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    Jiufen

    Taiwan

    Jiufen

    CityCultureNature

    Jiufen is a former gold mining town located on a steep hillside above the northeast coast, about an hour from Taipei.

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    9. Jiufen
    Jiufen is a former gold mining town located on a steep hillside above the northeast coast, about an hour from Taipei. Its stair-lined alleyways, traditional teahouses, and red lanterns make it the most popular day trip from the capital, especially in the late afternoon when the lights come on and the view extends over the sea.Following gold discoveries in 1893, the village grew into a mining town, its golden age coinciding with the Japanese colonial era. The present-day old town, centered around Jishan Street, primarily reflects those years. After the decline of mining, the town fell into disrepair and only later experienced a resurgence as a popular tourist destination. In the neighboring town of Jinguashi, the Gold Museum, located on a former mine site, recounts the history of gold extraction.
    Jiufen is located in New Taipei's Ruifang District, on a steep slope overlooking the northeast coast, approximately 35 kilometers from central Taipei. The town's vibrant life unfolds along Jishan Street, the old town alley, and the stairs of Shuqi Road, featuring teahouses with sea views. A few bus minutes away is Jinguashi, home to the Gold Museum. While very crowded on weekends, it's quieter during the week and in the late afternoon once the tour buses leave. Bring an umbrella, as the weather on the slope is changeable.

    More districts in Jiufen

    Jinguashi

    Jinguashi

    Jinguashi, a short bus ride from Jiufen, was, like its neighbor, a center of gold mining. The Gold Museum recounts the history of gold extraction and the miners' lives; during World War II, it also served as a prisoner-of-war camp. Buses 788, 825, 856, 1062, and 965 travel here.

    Sights in Jiufen

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Jiufen Old Street
    Historic Landmark

    1Jiufen Old Street

    The Old Town Alley, officially Jishan Street, winds as a narrow, covered row of shops along the slope. Teahouses, snack stalls, and staircases with mountain and sea views characterize it, being quietest in the early morning or late evening.
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    Shengping Theater
    Attraction

    2Shengping Theater

    This restored cinema once entertained mining families with films and stage plays. Today, a small exhibition displays old posters, film reels, and wooden benches; admission is free, and it's closed on Mondays.
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    Gold Museum Jinguashi
    Museum

    3Gold Museum Jinguashi

    The museum is in nearby Jinguashi on a former mining site and tells the story of gold mining and miners' lives during the Japanese era. From the site, a steep hiking trail leads to Teapot Mountain.
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    Restaurants in Jiufen

    1

    Grandma Lai's Sweet Taro Balls (賴阿婆芋圓)

    One of the two most famous shops for Jiufen's specialty: boiled taro and sweet potato balls in sweet soup, warm or with ice. Beyond taro, varieties include sweet potato, yam, green tea or sesame, plus red or green beans.
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    Dining and Drinks

    In Jiufen, you'll eat simple mountain village snacks; fish and seafood barely feature, despite the coastal proximity.

    Taro Dumplings

    Boiled taro and sweet potato balls in sweet soup are the specialty, with the most famous shops being A Gan Yi up the alley and Grandma Lai.

    Tea with a View

    Teahouses like A-Mei serve tea and snacks with coastal views, but expect a queue due to the crowds.

    Cao Zai Kueh

    The sticky rice cakes, alongside the taro balls, are among the classics of the Old Town.

    Gold, Film and Teahouses

    The gold discoveries of 1893 marked the village's transformation into a mining town, with its heyday during the Japanese colonial era. After mining ceased, the place fell into disrepair until it was rediscovered as a film set and a tourist destination. Many visitors see the alleys and the A-Mei Teahouse as inspiration for the animated film “Spirited Away,” though this is unconfirmed.During World War II, the neighboring town of Jinguashi housed a prisoner-of-war camp, while its Gold Museum recounts the history of mining and the lives of the miners.

    Getting There and Around

    Direct Bus: Bus 1062 departs from Zhongxiao Fuxing Metro Station in Taipei, and bus 965 from Ximen. The journey takes about an hour.Train and Bus: Take a local train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang (40 to 50 minutes), then buses 788, 825, or 827 will take you up in about 20 minutes. Don't believe taxi drivers who claim the bus takes two hours.On Location: Explore the alleys and stairs on foot only; the old town is not suitable for wheelchairs. Buses 788, 825, 856, 1062, and 965 go to Jinguashi.

    Accommodations in Jiufen

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    Nearby

    Jinguashi

    Jinguashi

    Jinguashi, a short bus ride from Jiufen, was, like its neighbor, a center of gold mining. The Gold Museum recounts the history of gold extraction and the miners' lives; during World War II, it also served as a prisoner-of-war camp. Buses 788, 825, 856, 1062, and 965 travel here.
    North Taiwan

    North Taiwan

    The North around Taipei is the most densely populated part of Taiwan and the entry point for most travelers. Here you land in Taoyuan, eat your way through the capital's night markets, and drive in an hour to the mountains above the Northeast Coast.The Greater Taipei Area, including New Taipei and Keelung, is home to around seven million people. The metro reaches Yangmingshan National Park with its extinct volcanoes and Beitou's hot springs. In Ruifang District lies the former gold mining town of Jiufen, next door to the Gold Museum in Jinguashi.
    Taipei

    Taipei

    Taiwan's capital in the north of the island blends Qing-era temples, colonial architecture, and the 509-meter-tall skyscraper Taipei 101 with a vibrant night market culture. Taipei is the perfect starting point for any trip: This is where you land, where you'll find exceptionally good and affordable food, and where mountains with hot springs are right on the city's doorstep.In the west, around Wanhua and Dadaocheng, the 1738-founded Longshan Temple and the shops of Dihua Street reflect the city's 19th-century trading past. To the east, shopping districts and skyscrapers define the Xinyi area. The National Palace Museum houses one of the world's largest collections of ancient Chinese art, and to the north, the city borders Yangmingshan National Park, home to extinct volcanoes and hot springs.
    Taroko National Park

    Taroko National Park

    Taroko Gorge, north of Hualien, is Taiwan's most famous natural landscape: The Liwu River has carved its way through marble cliffs, with walls rising steeply. The area is home to the Truku people.The earthquake on April 3, 2024, severely impacted the park. Well-known trails like the Shakadang Trail, Swallow Grotto, and Zhuilu Old Trail remain closed. Accessible areas include the Visitor Center at the park entrance with the Dekalun Trail, and parts of Tianxiang. Before any visit, check the latest advisories from the National Park Administration.
    Hualien

    Hualien

    Hualien on the east coast is the gateway to Taroko National Park and the Pacific coast, where the Central Mountain Range drops almost vertically into the sea. The city itself is relaxed and manageable; its appeal lies in its surroundings: pebble beaches, steep cliffs, and the famous Marble Gorge.The earthquake on April 3, 2024, severely impacted Taroko Gorge. Many well-known trails, such as the Shakadang Trail, Swallow Grotto, and Zhuilu Old Trail, remain closed even in 2026. Open areas include the visitor center at the park entrance with the Dekalun Trail and parts of the Tianxiang area. Before any excursion, check the latest information from the National Park Administration. Between the city and the gorge lies Qixingtan pebble beach.