One of the must-visit places in Taipei is Jiufen, located in the northeast mountains of New Taipei City. Expect stunning views of the Keelung Sea, picturesque mountains, and the charming cascading houses of the village.
Jiufen is accessible by train or bus, but we decided to hire a driver/tour guide for the day. He picked us up from our hotel in Ximending, which made the trip more convenient. I’ll be sharing his details at the end of this post.
A Brief History of Jiufen
Long ago, Jiufen was home to only nine families. Before the roads were built, ships were the primary means of transporting supplies to the area. During the construction of these roads, gold was accidentally discovered, which attracted settlers and miners. During the Japanese occupation, Jiufen became a thriving center for gold mining.
Jiufen tourist spot in Taiwan
Jiufen gained fame as a tourist destination in the 1990s after serving as the setting for the film A City of Sadness. It has since become a symbol of Old Taiwan. Additionally, the iconic A-Mei Tea House in Jiufen is said to have inspired scenes in the beloved Japanese anime Spirited Away, drawing many Japanese tourists to the area.
(I believe I once had a photo of the tea house, but it was probably deleted — perhaps because I didn’t like how it turned out.)
Enough with the history and let’s go to the adventure my friends and I had.
Jiufen Famous Stairs
One of the most famous spots in Jiufen is its staircase, perfect for that iconic tourist photo. However, getting a good shot wasn’t easy — with the rain, umbrellas, and crowds, capturing the moment required some patience.
We also explored an old mining tunnel, now decorated with graffiti and converted into a secret passage that leads to another part of Jiufen.
What to Expect
Jiufen is filled with quirky shops, charming tea houses, and countless street food stalls. It’s also a fantastic place to find unique souvenirs. Be prepared for narrow roads that become even tighter as more people gather throughout the day.
I took several pictures during our visit, but oddly, some seem to have disappeared.
Our Driver/Tour Guide
Our driver was a Taiwanese local who spoke English well. He also took us to Shifen Waterfall and Shifen Old Street. While you can customize your itinerary with him, note that his service is limited to 6 hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off.
If you’re planning to visit Jiufen, I highly recommend this tour for a stress-free and memorable experience!
For the car/tour guide/driver we availed in Taipei, here are the details:
Jerry Taxi Tour
Tel: 0913 967 292
Jerry Kakao Talk ID: jerrytaxiwei, jerrytaxiem,
Email: wsh2526@yahoo.com.tw
Check the direction here to go to Jiufen.
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. Photo watermark is named after my old site.
