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Taipei Day Trip: Jiufen and Shifen Guide To All The Must-Eat-See-Dos

First published:  12 Nov 2017

Charming old towns in Keelung, Jiufen (九份) and Shifen (十分) are popular spots to visit on a day trip from Taipei. 

Before the 1950s, Jiufen and Shifen were gold and coal mining towns respectively. Today, their rustic vintage vibes, great local Taiwanese delectables, and iconically Taiwanese activities such as releasing sky lanterns make them popular day trip destinations from Taipei.

However, these places aren’t the most accessible to visit despite the proximity. Public transportation involves too many transfers across various means, while cab drivers are known to mark up fares to unsuspecting tourists. No one wants to spend additional time and money when those can be spent on better things, such as food. Oh yes, all the great food to be discovered in Taiwan 😋.

Read also: 4D3N Taipei Itinerary: Insider Guide to Exploring Taipei and its Outskirts Like a Local

How to get to Jiufen & Shifen from Taipei

Most visitors will head to Shifen and continue to Jiufen, as Shifen is nearer to Taipei. Although both towns share similar-sounding names, they aren’t actually very near to each other.

1) By Public Transport

From Taipei to Shifen: Take a rail train from Taipei Main Stn. (台北車站) to Ruifang Stn. (瑞芳站) and transfer to the Pingxi Small Railway (平溪支線) to Shifen Stn. (十分站)

From Shifen to Jiufen: Take the Pingxi Small Railway to Ruifang Stn. (瑞芳站), and transfer to bus #788, #827, or #1062 to Jiufen Old Street (九份老街)

*Pro-tip: There’s no public transportation between Jiufen and Shifen, so you’ll have to return to Ruifang Stn. (瑞芳站) for transfers.

From Jiufen to Taipei: Take bus #1062 from Jiufen Old Streets (九份老街) to Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT Stn. (忠孝復興站) in Taipei

Cost:  ~S$16 (round-trip) Total travel time: ~4hrs (round-trip)

2) Shuttle bus (Highly recommended)

Probably the most cost-effective and convenient way to get from Taipei to Jiufen & Shifen is to pre-book a shuttle service with a guided tour package . It picks you up from Taipei Main Station and stops at Jiufen before heading to Shifen. Take note of what activities and transfers are included in the tour package !

Cost of tour: ~ S$34/pax (Shifen and Jiufen package; round-trip from Taipei) Meeting time: 9:15AM

*Pro-tip: Use code <THETRAVELINTERN> on Klo ok to get 5% off all activities with a min. spend of S$50 (discount cap at S$15). Apply the promo code upon checkout. One-time use only!

Must-dos in Shifen (十分)

Shifen is somewhat like the less popular sibling of Jiufen, kinda forgotten yet attractive in her own ways. Shifen’s alluring old-school charms and the Shifen waterfall makes this an equally worthy stop.

We only had an hour to spare here so we narrowed down these three must-do things in Shifen!

1) Release Sky Lanterns (放天燈)

Releasing sky lanterns on the old rail track in Shifen (which still functions btw!) is almost ritualistic. Like everyone, we bought a lantern from one of the many lantern shops along the old rail track, wrote our wishes in unintelligible Chinese, and released it to the heavens. Let’s hope the gods above can read our handwriting 😃

Cost: ~S$11/lantern via Klook Opening hours: Varies (most operators open from sunrise to sunset) How to get there:  Pingxi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 226 [台湾新北市平溪区226]

2) Ride an electric scooter to Shifen Waterfall (十分大瀑布)

The second most famous sight in Shifen is this natural beauty, the  Shifen Waterfall 十分大瀑布 . You can rent an electric scooter from operators along Shifen Old Street to get here.

Cost of scooter rental:  ~NT$200/hr Opening hours: 24 hours Location:   Nanshan Village, Pingxi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan [ 台湾新北市平溪区南山村]

*Pro-tip: Book a half-day guided tour to do these activities in Shifen if you don’t plan to drop by Jiufen! Or, book a guided day tour to explore Shifen Waterfall, Yehliu Geopark, and Jiufen hassle-free.

3) Get Onboard an Old Choo-choo Train (平溪線小火車)

A fun way to get to Shifen is via the Pingxi Small Railway Train 平溪線小火車 . This Japanese-era train used to transport coal when the mining industry was thriving but has since become a means of transportation for visitors to get to Shifen from Ruifang station (瑞芳站).

From Shifen station itself, you can also board the train to visit  Pingxi station (平溪站)   and Jingtong station (菁桐站) , which are scenic old towns too.

Bonus: Snack on LiouGe BBQ Stuffed Wings (溜哥燒烤雞翅包飯)

What’s the best way to find the best food? Ask the locals, and that’s exactly what we did in Shifen. We actually asked an uncle from another food stall what his favourite food at Shifen is. And LiouGe BBQ Stuffed Wings was his recommendation. Now, we’re recommending it to you.

The chicken wings from this stall are no ordinary wings. Besides being deboned and stuffed with rice, the homemade barbeque sauce is fragrant and very flavourful.

Cost: NT$65/piece Opening hours:  10AM – 6PM How to get there:  2min walk from Shifen Train Station ( Google Maps )

Must-Eats in Jiufen (九份)

Those who have been to Jiufen will know what a food haven it is. The tight winding street is lined with food stalls from the beginning to the end. From Taiwanese Sausage to chewy Taro Balls, there are all kinds of food from savoury to sweet, hot to cold.

If you’re taking the shuttle bus , you’ll have about 2 hours to explore the nooks and crannies of this charming old town on your own!

1) Zhang Ji Traditional Fishballs (張記傳統魚丸)

At Zhang Ji Traditional Fishball 張記傳統魚丸 , one does not simply only try the fishballs. Get the Combination Soup that comes with three different types of fishballs — meat-encased fishballs (Fuzhou balls), squid balls, and regular fishballs.

From the same stall, you also have to try their Braised Pork Rice (滷肉饭) with Braised Egg (滷蛋). Who would have imagined such simple-looking dishes would taste so good?

Cost: NT$50/bowl for Combination Soup; NT$35/bowl for Braised Minced Pork Rice Opening hours: 10:30AM – 7:30PM (Mon – Fri), closes 8PM on Sat and Sun How to get there:  3min walk from Jiufen Old Street bus stop ( Google Maps )

2) Shi Mi Jiufen First Stinky Tofu (食謎店 九份第一家臭豆腐)

Stinky Tofu is a love-or-hate thing. Fans of this dish will love the store  Shi Mi Dian 食謎店 . They sell both deep-fried and spicy braised versions, but we personally prefer the deep-fried version.

The fried skin added a crunchy texture to the surprisingly soft tofu without being too dry. The unmistakable scent can be picked up from tens of metres away, just imagine the punch it’s packed with.

Opening hours: 11AM – 8PM (Mon – Fri), closes 9PM on Sat and Sun How to get there:  6min walk from Jiufen Old Street bus stop ( Google Maps )

3) Jin Zhi Red Yeast Vegetarian Dumpling & Jin Zhi Red Yeast Meat Dumpling (金枝紅糟素肉圓 & 金枝紅槽肉圓)

Jin Zhi is one of the most famous dumpling stores in Taiwan primarily due to the fact that the meat is soaked in red yeast ( vinasse ), and that there’s actually a vegetarian branch  a few stalls down.

Available at the meat dumpling stall is also a combination meatball soup (五色綜合丸湯)   that’s worth a try too! It comes in five different flavours — Codfish, Squid, Pork, Kimchi, and Bamboo charcoal, this soup is definitely something out of the ordinary you should try.

Vegetarian Dumpling Opening hours: 10AM – 8PM (Mon – Fri), 9AM – 10PM (Sat – Sun) How to get there: 4min walk from Jiufen Old Street bus stop ( Google Maps )

Meat Dumpling Cost:  NT$45/piece of meatball; NT$50/bowl of combination balls Opening hours:  10:30AM – 7PM (Mon – Thu), 10AM – 8PM (Sat – Sun) How to get there: 6min walk from Jiufen Old Street bus stop ( Google Maps )

4) Jiufen Old Noodle Shop (九份老麵店)

Although 九份老麵店 Jiufen Old Noodle Shop sells a variety of noodles and soups, their signature beef noodles (招牌牛肉麵) are a must-try. The chunks of beef are cooked until perfectly tender and go very well with the spicy broth.

Another great find is the Century Egg Tofu (皮蛋豆腐) side dish. Served cold, the tofu is smooth yet firm, creating a gastronomic adventure when eaten together with a bite of century egg.

Cost: NT$120/bowl of Signature Beef Noodles; NT$40/plate of Century Egg Tofu Opening hours: 10:30AM – 7:30PM (Mon – Fri), closes 8:30PM on Sat and Sun How to get there:  4min walk from Jiufen Old Street bus stop ( Google Maps )

5) Wu Di Taiwanese Sausage (無敵黑豬肉香腸)

Taiwanese locals are some of the friendliest and most fun people I know of, and it’s not hard to understand why. Not only is the lady boss of  Wu Di Taiwanese Sausage 無敵黑豬肉香腸 extremely friendly, but she’s quite a charmer too. Whenever she’s around, visitors would crowd and vie to catch her attention to their cameras.

Of course, her sausages (香腸) are as charming and unforgettable as her. Fragrantly charred skin that crunches with every bite, exposing the juicy meats inside. The squid and fish egg sausages are an interesting alternative to the wild boar sausage too!

Cost: ~NT$40 per piece or ~NT$100 for 3 pieces Opening hours: 9AM – 7PM How to get there: 5min walk from Jiufen Old Street bus stop ( Google Maps )

6) Ah Lan Hakka Glutinous Rice Cake (阿蘭草仔粿)

Photo credit: you.ctrip.com

If there’s only one thing you can try at Jiufen, make it the Glutinous Rice Cake ( 草仔粿) from Ah Lan Hakka Glutinous Rice Cake stall. They come in multiple variations of fillings, from the sweet red bean to salted green bean and preserved turnip flavours.  

The Steamed Taro Cake (芋粿巧) sold in the shop is also well-loved by many.

Cost: NT$10/piece Opening hours:  9AM – 9:30PM How to get there: 5min walk from Jiufen Old Street bus stop ( Google Maps )

7) Misty Cake (米詩堤甜點王國)

Misty Cake 米詩堤甜點王國  sells cream and ice-cream puffs in every possible flavour. We tried the classic sweet potato-filled puff. The sweet potato was on point, fragrant but not too sweet. The generously-filled puffs can be quite a mess to eat as the freshly baked outer layer crumbles with every bite to expose the oozing fillings.

Cost: ~NT$85/piece Opening hours:  9:30AM – 6.30PM Address:  No. 6-1, Sec. 1, Mingdeng Road, Ruifang District, Taiwan [6-1号，二段。台湾瑞芳区明登路1号]

8) A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll (阿珠雪在燒花生捲冰淇淋)

Just watching the stall owner of A-Zhu create this delicate roll of ice cream is satisfying enough. Peanut shavings are ground off a huge block of compressed peanuts before being added to two scoops of ice cream and cilantro (IKR, weird but oddly delicious) and skillfully wrapped into a roll of ice-cold goodness.

Cost: NT$40/piece Opening hours:  10AM – 7PM (Mon – Sat), closes 8:30PM on Sun How to get there:  4min walk from Jiufen Old Street bus stop ( Google Maps )

9) Grandma Lai’s Taro Balls (賴阿婆芋圓)

Taiwanese Taro Balls have since entered Singapore’s market, coming in an assortment of flavours and toppings. But nothing beats eating a bowl of traditional chewy taro balls in Jiufen Old Street amongst the locals at Grandma Lai’s .

Cost: NT$50/bowl Opening hours:  7AM – 9PM How to get there:  7min walk from Jiufen Old Street bus stop ( Google Maps )

Other Things to Do in Jiufen

Sheng-ping theatre (昇平劇院).

Built in 1934, Sheng-Ping Theatre 昇平劇院 is one of the first film theatres in Taiwan. It was ultimately closed in 1986 due to the dwindling population of Jiufen. After being used as a film location in a 1989 Taiwanese film, A City of Sadness 悲情城市 , Sheng-Ping Theatre gained attraction again and is now being conserved.

The theatre sometimes shows reruns of old-time Taiwanese movies and operas at certain times of the day, so do try to catch one if you have time to spare in Jiufen.

Opening Hours:  9:30AM – 5:30PM (Mon – Fri), closes 6PM on Sat and Sun How to get there:  6min walk from Jiufen Old Street bus stop ( Google Maps )

A-Mei Tea House (阿妹茶樓) 

Another iconic landmark made famous through films is the A-Mei T ea House . You might recognize it from Hayao Miyazaki’s 2001 movie, Spirited Away . Touristy is what A-Mei Tea House has become due to its popularity, but it’s still a nice backdrop for photos and worth checking out when at Jiufen!

If you’re averse to crowds, there are other tea houses such as Artist Teahouse and Skyline Teahouse with equally stunning views, just a stone’s throw away from A-Mei.

A-Mei Tea House Opening Hours: 8:30AM – 9:30PM Address:  6min walk from Jiufen Old Street bus stop ( Google Maps )

Jiufen Chipao Rental Shop

Photo credit: @qey89757 via Instagram

It’s becoming a recurring theme for us to dress up in kimonos or yukatas overseas when the opportunity arises. We even rented one in Taiwan’s Hinoki Village ! But when in Jiufen, it’s probably more appropriate to don a traditional Chinese outfit instead.

Head to Jiufen Chipao which provides qipaos, shoes and accessories for ladies, as well as cheongsams for men and children. The outfits only need to be returned before the shop closes at 7PM, so there’s ample time to explore Jiufen’s alleyways and stop for plenty of photos.

Cost: From ~S$35/day Opening hours: 2PM – 7PM How to get there: 1min walk from Jiufen Old Street bus stop ( Google Maps )

Jiufen and Shifen Guide

We hope that this itinerary has piqued your interest in visiting the quaint townships of Jiufen and Shifen. In today’s rapidly changing world, it’s nice to have somewhere to remind us how vibrant life used to be in the yesteryears. Not forgetting how convenient it has now become to cover these two towns on a day trip!

*Pro-tip: Remember to pre-book your Jiufen & Shifen shuttle bus or day tour via Klook for a hassle-free trip. And use <THETRAVELINTERN> for 5% off all activities (min spend S$50, discount capped at S$15).

Save up to 35% on Taipei activities : Psst… the Klook Pass Taipei lets you bundle up to six experiences from a list of 40 choices (including the Yehliu Geopark, Shifen & Jiufen day tour , Shifen sky lantern , and EasyCard ) for extra savings! 😉

Read also: 8D Taiwan Itinerary: Insider’s Guide to Hidden Adventures from Taipei to Kaohsiung via THSR

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Re Peanut Ice Cream Roll: It’s cilantro, not parsley.

