On one of the last days in Taiwan (Taipei), we were wondering where to go to. My Taiwanese friend recommended us to visit Jiufen, so if she recommends... we need to go right!? In this article, I will share everything about my experience and how busy it can get!
What to expect in this article:
About my trip to Jiufen
I have an amazing Taiwanese friend who lives in the Philippines right now. Last February (2025), I had the chance to visit her and her family to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year, how amazing!? After leaving them and spending our last days in Taipei, we knew we had to visit Jiufen, as my friend had always spoken so dearly about it. So there we went!
Just some background info about Jiufen: It is a little town in the mountains of northeastern Taiwan. It is filled with charm, beautiful temples, delicious snacks, and some of the most beautiful sea views I’ve ever seen. Jiufen (also spelled Chiufen) used to be a small gold mining village during the Japanese era. These days, it’s a major tourist spot known for its old street, tea houses, narrow alleyways, and cozy mountain vibe.
Did you know? Jiufen and Spirited Away
So if you’ve seen Spirited Away by Studio Ghibli, you might feel something familiar when walking in Jiufen. The narrow streets, the lanterns, the old buildings – they look like scenes from the movie! At least, that is what I keep reading everywhere online. I have not seen the movie myself (whoops), but it is on my list to watch to understand what everyone is talking about.
Many people believe Jiufen inspired the world of Spirited Away. While it’s not officially confirmed, the feeling is real. Especially when you visit A-Mei Teahouse at night. So don’t just visit during the day.
Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you’ll still like the magical feeling of Jiufen. At least, I did!
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Exploring Jiufen Old Street – souvenirs & snacks
As soon as we arrived in Jiufen, I was instantly in love. The Jiufen Old Street is so cute and full of life! The alleyways are narrow, winding, and lined with little shops selling everything from:
Handmade jewelry
Postcards and stickers
Traditional lanterns and fans
Scented teas and soaps
Local street food
Btw, don’t forget to buy the EasyCard to make travelling around Taiwan as convenient as possible!
At the first store I saw, I bought a cute toy for my bag, as everyone does in Taiwan! You will also do it, even if you don’t normally 😉
Next to that, I bought handmade chopsticks from some special tree in Taiwan, for my future house.
We had some good food, did not try the snacks, as my friend let us try a lot while visiting her. But you need to try the tea egg, bubble tea, or stinky tofu, which are some of the specialties in Taiwan and I love all 3 of them!
I loved the stinky tofu so much that I even bought a cute key with stinky tofu. Ever since I met my friend Shu Ting in Spain (2018), she spoke about the dish, I am so happy I love it!
Don't forget to book an activity in Jiufen
Gorgeous views over the sea
One thing you can’t miss in Jiufen is the view. Because it’s built on a hill, Jiufen has amazing panoramic views of the sea. Especially the view with the temples on the sea are gorgeous and not something I have ever seen. We took a bus from Taipei to Jiufen and the views on our way were already amazing, I couldn’t stop making videos and photos.
There are plenty of little tea houses and cafes with outdoor balconies where you can sip a cup of local teaor coffee while enjoying the view. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and perfect for photos!
Come early, Jiufen gets crowded!
Let me be honest: Jiufen gets crowded. Really crowded.
We were there on a weekend day at 9.00, and after around 12:00 PM, the streets (especially Old Street) became super packed. Since the alleys are quite narrow, I felt quite overwhelmed by all the tourists. Near the A-Mei Teahouse, everyone was taking pictures, so it was kind of impossible to take pictures without anyone else on it.
I am so happy we came early, so we at least had some peace. I strongly recommend you to come even earlier to enjoy the peaceful morning vibes. That way, you also have more space (and time) to take in the beauty and shop without being rushed. For me, it is hard to shop when there are a million other people in a tiny store. So whatever you do, come early!
Check the video below on how busy it can get!
How to reach Jiufen from Taipei
We started our trip in the morning from Taipei, and getting to Jiufen was super easy. We took a direct bus from Taipei, which you can catch from Songshan Station or Taipei Main Station.
Look for bus 1062 (Keelung Bus), which takes you straight to Jiufen in about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic. The ride offers beautiful views as you get closer to the mountains! It was a pleasure being on the bus. Also, it was not crowded at all! There were only a handful of other tourists on the bus.
Again: Try to leave Taipei by 8:00–9:00 AM, especially if you’re visiting on the weekend like we did. It gets busy super fast, like I mentioned before!
Btw, don’t forget to buy the EasyCard to make travelling around Taiwan as convenient as possible!
After Jiufen: Visiting Zhengbin Fishing Harbor
After our Jiufen adventure, we continued our day trip to Zhengbin Fishing Harbor, which is located near Keelung. It’s famous for its rainbow-colored buildings along the water and has become popular on Instagram.
Honestly? It was nice for a quick visit and a photo, but compared to the magic of Jiufen, we didn’t find it that special. Still, if you’re in the area and have extra time, it’s worth a short stop. If you have more time than we did, Heping Island GeoPark might be a good option to visit while being in Zhengbin!
Once I have my own house, I also want this map!
So would I recommend Jiufen?
Yes!
Jiufen was a nice day trip from Taipei. What I loved most were the views… only for that, you should go here. Also, I loved all the stores and shopping.
If you’re in Taipei and have a day to spare, a Jiufen day/morning trip is totally worth it!
Did you like reading this article? Have you been to Jiufen? I would love to know, so make sure to message me on my social media or leave a comment below.
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