Chiufen (Jiufen Old Street)
Chiufen (Jiufen Old Street)
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Ruifan District
With its air of historical heritage, Shuijinjiu (ShueiNanDong, Jingguashi, Jiufen) used to be prosperous and glamorous due to mining. Although its magnificent semblance no longer exists, the peaceful and beautiful atmosphere has persisted. With a wave to the age of the gold rush, one can still see a glimpse of its glorious past through the Golden Waterfall. Gazing at the ShueiNanDong Remains of the 13 Levels, it is like a beautiful palace that was deserted, earning it the name of “Potala Palace of the Mountain Mines”. Probing forward to the mouth of the river is the considerably distinguished Yinyang Sea, with its half gold half bluish green spectacle inspiring countless imaginations of romance.
Walking along the streets of the meandering old streets of Jiufen and tasting the various kinds of authentic eateries is the love of tourists. Stepping into the Golden Museum, one can glimpse the historical traces of the mining industry culture, reminiscing of past glories from its museum, living quarters, and shrine remains.
The unassuming mountain city of Houtong used to be a mining village. With the call of cat lovers, volunteer groups were established to create a friendly environment for cats and turned Houtong into a cat village for cat lovers.
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112 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Mike WMountain View, California405 contributionsCute little town.Our driver dropped us off a the top and agreed to meet us at the bottom after we visited all the shops. This was a godsend. Lots of booths with everything from fish ball soup to spicy duck blood (no, I didn’t make that one up). Very lively, narrow alleys, uneven roads and a cool ocarina shop. What’s not to love.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 15, 2023
- Abovetheclouds2,218 contributionsVery pretty but so busy!This was just as you imagined when you see it in photographs. Very pretty. Like stepping back in time. Picturesque. My main issue was how busy it was with all the tourists and stalls. Whilst this added to the atmosphere, it was difficult to fully appreciate the setting. I would say when you go to avoid peak times. My guess is anytime is peak. Probably avoid weekends. Walk, explore, get a bite to eat or a drink and definitely visit one of the teahouses.Visited November 2023Traveled soloWritten November 4, 2023
- Rain-mom-858 contributionsMany foods to try- bring cashYes it’s busy and crowded. But once you know to expect it, the rest of the experience is enjoyable. We started at the magic shop outside the old street. Many of the vendors don’t take card so bring extra cash. We loved the variety of ceramic ocarinas. The owner of the shop demonstrated how to play the cat ocarina we bought. Such a nice person!Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 28, 2023
- hitman531phQuezon City, Philippines330 contributionsPrepare to walk plentyPrepare to walk. Better to start at the Jiufen Old Road at the top beside 7-Eleven. Ask the driver to bring you to the top first and meet you at the bottom of the stairs in about 90-120 minutes. Plenty of shops along the way. Food items, small restaurants, souvenir items, tea sets and a lot more.Visited October 2023Traveled with friendsWritten November 28, 2023
- LyegeakSingapore, Singapore212 contributionsNice place but way too crowdedI really like the rows of shops which range from cute souvenirs to tasty goodies. I would say definitely worth a visit but avoid if you have young kids or elderly as you have to fought through crowds to get to places. The path is not all flat and even so might not be very safe for old folks and young kids. There are also tour groups which really choke up the whole walk ways which is pretty frustrating. All in all, I think it is worth a visit but have to be patient with crowds.Visited December 2023Traveled with familyWritten December 17, 2023
- Bobo NganHong Kong, China430 contributionsWorth visit even rainingWe visit here 30 years before, and now visit again. Wonder that it keep so well ! About the same, it means "OLD" - tradition. Maybe here always raining, so have a blue mood. Most of the shops close about 7:00 p.m.Visited December 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten December 27, 2023
- ChemaVV170 contributionsSunset views and night marketAmazing views in the sunset. Beautiful streets, full of tiny, traditional shops and food markets. A bit crowded, try to avoid saturday evenings. An interesting Temple worth visiting too.Visited December 2023Traveled with familyWritten January 3, 2024
- denischristopherdDublin, Ireland209 contributionsMagical JiufenJiufen is a magical village in the mountains located. Jiufen was made famous due to its similarity to the village in Animated movie Spirited Away. The streets become very busy, i would recommed going to the bottom and working your way up, also late in the evening becomes quiter.Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten June 16, 2024
- AmyFresno, California232 contributionsBeautiful areaWent here to explore this scenic area. Old street was so charming with the lanterns and the market. Food was yummy and not to miss Taro balls. Also views were amazing as there are mountains and the ocean as well.Visited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 18, 2024
- Anggita DeskaJakarta, Indonesia607 contributionsMagical old street with many foodJoin Klook tour to jiufen old street, prepare your stomach because it will be many free test food and you will be full. It so crowded, many souvenirs, food, drink were there. Will be more romantic view when the lights turn on.Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten June 27, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
5,664 reviews
Excellent
1,772
Very good
2,581
Average
1,029
Poor
200
Terrible
82
ianwyj
Singapore5,188 contributions
Dec 2019
We almost had no time on our itinerary for a visit to this touristy little collection of streets located near Keelung in the north of the country. But a small break in schedule allowed us to squeeze in a trip there and back, even if it was literally a whistle-stop visit. We took the bus from the bust stop outside Zhongxing Fuxiao station, a journey that about 80 minutes cutting through various Tapiei districts before heading for the hills. I found the journey interesting as, once the bus left the city proper, the scenery became less urban though quite rural. We arrived in Jiufen just as it started to drizzle. The skies subsequently turned into a downpour which, accompanied by the breeze, made it somewhat chilly. This didn't really dampen the mood as there were a number of eating places which we ducked into to try some of the delicious local cuisine. There were plenty of shops selling foodstuff, clothes, paintings, leather goods, souvenir, in fact anything that a good shopper could spend plenty of time and money in. Some parts of the town had excellent views of Keelung in the distance. Unless one has personal transport, it's a good idea to not only to keep an eye on what time the last buses leave but also from which bus stop they depart.