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Jiufen Tour: With Stops to Yehliu and Shifen (Taipei, Taiwan)

by Aileen Adalid Taiwan , Natural Sights 72 comments

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Taiwan may be a small country in Southeast Asia but it has no shortage of amazing sights for travelers to explore and experience! For instance, you will find 3 stunning Northern Taiwan attractions that are not too far away from Taipei: the natural wonders of Yehliu Geopark, the undying charm of Shifen Old Streets, and the historic mountain town of Jiufen. (Jiufen Tour)

The best part? You can explore these destinations in just one day at a very affordable price — thanks to Klook’s  well-packaged day tour from Taipei!

Where to Stay in Taipei?

Come and check out my list of the ‘ Best Hotels in Taipei ‘ which features the top recommended choices for cheap to luxurious accommodation choices.

I had the chance to go through this tour myself and it was one of the most memorable experiences that I did when I was in Taiwan!  This is especially because it has always been my goal to do a Jiufen tour — it’s the so-called famous town that inspired Miyazaki’s famous Japanese animation movie: “ Spirited Away “.

To add, this Jiufen tour surely took the hassle away on transiting from one location to the next; so, it’s really great for those who want the added ease (and also great for those who might be pressed on time whilst exploring Taiwan).

With all that said and done, if you want to get a better idea of how the whole day trip goes, do continue reading below.

Table of Contents

Yehliu, Shifen, & Jiufen Tour

Stop #1: yehliu geopark.

This geopark is located in the Wanli District of New Taipei and it is also called the “Yehliu Promontory” . Basically, it consists of a breathtaking cape that is dotted by a number of unique and strange geological formations — a sight of which tourists in Taiwan would typically want to see with their own eyes.

Stretching at about 1,700 meters into the ocean as a part of the Daliao Miocene Formation, its interesting sea bays are said to have been actually formed due to thousands of years of geological forces that kept pushing the Datun Mountains out of the sea.

A number of the rock formations that are found here in Yehliu Geopark were given names that aptly correspond to their perceived shape. Some examples of these are  Fairy Shoe, Japanese Geisha , Ice Cream Rock, Elephant Rock, and Princess Head.  Rest assured, in order to explore these formations, there are well-marked and well-made wooden paths and bridges from the start of the cape and up to its end.

NOTE : For a complete list of the unique rock formations in Yehliu Geopark, go here .

However, if there is one rock formation that is regarded as iconic not only in Wanli but for the whole of Taiwan, it would be the “Queen’s Head” ( 女王頭 ).

Truth be told, this is a kind of ‘mushroom rock’ in geological terms; but, it has been given this name because after a top part of the rock fell sometime in the 60s, one side of it started to look like the side face of Queen Elizabeth (and others claim that the other side looks like Nefertiti , the Great Royal Wife of Egyptian Pharaoh: Akhenaten).

It is so far assessed that the age of this rock is about 4,000 years old and nowadays, the geopark gives extreme care in preserving this unique rock, more so that the narrowest part around its “neck” is only about 54 inches now.

It helps to note that in order to get a picture of the Queen’s head, there would often be a long queue. However, since this tour brings you to this geopark in the early hours of the morning, the line is not as bad.

TOUR STOP DURATION : 70 minutes . If you want to travel to Yehliu Geopark on your own, it’s best to take a bus at KuoKuang Bus Terminal which is right across Taipei Bus Station. From here, ride Bus 1815 and you can pay with your IC card . Readers have mentioned to me that it’s important that you use the underpass when crossing over to the terminal because there will be a fine if you’re caught jaywalking. . From Taipei Main Station’s Taipei West Bus Station (Terminal A). Once there, go to the KuoKuang ( 國光 ) window and purchase a ticket to Yehliu Geopark for only NT$96 ~ one way. (The journey will take about 90 minutes). To purchase an admission ticket to Yehliu beforehand and avoid the queue, book here .

– – –

STOP #2: Jiufen Tour

Once a prosperous isolated gold mining town during the Japanese occupation in 1893, Jiufen is now a popular tourist destination that’s famous for its maze of alleyways that are filled with quaint scenes and teahouses. You will not only find picturesque streets and buildings adorned with red lanterns, but also some great spots for viewing the Pacific Ocean! In fact, there are still structures in Jiufen that remain unchanged up to this day, which then helps show the Japanese influences on the island.

Moreover, due to such a wondrous setting in this town, Jiufen has also actually been a great inspiration for several international award-winning movies such as Hayao Miyazaki’s ‘ Spirited Away ‘ and Hou Hsiao-hsien’s ‘ A City of Sadness ‘. Therefore, movie buffs and Studio Ghibli fans must make this a MUST in their Taiwan itinerary !

Jiufen is built on the side of the hills so be prepared for a climb up some steep steps until you reach the main section of  Shuchi (Shuqi) Street’s  cobblestone steps. This street is filled with a wide variety of cafés, historic buildings, restaurants, and shops — but don’t forget the streets that run perpendicular to  Shuchi,  namely:  Jishan Street, Quiche Road, and Qingbian Road .

It’s a very small place so everything can be explored on foot during your Jiufen tour. Some areas of interest are:

• Shengping Theater.  This a small olden theater near the entrance of Jiufen’s main street section, and a visit here (FREE admission) will take you on a trip back in time as you witness its old-style ticket window, film posters, and snack shop. At regular time intervals, Shengpin Theater also showcases old movies and Taiwanese operas in which visitors are free to watch.
• Songde Park.  A small memorial park which you can find in the eastern part of Jiufen on Qinbian Road. It’s a great place to relax and you can find some monuments that were built in commemoration of Yen Yun-nian, the person who founded Jiufen’s mining culture.
• Wufan Tunnel. This is found next to Songde Park and it has been excavated since 1927. But by the early 70s, the Republic of China sealed all mine tunnels in Jiufen to protect residents and visitors. Anyhow, you can still view this tunnel from the outside.

When it comes to food, you will find an array of street shops in Jiufen that sell various types of Taiwanese food and snacks. Some of the things that you should not miss during your Jiufen tour are:  ginger tea, fishball soup, dumplings in sweet bean  and  yuyuan  (taro balls). To list out the places you should watch out for:

• Jiufen Teahouse. This is the most prominent building that’s often featured in photos of Jiufen. But apart from its beauty, this Jiufen Teahouse was also once a famous meeting place for a lot of Taiwanese writers and artists when it first opened. Once you’re inside, you’ll be rewarded with calm interiors filled with tea paraphernalia, and if you happen to be there on a good day, you can sit back and enjoy Jiufen’s sights on the terrace.
• Grandma Lai’s Yuyuan. Found at No. 143 in Jishan Street, this place is famous for its taro balls. (Otherwise, there’s Ah Gan Yee and it even gives you great views over the whole of Jiufen).
• C ity Of Sadness Restaurant.  Found in 35 Shuchi Road (which is just on the corner of Shuqi and Qingbian Roads) this restaurant is famous for being featured in the highly acclaimed film: ‘ A City of Sadness ‘.

Want to spice up your Jiufen tour? Rent a qipao or traditional Chinese outfit for the entire day!

JIUFEN TOUR STOP DURATION : 120 minutes . If you want to do your own Jiufen Tour from Taipei, there are 2 route options: . ~ Go first to Ruifang Station by taking a train heading north from Taipei Main Station (NT$47~ to NT$82~ one way). From Ruifang Station, head to Mingdeng Road (to your left after you exit the station, facing the Wellcome Supermarket). You will then find a bus station named Local Residents Plaza (區民廣場) which is just next to the police station. There are routes 827 and 788 heading to Jiufen (while route 825 operates only on weekends) and it takes only NT$15 to get to Jiufen in 15 minutes. Take note that the bust stop next to the police is the one that heads east to Jiufen, the one across the police station heads west back to Taipei. . To go back to Taipei after doing a Jiufen tour, just take bus 1062 which lands near Raohe Night Market — a great stop to end your night perfectly. . ~ From MRT Zhongxiao Fuxing (either Brown Line or Blue Line), exit from Exit 1 and take bus 1062 (Keelung Bus) that heads to Jinguashi. Stop at Jiufen bus stop. This takes about an hour and costs NT$102.

STOP #3: Shifen Waterfall & Shifen Old Street

Shifen is a quaint village found in the Pingxi area of Taiwan and it is an old railroad town that originally transported coal. Today, however, its Old Streets have become a popular destination for its food, charm, and old train tracks; but also most especially because of its sky lanterns!

Needless to say, there are a number of fun things that you can do on this last stop…

Shifen Waterfall.  The tour will first make you stop at this 20-meter tall waterfall found outside of Shifen. It is regarded as the most scenic waterfall in Taiwan and a rainbow even often displays itself as the water splashes into the lake. (If you’re going here by yourself and without the tour, it can be reached in 20 minutes by walking or in just 5 minutes by motorbike since there are rentals near the train tracks of the Old Street costing NT$200 per hour or US$6~).

Explore the Old Streets.  After the waterfall visit, you’ll be led to the heart of Shifen which has a collection of lanes and alleys in and around the railway station area. What’s most interesting of all is that the train track runs straight through the middle of the village — so do take your time in doing photo ops! However, do remain to be mindful because a train line still regularly runs through the tracks (around every hour) ; then again, there’s no cause for excessive worry because the train runs slow and villagers will also usually notify everyone when the train is approaching (apart from the fact that the train’s sound is enough of a signal to let you know that it’s coming).

After you had your fun exploring the town, make sure to stop by one of the shops to release a Chinese sky lantern . This was once used as a signaling object for the railroads, but nowadays, visitors can buy them in different colors and write their wishes on them with a brush before releasing them to the sky.

All of the shops by the train tracks sell it at a standard price of NT$150 (or US$5~) if you want your sky lantern to be in only one color, or NT$200 (or $6.5~) for a 4-colored one. Each of these colors represents different meanings to best portray your wish, may it be for family, love, wealth, etc.

The shop owners usually provide you with a laminated sheet that explains in detail what the various colors would mean. Since it is very cheap, my companion and I chose to get a 4-colored lantern for the both of us and we each had 2 sides to write on. (In fact, 4 people can already share 1 lantern).

TIP : Every year, a Sky Lantern Festival is held in Shifen’s square (next to the Old Street) in which thousands of sky lanterns will light up the sky in either February or March (check this website for official dates). These were originally released to signal safety or to transmit information but on this festival day, much like what visitors do in Shifen on a normal day, the lanterns are decorated with wishes by each of the people attending the event. . This is one of the 3 popular lantern festivals in Taiwan and it has been regarded as a highly recommended activity by big publications like Fordor and CNN Travel.

Eat. Eat. Eat!  As a marketplace, the Old Street in Shifen is full of restaurants and small stalls selling Taiwanese fare. Since you will have a long stop here during this day tour, you can have your lunch here — OR, you can just feast on a few snacks and get a late lunch/dinner in Jiufen later on. Some of the xiaochi  (snacks) that you must try are  bubble tea, sausages, fried squid, peanut pancake, and Taiwanese sausages  among many others!

Glimpse at Jingan Suspension Bridge. Found near and behind the Shifen Station, this pedestrian bridge connects to the Nanshan villages. If you still have time, other than taking Instagram-worthy photos on the bridge, take the chance to explore the colorful houses in Nanshan.

TOUR STOP DURATION : 50 minutes at the Shifen Waterfall, and 70 minutes at Shifen Old Street . If you want to travel to Shifen on your own from Taipei, from the Taipei Main Station, take a northbound train that heads to Ruifang Station (NT$47~ to NT$82~). Get off there and transfer to the Pingxi Line wherein it’s best to get a One-Day Ticket at just NT$52.

» Other Stops

Taipei 101 : When the tour ends, you’ll make a brief stop at Taipei 101 which is formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center. This was once called as the world’s tallest building in 2004 — until Burj Khalifa in Dubai was completed in 2010. Either way, nowadays, it holds the highest award as the tallest and largest green building in the world according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) . Towering at 101 stories, the base of the building houses several shops and restaurants (such as the famous Din Tai Fung chain) but what most visitors aim to do is to access the observatory.

ADMISSION: Book online

. Golden Waterfall : For an added fee (see the online booking page for the option) , you can make a stopover to this famous roadside waterfall that flows over rust-colored rocks & soil due to minerals from a former mining area.

» Other Top Taiwan Tours «

Leofoo Village Theme Park Perfect for some family fun!

Northeast Coast Scenic Day Tour Explore the coastal national scenic area.

Tour Details & Travel Guide

» best time to visit.

Taiwan enjoys 4 seasons, but they’re not as pronounced given that it generally has a humid subtropical climate. The seasons are divided in the following months and it’s best to either visit in late spring or autumn (best in November) if you want more comfortable temperatures. I did this tour in August and it was a tad too warm for me!

• Spring : pleasant temperature / Average lows at 15ºC to 22ºC and average highs at 19ºC to 27ºC.
• Summer : hot and humid and sometimes very wet / Average lows at 24ºC to 28ºC and average highs at 27ºC to 31ºC
• Autumn : cooler temperatures / Average lows at 18ºC to 27ºC and average highs at 27ºC to 30ºC
• Winter : foggy and somewhat dry / Average lows at 13ºC to 15ºC and average highs at 17ºC to 19ºC
• WINTER: Dec to Feb
• SPRING: March to May
• SUMMER: June to Sept
• AUTUMN: Oct to Nov

» Tour Details & Price

For only USD$15~ (or Php 750~) — you will get…

• Transportation (including parking, toll fees, and fuel) with WiFi from Taipei to the 3 attractions, and back
• To visit Yehliu Geopark, Shifen, and Jiufen
• An English-speaking professional tour guide
• Travel Insurance

The only things that are not included are personal expenses (souvenirs), sky lantern costs at Shifen  (if you want to set off those lanterns, they’re priced starting at USD$3 or Php 160~ which is already good for 4 people) , Yehliu Geopark admission  (costs only USD$2~ or Php 135~) , and meals.

Rest assured, if you want a tour package that already includes admission (to avoid the queue line) AND lunch, just book those options on the  booking page . If you want to make a stopover to the famous Golden Waterfall, that option is available too at an added cost.

» Meeting Place & Duration

To answer these questions here are some added info about the day tour… Meeting time = 7:45AM Meeting place = GaKuDen Bakery (near exit 4 of Ximen Station) Duration = Approximately 8 hours Return time to Taipei = Approximately 5:30PM Return place = GaKuDen Bakery (near exit 4 of Ximen Station) Vehicle  type = Shuttle bus with Klook logo on it

» Getting in to Taiwan

By air.  My go-to platform for grabbing the best flight deal is  Skyscanner ; it scans through all local and international airlines to give you the best price at any given time!

Taiwan’s main international getaway is Taoyuan International Airport which is 40km southwest of Taipei. It is connected to the center via the Taoyuan Airport MRT and HSR Taoyuan Station (single trip price at no more than NT$160 / USD$5 / Php 260~) . As such, I highly suggest buying a  Taiwan High-Speed Rail Unlimited Pass  which gives you unlimited rides on Taiwan’s THSR train network — including the train to and fro the airport.

There are also buses linking to the airport (you can buy a discounted roundtrip shuttle bus from the Airport to Taipei and vice versa  here ), but if you rather want a taxi, a one-way fare can cost a minimum of NT$900.

