Hotels in Shenkeng
Shenkeng is a mountain-valley New Taipei district famous for Shenkeng Old Street's stinky tofu stalls and its position by the Freeway No. 3 interchange near Taipei.
Shenkeng is best known across Taiwan for stinky tofu, sold from stalls the length of Shenkeng Old Street, where the smell reaches the street before the food does. The valley setting keeps the district visibly greener than the districts closer to central Taipei, and its position by the Freeway No. 3 interchange makes it a quick drive from Taipei's Xinyi District despite the change in scenery. Shenkeng also sits near the tea-growing hills around Maokong, reachable by the Maokong Gondola cable car, and near Taipei Zoo. Hotels here tend toward larger, higher-end properties rather than old-street guesthouses, since the district draws weekend visitors from the city as much as overnight travelers.
Shenkeng in numbers
What to expect
- Shenkeng Old Street's stinky tofu stalls, a Taiwan-wide food destination
- Freeway No. 3 interchange puts Taipei's Xinyi District a short drive away
- Near the Maokong Gondola and its hillside tea plantations
- Near Taipei Zoo for a family day trip from a Shenkeng base
Local tips
- Walk Shenkeng Old Street in the late afternoon when the food stalls are busiest
- Drive rather than rely on transit; Shenkeng is built around the Freeway No. 3 interchange
- Pair a Shenkeng stay with the Maokong Gondola for a hillside tea-house afternoon
- Book ahead on weekends, when Taipei day-trippers fill the Old Street area
- Bring cash for the smaller food stalls along Shenkeng Old Street
- Combine a Shenkeng night with Taipei Zoo if traveling with kids
Where to stay
FAQ
What is Shenkeng famous for?
Shenkeng is famous across Taiwan for stinky tofu, sold from stalls along Shenkeng Old Street, and for its position at the Freeway No. 3 interchange, which puts it a short drive from Taipei's Xinyi District despite its valley setting.
How far is Shenkeng from central Taipei?
Shenkeng sits roughly a 10-minute drive from Taipei City Hall and the Xinyi District thanks to the Freeway No. 3 interchange nearby, making it one of the quicker mountain-edge districts to reach from downtown Taipei.
Is Shenkeng near the Maokong Gondola?
Yes, Shenkeng is close to the Maokong Gondola and its hillside tea plantations, roughly a 15-minute drive away, making it easy to combine a Shenkeng Old Street visit with a Maokong tea-house afternoon.
Do you need a car to stay in Shenkeng?
A car or taxi is the practical way to get around Shenkeng, since the district is built more around the Freeway No. 3 interchange than around MRT access, unlike several other New Taipei districts.
What food should you try in Shenkeng?
Stinky tofu is the signature dish along Shenkeng Old Street, served fried, in hotpot or with pickled cabbage, and stalls line the street closely enough that trying more than one version in an evening is normal.
Are Shenkeng hotels good for families?
Shenkeng's hotels tend to be larger, higher-end properties with recreational facilities, and the district's proximity to Taipei Zoo and the Maokong Gondola makes it a workable family base for a short New Taipei stay.