Written July 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sabi0james
Manila, Philippines3,296 contributions
Jan 2020
We went on a guided tour and our guide said that this was an old mining community. Now the main street, narrow alleys and old houses are transformed into one packed bazaar filled with shops, tea houses, and boutique hotels. The streets can be jampacked with tourists so mobility may be a little difficult. But the cool weather and the variety of shops present negate the inconveniences brought about by the crowds.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bulatai
Sydney, Australia203 contributions
Feb 2020
We travelled by bus 965 from Xiamen. The bus stop is near exit 2, cost less than $4 AUD and took less than 1 hour and we arrived at 10:30 am.
As it was a Monday , there were no crowds but also due to the present Corona virus situation not many tourists either. This was to our benefit.
The street is covered from the elements and on both sides are traditional Taiwanese food and snacks - mochi, tea ,souvenirs and local crafts.Lots of samples to taste and drink too.
There is a tea house that is supposed to be the inspiration for the film - Spirited Away.
Many shops sell souvenirs of the characters.
There are beautiful views of Keelung harbour and the mountainside.
It is a really lovely day trip.
As it was a Monday , there were no crowds but also due to the present Corona virus situation not many tourists either. This was to our benefit.
The street is covered from the elements and on both sides are traditional Taiwanese food and snacks - mochi, tea ,souvenirs and local crafts.Lots of samples to taste and drink too.
There is a tea house that is supposed to be the inspiration for the film - Spirited Away.
Many shops sell souvenirs of the characters.
There are beautiful views of Keelung harbour and the mountainside.
It is a really lovely day trip.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YU C
1 contribution
Dec 2019
Jiufen is a very suitable attraction for tourists, but it is very crowded that you can hardly move during holidays. What’s more, there are many branch roads, so it is easy to get lost. However, every branch road is a new discovery which is very interesting. Despite the fact that the food there is expensive as well as ordinary, and the roads are like a maze and often crowded, Jiufen has beautiful scenery and a cultural atmosphere. In addition, the most important thing is that it is easy to go to Jiufen because there are bus stops everywhere. However, there is one thing worth mentioning, Jiufen is indeed a bit commercialized nowadays. People there sell expensive and ordinary souvenirs and food, so it is difficult to truly appreciate the real beauty of Jiufen. Jiufen is a good place worth visiting, but still don’t expect too much, The more you expect, the more disappointment you would get.
Written November 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PEI-RU CHEN
2 contributions
Aug 2020
This summer, my family and my mother’s friends went to Taroko National Park with world-class canyon views. It has always been a secret place that I like to visit. In addition to the pleasant scenery of the entire trail, there are waterfalls, magnificent canyons and streams to enjoy along the way. Passing through the seven tunnels, you can see the water-like waterfall flowing from the cracks in the rock. Such a spectacle attracts many tourists. The white popular trail shuttles between each trail, and whenever it leaves a tunnel, it feels like another village on the willow tree.to my astonishment. I was extremely fascinated by the view that I had never seen before. For the sake of the pandemic our travel are limited in domestic that we can have a chance to take a glimpse of the beauty of Taiwan. As far as I am concerned the trip to Hualien can not only enjoy the moment in nature but also boost the relationship with my family.
Written November 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Junming Yang
1 contribution
Jul 2020
I went to Taichung with my high school classmates. And then, we went to a street near Taichung First Senior High School, which is Yizhong Street. We arrived there in the evening. Along the street, there are many street vendors just like a big night market. (Although the center street always had many people, many place and platforms near the center street to offer people eating and drinking. Some of people could set down and talk together.) I don’t know what you mean here. Do you mean there are lots of places and platforms where people can sit and talk near the center street so it is always crowded? In fact, Yizhong Street is a wide Leisure place in Taichung. We can buy many yummy and creative foods there. I recommend people who live in other countries to visit Yizhong Street because this is a good place to eat delicious food and to hang out with friends.
