Jiufen Old Street

With an unmatched old town atmosphere and seaside flair, Jiufen (九份) is a must see spot when visiting northern Taiwan. Always teeming with tourists, you might notice that Japanese people make up a huge proportion of the crowds gathered. Many are keen to catch a glimpse of the setting of Hayao Miyazaki's Academy Award winning “Spirited Away”, especially the iconic red lanterns. This is also a film mecca for lovers of Taiwanese film, especially fans of Hou Hsiao-hsien's “A City of Sadness” (悲情城市), which utilized Jiufen as the backdrop to the events of the 228 Incident. Given Hou’s recent award of Best Director in the 2015 International Cannes Film Festival for his new film “The Assassin”, we expect even more people will make their way here in years to come.

Among the many treats and souvenirs to be enjoyed, you should be sure to try a local favorite, taro balls (芋圓) in a sweet red bean soup. Tea houses and coffee shops line the old streets of Jiufen and provide exquisite views of the sleepy mountainside town and Keelung Harbor, not to mention provide a great place to rest your feet! For those itching for some adventuring, try the Keelung mountain hiking trail (雞籠山). No matter which way you choose to enjoy it, you'll be sure to come away from Jiufen with some of the most memorable photos of your trip to Taiwan.

(In case you are interested, the name of the township comes from a rather funny story: A long time ago, there were only nine families living in the area. Because there were no roads serving it, goods could only be delivered by ship. Due to the inefficiency of transportation to the region, the families used to reserve nine portions of household goods to be delivered at one time. Thus, the name Jiufen, “Nine Portions”, stuck and has been the name of the town ever since).

Gold Ecological Park

Gold Ecological Park (黃金博物園區) is located in the mountain town of Jinguashi (金瓜石) in Ruifang District, New Taipei City. Just a few bus stops beyond Jiufen, this area is rich in historical, cultural, and natural resources. Among these is the Museum of Gold which provides information on the gold mining industry and an insightful look into the life of a miner with a visit to the Benshan Fifth Tunnel (本山五坑). This park happens to be the first museum park in Taiwan to be based on integrated ecological-museum concepts. Further owing to the eco-centered focus of the area, the Environment Education Center offers exhibits on the special environmental and geological characteristics of Jinguashi.

Additionally, the Crown Prince Chalet (太子賓館) is also open to the public, providing visitors a chance to appreciate the elegance of a Japanese palace style building. And before you leave Jinguashi, remember to make a short stop at the Golden Waterfall (黃金瀑布).

Shifen Old Street 

          Shifen Old Street is a bustling hub for those eager to get a glimpse of an old railroad town which still retains the charm of yesteryear. Originally built to transport coal, the Shifen Old Street stop has now become one of the most popular on the Pingxi rail-line. It is easy to see why so many are drawn here - local food, souvenir shops and puffing trains add to the charm of this little gem, as well as make it a fantastic place for photography.

            The sky lanterns at Shifen Old Street are of particular note. Once used as a signaling system for those living and working in the railroad industry, visitors today paint their wishes with calligraphy before releasing the lanterns into the sky. We think Shifen Old Street is one of the best stops on the Pingxi Line, but if you have time, jump back on the train to visit some of the other stations, offering gentle mountainside strolls, sky lanterns and an up-close look at the early days of train travel and coal mining in Taiwan.

Releasing a sky lantern costs TWD100~150 each.

            Our Jiufen - Sky Lantern tour is a brilliant choice for those visiting Shifen Old Street as it combines this attraction with Jiufen’s Old Street for a fantastic look at Taiwan of the past. Our guides, with their unique knowledge of the history of these sites, can make them come alive for you. Most importantly, they can also alert you to the not-to-miss delicacies among the hundreds of choices on offer!