Jiufen Taiwan Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting in 2025

One of my favorite little places I visited in Taiwan was actually Jiufen and funny enough, I had never even heard of it before I arrived. It wasn’t until I started planning my Taiwan itinerary that I kept seeing Jiufen pop up everywhere as one of the top day trips from Taipei. And honestly, I’m so glad I decided to check it out.

Jiufen is this beautiful little mountain town (former gold mining town) that’s allegedly the inspiration for the japanese animated film Spirited Away. It definitely looks the part: a stunning hillside village with old-school Chinese architecture, charming tea houses, and red lanterns everywhere. It really is gorgeous.

I ended up spending two days in Jiufen and stayed overnight, so today in this ‘Jiufen Taiwan Travel Guide’, I’ll share a bit about my experience, what all the fuss is about, if it’s worth visiting, what there is to do, and how to actually get there. Hopefully, this helps you plan your own Jiufen adventure a bit more easily.

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Jiufen Taiwan Travel Guide – My Experience

I planned to spend two days in Jiufen and stay the night because I already knew how insanely busy and touristy it would get. My big idea was that we’d get the morning and evening hours to ourselves, after all the tour crowds had left (spoiler: that only kind of worked).

We took the bus from Taipei to Jiufen, which was super easy, I actually have a whole guide on how to do it if you want all the details. We got there around 2 pm, checked into our hotel, and then headed straight out to explore. We spent the whole afternoon exploring the narrow alleyways, grabbing beers at a little restaurant with amazing views, and of course, taking way too many photos.

We pretty much did the exact same walk through town twice, once during the day and then again at night when all the red lanterns light up Jiufen. And yes, we took the classic shot of the A-Mei Teahouse both in daylight and at night, because… you kinda have to.

The next morning, we got up super early and hiked up Teapot Mountain. We actually walked there straight from Jiufen around 6 am, which was really fun and not too hard at all. We made it back just in time to check out, which felt pretty perfect.

Crowd-wise I have to say, it’s packed. Especially during the day and around the famous photo spots, there are endless day tours and even nighttime group tours now. So while the town does quiet down a bit in the evening, Old Street and the main viewpoints still stay pretty busy.

How to Get to Jiufen from Taipei

You’ve got a few different options to get from Taipei City to Jiufen: you can take the bus, take the train, or just join a guided day tour. (I actually wrote a full guide on exactly how to get to Jiufen from Taipei if you want all the details.)

Jiufen by Bus: Head to Songshan Station in Taipei (just take the MRT there), then catch Bus 1062 straight to Jiufen Old Street. That’s what I did, and it was super easy. Just make sure you have an EasyCard, you can grab one at any 7-Eleven or train station.

Jiufen by Train: This is what I did on my way back to Taipei. Catch a train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang (important: you’ll need to buy a ticket at the station because you can’t use your EasyCard on these trains). From Ruifang, hop on Bus 1062 or one of the tourist buses for about 10 minutes to Jiufen Old Street.

Jiufen Tour: If you want it extra easy, you can book a Jiufen day trip from Taipei. You’ll either meet at a central spot or get picked up from your hotel, and then head out in an air-conditioned minibus, usually with stops in Shifen and at Shifen Waterfall too. Definitely the most hassle-free option, but you’ll have less flexibility.

Jiufen Day Trip vs. Overnight Stay

Jiufen Day Trip:

This is definitely the way to go if you’re on a tighter schedule or just don’t feel like figuring out trains and buses. I totally get that not everyone is comfortable using public transport in another language and if you want to skip all that stress, just book a day tour. They’re pretty affordable and super convenient.

Book Here: Jiufen Day Trip

Overnight Stay:

I stayed overnight in Jiufen and personally think it’s the better option, but that’s just me. I’m not a huge fan of tours; I love using public transport and feeling like I’m actually exploring on my own. We stayed in a cute little boutique hotel with amazing views over Jiufen. During the day, we joined the crowds, but later at night, once all the day tours were gone, we got to wander around under the red lanterns in peace. It was such a cool vibe.

