- What Makes Jiufen So Enchanting?
- Jiufen Old Street
- Jiufen Jingshan Temple (Jinshan Rock)
- Jiufen Teahouse
- Jiufen Kaicheng Temple (Tiangong Temple)
- Jiufen Xiahai City God Temple (Zhaoling Temple)
- How to Get to Jiufen and Tips to Avoid Crowds for a 120% Enjoyable Trip
- The History of Jiufen: From Gold Rush Town to Tourist Destination
What Makes Jiufen So Enchanting?
Jiufen is an immensely popular highlight of any trip to Taiwan. Its retro streets and the glow of red lanterns create a truly extraordinary atmosphere. This article will unveil the full charm of Jiufen, from classic street food and teahouse experiences to deep, breathtaking viewpoints.
Jiufen Old Street
📍 Address: Jishan St, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224
Nestled in the mountains of northern Taiwan, Jiufen Old Street is one of Taiwan’s premier tourist attractions, exuding a nostalgic atmosphere. Red lanterns are densely hung along its narrow alleys and steep staircases, bathing the entire town in a fantastical glow at dusk. Its scenery is often said to resemble the world of Studio Ghibli’s film ‘Spirited Away’, drawing immense popularity from many Japanese tourists (though Hayao Miyazaki has officially stated it was not a direct model, its mystical atmosphere undeniably captivates visitors).
Along the main street, ‘Jishan Street’, and the steep ‘Shuqi Road’ with its numerous stairs, sampling Taiwanese street food is a must. Indulge in local delicacies such as ‘Taro Balls (芋圓)’, with their delightfully chewy texture, and ‘Braised Pork Rice (魯肉飯)’, a Taiwanese soul food. Despite some shop changes post-COVID, the lively atmosphere remains vibrant. There are also many stylish cafes and souvenir shops, making it perfect for finding gifts.
Jiufen is known for its frequent rain, so essential items include a folding umbrella or raincoat. Furthermore, due to narrow paths and many stairs, we highly recommend visiting in comfortable sneakers. Exploring the quiet back alleys not featured on social media can lead to unexpected stunning views, adding to the deep charm of this town.
Jiufen Jingshan Temple (Jinshan Rock)
📍 Address: No. 199號, Jishan St, Fuzhu Village, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224
As you venture deeper into Jishan Street, the main thoroughfare of Jiufen Old Street, you’ll suddenly encounter ‘Jiufen Jingshan Temple (九份金山岩)’ along a flat stretch of the path. This small temple, established by local residents in 1917, is built right into the rock face and enshrines a golden Guanyin statue.
During the era when Jiufen prospered as a gold mining town, miners used ‘touchstones’ (a type of quartz) around Jingshan Temple to verify the purity of gold. In recent years, with the enshrinement of Yue Lao (the Old Man Under the Moon), it has gained attention as a romantic power spot where couples wishing for relationship success use touchstones to ‘measure the purity of their love’.
Located in a quiet area slightly away from the hustle and bustle of the old street, it offers excellent views. From the observation deck, you can overlook Keelung Mountain rising on the right, and the East China Sea and Shen’ao fishing port spreading below. Especially at night, it’s a hidden gem for breathtaking views, where the lights of fishing boats on the sea and the night scenery of Jiufen create a romantic tableau.
Jiufen Teahouse
📍 Address: No. 142號, Jishan St, Chongwen Village, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 22448
A traditional teahouse experience is an absolute must when visiting Jiufen. ‘Jiufen Teahouse’ (九份茶坊) is a historic teahouse, the first to open in Jiufen in 1991. Housed in a renovated wooden building over 100 years old, its interior is like a museum, filled with antique furniture, tea sets, and pottery.
The greatest charm of this establishment is that staff who speak Japanese meticulously demonstrate how to brew authentic Taiwanese tea using charcoal-boiled water. Enjoying the aroma of carefully selected high-quality Oolong tea or Jasmine tea, accompanied by Oolong tea cheesecake and homemade cookies, is a blissful experience. Since one batch of tea leaves can be steeped 6-7 times, you can savor the changing flavors and aromas at your leisure.
While the prices are somewhat high due to its tourist location (expect to pay several thousand to 10,000 yen for tea and sweets), any leftover tea leaves can be taken home, allowing you to prolong the travel experience. The terrace seating offers panoramic views of Jiufen’s iconic mountains and sea, and there’s even a pond with koi swimming inside, promising a luxurious and soothing experience beyond the price. To avoid crowds, it’s recommended to get a numbered ticket in advance or visit early in the morning.
