuation, call the coast guard at 02-2490-9176. For all other emergencies, call 119!

Gi Shieh holding a phone at Long Dong, Taiwan

Long Dong Taiwan is one of the best things to do in Taipei.

It’s an ideal summer destination and you can easily spend a whole afternoon hanging out with friends and soaking up the rays. Pack your favorite Taiwanese snacks, lots of eco-friendly sunscreen, a sun umbrella, and you’re set for the day!