If you want utmost convenience and ease, especially without having to lug around your luggage, I suggest booking a  private transfer  to your hotel for only Php 1,000+ (or $23~). This works best if you’re coming together with other people so that you can share the cost and save more!

» Visa for Taiwan

If you’re NOT a citizen of any of Taiwan’s  exempted countries , you are then required to avail of a visa beforehand.

• Check full visa requirements here as per your nationality.

If you’re from the Philippines, you will be eligible for  visa-free access to Taiwan for 14 days starting this November 1, 2017 . The only requirements you need to show at the immigration are:

• An ordinary/regular passport with remaining validity of at least 6 months from the date of entry (Diplomatic & official passport holders are not eligible for visa-free treatment).
• A return ticket or a ticket to your next destination (and a visa for that destination if it is required).
• No criminal record in Taiwan (the immigration in Taiwan will check this themselves upon your arrival).
• As applicable, proof of accommodation/ hotel booking , host/sponsor’s contact information, or arrangements of tour, travel, visit, events and meeting, etc.

» Where to Stay (Taiwan Accommodations)

To search for the best hotel accommodation in Taiwan at the best prices, I suggest cross-checking hotel prices between  Agoda  and  Booking.com . But if you’re rather interested in renting comfortable houses or apartments, you should search through AirBnB .

To see a complete list of the top recommended accommodation chances ranging from cheap to luxury places, check out this post of the ‘ Best Hotels in Taipei ‘

» Helpful Taiwanese Hokkien Phrases

About 70% of the population speaks Taiwanese Hokkien, but Mandarin Chinese has been declared as the official language. Rest assured, English is commonly used by the locals and you won’t have a hard time conversing with it especially in places like Taipei.

• RELATED READ: Best translation apps for travel

As you venture outside of the capital though, it will become harder; but, it’s nothing that finger-pointing or Google Translate can’t solve. For a start, here are some sample phrases in Taiwanese Hokkien:

Hello:  Lee ho Thank you:  To-sha You’re welcome:  Mian keki Yes:  Si No:  M-si Goodbye:  Jaigen

Excuse me / I’m sorry:  Phai se Is there someone here who speaks English?:  Chia(nasal) mng, jia u lan ehiau gong Engi bo? Help!:  Giu mia! Cheers!:  Gam bei!

This Yehliu, Shifen, and Jiufen tour or day trip definitely gives you the chance to see the highlights of Northern Taiwan in a kind of tour experience that gives you the utmost ease and comfort.

So what are you waiting for? Don’t miss out on this amazing deal via Klook !

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Hey there! I am Aileen Adalid. At 21, I quit my corporate job in the Philippines to pursue my dreams. Today, I am a successful  digital nomad  (online entrepreneur, travel writer, & vlogger) living a sustainable travel lifestyle.

My mission?  To show you how it is absolutely possible to  create a life of travel no matter the odds — and I will help you achieve that through my detailed travel hacks, guides, resources, tips, and MORE!

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It’s hard to say how difficult it was because “difficult” is relative to everyone’s fitness level and the weather. Still, I’d say it’s a pretty difficult climb. You’re basically taking a staircase with literally hundreds of steps, and some of those steps are about 8-10″ high.I went early morning when it wasn’t too warm but it was still a bit humid. I’m 26 and exercise occasionally, and it was a tough climb but not terrible. I’d say 8/10 difficulty. The view is worth it though!

Just to give an update if your readers would opt to go by themselves to Yehliu Geopark. KuoKuang no longer has a window in the Taipei Bus station and there’s no need to buy a ticket anymore. They would just need to go directly to the KuoKuang Bus Terminal right across the Taipei Bus Station and aboard bus 1815. They would need an IC card to use at the bus and if I remember correctly, the charge is 56 NTD. Note: Please use the underpass when crossing as there will be a fine if you’re caught jaywalking.

Thank you so much for this helpful info! :D I hope you had a fun time visiting those places too.

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Yehliu, Jiufen, Shifen 1 Day Tour

Taipei to Jiufen, Yehliu, Shifen is the most popular day trip from Taipei. Escape from the bustling city of Taipei to Taiwan's scenic northern coast of Yehliu and rustic (former) gold-mining towns of Jiufen and Shifen.

• Child safety seat available
• English service available
• Private tour, flexible pick-up time
• Up to 8 guests per vehicle only. More than 8 guests require 2 or more vehicles.
• Pick up at Taipei City

Hotel, BnB or any place within the city

Witness the famous Queen's Head and other interesting stone formation made by nature at the Yehliu Geopark.

Along the way, stop by for a view of this fascinating mix of yellow and blue seawater from the top.

Located near the Gold Ecological Park in Jinguashi, here you will find a waterfall created by gold mining in the past, though you probably need a lot of luck to find real gold flowing now!

A former mining town that inspired Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away, Jiufen is a must-see for any tourist visiting northern Taiwan.

The Old Streets of Shifen have a nostalgic charm that attracts many from all over the world. It is also a popular place to release sky lanterns.

• Drop off at Taipei City

Wanna make changes to the itinerary?

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Cancellation Policy

Cancel 7 days before the trip and get a full refund.

• $4320 TWD per group
• Book You won't be charged yet
• Available tomorrow
• Confirmation within 24 hours

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Taipei To Jiufen & Shifen Day Trip: Transport, Itinerary + Tips

Table of Contents

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Thinking of travelling from Taipei to Jiufen and Shifen? My day trip from Taipei was a highlight of my time in Taiwan with lots of excellent Taiwanese food and scenery thrown in. Don’t miss it! These two scenic ex-mining towns are located an hour east of Taipei. When I initially looked into visiting, I had a few questions – should I take a Shifen and Jiufen day trip? Or should I stay overnight? So you’re not as confused as me, I’m going to explain:

• Getting from Taipei to Shifen
• Getting from Taipei to Jiufen
• How to take a day trip to Jiufen and Shifen by public transport
• The best things to do in Shifen and Jiufen
• What to eat in both towns!
• How to get from Jiufen to Shifen
• How to get from Shifen to Jiufen
• Where to stay overnight.

If that all sounds confusing, take an organised tour with GetYourGuide:

Things to do in Jiufen and Shifen

In case you’re still in two minds about to visit, let’s get stuck into these two gorgeous destinations and what to see and do there.

Read next: the ultimate 5 day Taipei itinerary

Want to stay connected while travelling Taiwan? I recommend an Airalo e-SIM card that you can download and activate as soon as you arrive. Browse their Taiwan e-SIM packages .

Shifen Village

This is a cute albeit busy town set around a set of used railway tracks. The main draw for visiting Shifen is to make a wish as you release a giant paper lantern into the air. Every hour, people jump off the tracks to allow a steam train to come rumbling through this old-fashioned village.

Things to do in Shifen

• Wander the train tracks and release lanterns. Personally, I chose to watch others as I didn’t release lanterns was an environmentally-friendly choice.
• Take a 15-minute walk or quick e-bike ride to Shifen Waterfall . You can hire these colourful e-bikes all along the station road. They look very easy to ride and whizz you there in just a few minutes.
• Eat – there are lots of food stalls and cafes along Shifen train tracks. The stuffed, glazed chicken are particularly tasty!
• Continue further to Pingxi Village – more on this next.

Tour: Shifen & Pingxi sky lantern return trip from Taipei (USD$46)

Taipei to Shifen / a day on the Pingxi Railway

To travel from Taipei to Shifen, catch a 50-minute train from Taipei Main Station (or Songshan if you’re staying east) to Ruifang Station. This will cost NT$40 TWD. Transfer to the Pingxi Line which goes once hourly to Shifen. You can make stops along the way including Houtong Cat Village and Pinxi Village, a quieter version of Shifen further along the tracks. A day pass for the Pingxi Line is NT$56.

Read next: 25 Taiwan travel tips for a perfect trip

Houtong Cat Village 

Yes, I did just breeze past the fact that near Taipei there’s an actual CAT VILLAGE. Dog lovers, look away while I share my photos. Houtong is an adorable place to stop although there’s not a whole load to do. Trains run hourly so have a stroll around and catch the next one.

Pingxi Village

If you have time, visit Pingxi after Shifen. This village is a sleepier and more peaceful version of Shifen so if you’re feeling overwhelmed by tourists, take an hour to wander the train tracks and soak up the atmosphere. To get there, simply hop back on the same train towards its final stop. Pick your stops carefully if you want to see Shifen and Jiufen during the same day. Squeezing in Pingxi Village as well as Houtong Cat Village, Shifen and Jiufen would probably be too tight. However, if you’re travelling from Taipei to Jiufen a different day, by all means visit Pingxi Village as well as Houtong during your Shifen day trip.

Jiufen Village

This is the more famous of the two ex-mining towns. Jiufen (also called Chiufen or Jioufen) is often described as the Santorini of Taiwan because it’s a popular holiday spot on a hillside. With an absence of Greek food and a focus on the Japanese gold mining era, I didn’t particularly see the resemblance. But it’s gorgeous nonetheless. Plus who needs souvlaki when you have dumplings? There are plenty of things to do in Jiufen, plus it’s easy to get from Taipei to Jiufen without a tour. You might want to combine it into a day with Shifen or take a separate Jiufen day trip in order to see it properly.

The winding, covered streets of Jiufen Old Street are narrow and atmospheric, decked in red hanging lanterns. Locals come to Jiufen Old Street for shopping and eating, and tourists come for more or less the same thing. Jiufen is often described as the foodie capital of Taiwan. I wished I’d been there as part of a group or food tour because I could have sampled so much more! Still, I gave it my best shot.

Tour: Jiufen and northeast coast guided tour (US$40)

What to eat in Jiufen

I hope you have a sweet tooth because one of the best things to do in Jiufen is dessert hop. I went on a major dessert binge in Jiufen. There’s lots of savoury food too but all the bits that appealed to me were sweet. These included:

• Peanut ice cream rolls
• Taro ball soup
• Brown sugar bubble tea
• Ice cream sandwiches.

Things to do in Jiufen

There are a few other things to do while visiting Jiufen which include:

• Visit traditional tea houses dating back to Japanese rule. I would suggest A-MEI Teahouse and JiouFen TeaHouse .
• The Golden Waterfall named after the golden rocks its made of.
• Wander Fushan Temple.
• Gold Ecological Park – a place to learn all about Taiwan’s gold mining history.
• Climb Teapot Mountain.

Taipei to Jiufen by public transport

If you’re travelling Taiwan on a budget , you can take a direct bus from Taipei to Jiufen for NT$90 each way. This bus is number 795 from Muzha Station. Alternatively, catch a direct train from Songshan Station to Ruifang Station and change to a bus bound for Jiufen (NT$15 / 25 minutes).

Visiting Shifen and Jiufen in 1 day

Organised day trips travel to both Shifen and Jiufen in one day (and also include Yehliu Geopark ). These are a great way to meet other travellers and not have to worry about planning or organising anything. Your local guide will fill you in on the local history and culture. I recommend this Viator tour for just $38 . If visiting Shifen and Jiufen by public transport, leave Taipei early. It takes 1.5 hours to travel from Taipei to Shifen, plus the 1-hour journey from Shifen to Jiufen and another 1.5 hour home. It’s a long travel day but it can be done. Follow my directions and itinerary:

Shifen to Jiufen

You will have to transfer at Ruifang Station when travelling from Shifen to Jiufen. Journey back from Shifen along the Pingxi Line to Ruifang Station then hop on the 1062 bus outside the station destined for Jiufen (NT$15 / 25 minutes).

Jiufen to Shifen

If you are visiting Jiufen first then seeing Shifen in the afternoon, you will also have to transfer at Ruifang Station. Catch the 1062 bus bound from Jiufen to Ruifang Station and head inside to board the Pingxi Line towards Shifen. The trains only go hourly so time your Jiufen to Shifen journey accordingly. Leave enough time leaving Jiufen for the 10-minute 1062 Ruifang bus which leaves hourly.

Shifen and Jiufen day trip itinerary

10am – Board a train from Taipei to Ruifang. 11am – Change to the Pingxi Railway and get off at Houtong Cat Village at 11.07am. 12.07pm – Board the next service from Houtong Cat Village. 12.30pm – Arrive in Shifen and explore. 2.40pm – To travel from Shifen to Jiufen, catch the train to Ruifang Station and change to a bus. 3.40pm – arrive and spend 2 hours exploring the many things to do in Jiufen (and eating everything). 5.30pm – Catch a bus from Jiufen to Taipei.

Staying overnight in Jiufen

For more than a Jiufen day trip, another idea would be to bring an overnight bag and stay over in Jiufen then you have some time to see it in the morning and at night, too. I imagine this would feel less rushed. Places to stay overnight in Jiufen include: On My Way Hostel – this hostel is ideally located just a three-minute walk to Juifen market and Jiufen Old Street Bus Station. There are comfortable dorm rooms, a shared kitchen, lounge and games room, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Book from US$20 per night . M Bar House – this guesthouse has views of the ocean and Keelung Mountain from the open-air terrace and the double and twin bedrooms. Set inside a gorgeous heritage building, the rooms are prepared in minimalist Japanese style. Book from US$40 per night .

Benefits of visiting Shifen and Jiufen on separate days

I planned to just see Shifen during my day trip but, after seeing everything by 2.30pm, I decided to travel from Shifen to Jiufen and save myself a day later on. I’m happy I did this but it would also be a cool idea to explore each area in more depth. If you travel from Taipei to Shifen and spend a whole day in the area, you could take the Pinxi line further to Pingxi Village, too. It would also be fun to travel from Taipei to Jiufen and stay a day or longer. There’s another countryside village nearby called Jinguashi which is meant to have even more stunning surrounds. If you can, journey to the coast to see the Ying & Yang sea, a bay where the water is yellow and blue. You can also check out this guide if you’re interested in climbing nearby Teapot Mountain .

Whether you were to stay overnight or see them as two separate day trips, I think it would be a great idea to split the towns into different days. There are enough things to do in Shifen and Jiufen that you would easily fill the time. But if you’re tight on time, it’s easily possible to see them during one day. Whatever you decide, enjoy!

Here’s that Viator tour to both towns if you choose to take a tour

Thanks for reading my Shifen and Jiufen guide

Check out my other Taiwan blogs:

• 17 Taiwan travel tips
• Complete Taiwan budget guide & spending tips
• Complete guide to travelling alone in Taiwan
• 20 best Taiwanese foods to try
• The ultimate 2 week Taiwan itinerary
• 3 day Taipei itinerary
• 10 Taiwan facts
• Taroko Gorge itinerary for a day trip
• The Rainbow Village of Taiwan + the story behind it
• Best food in Taichung
• Visiting Yehliu Geopark from Taipei
• Things to do in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

See you next time for more adventures,

Ps. Liked these things to do in Jiufen and Shifen? Pin this for later!