Jiufen Kaicheng Temple (Tiangong Temple)
📍 Address: 224 台湾 New Taipei City, Ruifang District, Yongqing Village, 烏勢巷152-1號
Nestled quietly at the very top of the narrow back alleys and stairs leading up from the bustling Jiufen Old Street area is ‘Jiufen Kaicheng Temple (九份天公廟)’. Founded in 1957, this solemn temple enshrines the Jade Emperor (Tiangong). As it’s located away from the tourist-dense areas, it’s a hidden gem known to few, allowing for a quiet and unhurried visit.
The greatest charm of Kaicheng Temple is the overwhelming panoramic view from its elevated position. With almost nothing obstructing the view, you can gaze upon Jiufen’s mountains, the sea of Shen’ao, and even Keelung Islet in the distance. The scenery overlooked through the magnificent dragon carvings on the balustrade is breathtakingly beautiful. At dusk, it becomes a prime photo spot, attracting many photography enthusiasts with its ‘magic hour’ sky gradient, fishing lights dotting the sea, and the town lights illuminating simultaneously.
When weather conditions align, especially in winter, spectacular seas of clouds can appear, snaking through the mountains, revealing a different, ethereal face of Jiufen. Besides the route on foot from the Old Street, it’s also accessible by car or taxi. However, parking lots within the temple grounds may be for monthly use or dedicated to worshippers, so please enjoy the stunning view quietly and respectfully when visiting.
Jiufen Xiahai City God Temple (Zhaoling Temple)
📍 Address: No. 11, Qiche Rd, Jishan Village, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224
Located near the Jiufen bus stops (Jiufen Old Street, Tianpan Temple, etc.), at the intersection of Qiche Road and Qingbian Road, ‘Jiufen Xiahai City God Temple (昭靈廟)’ seems to welcome travelers at the entrance to Jiufen town. Founded in 1923 (Taisho 12), this temple enshrines the City God (Xiahai Chenghuang), the guardian deity of the city, and has long been a place of deep local faith.
Distinct from the retro atmosphere of the Old Street, it’s a magnificent architectural marvel with impressive dragon pillars and a vibrantly ornate roof that catches the eye. Stepping inside, a mysterious and solemn space adorned with colorful decorations unfolds. The sight of locals bowing deeply and fervently offering prayers allows you to keenly feel Taiwan’s rich religious culture.
When exploring Jiufen, this temple serves as a very noticeable landmark, making it a convenient meeting point if you get separated from friends or family. It’s a historic tourist spot worth visiting if you wish to step away from the bustle of the Old Street, soak in a quiet and solemn atmosphere, or pray for safe travels.
How to Get to Jiufen and Tips to Avoid Crowds for a 120% Enjoyable Trip
The most common ways to access Jiufen are taking a direct bus from Taipei City (e.g., Bus No. 1062) or taking the Taiwan Railways to Ruifang Station and then transferring to a bus or taxi. However, Jiufen is a highly popular tourist destination attracting visitors from all over the world, so roads can get very congested, especially from evening to night.
Return buses are often extremely crowded, and it’s not uncommon to miss several or have to stand. If you wish to secure a seat for your return, a clever trick is to go back to the starting point of the bus route, near ‘Jinguashi (Gold Museum)’, or walk to the next bus stop up the hill. Alternatively, taking a train from Ruifang Station or heading towards Keelung (Jilong) to enjoy dinner at the famous ‘Keelung Miaokou Night Market’ before returning to Taipei is also a popular route among travelers.
If you’re worried about independent travel or crowded buses, using an optional tour from Klook or KKday is the easiest solution. A guided private bus ensures smooth travel even in sudden rain, and you’re guaranteed a seat to rest on the tiring journey back. Choose the best access method that suits your travel style to fully enjoy your Jiufen trip.
The History of Jiufen: From Gold Rush Town to Tourist Destination
The charm of Jiufen lies not only in its beautiful scenery but also in its dramatic history. During the Qing Dynasty, Jiufen was a small mountain village with only nine households. The name ‘Jiufen’ (九份) is said to originate from the villagers always ‘dividing goods into nine portions’ among themselves.
When gold was discovered in 1893, the situation dramatically changed. An unprecedented gold rush began, attracting tens of thousands of people to the area. It prospered to such an extent that it was called ‘Asia’s City of Gold’, developing into a bustling ‘sleepless town’ with cinemas and cafes. However, when the gold veins ran out and the mines closed in the 1970s, the town rapidly declined, and people left.
This forgotten town was brought back into the spotlight by the Taiwanese film ‘A City of Sadness’, released in 1989, which used it as a filming location. The film’s massive success led to the re-evaluation of its nostalgic, old-world streets, transforming it into the vibrant tourist destination it is today. Sipping delicious tea while reminiscing about the golden age of mining will make your Jiufen journey even deeper and more flavorful.
