First printed on: 12 Nov 2017
Charming outdated cities in Keelung, Jiufen (九份) and Shifen (十分) are standard spots to go to on a day journey from Taipei.
Before the Nineteen Fifties, Jiufen and Shifen had been gold and coal mining cities respectively. Today, their rustic classic vibes, nice native Taiwanese delectables, and iconically Taiwanese actions equivalent to releasing sky lanterns make them standard day journey locations from Taipei.
However, these locations aren’t probably the most accessible to go to regardless of the proximity. Public transportation includes too many transfers throughout numerous means, whereas cab drivers are identified to mark up fares to unsuspecting vacationers. No one desires to spend extra money and time when these may be spent on higher issues, equivalent to meals. Oh sure, all the nice meals to be found in Taiwan ????.
Read additionally: 4D3N Taipei Itinerary: Insider Guide to Exploring Taipei and its Outskirts Like a Local
How to get to Jiufen & Shifen from Taipei
Most guests will head to Shifen and proceed to Jiufen, as Shifen is nearer to Taipei. Although each cities share similar-sounding names, they aren’t really very close to to one another.
1) By Public Transport
From Taipei To Shifen: Take a rail practice from Taipei Main Stn. (台北車站) to Ruifang Stn. (瑞芳站) and switch to the Pingxi Small Railway (平溪支線) to Shifen Stn. (十分站)
From Shifen to Jiufen: Take the Pingxi Small Railway to Ruifang Stn. (瑞芳站), and switch to bus #788, #827, or #1062 to Jiufen Old Street (九份老街)
*Pro-tip: There’s no public transportation between Jiufen and Shifen, so that you’ll must return to Ruifang Stn. (瑞芳站) for transfers.
From Jiufen To Taipei: Take bus #1062 from Jiufen Old Streets (九份老街) to Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT Stn. (忠孝復興站) in Taipei
Cost: ~S$16 (round-trip)
Total journey time: ~4hrs (round-trip)
2) Shuttle Bus (Highly really helpful)
Probably probably the most cost-effective and handy option to get from Taipei to Jiufen & Shifen is to pre-book a shuttle service with a guided tour package deal. It picks you up from Taipei Main Station and stops at Jiufen earlier than heading to Shifen.
Cost of tour: ~S$43/pax for 8hrs (round-trip from Taipei)
Meeting time: 9:15AM
*Pro-tip: Take word of what actions and transfers are included in the tour package deal!
Must-dos in Shifen (十分)
Shifen is considerably just like the much less standard sibling of Jiufen, kinda forgotten but enticing in her personal methods. Shifen’s alluring old-school charms and the Shifen waterfall makes this an equally worthy cease.
We solely had an hour to spare right here so we narrowed down these three must-do issues in Shifen!
1) Release Sky Lanterns (放天燈)
Releasing sky lanterns on the outdated rail monitor in Shifen (which nonetheless capabilities btw!) is nearly ritualistic. Like everybody, we purchased a lantern from one of many many lantern outlets alongside the outdated rail monitor, wrote our needs in unintelligible Chinese, and launched it to the heavens. Let’s hope the gods above can learn our handwriting ????
Cost: NT$100 – 200
Opening hours: Varies (most operators open from dawn to sundown)
Address: Pingxi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 226 [台湾新北市平溪区226]
2) Ride an electrical scooter to Shifen Waterfalls (十分大瀑布)
The second most well-known sight in Shifen is that this pure magnificence, the Shifen Waterfalls 十分大瀑布. You can hire an electrical scooter from operators alongside Shifen Old Street to get right here.
Cost of scooter rental: ~NT$200/hr
Opening hours: 24 hours
Location: Nanshan Village, Pingxi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan [台湾新北市平溪区南山村]
*Pro-tip: Book a half-day guided tour to do these actions in Shifen should you don’t plan to drop by Jiufen!
3) Get Onboard an Old Choo-choo Train (平溪線小火車)
A enjoyable option to get to Shifen is by way of the Pingxi Small Railway Train 平溪線小火車. This Japanese-era practice used to move coal when the mining trade was thriving however has since develop into a method of transportation for guests to get to Shifen from Ruifang station (瑞芳站).
From Shifen station itself, it’s also possible to board the practice to go to Pingxi station (平溪站) and Jingtong station (菁桐站), that are scenic outdated cities too.
Bonus: Snack on LiouGe BBQ Stuffed Wings (溜哥燒烤雞翅包飯)
What’s one of the best ways to seek out the perfect meals? Ask the locals, and that’s precisely what we did in Shifen. We really requested an uncle from one other meals stall what his favorite meals at Shifen is. And LiouGe BBQ Stuffed Wings was his advice. Now, we’re recommending it to you.
The hen wings from this stall aren’t any peculiar wings. Besides being deboned and full of rice, the do-it-yourself barbeque sauce is aromatic and really flavourful.
Cost: NT$65/piece
Opening hours: 11.30AM – 5.30PM
Address: No. 52號, Shifen Street, Pingxi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 226 [台湾新北市平溪区十分街52号226］
Must-Eats in Jiufen (九份)
Those who have been to Jiufen will know what a food haven it is. The tight winding street is lined with food stalls from the beginning to the end. From Taiwanese Sausage to chewy Taro Balls, there are all kinds of food from savoury to sweet, hot to cold.
If you’re taking the shuttle bus, you’ll have about 2 hours to explore the nooks and crannies of this charming old town on your own!
1) Zhang Ji Traditional Fishballs (張記傳統魚丸)
At Zhang Ji Traditional Fishball 張記傳統魚丸, one does not simply only try the fishballs. Get the Combination Soup that comes with three different types of fishballs — meat-encased fishballs (Fuzhou balls), squid balls, and regular fishballs.
