Jiufen Village

Jiufen is one of the most popular day trips from Taipei. Most visitors head to Jiufen Old Street—lined with shops, teahouses, cafés, and traditional food stalls—although other top attractions include Shengping Theater, Taiyang Co. Ruifang, Songde Park, and Wufan Tunnel. More active visitors often set their sights on hiking Mount Jilong.

Visit on a guided full-day tour from Taipei and stop at other villages and attractions such as Pingxi, Jinguashi, Shifen, or Yehliu National Geopark. Alternatively, opt for a biking tour of Jiufen and nearby areas like Houtong.

• Jiufen is ideal for travelers interested in history, culture, and shopping.

• Wear sturdy and comfortable shoes. There are a lot of stairs and cobblestone streets in Jiufen.

• Bring sun protection, waterproof jackets, and water if visiting in summer, which is also the rainy season.

• Full-day tours from Taipei can last upwards of eight or nine hours.

• Must-try Jiufen dishes include taro balls, glutinous rice cakes, and peanut ice cream rolls.

Jiufen is located in northeast Taiwan, near Keelung. The easiest way to visit Jiufen is on a guided tour. Otherwise, take the train from Taipei to Ruifang Station and transfer to the Keelung bus; the ride takes about 15 minutes. Alternatively, take the MRT to Zhongxiao Fuxing (Exit 2) and bus 1062 to Jiufen. There's also a shuttle bus that leaves from Ximen in the morning and returns in the evening.

Jiufen is a year-round destination, though its popularity makes it extremely crowded on weekends and public holidays. Go during the week to avoid the largest crowds. Jiufen is at its most scenic around sunset, when the village comes alive with a sea of red lanterns.

Jiufen has been the setting for several well-known films. It was featured in 1989’s Taiwanese historical drama A City of Sadness, which won the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival that year. It is also said to have greatly influenced Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s acclaimed Spirited Away—fans of the movie have flocked to Jiufen, in particular A-Mei Teahouse, said to be the inspiration for the film's bathhouse.

Jiufen Village is located in northeast Taiwan, around 22 miles (35 kilometers) from Taipei. Take the MRT to Zhongxiao Fuxing and bus 1062, or a train to Ruifang and a bus to Jiufen Old Street, or a shuttle bus from Ximen. Driving, taxis, or tours with transfers are other options.

The top attraction in Jiufen Village is Jiufen Old Street (or Jishan Street), which is lined with teahouses (the most famous being A-Mei Teahouse), souvenir shops, cafés, restaurants, and food stalls. Other top attractions in the village include the historic Shengping Theater, Jiufen Goldore Museum, Songde Park, and Wufan Tunnel.

Jiufen Village is a popular destination year-round, particularly so on weekends and public holidays. It’s best to visit Jiufen Village during the week, if possible, and in the morning—most shops open around 10am. The town is especially scenic in the evening, when many red lanterns light up around town.

Some of the most popular foods and snacks to try in Jiufen Village include taro ball soup (hot or cold), taro cakes, peanut ice cream rolls, egg waffle ice cream, glutinous rice cakes, fish ball soup, braised pork rice, and boba tea. Numerous teahouses offer traditional tea.

Jiufen Village is located on a hillside and has lots of steps. For an easier exploration of Jiufen Old Street, get dropped off by taxi at the top of the street and then walk down. It’s also worth wandering the many streets and alleyways that intersect Jiufen Old Street.

Yes, the most popular tea house in Jiufen Village is probably A-Mei Teahouse, just off Jiufen Old Street. Bedecked in red lanterns, the café is said to closely resemble the bathhouse in Hayao Miyazaki’s film, Spirited Away. For a good photo opportunity of A-Mei, visit Skyline Teahouse, across the street.