TAIWAN QUICK LINKS Getting there – it’s easy to arrive by flight. I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. To stay connected, buy an e-SIM with Airalo and use data as normal. Browse their Korea SIM packages . In my opinion, Lonely Planet offer the best guidebooks. Get the latest Lonely Planet Taiwan . Car hire – I recommend RentalCars.com for car hire in Taiwan and around the world. For Taiwan High Speed Trains , use 12Go . The search feature allows you to compare prices and durations. I use Booking.com for accommodation. They have the best range of hotels and self-catering apartments, plus you can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld . To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters , a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets. For activities, I use GetYourGuide and Viator as they both have a huge range of affordable tours. Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and tips!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

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Lists by Lukiih 🍀

Practical travel guides with less fluff

• 🏮 Jiufen Day Trip From Taipei: 9 Great Things To Do + Itinerary

Jiufen, a picturesque small village nestled in a mountain, is one of Taiwan’s most popular day trip destinations.

I visited Jiufen with a local friend during my one-week trip to Taiwan , and here, I share practical tips on planning a day trip there. This post covers:

• ⭐️ Top things to do in Jiufen
• 🚙 How to get there from Taipei
• 🗓️ A full-day optimized itinerary
• 📍 Jiufen map with key places

Planning a trip? Here’s  what to know about Taiwan .

Jiufen at a Glance

• Essential Tips
• How To Visit From Taipei
• Day Trip Itinerary
• 1. Jiufen Old Street
• 2. Traditional Teahouse
• 3. Taiwanese Street Food
• 4. Keelung Mountain Trail
• 1. Teapot Mountain
• 2. Golden Waterfall
• 3. Gold Museum
• 4. Shifen Waterfall
• 5. Houtong Cat Village

Taiwan Trip Planner

Lists By Lukiih is readers-supported. When you buy with my affiliate link, I may earn a small commission. Thanks!

Here’s some general information on Jiufen to help you plan your trip.

🍵 What Is Jiufen Known For?

The town of Jiufen is known for its teahouses, picturesque mountain views, and a narrow, atmospheric road that’s lined with shops and food stalls called Old Street.

Due to Jiufen’s aesthetics, many sources claim that it is the village that inspired Spirited Away , but director Hayao Miyazaki has denied this. Nevertheless, it hasn’t stopped Studio Ghibli fans from flocking to this popular tourist destination.

📍 Where Is Jiufen Located?

Jiufen is located 20 miles east of Taipei , the capital of Taiwan, in the Ruifang District in northern Taiwan. See below for how to get to Jiufen from Taipei .

See great things to do in Taipei .

🗓️ How Long To Spend in Jiufen?

Jiufen is most often visited as a day trip from Taipei, as you can do many of the best things in a day. The main attraction is Jiufen Old Street, which can be explored in a couple of hours.

You can also easily turn it into a two-day destination by staying the night and visiting some of the noteworthy surrounding areas.

Here’s  how to efficiently plan a trip to Taiwan .

☀️ Best Time To Visit Jiufen

The best times to visit Jiufen are in the s pring (March to May) and fall (September to November) , when the weather is mild (averaging 60 °F to 80 °F) and the crowds are not yet at their highest level.

I visited Jiufen in October on a Thursday. The crowd was mild, and the weather was pleasant. I was able to wear a romper with a hoodie the entire day.

💰 How Much Is a Day Trip to Jiufen?

The cost of doing a day trip to Jiufen from Taipei depends on how you get there and the number of attractions you visit, as some of them have an entrance fee.

You can expect to spend $25 to $100 when visiting Jiufen for a day.

I spent $22 in Jiufen , mostly on food. My costs were low because a local friend drove me, so I didn’t have to pay for transportation, and I didn’t visit any attractions that had an entrance fee.

See all my travel expenses in this Taiwan budget breakdown .

All prices mentioned here are in USD 💵 .

3 Essential Tips for Visiting Jiufen

Here are three practical tips when visiting Jiufen village.

💰 1. Bring cash.

Like other parts of Taiwan, Jiufen largely operates on cash , so make sure to bring more than $1,000 NT (around $30) to spend on food vendors, museum entrance tickets, teahouse experiences, and parking fees.

👟 2. Wear comfortable shoes if you’re hiking.

Although Jiufen has some stairs, it’s very pedestrian-friendly overall .

However, if you’re planning to hike one of its nearby trails, make sure to wear comfortable shoes . You won’t need hiking shoes, but I recommend sneakers or running shoes.

🚌 3. Figure out your transportation in advance.

There are several ways to get to Jiufen , but it can get overly crowded during peak travel season (e.g., buses get full, train tickets get sold out, and drivers run into heavy traffic).

Not having a transportation plan during the peak season can result in longer wait times or missing out on things altogether.

How To Get To Jiufen From Taipei

From Taipei, you can get to Jiufen in five different ways. Here’s a quick overview of the different transportation options:

🚆 Option 1: Public Transportation

There’s no direct train from Taipei to Jiufen, so if you want to take public transportation, you’ll need to take a direct bus or a combination of train and bus. Head towards Ruifang Station since Jiufen is in the Ruifang district.

Option A: Direct Bus

The only direct bus from Taipei to Jiufen is bus 965 . You can catch the 965 bus at MRT Beimen Station , and it’ll take you to a bus station that’s a seven-minute walk from Jiufen Old Street.

The bus ride will take a little over an hour and cost $90 NT (about $3) one-way.

Option B: Train Then Bus

You can also take a train and then a bus to get to Jiufen from Taipei. There are several train and bus combinations you can take. Check Google Maps for the best combination to catch based on your departure or arrival time.

• Train – The train will always be a TRA train departing from Taipei Main Station and you can check the TRA train schedule (type in “Taipei” as the departure station and “Ruifang” as the arrival station).
• Bus – After the train, you will have to transfer to a bus (e.g., the 1062, the 788) that will drop you off right along Jiufen Old Street.

The train and bus ride will take an hour to an hour-and-a-half and cost about $2 one-way.

During Taiwan’s peak travel season, the 1062 bus can get very full, and you might have to wait for up to 30 minutes to get on an available bus.

🚕 Option 2: Taxi or Uber

The easiest way to get to Jiufen is by car, but it’s not the cheapest.

A taxi or Uber ride from Taipei to Jiufen takes 30 to 45 minutes and costs around $40 one-way . Some organized Jiufen tours cost about the same as taking a taxi or Uber.

All of the attractions in Jiufen are within walking distance, but the town also has nearby attractions that require a vehicle . If you want to visit attractions outside of Jiufen , prepare to take a taxi or Uber to get there.

🚗 Option 3: Hire a Driver

You can also hire a private driver to take you from Taipei to Jiufen . Similar to a taxi, the ride will take you 30 to 45 minutes and will cost around $50 one-way .

🚌 Option 4: Jiufen Guided Tour

One of the most convenient ways to get to Jiufen from Taipei is to take a guided tour.

This highly-rated private Jiufen tour not only stops in Old Street, but also at some of the nearby top attractions, such as Yehliu Geopark and Shifen Waterfall.

This map has all the Jiufen attractions mentioned in this post.

Jiufen Day Trip Itinerary

Below is a great way to organize a Jiufen day trip from Taipei if you’re doing it on your own and not through a Jiufen tour .

To help you plan efficiently, I’ve included  suggested times for each activity  based on my firsthand experience.

The Taiwan trip planner below has this Jiufen itinerary prefilled.

4 Great Things To Do in Jiufen

Having spent a full day in Jiufen with a local friend, I share my  recommendations and honest opinions  on the top attractions and activities below, listed in rough order of priority.

Everything on this list is within walking distance once you’re in Jiufen. Any activities or attractions that require a drive are listed further below under Jiufen’s nearby attractions .

1. Explore Jiufen Old Street

🤔 Why : Jiufen’s main attraction is Old Street (also called Jishan Street), a winding, narrow street surrounded by shops and stalls serving traditional Taiwanese snacks.

✨ Things To Do : A great way to explore Old Street is just to meander through it while eating, shopping, taking photos, and enjoying the atmosphere.

• Street food – Visit the many food vendor stalls to sample Taiwanese snacks .
• Souvenir shops – Window shop and stop at vendors that pique your interest (or even scare you a little, like this Ghost Lore Museum ).
• Rent a qipao – Rent a one-piece Chinese dress to take photos in. As long as you treat the qipao like any other piece of clothing and don’t do any mocking behaviors in it, wearing one is not considered offensive by locals.
• Theater – Visit Shengping Theater to learn about the history of Jiufen village for free.

💰 Expected Cost : Jiufen Old Street does not have an entrance fee, but be ready to spend a few dollars shopping and eating your way through it. I spent less than $10 per person sampling five food stalls on Old Street.

⏰ Suggested Duration : Budget one to two hours to walk around Old Street. Without including lunch, I spent about an hour walking around Old Street.

Check out other free things to do in Taiwan .

🍀 Lukiih’s Take : Jiufen Old Street is small, but very lively and fun to walk through. The charming atmospheric street with traditional architecture is almost worth the trip to Jiufen by itself.

Return to itinerary ↑

2. Drink Tea at a Traditional Teahouse

🤔 Why : One of the most iconic and aesthetic things to do in Jiufen is to have tea at a traditional teahouse. During this unique experience, you get to learn how tea is traditionally prepared and enjoy a tea set with snacks.

✨ Best Teahouses To Visit : Jiufen’s most famous tea houses are A-Mei Teahouse , which has an iconic terrace decorated with red lanterns, and Jiufen Teahouse , which has an ornate interior. Other tea houses in Jiufen include:

• Artist Teahouse – an expensive and highly-rated teahouse. You can buy their preset tea set that includes some snacks in advance.
• Skyline Tea House – has a great view of Amei Teahouse. They also offer a tea set with snacks that can be paid for in advance.
• Siidcha – has a more modern take on the teahouses. They offer a Hakka tea set with scoops of ice cream .

The wait at A-Mei Teahouse and Jiufen Teahouse can get very long on the weekends and during the peak travel season. They used to offer a tea set you can buy in advance to guarantee a timed entry, but that’s no longer available.

💰 Expected Cost : You can expect to spend $10 to $20 for a tea set experience in one of Jiufen’s tea houses. I spent $19 per person at A-Mei Teahouse, which included a tea set as well as lunch.

⏰ Suggested Duration : Budget an hour to eat and drink at a Jiufen teahouse. I stayed at A-Mei Teahouse for almost exactly an hour for lunch and tea.

🍀 Lukiih’s Take : The tea experience at A-Mei Teahouse wasn’t as elaborate as I expected, but it was still charming and unique to experience. The views from the terrace were excellent as I was facing some stunning views.

3. Sample Taiwanese Street Food and Snack

🤔 Why : Jiufen Old Street is lined with vendors that sell all sorts of Taiwanese street food, snacks, and desserts. You won’t be able to find some of these Jiufen foods at the night markets in Taipei.

🍚 Things To Eat : Here are six famous, traditional food and snacks to try in Jiufen Old Street:

• Almond tofu pudding – A popular dessert that’s mildly sweet, almond tofu pudding was my favorite snack I tried in Old Street. I decided to get it with boba and brown sugar, but you can get it with fruit toppings instead.

• Glutinous rice cake – One of the most unique snacks to try in Jiufen is glutinous rice cakes, which are little patties that have a mochi-like texture on the outside and savory or sweet fillings inside. The savory ones were interesting to me, but too gingery for my preference.

• Taiwanese sausage – These sausages are usually served on a stick and have a chewier texture and sweeter taste than other types of sausages. Eating Taiwanese sausages was a good break from eating all the other sweet desserts.
• White radish cake – These radish or turnip cakes are sliced and served with shallots and sweet soy sauce. I found the texture and taste interesting, but it wasn’t my favorite.

• Peanut ice cream roll – Peanut ice cream rolls , which consist of ice cream scoops served in a crepe and topped with candied peanut shavings, are one of Jiufen’s most popular snacks.
• Taro ball soup – Taro balls, which are small, chewy balls often made out of sweet potato, can be found in several markets in Taiwan, but Jiufen’s taro balls are the most famous ones.

Taiwan is famous for stinky tofu , which you can also buy in Jiufen Old Street. However, you can also find it in many other places.

💰 Expected Cost : The majority of snacks in Jiufen Old Street will cost $30 to $60 NT (about $1 to $3). I spent less than $10 per person trying five snacks and getting a rice bowl.

🍀 Lukiih’s Take : Jiufen Old Street has an overwhelming number of snack options to try. It makes sense to prioritize eating one to two of the famous ones, but given the low prices, I also recommend going on a tasting adventure and trying multiple things that pique your interest.

4. Hike the Keelung Mountain Trail

🤔 Why : For a view of Jiufen and even Taipei on clear days, you can hike the Keelung Mountain Trail located about a five-minute walk from Old Street.

💰 Admission Fee : Free

⏰ Suggested Duration : The Keelung Mountain Trail is beginner-friendly, but steep and takes about an hour to complete.

🍀 Lukiih’s Take : The Keelung Mountain Trail gives you similar views to the Teapot Mountain hike , so I did the latter instead because it has a rock scramble. Keelung Mountain is a better option if you want a shorter and closer hike.

For more hikes and nature, visit Taroko Gorge , one of Taiwan’s top natural attractions.

5 Attractions Near Jiufen

Jiufen is a small town, and after four hours there, you might want to do other things. Here are the five best places near Jiufen, in rough priority order.

The best way to get to these attractions is to drive. They all require a short drive from Jiufen unless you’re willing to walk for more than 30 minutes between them.

One of my friends walked between Golden Waterfall, Teapot Mountain, and Jiufen, and said he wouldn’t recommend it because it’s unpleasant and takes up too much time for a day trip.

1. Hike Teapot Mountain for Amazing Views

🤔 Why : Teapot Mountain has breathtaking coastal views of Jiufen and a fun, optional rock scramble at the top.

🚗 Getting There : You can start the Teapot Mountain Trail at its trailhead here or from the Gold Museum .

💰 Admission Fee : Free. The Quan Ji Tang parking lot near the trailhead costs $3 per vehicle.

⏰ Suggested Duration : 2 hours

The parking lot has a vending machine where you can buy Asian sports drinks for less than $1. I highly recommend getting FIN or Pocari Sweat, which are refreshing and less sugary than Gatorade.

🍀 Lukiih’s Take : Teapot Mountain was my stop before Jiufen Old Street, and hiking it was a great experience right before my tea and lunch experience at a Jiufen teahouse. The rock scramble was incredibly fun, and the beautiful scenery was well worth the hike.

For more hikes and natures, visit Taroko Gorge .

2. Stop at the Golden Waterfall

🤔 Why : The Golden Waterfall is a waterfall near Jiufen with a distinct, natural golden coloring from all the minerals in the water and soil. It’s a popular place for a quick stop.

🚗 Getting There : The Golden Waterfall is a 10-minute drive from Jiufen Old Street. You can take a taxi there or get there via an organized tour. Highly-rated Jiufen tours will often include the Golden Waterfall as a quick stop.

💰 Admission Fee: Free

⏰ Suggested Duration : 10 to 15 minutes

🍀 Lukiih’s Take : Golden Waterfall is a nice, quick stop if your transportation is easy or cheap. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it if you have to go out of your way to see it.