Written November 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pancho4112
Tokyo Prefecture, Japan122 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We went on an organized tour, so we were not quite sure about the place.
The village itself is beautiful, safe, and people are nice. However, if you go over the weekend, you'll have to catch public transport from the carpark to the village. This can be dangerous because there are crazy crowds and drivers pay zero attention to traffic rules (bus drivers are extremely cautious but tourists and locals driving aren't).
Make sure you try the egg tarts and the strawberry cakes sold near one of the fancy cafés.
The street I narrow and covered, which means umbrellas aren't needed.
The village itself is beautiful, safe, and people are nice. However, if you go over the weekend, you'll have to catch public transport from the carpark to the village. This can be dangerous because there are crazy crowds and drivers pay zero attention to traffic rules (bus drivers are extremely cautious but tourists and locals driving aren't).
Make sure you try the egg tarts and the strawberry cakes sold near one of the fancy cafés.
The street I narrow and covered, which means umbrellas aren't needed.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benedict Odiña
Makati, Philippines26 contributions
Dec 2019
It was so nice to see Jiufen Old Street in real-life not in photos only on the internet. When I visited last December 2019, it was so foggy, crowdy and cold. But it was great experience to visit that place.
Tip: Don't visit on a holiday or Monday - it's crowdy; but visit them like during mid-week.
Tip: Don't visit on a holiday or Monday - it's crowdy; but visit them like during mid-week.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
筱婷 王
1 contribution
Mar 2020
Keelung is my hometown.Keelung is a small city with mountains and seas.Since Keelung is close to the sea, many people come here for seafood.Besides, Keelung has a harbor, so if you want to go abroad by cruise, you must visit Keelung Keelung is famous for Miaokou Night Market, many people will go there to taste delicious food..Let's take a day trip to Keelung!
Written November 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulSiow
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia2,697 contributions
Nov 2019
Our day trip took us to Juifen car park and we had to walk up the narrow steps to Jiufen old street. This place is busy with many food, snacks and souvenir shops, just like the night markets. Jiufen is very popular with tourists. Though we visited during the day time, it is even more popular at night. Avoid visiting during weekends and holidays as .the crowd could be horrendous. It was drizzling when we visited and so was cold. Bring a wind jacket when visiting as it could be windy and cold.
Written October 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What time in the day is the "best" time to visit Jiufen? Best meaning 1) when it is not too crowded but also 2) the views are prettiest
What are the pros and cons of going in the early morning versus during sunset?
Written October 9, 2023
1) Best time to visit starting at 10AM so you can capture nice photos, alleys then have less people. You can get the best seats for your lunch before 11AM else, you need to line up because of tourist traffic. 2) Best views are prettiest during sunny days hence, check the weather before a visit. No need to catch the sunset as views are captivating enough during daytime.
Written November 13, 2023
How’s is Jiufen during December 31st and January 1st? Will shops and restaurants be open?
Written July 17, 2023
Crowded
If you want less crowds you can go early in the morning
I am not so sure about 5-6 PM but it's better than the afternoon.
Written July 24, 2023
Hi, obviously steep stairs everywhere - would it be possible to visit and move around on a lightweight mobility scooter - or is it just steps ? Sue
Written February 21, 2019
The alley is very small and packed with people moving to both directions.
Written February 22, 2019
Hi, what time does the business at Old Street (food stalls, restaurant) start? We will stay there so we plan to go earlier before the crowd increases. Thank you
Written October 29, 2018
Like other markets they start early and I think with one hours travel from Taipei if u started at 8.30am you would still catch the famous food shops. Even if not open you can catch the scenery.
Written November 7, 2018
I am bringing my 6 month old to Taipei next month and would like to visit jiufen. I am still nursing my baby. Does anyone know whether is there a nursing room at jiufen? Or is there a parent room where I can change baby's nappy. I am thinking of taking a train there. Does anyone know whether is there a nursing/parent room at Rui Fang station?
Written October 2, 2018
It is not advisable to bring an infant to Jiufen coz it is crowded with tourist. Stairs are steep too especially when u r carrying ur baby. No nursing station/room. There is no baby changing room on all their toilets
Written November 5, 2018
Hello!
How to get to jiufen old st from ximending? And how much is the fare?
Written October 2, 2018
Get to Taipei train station first.
Take the MRT.
Then take the train heading for Reifun.
Next take the bus from Reifun to jiufen.
Because it is quite cheap, may be less than three hundred NT$.
The MRT takes NT20
The train is less than NT100
The bus is cheap.
It is sure to be a trip within your bargain if you don’t consider the taxi.
Written October 2, 2018
VanChi C
Toronto, Canada
I am looking for a place to stay for my husband & me, either hotel or B&B, average price & close to transportation.
Could you give me these information, thank you ! End of March !
Written March 3, 2018
I am not a travel agent, just a tourist like you
Written March 3, 2018
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