Is Jiufen Worth Visiting? My Honest Review in 2025

I actually hadn’t even heard of Jiufen when I first booked my flight to Taiwan. It wasn’t until I started planning my Taiwan itinerary that I kept seeing it pop up everywhere“Jiufen Spirited Away in Real Life” was all over the place.

That’s when I realized not only does it look super cool, but it’s also one of the most popular day trips from Taipei. And the whole fact that the small mountain town of Jiufen is the inspiration for Spirited Away? Yeah, that’s definitely part of the hype.

So of course, I had to check it out. I spent two full days in Jiufen to really explore it properly and get a good feel for the place, so I could give you the full rundown with tips and honest thoughts. And the main question I want to answer here is the one I know a lot of you are wondering: Is Jiufen worth visiting? Let’s get into it.

Is Jiufen Worth Visiting? My Quick Answer

Alright, here’s the quick version in case you can’t be bothered to read the whole article. Yes, Jiufen is definitely worth visiting. Just make sure to manage your expectations.

Jiufen used to be an old gold mining town, but these days it’s known more for its narrow alleyways, tea houses, stunning mountain views, and red lanterns that light up the streets at night. And yeah, I have to admit, it’s insanely beautiful.

Whether you decide to stay the night and spend a full day exploring (which also gives you time to hike Teapot Mountain), or you just hop on one of the classic Jiufen day trips from Taipei, I’d say go for it.

BUT, and this is important, it is very touristy. I’ll include photos in this article that make it look quiet and magical, but trust me, there were people everywhere. One of the reasons we stayed the night was to enjoy Jiufen without the crowds, but nope, even at night there were tour groups and it was still busy. Unless you go wandering super late, expect crowds.

So yeah, go to Jiufen, but go knowing it’s popular for a reason, just don’t expect a peaceful mountain escape.

What I Liked About Jiufen Taiwan

There’s actually a lot I liked about Jiufen. First of all, the setting is just so beautiful. The whole town is perched up in the mountains with views over the sea, and when the sky is clear, it’s pretty breathtaking. Even just walking through the alleyways, with all the little tea houses and red lanterns swaying above you, it really does feel like something out of a movie.

I also loved the food. There are tons of little snack stalls everywhere, and while yes, it’s touristy, a lot of the food is actually good. I tried taro balls (which are more fun than tasty tbh), noodle soup and dumplings, and a bunch of other random things I pointed at and hoped for the best. It was great.

One of my favorite moments was just sitting in a little local restaurant with a view, and drinking a cold Taiwan beer and watching the sun start to set.

And lastly, I liked staying overnight. Even though it was still crowded, waking up early and walking through town before the crowds fully arrive was probably the most peaceful Jiufen ever gets.

I also really enjoyed being able to hike Teapot mountain in the morning. The views were beautiful and hiking was such a fun experience. It was great to get out and explore some nature in Taiwan.

Things I Did Not Like About Jiufen

Alright, as much as I liked Jiufen, there were definitely a few things that I didn’t love that much.

First off, it’s so touristy. Like, way more than I expected. I knew it was a popular spot, but the crowds were honestly a little much, especially at the famous photo spots. Even at night, when I thought it might quiet down a bit, there were still tour groups walking around with flags and loudspeakers. It kind of killed the “peaceful lantern-lit mountain town” vibe I was hoping for.

Second, a lot of the shops felt super repetitive. Once you’ve walked through the old street once, you’ve pretty much seen it all. Same snacks, same souvenirs, same Spirited Away merch on repeat. Not saying it’s bad, just saying don’t expect every corner to be wildly different.

Also, and this is just my personal take, I didn’t think staying overnight gave us any big advantage. I figured we’d get the place more to ourselves after day trippers left, but nope. It was still busy in the evening and even early morning had its fair share of people. However I still recommend staying overnight, because that way we got to hike teapot mountain in the morning which was an absolute highlight for me!

Things to Do in Jiufen

Wander Through Jiufen Old Street: This is the main alley packed with food stalls, tea houses, souvenir shops. Super busy but fun to walk around.

Stop for Tea at A-Mei Teahouse: The most iconic tea house in Jiufen. A little pricey, but the views and vibe are pretty cool (with a little pricey I mean ridiculously expensive)

Try All the Street Food: Peanut ice cream rolls (My absolute favorite), taro balls, fish balls, just snack your way through the town.

Enjoy the Viewpoints: Jiufen is built on a hill, so you’ll find amazing mountain and ocean views just by walking around. And of course take the famous A Mei tea house picture!

Walk Around in the Evening: When the lanterns come on, Jiufen looks its best. Still crowded, but definitely prettier at night.

Hike Teapot Mountain: Not technically in Jiufen, but just a short bus ride away (I actually walked all the way from Jiuden which was doable but pretty hard at 6am!). Great views and a fun hike if you’ve got the time.

Jiufen Day Trip or Overnight Stay?

Even though staying overnight didn’t magically get us away from the crowds, I’d still do it the same way if I went back.

First off, our hotel (Jiufen Nostalgic Inn) had such a beautiful view over the mountains and ocean, I loved waking up there. And while Jiufen is always busy, it did get a little quieter at night. When the red lanterns came on, most of the streets were actually pretty peaceful, except right around A-Mei Teahouse which was still packed. But beyond that, we had some calm moments to enjoy the atmosphere without the chaos.

Also, I loved being able to hike Teapot Mountain early the next morning before heading back to Taipei. Having that extra time made the whole experience feel way more relaxed.

That said, if you’re short on time, a day trip (guided or on your own) totally works too. You won’t miss out, but if you do have the time, staying overnight just makes the whole thing a bit slower-paced and easier to enjoy.

Would I Come Back to Jiufen? My Final Thoughts

Yes, I’d definitely come back. The whole town just has that classic, almost stereotypical look you imagine if you’ve only ever seen Taiwanese or Chinese towns in movies. It really does feel like something out of Spirited Away or Mulan, with the red lanterns, the old architecture, the misty mountain backdrop. It’s beautiful, no doubt, and Jiufen is 100% worth visiting.

Whether you stay overnight or just do a guided day trip depends on your travel style. Personally, I’d stay overnight again, just because I like to take my time when I travel. But if you’re short on time, a day trip is totally fine too. Even if you only have 3 days in Taipei, I’d say spend two in the city and use the third for a day trip to Jiufen.

I hope this little guide on ‘Is Jiufen worth visiting?’  helped you figure out whether Jiufen is worth adding to your Taiwan plans.

Related Articles