3. Visit the Gold Museum for Some History

🤔 Why : The Gold Museum is the main attraction of Jinguashi, a former mining town near Jiufen that developed during a gold rush in the Qing Dynasty. You can learn about the town’s notable historic mines while being surrounded by lush, green trees at the museum.

🚗 Getting There : The Gold Museum is a 15-minute drive from Old Street. You can also walk to it from Old Street in a little over 30 minutes.

For a long hike, you can walk from Jiufen to Gold Museum to start the Teapot Mountain Trail hike from there.

💰 Admission Fee : The entrance fee to the Gold Museum is $80 NT (about $2.50).

⏰ Suggested Duration : 1 to 2 hours

🍀 Lukiih’s Take : I didn’t make it to the Gold Museum during my Jiufen trip. I would have prioritized it had I wanted to hike Teapot Mountain later in the day since there’s a trailhead there. I hear it’s a great place to be indoors after a hot day in Jiufen in the summer.

4. Visit Shifen Waterfall

🤔 Why : Shifen Waterfall, a scenic ledge waterfall located in Pingxi District, is a popular tourist attraction. Once there, you can walk around, buy snacks, look at souvenir shops, and admire the waterfall from a distance. Shifen Waterfall is a 15-minute walk from Shifen Old Street , which has small shops and is known for sky lanterns.

🚗 Getting There : Shifen Waterfall is a 30-minute drive and a one-hour bus/train ride south of Jiufen. Organized tours, like this highly-rated one that also stops in Jiufen , will often include a tour of Jiufen, Shifen Waterfall, and Golden Waterfall.

💰 Admission Fee : Free. You’ll have to pay a little over $1 for parking if you go by car.

🍀 Lukiih’s Take : Shifen Waterfall looks more scenic and epic than Golden Waterfall, but it’s significantly farther away from Jiufen, so it’ll be harder to fit into a day trip, especially if you choose to prioritize hiking Teapot Mountain , which is what I did.

5. Feed Cats at Houtong Cat Village

🤔 Why : Houtong Cat Village is a small, quiet village that is known for its large population of stray cats. You’ll see a few cats in Jiufen Old Street, but you’ll be surrounded by them in Houtong Cat Village.

🚗 Getting There : Houtong Cat Village is a 15-minute drive or 30-minute bus/train ride from Jiufen.

🍀 Lukiih’s Take : Houtong Cat Village is small and quiet, so there’s not much else to do there. It’s a great place to go to if you want to explore a less touristy side of the Ruifang District, but it doesn’t seem like it’s worth the transportation time unless you love cats.

To make your travel planning easier , download the trip planner below and use it as a starting point. The planner has country-specific travel information, an itinerary, a packing list, and a map with key places pinned.

The trip planner is built on Notion, which I use for all my travel planning (I genuinely love this tool). If you don’t have Notion, creating an account is free .

Thoughts? Questions? Leave a comment below .

Taiwan Travel Guides

• 🇹🇼 Planning a Trip to Taiwan: 11 Practical Things To Know
• 🧋 Taiwan Guide: 5-7 Day Itinerary + 20 Great Things To Do
• 💰 My 2024 Taiwan Trip Cost: A Budget Breakdown
• 🍃 How to Plan a Taroko Gorge Day Trip from Taipei

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Jiufen Old Street: A 2024 Guide to this Classic Taipei Day Trip

Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you.

Jiufen (九份 or Jioufen), a mountaintop former gold mining town in New Taipei City on the northeast coast of Taiwan , is one of the most popular day trips from Taipei .

Visitors and people who live in Taipei flock to Jiufen Old Street because it encapsulates the best of Taiwan in one small package: rich history, atmospheric lanes and teahouses, breathtaking views, and distinctly Taiwanese snacks at every turn. If you’re planning a trip to the country, chances are you’ve already got Jiufen Old Street on your Taiwan travel itinerary .

Below I’m going to share everything you need to know for planning a day trip trip to Jiufen based on multiple trips I’ve made there in the last 10 years, including things to do in Jiufen, what to eat in Jiufen, the best Jiufen teahouses, where to stay in Jiufen if you decide to spend the night, and things to do in Jinguashi nearby.

If you’re new to Taiwan, also check out my Taiwan travel guide !

Table of Contents

Jiufen Essentials

• Jiufen Old Street is a tourist magnet. It gets ridiculously crowded every day of the year. The best time to visit is from 10 AM (when most things open) till around noon. In the afternoon, crowds reach their peak, then taper off in the early evening. The lanterns come on from around sunset till about 9 PM.
• There are lots of stairs in Jiufen! For visitors with kids, elderly, or bad knees, ask your taxi or private driver to drop you off at the top of the Old Street instead of the bottom, where most people start. Then you can just walk down as far as you want into the Old Street or have the driver pick you up at the bottom.
• It is easy to combine a Jiufen day trip with a visit to a few of the following: Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park, Golden Waterdall, Shifen Waterfall, or Houtong Cat Village . Find out how to do this in my detailed post on how to get to Jiufen, Jinguashi, and Shifen . Another option is to visit the incredible Keelung Night Market in Keelung city after Jiufen.
• There are some really good deals on minibus day trips that include Jiufen, such as this one , this one , and this one .
• You can also get to Jiufen by riding a tourist shuttle bus, which is free for Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass holders. You can buy the pass here .
• Find out the best time to visit Taipei & Jiufen , and plan your Taipei trip by consulting my Taipei 5 day itinerary .

If you sign up for Klook using my referral link , you’ll get NTD100 off any of the above deals.

Where to Stay in Jiufen

While most people do Jiufen as a day trip from Taipei, spending the night offers you the chance to enjoy the streets before and after all the tourists arrive. Also, seeing the view from your Jiufen accommodation or a teahouse at night when the lights in town and along the road light up is breathtaking.

Below are some of my recommended hotels and hostels in Jiufen:

For budget travelers, try On My Way Jiufen Hostel (see on Agoda / Booking / Klook / Tripadvisor ). Mid-range options with the choice of cheaper rooms or rooms with views include Dosun (see on Agoda / Booking / Klook / TripAdvisor ) and OwlStay (see on Agoda / Booking / Klook ). For something a luxurious stay in Jiufen, the rooms at Something Easy Inn (see on Agoda / Booking / Klook / TripAdvisor ) have unbeatable views, even from the en suite bath tubs. This is one of the best hotels in Jiufen. Prepare for a bit of a walk to get up there. If you don’t want to carry your luggage uphill, try Sunshine B&B (see on Agoda / Booking / Klook / TripAdvisor ), which is right by the Jiufen Old Street bus stop.

Was Jiufen Really the Inspiration for Miyazaki’s Spirited Away?

In nearly every article about Jiufen ever written, it is said that the Taiwanese town was the inspiration for Spirited Away , a Japanese animated film by Hayao Miyazaki about a girl who gets lost from her parents and works in a bathhouse for the kami (spirits).

Today in Jiufen you can buy all kinds of Spirited Away souvenirs and paintings, and nobody can deny that Jiufen’s narrow staircases with red lanterns and especially Amei Teahouse look straight out of Spirited Away .

In this interview with Miyazaki , as reported in the Taiwanese news, Miyazaki directly states that Jiufen was NOT the inspiration for Spirited Away . Rather, it was Dōgo Onsen in Matsuyama, Shikoku, Japan than inspired it. The Jiufen myth has been propagated by so many bloggers, writers, and businesses, however, that Jiufen and Spirited Away are now tied, despite the falsity of these claims.

See more details on this debate in the Reddit discussion below the video in the above link.

There’s another place in Taiwan that I personally think also looks particularly reminiscent of Spirited Away . Read my guide to Beitou Hot Springs in Taipei to find out where it is!

A Brief History of Jiufen

In the Qing Dynasty (1636-1911), Jiufen was a tiny, isolated village with nine families, who would request jiu fen (九分) or “nine portions” when ships arrived.

Gold was discovered in the area in the 1890s, resulting in a gold rush, and Jiufen developed as a gold boomtown. Jiufen reached its peak during the Japanese colonial occupation of Taiwan (1895-1945).

The town’s layout was dense, with building practically built on top of one another. Many Japanese inns from that era survive today. During WWII, the town was used as a POW camp, and after the war the gold industry declined, with the mine totally closed in 1971.

Nearby Jinguashi suffered the same fate as Jiufen, and today is the site of the Gold Ecological Park , commonly visited in combination with Jiufen.

Jiufen’s revival came in 1989, when the Taiwanese film A City of Sadness , set in Jiufen, received international acclaim. This initiated a domestic and later international tourism boom that saw the city redevelop into the tourism center that it is today.

Jiufen only seems to get more and more popular every year. It has been promoted heavily in Japan, Taiwanese people love going there on the weekend, and it is one of the top day trips from Taipei for international tourists.

If you are interested in Japanese-era architecture in Taiwan, you can find information about other Japanese buildings in Taiwan in my guides to the best temples in Taipei , historic Dihua Street in Taipei , and places to visit in Taichung .

For more fun day trip ideas from Taipei, see my guides to Jiaoxi Hot Spring in Yilan , Wulai Hot Spring , the best Taipei beaches , and the best theme parks around Taipei .

Things to Do in Jiufen

Here’s a detailed list of what to do in Jiufen during your visit. Spots 8-10 are in nearby Jinguashi, a 10-minute ride past Jiufen by bus. You only need about 2 hours to cover the Jiufen attractions, including stopping for food and tea, but you can easily double that if you add Jinguashi.

Explore Jiufen Old Street

The main reason people come to Jiufen is to explore the highly atmospheric Jiufen Old Street (Jishan Street or 基山街). The old street begins beside the 7-Eleven near the Jiufen Old Street bus stop, and meanders uphill, which numerous lanes and staircases branching off from it.

You could walk all the way up to the top of the village and back down in about 30 minutes, but most people spend a couple hours here, including some shopping, photo taking, snacks, and stopping somewhere for lunch or tea.

The old street is very touristy but still has a lot of charm. Don’t miss the staircase that leads from the Old Street down to Amei Teahouse and Shengping Theater, probably the most beautiful section.

The tourist section of the Old Street ends around Jishan Street Viewing Platform (基山街觀景臺). After that, the road leads to a collection of hillside houses that has a more local feel, where a temple, several guesthouses, and a very traditional teahouse are located.

Enjoy a Tea Set at Amei Teahouse

Amei Teahouse (阿妹茶樓, open 8:30 a.m. to midnight, to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday) is the most iconic building in Jiufen, and the one everyone especially thinks looks like Spirited Away . You can find lots of Spirited Away souvenirs on the staircase leading up (or down) to it.

This beautiful wooden building once housed the only blacksmith in Jiufen, and it has been beautifully preserved and maintained.

Amei Teahouse is EXTREMELY popular. If you come during the afternoon, when Jiufen crowds reach their peak, it could be a long way. It is no longer possible to pre-order your tea set online.

I went quite early when I visited (around 9 a.m. on a weekday), and I was able to walk in and get a seat. If you come for a cocktail or dessert, you’ll be sent to the second floor, while tea drinkers get the best view on the top floor.

For the tea set, you only need to choose between hot or iced tea. Each set comes with four little treats: brown sugar mochi, green bean cake, sesame crackers, and sweet plums.

The tea is served in the traditional kung-fu style, and the waiter gave me a thorough demonstration on how to do it and speaks perfect English. The tea is high mountain tea (see my guide to Taiwan’s teas ) and they provide enough to make many pots of it.

To take the classic picture of Amei Teahouse , go up the stairs of Skyline Tea House (海悅樓觀景茶坊). It’s very obvious which one it is when you get there; it’s right across from Amei. The view is especially nice in the evening, when all the lights and lanterns come on.

For the best shots, try to get a seat in one of the upper floors of that teahouse. However, because of this, the line for a spot in Skyline Tea House can be just as long or even longer than the one for Amei Teahouse!

Give some Love to Other Jiufen Teahouses

Even if you don’t get into Amei Teahouse (or feel you don’t have to go there), there are many other great teahouses in Jiufen to choose from.

Jiufen Teahouse (九份茶坊, 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.) is the best choice for those who want a variety of fine local tea choices and don’t care about having a view. The building’s traditional interior is especially lovely. Each person pays a water fee of TWD100, then a packet of tea ranges from NT600-1200. Don’t miss the oolong tea cheesecake!

Taiwan Sweet Potato Teahouse (芋仔蕃薯茶坊, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.) just uphill from Amei Teahouse, is a decent alternative to Amei. You have to enter through a stone tunnel from the street that miners once used to get to the Jiufen mine, which is pretty surreal!

Another Amei alternative right beside it is Skyline Tea House (海悅樓觀景茶坊, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.), which is where you can take the best photos of Amei Teahouse from. You are more likely to get a seat with a view here than at Amei (or any seat at all).

Further up the Jiufen Old Street from the staircase down to Amei, there is a section with several quieter teahouses that all have great views. Try Forgetful House (忘情小築), Ocean See (九份觀海樓民宿), or Shan Cheng Creation House/Something Easy (九份山城逸境民宿), a pottery shop with a tea room on the third floor.

If you walk all the way to the local community at the end of the road, there is a very traditional and rustic looking teashop called Tree Grove (樹窟奇木樓).

Go Back in Time at Shengping Theater

Shengping Theater (昇平戲院, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., to 6:00 p.m. on weekends, free entry) is a handsome theater dating to 1934, when Jiufen was prosperous. It was built with Taiwanese cypress (hinoki) in the imitation Baroque style popular in Japan at the time.

Inside, you can see old movie posters, a well-preserved concession stand, and an old movie projector. The square in front of the theater was once a bustling social center and marketplace in Jiufen.

The theater is located on Qingbian street (輕便路), an atmospheric lane running between the main highway and Jiufen Old Street. The easiest way to get there is to walk up the staircase from the Jiufen Police Station (九份派出所) bus stop, or down the staircase from Jiufen Old Street and go past Amei Teahouse.

Rent a Qipao for Your Photos

Visitors to Japan love renting kimonos and yukatas for their visit; now the thing to do in Taiwan is to rent a traditional Chinese qipao (sometimes spelled chipao in Taiwan) to stroll around and take photos. The easiest way to do this is to rent a qipao here .

Jiufen’s atmospheric old streets, hanging red lanterns, and Japanese-era architecture are the perfect backdrop for taking some photos in costume. Also, imagine the feeling of dressing up to visit one of Jiufen’s traditional teashops just like locals did 100 years ago!

If you’re wondering what the locals may think, there’s no need to worry. None of them will take offense, and Taiwanese love renting kimonos when they travel to Japan.

Another popular place in Taiwan to rent a qipao is historic Dadaocheng in Taipei . Find even more in my guide to wearing qipaos in Taiwan .

Shopping on the Old Street

While entirely aimed at tourists, Jiufen Old Street is nonetheless a great place to pick up some typical Taiwanese products and souvenirs.

