To get to Jingtong it’s easiest to take the Shihting (or Shiding) exit off the number 3 freeway, about 5 minutes past the Mucha exit. This exit leads to the new Taipei-Ilan highway but for now you can’t go past Shiding. So after the tunnel, exit and then turn left. Turn right immediately and follow the road until you get to the 3-way intersection. Head left. This road (I can’t remember the name, 102?) takes you all the way to Jingtong and continues to Pingxi and Shifen and then to Juifen.
Just before Jingong are two tiny inhabited old coal mining settlements called Yi-Keng and Er-Keng. I haven’t really explored them but I bet you could find some interesting things to photograph: small brick houses, old brick walls, etc.
I’ve already written about all the things in Jingtong itself.
A half an hour drive past Jingtong will take you to Shifen. At the T-junction I think they’ll be a sign pointing right to the North Coast Scenic Area. The forward sign should point to Jiufen. If you stop at Shifen head up to the train station. Get on the north side of the track and head right (or east) toward the coast. A 10 minute walk will take you to the coal mining museum (it’s on the left). From the museum you can walk (15 minutes) to the tourist office near Shifen Waterfall. You may not be interested in the waterfall but it might be good to talk to the people at the office about old buildings as there are a few villas in the area.
If you turn right at the T-junction at Shifen, follow the road as it arches left, goes through a tunnel and then heads straight down. Turn left at the bottom of the road. Follow this road for probably 15 minutes. On the left you will see a number of old three-sided houses. Some are in very good repair. There is even a small cluster of 5-6 houses remaining in one spot. Also, the area is very lush and scenic and there’s a nice coffee shop with a rooftop patio to relax and take in the views.
After the fifteen or so minute drive you’ll hit a T-junction. There will be another sign (pointing right) saying again North Coast Scenic Area. Just 50 yards past this junction on the left is one of the bext preserved 3-sided houses I have seen.
If you keep going straight you will reach Juifen and Jingguashi. If you turn right at the junction you can be at Fulong Beach in 15 minutes. Along the way, you can find more old buildings on a side road to the Taoyuan Valley Trail but I’m going to have to drive that route again to give you proper directions.
The other place where I have seen a cluster of well-preserved old houses is in Bali, across the river from Danshui. If you take the ferry across, or drive, head out to the Guanhai Pier 觀海長堤. It’s just a few kilometres from the ferry dock. There is a small community of old stone and brick houses (with front courtyards) you must pass through to get to the pier. As there are no high rises or modern buildings around you should be able get some interesting clean shots. The houses are not in perfect shape but are inhabited and provide a fascinating glimpse at old time life.
The view from the pier is pretty cool. It juts out into the Danshui River right where it flows into the Strait of Taiwan. The mountains of Yamingshan lay back across the river and directly being you looms volcanic Guanyinshan.
Head up Guanyinshan to the Yinghan Peak Trail for more old houses. If you’re looking for sunsets the one from the lookout at the top of Guanyinshan is amazing. There is another tourist centre on the mountain near the trailhead. Again, you might want to ask about old houses and structures as there seem to be a fair number in the area.
Okay, that should keep you busy for a day or two. 
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, you mean the cricket piss story isn’t true 
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