Region
Jiufen
Jiufen is a former gold-mining town clinging to the hillsides above Taiwan's northeast coast, famous for its narrow, lantern-lit Old Street stacked with tea houses and snack stalls. Its maze of covered alleys and sea-view terraces are said to have inspired the atmospheric look of several well-known animated films, drawing crowds especially at dusk when the red lanterns switch on.
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Frequently asked questions about Jiufen
How do I get to Jiufen?
Jiufen has no train station of its own — the standard route is a Taiwan Railways (TRA) train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station, followed by a short local bus up into Jiufen. Travelers coming from Taipei's international gateway, Taoyuan Airport (TPE), typically connect into central Taipei first (e.g., via MRT or airport bus) before making this train-plus-bus journey, which takes roughly ~1 to 1.5 hours from central Taipei once underway.
How many days should I spend in Jiufen?
Most visitors treat Jiufen as a half-day to full-day trip, which is enough time to wander the Old Street, enjoy a tea house, and take in the viewpoints, though staying one night lets you see the lanterns lit after dark once the day-trippers have left.
What is Jiufen known for?
Jiufen is a former gold-mining town clinging to the hillsides above Taiwan's northeast coast, famous for its narrow, lantern-lit Old Street stacked with tea houses and snack stalls. Its maze of covered alleys and sea-view terraces are said to have inspired the atmospheric look of several well-known animated films, drawing crowds especially at dusk when the red lanterns switch on.