Encounter the Mines in the Height of Summer: Exploring the Mine Art Festival

When thinking of Jinguashi, most people might picture the winding alleys of Qitang Old Street, the gleaming gold brick at the Gold Museum, or the slivers of sunlight filtering through the trees along Kimono Avenue. Nestled between mountains and sea, this mountain town enjoys both the bright coastal sunshine and the cool mountain breezes, attracting countless visitors every year. Jinguashi originated as a mining town, and as mining declined, it has transformed into a tourism-centered destination, becoming one of northeastern Taiwan’s iconic attractions. Visiting the Gold Museum, wandering through Qitang Old Street, and enjoying a miner’s lunchbox have become classic tourist itineraries. This summer, try something different—step into the humid August sunlight and explore a Jinguashi adorned with diverse art installations.

The Mine Art Festival, launched in 2020, takes 'Veins of Time' as its theme this year, inviting visitors to search through the strata of time for visions yet to crystallize. Although Jinguashi’s mines are no longer in use due to the decline of mining, the Gold Museum preserves Taiwan’s only accessible gold mine tunnel, 'Ben Shan No. 5 Pit.' When visiting Ben Shan No. 5 Pit, take a moment to appreciate two artworks by artist Kang Ya-Chu: 'In Search of Gold, Mnemosyne’s Forgotten Time | Body Ornament/Necklace.'

After leaving the pit, head to the adjacent Gold Hall, a must-visit site. Here, you can see the museum’s crown jewel—the massive gold brick—and participate in a paid gold panning experience, allowing visitors to feel the excitement of early prospectors sifting gravel by the river to discover tiny, unassuming specks of gold.

As you walk along Kimono Avenue toward Qitang Old Street, don’t miss 'Place of Time' by artist Wang Jun-Yuan, installed among the lush trees. Turn into the alley beside the Co-Learning Hall, where 'Postures of Listening,' a collaborative artwork by artist Cheng Wan-Chien and local residents, invites visitors to pause and listen to Jinguashi’s most authentic voices. Through interactive installations, visitors can adopt various physical postures to immerse themselves in precious, fleeting memories of digital residents’ lives.

Descending the serpentine staircase reveals the hidden, mountain-town charm of Qitang Old Street. As you wander the narrow lanes, rest at a sidewalk café, or take photos, carefully observe the tops of walls, eaves, and other high places—you might spot delicate art installations that have arrived with the Mine Art Festival.

This summer, we welcome you back to the mines, to rediscover the heartbeat of life embraced by mountains and sea. For more details, visit the Mine Art Festival official website: https://mineartfestival.com/