Day Trip to Jiufen

Known for its picturesque streets, stunning coastal views, and rich history, Jiufen is a charming mountain town nestled in Taiwan. This former gold-mining hub offers a blend of traditional tea houses, vibrant markets, and narrow alleyways, creating an enchanting atmosphere that transports visitors back in time. Jiufen is truly perfect for a day trip from Taipei!

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Best things to do on a day trip to Jiufen

1. Capture the beautiful town of ‘Spirited Away’

Jiufen holds a captivating allure for many due to its resemblance to the enchanting town in “Spirited Away,” featuring iconic red lanterns and Japanese-inspired architecture. Surprisingly, despite these similarities, the renowned creator of the film has firmly clarified that Jiufen did not serve as inspiration for the mesmerising world of “Spirited Away.”

A-Mei Teahouse is indeed a charming gem that evokes the enchanting spirit of the teahouse in “Spirited Away.” While it’s not a challenge to locate, it does require a bit of exploration, as it’s nestled in one of Jiufen’s numerous narrow alleyways. This journey to discover A-Mei Teahouse is akin to a delightful treasure hunt, adding an extra layer of magic to your visit to Jiufen.

2. Food and souvenirs at JiuFen Old Street

Jiufen offers a spread of delectable food options to savor and intriguing stores to explore. The narrow alleyways create a maze-like atmosphere, inviting visitors to get lost in its charm. You can spend a good portion of time indulging in local street food, browsing for unique souvenirs, or simply taking in the charming ambiance.

One of our favourite things to do is browsing the souvenir shops here in Jiufen! These charming little shops, tucked away in the town’s narrow alleyways, are filled with beautifully crafted trinkets and treasures. It’s the perfect opportunity to find unique souvenirs and keepsakes that capture the essence and craftsmanship of Jiufen! (Of course we got our postcards from here!)

Our favourite dishes:

Stinky Tofu is a must-try and our favourite Taiwanese local dish!

3. Have local Taiwanese tea

Indeed, Taiwanese tea is renowned worldwide, and experiencing it at a mountain teahouse adds a special dimension to the experience. While A-Mei Teahouse is well-known and popular, it’s worth noting that prices can be slightly higher, and queues longer due to its popularity.

However, Jiufen boasts many other exceptional teahouses offering equally splendid tea experiences and the added bonus of breathtaking ocean views (we visited the one opposite A-Mei Teahouse). These hidden gems allow you to savor the beauty of both the tea and the scenery.

When to visit Jiufen on a day trip

For the most fulfilling Jiufen experience, consider arriving in the late afternoon when shops and stalls are bustling. The real magic unfolds at night when vibrant red lanterns illuminate the scene. Keep in mind that if you’re relying on public transportation, the last bus departs around 9pm. To fully relish the tranquility beneath the glowing lanterns, you might opt to spend the night, savoring the town once day-trippers have departed.

Remember to pack an umbrella as Jiufen does receive a fair amount of rainfall, particularly during the wetter monsoon season. The wettest months tend to be from May to September, with June to August being the peak rainy season. As it is higher up in the mountains, temperatures can also be slightly colder.

You can make the most of your time exploring Jiufen’s Old Street, savoring tea with panoramic views, and indulging in local cuisine in just half a day or around 3-4 hours. To extend your adventure, consider combining your Jiufen day trip with a visit to Shifen, which also makes for an excellent half-day excursion. This way, you can enjoy the best of both worlds in a single day of exploration.

Getting to Jiufen

BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Taking the public transportation to Jiufen is fairly convenient. There are many local bus services (buses 827, 856 (Taiwan Tourism bus), 788, 825, 965, or 1062) which bring you from various points in Taipei to Jiufen.

We recommend using the app ‘Citymapper’ which has been quite reliable in navigating the public transport system in Taipei. Check for the bus schedules, stops and timings.

BY CAR

You can also drive up to Jiufen but we, personally, would not drive there as the mountainous roads can be quite steep, narrow and windy. Also, the locals familiar with the roads tend to drive rather fast on the roads which can be dangerous for drivers unfamiliar with the conditions.