Some of the most popular items sold on Jiufen Old Street include tea, various cakes and desserts, Spirited Away and Totoro items, traditional whistles, cat-related items, postcards, old-fashioned candies, pottery, and all types of typical Taiwan-themed souvenirs.

For excellent, freshly baked pineapple cakes, try 老珍香餅店, a few minutes up the Old Street from the entrance. The smell inside the shop is amazing!

Hike to Keelung Mountain Peak

Keelung Mountain (基隆山 or 雞籠山) is the 588-meter peak you see to the right when looking down from Jiufen. From the pavilion at the top of the mountain, you can enjoy an incredible view of Jiufen and as far away as Taipei 101 on a clear day. I include the trail of my list of the best hikes near Taipei .

The Mount Keelung Trail (雞籠山登山步道) begins about 400 meters up the highway from the entrance to Jiufen Old Street. The hike only takes an hour return, but it is steep, tiring, and mostly involves stairs. According to one of my readers, if you follow the trail for a few minutes up, an alternative trail branches off to the left, with less stairs and a gentle (but longer) ascent to the peak.

See more details and pictures here for the Keelung Mountain Trail .

Jinguashi Gold Ecological Museum

The Jinguashi Gold Ecological Museum (金瓜石黃金博物館, NTD80, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m, to 6:00 p.m. on weekends), also known as New Taipei City Gold Museum or Gold Ecological Park, is only 10 minutes past Jiufen and definitely worth adding to your Jiufen trip.

The museum/park is fairly spread out amongst natural surroundings and there are some pretty incredible views to be had (even better than in Jiufen I would say).

Here you can explore the old mining facilities, touch a 220-kg gold bar that was once the large in the world, enter mining tunnels and even have a coffee topped with ice cream and gold leaf at the cafe on site!

All the buses to Jiufen continue on to Jinguashi before turning around. You can get a small discount if you book your Gold Ecological Park tickets online .

Hike to Teapot Mountain and the Shinto Shrine

A breathtaking 1 to 2-hour hike to Teapot Mountain (茶壺山) begins from right inside the Gold Ecological Park. A rock pile at the top of the mountain looks like a tea pot, and you can even climb right into and through it. This is one of my personal favorite hikes near Taipei .

To find the trail, locate Tunnel #5 (本山五坑), one of the Gold Ecology Park’s popular attractions. Just past it, take the walking bridge across the river and turn right at the end of it. It takes less than an hour to reach the tea pot.

After that, you can return the same way, or go through the tea pot and continue along a loop (2 hours total) that will bring you back to Jinguashi via the remains of a Japanese Shinto Shrine (金瓜石神社石燈籠).

If you only want to see the Japanese Shrine, it’s a 20-minute uphill stair walk, starting at the staircase just before the buildings at Tunnel #5.

Golden Waterfall

One of the most famous (but but slightly more difficult to get to) attractions in the Jiufen and Jinguashi area is the visually stunning Golden Waterfall (黃金瀑布). The waterfall bed’s unique color is the result of all the heavy metal deposits in the area. If you want to see the waterfall, I recommend joining this tour .

Nearby, the abandoned Shuinandong Smelter or “Remains of the 13 Levels” (十三層遺址) is a haunting beautiful spot popular among photographers. Nearby at the Shancheng Art Gallery Performance and Exhibition Gallery you can learn how to make tofu on this cultural tour .

To get to the Golden Waterfall, walk for 20 minutes downhill from Jinguashi Gold Ecological Museum on country road #34, or take bus #788 or 856 from Ruifang, Jiufen, or Jinguashi, or 826 from Jiufen or Jinguashi. These buses may be quite infrequent.

What to Eat in Jiufen

You don’t have to do much planning for what to eat in Jiufen; the old street is lined with food stalls, with both traditional and modern specialties on offer. You can find some of the most famous Taiwanese street foods in Jiufen.

Most Jiufen restaurants are hole-in-the-wall shops with only a few tables, though some have back rooms or second floors with balconies offering great views.

The most famous thing to eat in Jiufen is taro and sweet potato balls (芋圓 and 地瓜圓). You can find these in dessert shops throughout Taiwan, but the ones in Jiufen are especially good.

The balls are fairly bland but it’s all about the chewy texture. They are served hot or on ice, in a slightly sweet syrup, and often come with a variety of beans.

The best places to try them are Lai Ah Po Taro Balls (賴阿婆芋圓) right on the Old Street and Ah Gan Taro Balls (阿柑姨芋圓) up a staircase from the Old Street. At  both shops, you can usually see workers making the balls.

Another traditional specialty you’ll see in Jiufen is herbal rice cakes (草仔粿) and taro cakes (芋粿). These are thick, fist-sized dumplings that come stuffed with beans or vegetables. The most popular spot to buy them is Ah-Lan (阿蘭草仔粿芋粿).

A-Jou Peanut Ice Cream Roll (阿珠雪在燒) serves one of my favorite Taiwanese sweet snacks, a kind of wrap with traditional ice cream, peanut brittle shavings, and cilantro. It may sound like an odd combination, but they are SO GOOD!

A-Jou is really popular but extremely efficient, and because they know we all want to take photos, they even give you a moment to get a shot on their signed plate before wrapping it up.

For a proper meal, try 魚丸伯仔, a 60-year-old shop which does fish ball soup and tofu triangles stuffed with meat (豆腐包) .

Also try 郵局前油蔥粿, which specializes in you cong guo , a kind of savory cake made with rice flour and white radish. You’ll see a huge slab of it on the counter, and they cut chunks of it off and cover them with sweet soy sauce and fried shallots.

If you’re vegetarian or vegan and aren’t sure which items you can eat, find out how to ask in my Taiwanese vegetarian food guide .

Getting to Jiufen

There is so much information to share about this that I’ve written a separate article on how to get to Jiufen, Jinguashi, and Shifen from Taipei . For your stay in Taipei, also feel free to check out my favorite 50 things to do in Taipei and my recommended Taipei itinerary .

Well, I hope you’ve found all the information you needed in this Jiufen guide. If not, feel free to ask me questions in the comments below!

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25 thoughts on “Jiufen Old Street: A 2024 Guide to this Classic Taipei Day Trip”

Thanks so much for your website! We just bought last minute tickets to Taiwan. Arrive at Taipei and leave from Kaohsiung. We have 8 days on the island!

We have a 8 yo and a 5 yo. We want to do mainly Alishan and Kenting. Just hiking and beach! We know the kids are not keen on city walk, history and culture. But they will love the nature! Happy kids and happy parents. That’s what we want for this holiday!

We will obviously spend the first day in Taipei. Then we should leave the second day to Alishan. I reckon we should have at leave one full day in Alishan. Then we leave on the 4th or 5th day to Kenting. Then back home to Singapore!

My husband and i have been to JiuFen. I personally would love to go there again! So perhaps we skip Taipei and go straight to JiuFen. Do you think it’s worth it? I guess I only know Jiufen near Taipei and that’s why the notion stuck in my head!

Would love to hear from you! Again thanks so much for creating this website! Made me so excited about the trip in a weeks time!

Hi Carrie, Thanks for reading, and I’m glad you found some useful info on my site! Your plan sounds great, but I’m afraid I can’t really tell you whether to skip Taipei or do Taipei + Jiufen. It really is up to you! Taipei is such a huge city with so much to do, but it really depends on what kind of things you want to do with your kids. If you loved Jiufen a lot, then I guess only you can do decide if you want to do only that again! I think your kids might enjoy Jinguashi too, which is near Jiufen. Another place you could consider as a day trip or overnight trip from Taipei is Jiaoxi, which has an easy waterfall hike and lots of hot springs (some very kid friendly ones with slides too, such as Art Spa Hotel). For the rest of your trip, it sounds great, and seems like you already know what you want to do. Please let me know if you have any more questions though!

Heyy! Thanks so much for creating this post. Was super useful and adequate even years later 🙂 Glad I finally made it to Taiwan as well and tried all the weird but tasty stuff you mentioned here.

Thanks, I’m so glad to hear it was useful!

Hi Nick, We will do a vacation trip to Taiwan with our family (kids are 12 and 9) Of course, we also want to visit Shifen and Jiufen in a day trip. So I have a few questions for you as an expert: – we are thinking about getting a rental car for the trip. Jiufen does not look very spacious on the pictures. Do Hotels Usually have parking spaces and is it easy to get around by car? – we will not come during the lantern festival. Is it possible to have lanterns fly on a regular day? And if so, where is this done? – how are the travel distances between Shifen, Jiufen and the cat village on a weekday? Visiting all three look feasible in 1 day, but since streets appear small, I am wondering about the traffic. – what other places are for you a must see in Taiwan during a 1 week trip. Kind regards from Yokohama and thank you in advance for your insights. Simon

Hi Simon, I would honestly say sometimes taking public transportation in Taiwan is easier than driving because the roads can be so crowded, and especially because finding parking can be really tough. Jiufen is an extremely popular tourist destination, with only one tiny road going up to it, and most hotels are somewhere up in the village so you can’t even drive to them, as most of the village is for walking only, with lots of staircases. I’m sure if you search, you could find some that are on the main road or do have parking though. Having said that, I’m pretty sure there are still some little parking lots around the entrance to Jiufen Old Street; there will be signs and people out there to collect money. So if you are set on driving, you can certainly do it! For lanterns, setting off lanterns at Shifen train station, right from the train tracks, is also an extremely popular thing to do now, every day of the year. Again, I feel it would be easier to take the train there, but you can drive and they will have some parking lots there. Traveling on a week day will definitely be better for all of this. I think you can use GoogleMaps on a similar time/day of your travels (like check it when it’s a weekday afternoon in Taiwan) to judge the driving times. Just add a little more time for finding parking. If you are used to driving in places with narrow roads and lots of maneuvering that would be good! For me, I’ve been living in Taiwan for 10 years, and we have a family car, but I still let my wife (Taiwanese) do all the driving 🙂 For 1 week in Taiwan, I think it depends on what kind of attractions you want to visit. A lot of visitors with that time frame do Taipei, with 1-2 day trips, then a 2-night trip to Hualien/Taroko Gorge. Feel free to consult my articles on Taroko Gorge, traveling around Taiwan with kids, Taipei itineraries, and things to do in Taiwan for more ideas!

Hi Nick, I’m travelling to Taiwan with 5 other students from Germany and we have 6 days after a one week workshop in Taipei with students from the Design University of Taipei. Which sites, national parks and cities would you recommend that are mostly in the North and East and have low budget travel options? Thanks a lot for your answer in advance!

Best wishes, Clara

Hi Clara, there are many different things you could do, and it depends on what kind of sights (cultural? natural?), the season you are traveling, and just how low your budget is. But I suppose I would say you could take the slower (cheaper, easier to get a seat) train to Hualien City, where there are many great hostels, then do a day trip to Taroko National Park (see my article about that). Next, continue on the train from Hualien to one of the villages in southern Hualien County or Taitung County, such as Yuli, Guanshan or Luye, which feature beautiful countryside scenery. You can rent bikes and ride around. See my article on “East Coast of Taiwan” for all the details. This is just one idea that you can consider.

Hi Nick, we want to thank you so much for producing such high-quality content! We are using your guide the second time to explore Taiwan (last time Alishan) and I must say the info you provide are gold! Really appreciate your effort in writing original and insightful content!

Well thank you very much, glad it helped! And thanks for taking the time to leave some feedback!

Hi, I am doing a girls trip this January and was thinking of renting a private car to drive us to Pingxi, Shifen and Jiufen. What are the routes would you recommend for us and places to visit? What time does the shops close at Jiufen?

Hi Lia, I think it doesn’t make a huge difference which route you take for this tour. You could start at Jiufen, then do Pingxi/Shifen or Shifen/Pingxi. Or you could do Pingxi/Shifen then Jiufen last. I guess it depends, which place do you want to visit with less crowds? Then go there first. Personally I would choose to do Jiufen first, because the old street and staircases there get extremely crowded in the afternoon. It’s more annoying to pass all the people. However, don’t go to Jiufen TOO early. One time I went too early, and I found that most of the food stalls and shops didn’t open until around 10 a.m. The shops and food there are pretty interesting, so you don’t want to miss that. For Shifen waterfall, even if it’s still crowded, you still have the same view of the waterfall, so it’s not such a problem, in my opinion! I would recommend this deal for your driver. I’m sure they will also give you advise on the best schedule, based on factors like parking too: https://affiliate.klook.com/jump/en-CA/activity/9909-popular-sightseeing-charter-tour-taipei/?adid=89163&af_wid=3452 Enjoy your trip!

Hi Nick, Thank you very much for your guides to Jiufen. You’ve put a lot of thought into them. I took the bus to Jiufen and had no trouble at all following your clear instructions. Had a fantastic time. Appreciate your work, and thanks again.

Hello Nick! I’m taking my second trip to Taiwan later this month, and your website has been so helpful for planning it. My first trip was in 2016, and I saw many of Taiwan’s most popular attractions, including Taipei 101, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Beitou’s hot springs, Foguangshan, Sun Moon Lake, and Kenting National Park. Jiufen was at the top of the list of things I wanted to see and didn’t get to, and I’m very excited to go this time! The Klook link to preorder a tea set at A-mei is saying it’s currently unavailable. Do you have any suggestions on what to do, or will I just have to stand in line? Thank you!

A-mei teahouse no longer takes any kind of bookings, so yes, you just have to stand in line. Try to go earlier in the day so you can beat the crowds, and you shouldn’t have to wait too long. Some people recently even reported that they didn’t have to wait in line at all, but of course the line will be bigger on weekends, holidays, high season in Taiwan (winter), and in the future once Taiwan’s tourism industry fully recovers (right now we are still at only 50% of pre-covid figures)

To photograph the classic picture of Amei teahouse, do you have to be a customer of Skyline Teahouse? Thanks

If you see the photo in my article with the caption “The entrance to Amei Teahouse”, that one was taken from the cement path between the two lighthouses, so anyone can stand there and take this photo. But if you want a higher photo like the photo in my article with caption “he famous view of Amei Teahouse in Jiufen”, then you will have to go up Skyline Teahouse.

Is it possible to do Shifen(waterfall & Pingxi), Jiufen(gold eco park & teapot mountain hike) all in one day?

Between teapot mountain hike and keelug mountain hike which do you reccomend?

Yes, you could certainly do those in one day if you get an early start. Between those two hikes, I liked Teapot Mountain more. Keeling mountain is just up up up, then a great view. Teapot mountain has more fun terrain, including climbing inside a cave in the teapot part, and another ladder climb later on. It also has a great view of Yinyang sea on the coast, where the two colors of water mix together.

Thank you for a fantastic website! Do you think Juifen will open up on the 11.th or the 12.th of February 2024, or is everything still closed down to new years at that time? Kind regards, Lea

Jiufen is a town, so it can’t close. But many of the small shops and restaurants will take a break on LNY Eve and LNY Day. After that, they will gradually start to open again.

If we arrive to Jiufen around 4pm (staying the night and exploring the next morning) will we have any trouble finding restaurants to eat dinner on/near old street? Do we need to hurry to have dinner or will places be open at a normal time? Thanks!