Also, if you’re into hiking, Teapot Mountain is right nearby. We walked there from Jiufen and did the whole hike in about 2–3 hours, round trip. It was fun, not too hard, and the views were so worth it.

Where to Stay in Jiufen Taiwan

When it comes to staying overnight in Jiufen, there’s really only one big rule: stay close to Jiufen Old Street.

There are a few cute homestays and small hotels further out near Teapot Mountain or in the neighboring villages, but if you book one of those by accident, you’ll find yourself on a surprise 30-minute hike just to grab a tea or take the classic Jiufen Old Street pictures. Not ideal, unless you really want to get your steps in.

The easiest way to avoid that is, when booking on Booking.com, just open the map view and double-check that your hotel is right next to Jiufen Old Street.

My favorite places to stay in Jiufen:

✅ Nostalgic Inn: This is where I stayed. It’s a cute little boutique hotel with amazing views over Jiufen and the ocean. Super cozy, and and right next to Jiufen Old Street.

✅ Jiufen The Dragon B&B: A bit more upscale with a super cool design and decor that screams “Jiufen.” Gorgeous views over the town and sea, and a great option if you want that classic romantic, lantern-lit vibe.

Things to Do in Jiufen Taiwan

Wander through Jiufen Old Street. It’s crowded, but all the snack stalls and hidden corners make it worth it.
Head into Jiufen Tea House. You can splurge on a tea tasting or just explore the different levels and the little art gallery inside.
Check out A-Mei Teahouse. Grab a tea or just snap that classic photo from across the street.
Visit the Gold Museum. Learn about Jiufen’s gold mining history, and it’s just a quick bus ride away.
Go see Golden Waterfall. It’s beautiful and only a short bus ride from town.
Hike up Teapot Mountain. Start early to avoid the crowds and enjoy the amazing views.
Stick around at night to see all the lanterns light up. The whole vibe is completely different once the day-trippers leave.
Pop into one of the small bars or cafés with balcony views. Great for a drink and some peaceful people-watching above the chaos.

Best Things to Eat in Jiufen Taiwan

All the classic eats like taro balls, peanut ice cream rolls, traditional fish balls, and grilled mushrooms, you’ll find them all along Jiufen Old Street. There are food stalls everywhere, so just wander, snack, and follow the smells.

One of my favorite dinner spots was 安迪藥燉排骨. Tiny, super affordable, delicious noodles and dumplings, and a cold beer to top it off.

Another standout is 石川制研. Probably the best restaurant in Jiufen. It’s located down a side street, no reservations (you’ll need to wait), but 100% worth it.

If you need your morning coffee fix, head to Chliv. Pretty much the only spot in Jiufen with a proper flat white or latte, and a nice little atmosphere too.

For cocktails, Golden Bar is the place. It has the best drinks in town and incredible views over Jiufen and the mountains, perfect way to end the day.

Just a heads up: most restaurants close early, usually around 8 pm. So make sure to check opening hours, or you’ll end up having dinner at 7-Eleven. You’ve been warned.

Final Thoughts About Visiting Jiufen Taipei

I really think Jiufen is an awesome place to visit, and I absolutely loved my time there. Even if you don’t have time to stay overnight, I’d still 100% recommend doing a day trip. Just getting out of Taipei for a bit and seeing a different side of Taiwan like the small mountain villages, traditional architecture, and that slower countryside vibe.

Yes, Jiufen is super touristy. You just have to accept that before you go. Old Street will always be crowded, but I found that if you wander off into the little side alleyways, you can escape the crowds a bit. And if you do stay overnight, you’ll get to see Jiufen early in the morning or late at night without all the tour groups and that’s when the town really feels magical.

Of course, I loved the red lanterns and the famous A-Mei Teahouse views. But honestly, my personal highlight was hiking up Teapot Mountain. After so many days in Taipei, getting out into nature, breathing fresh air, and seeing the coastline from above felt amazing.