Most things will stay open until around 6 or 7 PM. You can use GoogleMaps and click on various restaurants to check their opening times.

Great article as always Nick! I wanted to ask if Uber is available in the Teapot mountain area or do I have to book a cab in advance? I actually wanted to photograph the Remains of 13th level after the lights turn on at 6 pm, but the last bus back to Jiufen is of 5 pm. So will I be able to get a cab then?

That’s a tough call. I’ve never personally tried, so I don’t know. You might get lucky and catch an Uber driver who happens to be around Jiufen and is willing to pick you up. But you also might not. However, you can walk from Remains of 13 levels to Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park (where tea pot mountain located) and there are buses (788 to Keelung and 965 to Ruifang) going from there back to Jiufen and Ruifang until late. Use GoogleMaps directions to find the times.

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SHIFEN AND JIUFEN BY TRAIN, BUS: DAY TRIP FROM TAIPEI

Visiting Shifen and Jiufen from Taipei is one of the most popular day trips when traveling to Taiwan. It was one of the highlights of our trip, toghether with Taroko Gorge , Alishan and Sun Moon Lake .

WHERE ARE SHIFEN AND JIUFEN?

Shifen is a mountain village about 30 km from Taipei, in northern Taiwan . Known for being the place where lanterns are released into the sky, it offers some short and easy surrounding hikes among rivers and waterfalls . It is also located along the Pingxi Railway Line , which passes through several characteristic towns between the mountains and the sea.

Jiufen is an ancient town that grew quickly during the gold rush in the early 1900s. Today it is famous for its narrow streets where you can taste various typical products and drink Taiwanese oolong tea. It’s located slightly further up, towards the northern coast of Formosa. In the evening Jiufen reaches its maximum splendour, when the colourful lights of lanterns and buildings create a magical atmosphere.

Since both are relatively close to Taipei, it makes sense to visit them in a single day. It’s better visiting Shifen Waterfall before it gets too hot, thus we suggest going to Shifen in the morning . Leave Jiufen for the late afternoon , when it becomes even more evocative with the lights on.

Getting to this area is easy, but there are different ways to do it, including by direct bus, by train + bus, by taxi or with daily tours.

DAY TOURS TO SHIFEN AND JIUFEN BY BUS OR CAR

There are several good-rated bus tours available, allowing you to easily visit Shifen and Jiufen plus other places in a single day without hassle. After practicing for a few days with transporation in town, we felt confident doing it on our own. However, for those who have less time available in Taipei, we recommend the following tours:

• From Taipei: Group Tour to Yehliu, Jiufen and Pingxi (Shifen)
• Northern Taiwan: Customized Tour with Private Driver from Taipei
• Private tour (max. 6 people) to Shifen, Jiufen and Yehliu

RENT A CAR WITH DRIVER

For various reasons you may want to hire a driver for the day. Definitely a convenient solution for those traveling as a family with children or elderly people, who don’t want to worry about bus and train timetables, or wish to see as many places as possible. We found this deal which offers a car + driver for 8 hours, more than enough to plan your own personalised trip between Shifen, Jiufen and the surrounding areas.

BY TAXI TO SHIFEN AND JIUFEN

A taxi can be a temporary solution when buses or trains are too crowded, or you are in a hurry to reach the next destination. You’ll always see them available in tourist areas.

Taxi drivers in Taiwan are generally honest and accurate, they always use the meter . Expect to pay between 150 and 300NT$ (5-10€) for a 10km ride, or around 1000-1200NT$ (30-40€) for the whole Taipei-Jiufen journey (50 minutes).

BY TRAIN FROM TAIPEI TO SHIFEN

Shifen can be reached from Taipei by train with one change . First you have to take one of the frequent trains from Taipei to Ruifang (30-60 minutes, $50-80TWD), starting at 6 in the morning.

If your hotel in Taipei is near Taipei Main Station or one of the other train stations, such as Banqiao, Wanhua, Songshan or Nangang, even better, you can get on the train to Ruifang from there too.

The train has different travel times depending on whether it is “Express” or “Limited” type. There are dozens of trains a day, so don’t worry too much. They are particularly frequent in the morning. Nevertheless, you can visit the Taiwan Railways website to plan as best as possible.

You can pay for train and bus journeys with the Easy Card . Remember to always tap it when you get on and off. When in Taiwan we got used to topping up our Easy Card in the evening, so as to always have $150-200 just in case. It’s easy to top up at the station or at any 7-Eleven. Read our guide about travelling by train in Taiwan here .

PINGXI RAILWAY LINE

Once in Ruifang, change trains and buy your ticket for the Pingxi line, which usually leaves from platform 3. This is a mountain train that runs through a scenic valley. A single ride costs between $15-30 TWD. If you plan to make more than 3 trips, purchase the Pingxi day pass for $80 (€2.50), for unlimited travel on the train.

The train goes from Ruifang to Shifen in about 20 minutes. It only leaves once an hour, check Google Maps or the Taiwan Railways website for times in order to find a good connection.

SHIFEN – WHAT TO SEE&DO

Shifen is the village where lanterns are released into the sky along the railway tracks that cut through town. This is now a super touristy activity and available at any time of the day, starting from €8-10 per lantern. Although the manufacturers guarantee the biodegradability of the lanterns, we have read several articles about the potential harm (lanterns can get stuck in the forest trees nearby, in some cases wildfires have started), therefore we preferred to give it a miss.

Having said that, there is no denying that the spectacle must be impressive in the evening, especially during the famous Pingxi Lantern Festival held every year in February.

Not far from the village, a 15-minute walk gets you to stunning Shifen Waterfall , the widest waterfall in Taiwan. Allow 2-3 hours for the complete visit around Shifen area.

The aforementioned popular spots are always included in tours like this one , along with round-trip transportation from Taipei.

BY TRAIN FROM PINGXI TO BADOUZI

After enjoying some snacks by the tracks, return to Shifen station. Remember to check the Pingxi Line timetable so you don’t waste too much time waiting. From here you can choose whether to continue climbing up the valley, or descend towards the sea. Inland, as mentioned, Pingxi is the best-known place where the actual festival is celebrated, although it is very quiet the rest of the year. At Lingjiao and Wanggu stops, some nice trails lead to more beautiful waterfalls .

Heading down, cat lovers love stopping at Hutong Cat Village , a cute cat-themed town! Finally, the train spectacularly emerges onto the East China Sea, where the recently renovated Badouzi terminus offers splendid views of Taiwan’s coastline. Take a maximum of 1-2 hours for one of these stages.

Be mindful because unfortunately it’s complicated to travel independently from Badouzi. We took a long walk to Elephant Trunk Rock , as we couldn’t find any buses with convenient times. In total we were around Badouzi for almost 3 hours, having to get around on foot. Alternatively, look for a taxi or anticipate your visit to Keelung or Jiufen by getting off the train at Ruifang, which is served much better by buses.

Since it’s not possible to see all these places by relying solely on trains and buses, we recommend choosing what inspires you most, calculating the travel times. You could definitely travel faster by taxi or private car between Ruifang, Shifen, Jiufen and Keelung. UPDATE, JAN 2024 : Sadly, the front part of the Elephant Trunk Rock has collapsed due to erosion last December. The area is still safe to explore and constantly under control by officials, the rock and the most exposed area were already fenced off for safety concerns.

BY TRAIN + BUS TO JIUFEN

To reach Jiufen, return by train to Ruifang junction. From here you need to take a bus to go up the mountain. With Ruifang Station behind you, cross the street in front and walk about 300 metres left along Mingdeng St. to the bus stop , just past the police station. Make sure you take the bus from the police station side. The opposite stop is for buses from Ruifang to Taipei.

There are several buses, such as no.827, 856, 788, 825, 965 which usually show the writing Jiufen/Jinguashi also in English. Double check with the driver if they go to Jiufen, the answer will most likely be positive. Alternatively, follow the crowds and ask, chances are everybody is going to Jiufen. The bus ride costs 15-20$ (0.50€ cents!) and takes 20 minutes from Ruifang to Jiufen. Hold on tight if you are standing because there are quite a few hairpin bends.

Once in Jiufen, we again recommend following the flow of people to find your stop, it’s hard to get lost. The most popular stop is Jiufen Old Street , and basically everyone gets off here. A few steps further up, next to a 7-Eleven, is the entrance to the narrow street of Jiufen Old Street.

DIRECT BUS TAIPEI-JIUFEN

There is also the option of traveling by direct bus from Taipei to Jiufen. This solution may be more convenient given that it does not require changes, but personally it’s not our favourite. We really enjoyed the train journeys throughout Taiwan and hated the few forced bus journeys, especially along those roads with many hairpins and sharp curves in the mountains. Better to sit in a train when possible.

Anyways, here’s how to catch the direct bus. There are two possible bus choices from Taipei to Jiufen : No.965 and No.1062. No.965 is included in the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass , whereas 1062 isn’t. The pass is in fact valid for Taipei/New Taipei buses that have 1 to 3 digits, but not for 4-digit buses. Otherwise, a one-way ticket costs $NT90, around €3. Buses generally run between 6am and 8pm, and take around 1h15.

Bus No.965 from Taipei to Jiufen stops at Banqiao (Exit 2), Ximen (Exit 2), and Beimen (Exit 2) MRT Stations in the capital city. No.1062 leaves from Zhongxiao Fuxing (exit 2), where you’ll probably see a line of people waiting for the bus to Jiufen.

If you choose this option and then want to reach Shifen afterwards, follow our itinerary in reverse.

JIUFEN – WHAT TO SEE&DO

The town of Jiufen sits perched on the mountainside. It is characteristic for its alleys and stairways decorated with lights, lanterns and shops selling local delicacies. From sunset onwards the sights are enchanting, you can even enjoy ocean views from up there. But be mindful of proper human traffic jams that will block the streets in the most famous corners.

Take refuge in the less frequented side streets instead, or look for a table at Jiufen Tea House , the most famous tea house in the country. A cup of oolong tea here will cost you dearly (from 800TWD per serving, around €20, but that’s actually enough for 6 cups per person), this is because it includes excellent quality and table service with demonstration by the staff.

The tea ritual in peaceful Jiufen Tea House overlooking the mountains was a special moment. Plus you can still keep the tea leaves you paid for as souvenir, a few leaves are enough for a cup and you won’t consume all the amount purchased on site. Other popular tea houses are Amei Tea House and Skyline Tea House , in the historic town centre as well.

ALSO READ : Sunrise, train, and oolong tea in the Alishan forest

JINGUASHI GOLD ECOLOGICAL GEOPARK

If you are a bit agoraphobic, and we assure you that it’s understandable to be overwhelmed by the crowds in Jiufen, you could escape the chaos and visit the Jiufen Goldore Museum (see map). The area around Jiufen is in fact historically known for having been a gold mining area. Or you can head to Jinguashi by bus (10 minutes), taxi, or one of the tours that include it.

Once there, Jinguashi Gold Ecological Geopark offers walks with sea views, such as the Teapot Mountain Trail, and outdoor routes where ancient gold mines once stood. The Golden Waterfall is a cool attraction that owes its name to the unique water colour given by the deposit of metals in the river bed.

When you’re ready to leave from Jiufen and return to Ruifang, the bus stop is in a different location. From the Old Street entrance, walk about 100 meters up the main road to reach it. Look for signs for Ruifang and Taipei .

Back at Ruifang train station, if you have saved your time and energy, you can take bus no.788 to Keelung. Alternatively, take the train back to Taipei (about 45 minutes), which are quite frequent even in the evening until 9.

BUS TO KEELUNG

Keelung is a lively port city, known in particular for its night market, an evening destination for Taipei residents.

If you have skipped other points and arrive in Keelung in the early afternoon, you can combine your visit with the interesting Yehliu Geopark or with Heping Island Park . Both natural parks offer peculiar rock formations along the coast, an ideal excursion by the Taiwanese sea on a nice sunny day. We recommend these destinations to those traveling by car, taxi, or with one of these tours with a private driver , as relying on buses takes significantly longer in this area.

Close the evening by venturing to the Keelung street market, also known as Miaokou Night Market . This market has had a boom in global notoriety over the years, thanks to the visit of well-known chef Anthony Bourdain.

One of its highlights is the fact that the expansion of the stalls has practically incorporated Dianji Temple , creating a picturesque setting. Among the infinite dishes to taste, we recommend those based on fish given the harbour town location, like crab soup, fried crab, fish tempura; also try Taro Cake or Gua Bao for other Taiwanese specialties.

BACK TO TAIPEI

From Keelung, trains to Taipei run throughout the evening and take between 40-50 minutes. Some buses are even faster, such as no.2088 which leaves from the Erxin Xunhuan Station stop near the night market, and gets to Taipei MRT City Hall Station in about half an hour (see map).

This concludes our guide on how to visit Shifen and Jiufen in a day from Taipei. Read our related articles on other excursions to do from Taipei, such as Taroko Gorge , Alishan , and what to do and see in 3 days in Taipei .

TRAVEL INSURANCE

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Small-Group Tour: Jiufen, Yehliu Geopark, and Shifen from Taipei

TICKET PRICES STARTING FROM

Taxes and fees will be calculated at checkout

Take a full-day tour of the highlights of the Northeast Coast including Yehliu Geopark, Golden Waterfall, Jiufen Old Street, Shifen Waterfall and Shifen Old Street. A shared tour operated in a small-group of no more than 8 people and includes round-trip transportation from your accommodation in Taipei City.

Ticket Options

2 Options Available

Mandarin-Speaking Driver: $38.5

The driver who only speaks Mandarin will offer a brief introduction on the van/bus during the tour. Driver/guide will not follow travelers to walk around.

English-Speaking Driver: $89.75

Our driver speaks fluent English and will tell the stories behind the attractions on the vehicle. He/she will not walk with the travelers.

Ticket Information

• Mobile or paper ticket accepted
• One per booking

What's Included

• All taxes, fees and handling charges
• pickup and drop-off at Westgate Hotel or W Taipei

What's not Included

• Entrance fees (Approximately $3)
• Food and drinks

Cancellation Policy

• If you cancel at least 3 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Additional Info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• English or Mandarin-speaking driver is available. Please select your preferred language at checkout.
• This is a shared tour, not a private one. A maximum of 8 people per tour.
• The practical itinerary and time spent at each spot may be subject to change due to the traffic condition when this tour is on a holiday.

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A Guide to Shifen Old Street, Taiwan’s Famous Sky Lantern Spot

Shifen Old Street (十分老街) is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Taiwan . Every day of the year, foreign tourists flock to this tiny village on the Pingxi Railway Line to write their wishes on sky lanterns and release them to the sky from the train tracks.

In this article, I’m going to introduce everything you need to know for visiting Shifen, like how to get there, what to eat, the best tours, and how to visit during the annual Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival . For Shifen Waterfall nearby, you’ll want to see my separate Shifen Waterfall guide .

I’ll also try to convince to you buy the eco-friendly sky lanterns (the regular ones are terrible for the environment) and how to find them at Shifen.

Finally, I’ll provide some alternatives to Shifen Old Street for those who prefer to avoid the most touristy places.

FYI – in a poll I conducted in my Taiwan Travel Planning group , members voted Shifen as the 4 th most overrated tourist attraction in Taiwan after Cinging Farm , Shilin Night Market , and Sun Moon Lake. Personally, I’m not a fan of Shifen Old Street.

Table of Contents

Shifen Old Street Introduction

Shifen (十分) literally means “ten portions”, as the original 10 families living here would request 10 portions of supplies. Nearby Jiufen (九份), another extremely popular attraction that people usually visit on the same day, means “9 portions” for the same reason.

Shifen is the middle station of the Pingxi Line in Pingxi district of New Taipei City . The Japanese built this railway line in 1918 to transport coal from mines in the Pingxi Valley. Shifen was one of several small mining towns that developed along the line.

Coal mining in the area ended in 1971. In the early 90s, these towns started to become tourist attractions.

The custom of releasing sky lanterns (天燈 or tiandeng ) can be traced back to Fujian province in China, where the ancestors of most Taiwanese came from.

In the mid-1800s, bandits plagued the Pingxi area. When local villagers would descend from the mountains to the train station area to pick up supplies around Lantern Festival, they would send up sky lanterns to inform others that it was safe to come.

Because the lanterns would ascend so high into the sky, locals later developed the habit of writing wishes to the gods on them. It also become common for newlyweds to release them, as tiandeng sounds similar to “have a baby boy” in the Taiwanese language .

Today, tens of thousands of visitors flock to the region every year for the Pingxi Mass Lantern Releases on Lantern Festival (the 15 th day of the 1 st lunar month). Taiwan has become famous for its sky lanterns and this festival.

The festival is so popular that it is held on two separate days, usually the two Saturdays closest to the the festival date . One of them is usually held at in Shifen and the other at Pingxi station.

Besides the mass release events, tourists can buy and release lanterns from the train tracks at Shifen station any day of the year. This can also be done at the less touristy Pingxi and Jingtong stations.

These three villages are the only places in Taiwan that you can release sky lanterns. Other Lantern Festival events around the country focus on viewing beautifully designed lanterns on the ground.

Getting to Shifen Old Street

There are three main ways to get to Shifen, by car, by train, or by bus. The bus or train take a similar amount of time but reach Shifen from totally different directions – by train you’ll arrive from the east, but by bus you’ll come from the west.

If you rent a car or hire a private driver , it takes about one hour to drive from Taipei to Shifen. Driving time will depend on where in Taipei your coming from and rush hour traffic. National Freeway 1 goes straight east towards Keelung then south to Shifen.

Some people choose to take a slower route from Taipei to Shifen, via Shenkeng, Shiding, and Pingxi, in order to visit attractions like Shenkeng Old Street, Hsu’s Hand-Pulled Noodles , and Jingtong or Pingxi stations before reaching Shifen.

There is parking here at Shifen Old Street. Since you have a car, it makes sense to drive to Shifen Waterfall (otherise it’s a 30-minute walk from Shifen Old Street to Shifen Waterfall).

It’s a lovely 20-minute walk from this parking lot to the waterfall along a river with two suspension bridge crossings. Or, you can have your driver drop you off at this spot only 5 minutes from the falls (but no parking there).

By train, it’s a 45-minute ride east from Taipei to Ruifang, which is a transportation hub for the area. At Ruifang Station, you will arrive at Platform 1 or 2. Cross over to Platform 3 for catching the Pingxi train line, which will go south then west to Shifen (27 to 31 minutes). See more info in my Pingxi line guide .

Note that Jiufen Old Street is a 10-minute bus ride from Ruifang station, so you might want to exit the station and visit Jiufen first before going to Shifen.

Jiufen Old Street is best visited around 10 AM (when shops open) until 12:00. After noon, Jiufen becomes extremely crowded and the crowds don’t taper off until the early evening. Shifen Old Street and Shifen Waterfall, on the other hand, have more space, so they won’t feel as crowded as Jiufen, even in the afternoon.

Most trains to Ruifang and all trains to Shifen (i.e. all Pingxi Line trains) are Local type, which means you can’t reserve seats and you can just swipe your EasyCard to board. They can get packed at busy times.

A few trains per day from Taipei to Ruifang are express ones (Puyuma Express or Tze Chiang 3000) – those ones require seat reservations. See more info in my guide to riding TRA trains in Taiwan .

Don’t forget to swipe out when you arrive at Shifen station (it’s easy to miss the machine there). Search all your train times here or on the TRA train app .

A lesser-known way to reach Shifen is by bus. Bus 795 goes from Muzha MRT to Shifen, taking 1.5 hours to get there (TWD 45). Use GoogleMaps or the Bus+ app to see the times (see my guide to best apps for Taiwan ). Swipe EasyCard for the bus.

You need to factor in time for getting to Muzha MRT station (one stop before Taipei Zoo), so this option may actually be a little slower than taking the train to Shifen, depending on where you are coming from in Taipei city.

If you get a seat on the busy, you’ll have a nice cosy ride. However, on busy weekends, holidays, or December high season in Taiwan, the bus can get very full and you might have to stand.

Before reaching Shifen, the bus will pass some other places you might want to stop, including Shenkeng Old Street (famous for stinky tofu), Jingtong station (the last stop on the Pingxi Line), Pingxi Station , Lingjiao Station , and Wanggu Station (see my Pingxi Line guide to read about each stop).

After Shifen Old Street, the bus goes one more stop to Shifen Visitor’s Center, the terminal stop. Get off there if you want to visit Shifen Waterfall first.

Walking to Shifen Waterfall

Around this point on Shifen Old Street, the road splits in two and that is basically the end of the Old Street. There are a few more shops and restaurants up either lane (both are named Shifen Street or 十分街).

You can walk down either lane to reach Shifen Waterfall (30 minutes one-way). See my Shifen Waterfall guide for the details and map of the walking route.

The scenic walk follows the river, with a view of a small waterfall on the way and Pingxi trains going by. The walk includes some stairs so it is not wheelchair friendly.

You can walk back to Shifen Old Street and train station the same way or via this quiet vehicle road . This pin is also the location where you could get dropped off by a driver for the shortest possible walk (and it is wheelchair-friendly route) to the waterfall viewing platforms.

Best Shifen Tours & Private Drivers

Most visitors want to visit Shifen + several other attractions in the area on a day trip from Taipei. However, the logistics can become a little complicated, not to mention all the time waiting for buses and trains.

Therefore, many people visit Shifen as part of a day tour from Taipei. The most popular day tour is this one which includes Shifen Old Street, Shifen Waterfall, Golden Waterfall, Jiufen Old Street, and Yehliu.

Similar ones with slightly different itineraries or activities include this one with pastry making , this one with Heping Island in Keelung , and this one with hotel pick-up in Taipei.

If you’re staying in Ximending , this one and this one offer pickup from Ximen .

If you want to travel at your own pace or with customized itinerary, booking a private driver to Shifen and other spots here .

Where to Stay at Shifen

Not many people stay overnight at Shifen and I don’t really recommend it. Besides being super touristy, there isn’t much to see or do there besides Shifen Old Street and sky lanterns. You only need about one hour to do these.

Almost everything in Shifen closes around 7 PM , including all restaurants and shops selling sky lanterns. The village is totally dead after that. The one FamilyMart in town closes at 10:30. During Lantern Festival, any guesthouse anywhere near the festival will be very hard to book.

If you do still want to spend the night at Shifen, there are only two accommodations I’m aware of in Shifen.

Pingxi Car Head B&B (see on Booking / Agoda ) is a very basic guesthouse close to the train station. Very Happy Guesthouse (see on Booking / Agoda ) is better, but it’s a 15-minute walk from Shifen Old Street or 30-minute walk from Shifen Waterfall.

See my recommended hotels in Jiufen and in Taipei , which have far more options than Shifen.

Visiting Shifen Old Street

Shifen Old Street is only about 300 meters long , so you can visit it in one hour or less , including time to set off a sky lantern. If you plan to walk to Shifen Waterfall as well, add 90 minutes, for a total visiting time of about 2 to 2.5 hours.

You will exit the train station on the north side , and Shifen Old Street starts right at the end of it. At the start of the Old Street, you can cross the tracks to reach Jingan Suspension Bridge (靜安吊橋), a popular photo spot.

The souvenir shops, sky lantern shops (more than 30!), and small restaurants run along either side of the train tracks.

At the souvenir shops, you can purchase various typical souvenirs, but also some region specific ones like Spirited Away merch (due to the false myth that nearby Jiufen Old Street was the inspiration for the Miyazaki film) and some cute little sky lantern decorations with lights inside (see my guide to buying souvenirs in Taiwan ).

You can walk on and cross the train tracks almost anywhere along the Old Street, but of course you need to be careful when a train is coming.

The main section of the Old Street ends here , where the paths on either side of the train line separate to the left and right. A few more shops and restaurants can be found up either lane, and you can walk up either lane to reach Shifen Waterfall.

Releasing Sky Lanterns

Sky Lanterns (天燈) are the biggest draw at Shifen Station. Even though various environmental groups in Taiwan have spoken out against them ( read here , here , and here ), tourists continue to practice this environmentally harmful activity.

What goes up must come down, so when the fire inside sky lanterns burns out, they fall back to the Earth. The 30,000 lanterns released every month usually land in the forest or get stuck in trees or electrical wires, sometimes causing fires.

The lanterns have metal and plastic parts and harmful dyes in them. If you really must participate in this activity, then please consider to pay a little more for the eco-friendly ones (see below).

The typical price for a sky lantern and Shifen is TWD 200 (single color, red is the most common), 250 (four colors), or 350 (8 colors).

The price will include everything you need to paint your wishes on the side and light the fire to send it up to the sky.

Each color of lantern has a different meaning , as you can see on the below photo. Or you can cover all the bases and splurge on the eight-color lantern.

While lighting the lantern, it’s best to have two or more people to hold onto it.

As soon as you all let go, it will take off to the sky quite quickly (thanks to the heat created from the flames of the kerosene soaked paper), so make sure to have your cameras ready or one person on the side taking photos.

How to Find the Eco-Friendly Lanterns

For just a little more money (TWD 450), you can purchase an environmentally friendly sky lantern at Shifen Old Street. These ones burn up entirely in the sky, so nothing falls back to the ground.

These lanterns were first developed by graduates from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (國立陽明交通大學) in Hsinchu . The graduates consulted with long-time lantern makers in Pingxi area, such as Shifen local resident and retired teacher Lin Guo-he.

Lin first learned how to make sky lanterns from his father. He still makes and sells them from Yiqiao Traditional Sky Lantern Shop (藝巧傳統天燈工藝社), located here at the end of Shifen Old Street, just after it branches off on the right side.

Lin makes his lanterns with entirely biodegradable parts , including bamboo and paper pulp. Not only are his less harmful to the environment but also they are made using traditional techniques which are closer to those in the past.

The lanterns have five sides instead of the usual four. Because they are lighter, they will supposedly fly even higher up than the other ones, soaring up to 250 to 250 meters before burning up (the regular ones only go up about 50 to 100 meters before they start descending, often still burning as they fall down).

Whether you meet Lin Guo-he or his wife in the small shop, they may proudly show you the laminated newspaper article from Taiwan Journal, published in 2007, about their lanterns. They are very friendly and will do their best to help you snap photos if you need it.

I also noted that this shop on the left side of Shifen Old Street also has the same eco-friendly lanterns available.

Visiting During Lantern Festival

Shifen Old Street is at its busiest during Lantern Festival . While the festival falls on the 15th day of the first month of the Lunar New Year (usually in February or early March ), the whole Pingxi area will be very busy for weeks around that time.

The Pingxi Mass Lantern Releases usually take place on the two Saturdays closest to the holiday date. One of them is usually held at this venue near Shifen and the other at this venue near Pingxi station.

All evening on those two days, masses of sky lanterns will be released at the same time, once every 15 minutes.

This event is one of the most crowded places I’ve ever experienced . The Pingxi Line will be jam packed, so opt for the shuttle bus from Muzha MRT. You may need to wait in a line for some time to get there and again to get back to Taipei.

If you want to participate in one of the timed mass releases, you have to show up earlier in the day to register. But if you don’t, you can come just to watch or set off your own lantern anywhere in the area as you wish.

During COVID, the Pingxi Mass Lantern Release event was cancelled a few times. In 2023, the crowds weren’t so bad because tourism numbers hadn’t fully recovered and many locals were still very COVID conscious.

But for the 2024 event and later ones, we’re finally back to full tourist numbers again, so expect the event to be crazy busy once again.

What to Eat at Shifen Old Street

There are several small eateries and food stalls on Shifen Old Street. They are all aimed at tourists, so I personally found the quality of food was not the best, yet the prices were high for Taiwan.

Some of the foods you will see on Shifen Old Street include rice stuffed chicken wings (雞翅包飯, try it here or here ), deep fried cuttlefish, river shrimps, and river crabs (the one I tried was lower than average quality) and stinky tofu ( this vendor is the best).

I also saw soup dumplings , peanut brittle cilantro ice cream wraps (you can never go wrong with these), and popsicles with local flavors such as kiwi, roselle, and plum.

If you also visit Shifen Waterfall, there are a few vendors there selling sausages , grilled mushrooms , and cold drinks.

If you are also visiting Jiufen Old Street on the same day, consider waiting until you get there to eat, as it has more variety, unique foods, and better prices.

Alternatives to Shifen Old Street

Because it is so touristy, I don’t personally enjoy visiting Shifen Old Street.

If you’re willing to ride the Pingxi Line just 13 minutes longer to Pingxi station, Pingxi Old Street (平溪老街) has a less touristy vibe than Shifen Old Street and attracts more locals than foreign tourists.

You can also buy and set off sky lanterns right on the train tracks at Pingxi station. Brave hikers should also check out the thrilling Pingxi Crags hikes from there (read about them here in my Taipei hiking guide ).

Ride another five minutes past Pingxi and you’ll reach the terminal Jingtong station, and Jingtong Old Street (菁桐老街). Of the three four famous old streets accessible from the Pingxi Railway Line (Jiufen, Shifen, Pingxi, and Jingtong), this one is the smallest but I would say cutest and quietest. You can also buy and release sky lanterns there.

Although Jiufen Old Street (九份老街) is even more popular and crowded than Shifen Old Street, I still like it better than Shifen. It more variety and better foods, ancient teahouses, impressive views of the Pacific ocean, and overall more atmospheric vibes.

See my Jiufen Old Street guide .

Shenkeng Old Street (深坑老街) also attracts mainly local tourists, who flock there on weekends for its many stinky tofu stalls and nicely restored old buildings. It’s closer to Taipei – make it a stop when riding the bus from Muzha MRT to Shifen. See my Shengkeng Old Street guide .

For alternatives to Shifen Waterfall (there are several other great waterfalls on the Pingxi Line!), see my Shifen Waterfall guide.

Getting to Cingjing Farm from Taichung, Sun Moon Lake, or Taipei

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