From the same stall, you also have to try their Braised Pork Rice (滷肉饭) with Braised Egg (滷蛋). Who would have imagined such simple-looking dishes would taste so good?
Cost: NT$50/bowl for Combination Soup; NT$35/bowl for Braised Minced Pork Rice
Opening Hours: 10AM – 7PM (Mon – Fri), closes 8PM on Sat and Sun
Address: No. 25號, Jishan St, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224 [台湾新北市瑞芳区基山街25号224]
2) Shi Mi Jiufen First Stinky Tofu (食謎店 九份第一家臭豆腐)
Stinky Tofu is a love-or-hate factor. Fans of this dish will love the shop Shi Mi Dian 食謎店. They promote each deep-fried and spicy braised variations, however we personally desire the deep-fried model.
The fried pores and skin added a crunchy texture to the surprisingly tender tofu with out being too dry. The unmistakable scent may be picked up from tens of metres away, simply think about the punch it’s filled with.
Opening Hours: 11AM – 8PM (Mon – Fri), closes 9PM on Sat and Sun
Address: No. 106, Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224 [新北市瑞芳區九份基山街106號号224]
3) Jin Zhi Red Yeast Vegetarian Dumpling & Jin Zhi Red Yeast Meat Dumpling (金枝紅糟素肉圓 & 金枝紅槽肉圓)
Jin Zhi is likely one of the most well-known dumpling shops in Taiwan primarily as a consequence of the truth that the meat is soaked in pink yeast (vinasse), and that there’s really a vegetarian department just a few stalls down.
Available on the meat dumpling stall can be a mix meatball soup (五色綜合丸湯) that’s price a strive too! It is available in 5 completely different flavours — Codfish, Squid, Pork, Kimchi, and Bamboo charcoal, this soup is certainly one thing out of the peculiar it is best to strive.
Vegetarian Dumpling
Opening Hours: 10AM – 8PM (Mon – Fri), 9AM – 10PM (Sat – Sun)
Address: No. 63, Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224 [新北市瑞芳區九份基山街63號号224]
Meat Dumpling
Cost: NT$45/piece of meatball; NT$50/bowl of mixture balls
Opening Hours: 10:30AM – 7PM (Mon – Thu), 10AM – 8PM (Sat – Sun)
Address: No. 112, Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224 [新北市瑞芳區九份基山街112号224]
4) Jiufen Old Noodle Shop (九份老麵店)
Although 九份老麵店 Jiufen Old Noodle Shop sells quite a lot of noodles and soups, their signature beef noodles (招牌牛肉麵) is a must-try. The chunks of beef are cooked till completely tender and go very effectively with the spicy broth.
Another nice discover is the Century Egg Tofu (皮蛋豆腐) aspect dish. Served chilly, the tofu is easy but agency, making a gastronomic journey when eaten along with a chunk of century egg.
Cost: NT$120/bowl of Signature Beef Noodles; NT$40/plate of Century Egg Tofu
Opening Hours: 10:30AM – 7:30PM (Mon – Fri), closes 8:30PM on Sat and Sun
Address: No. 45, Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224 [新北市瑞芳區九份基山街45號号224]
5) Wu Di Taiwanese Sausage (無敵黑豬肉香腸)
Taiwanese locals are a number of the friendliest and most enjoyable individuals I do know of, and it’s not exhausting to grasp why. Not solely is the woman boss of Wu Di Taiwanese Sausage 無敵黑豬肉香腸 extraordinarily pleasant, however she’s fairly a charmer too. Whenever she’s round, guests would crowd and vie to catch her consideration to their cameras.
Of course, her sausages (香腸) are as charming and unforgettable as her. Fragrantly charred pores and skin that crunches with each chunk, exposing the juicy meats inside. The squid and fish egg sausages are an fascinating different to the wild boar sausage too!
Cost: ~NT$40 per piece or ~NT$100 for 3 items
Opening hours: 9AM – 7PM
Address: No. 79-1 Jishan St., Ruifang Dist., Ruifang, New Taipei, Taiwan 224 [台湾新北瑞芳区瑞芳区基山街79-1号224]
6) Ah Lan Hakka Glutinous Rice Cake (阿蘭草仔粿)
Photo credit score: you.ctrip.com
If there’s just one factor you possibly can strive at Jiufen, make it the Glutinous Rice Cake (草仔粿) from Ah Lan Hakka Glutinous Rice Cake stall. They are available a number of variations of fillings, from the candy pink bean to salted inexperienced bean and preserved turnip flavours.
The Steamed Taro Cake (芋粿巧) bought within the store can be well-loved by many.
Cost: NT$10/piece
Opening Hours: 9AM – 9:30PM
Address: No. 90, Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224 [224台湾新北市瑞芳区基山街90号]
7) Misty Cake (米詩堤甜點王國)
Misty Cake 米詩堤甜點王國 sells cream and ice-cream puffs in each attainable flavour. We tried the traditional candy potato-filled puff. The candy potato was on level, aromatic however not too candy. The generously-filled puffs may be fairly a multitude to eat because the freshly baked outer layer crumbles with each chunk to reveal the oozing fillings.
Cost: ~NT$85/piece
Opening Hours: 9:30AM – 6.30PM
Address: No. 6-1, Sec. 1, Mingdeng Road, Ruifang District, Taiwan [6-1号，二段。台湾瑞芳区明登路1号]
8) A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll (阿珠雪在燒花生捲冰淇淋)
Just watching the stall proprietor of A-Zhu create this delicate roll of ice cream is satisfying sufficient. Peanut shavings are floor off an enormous block of compressed peanuts earlier than being added to 2 scoops of ice cream and cilantro (IKR, bizarre however oddly scrumptious) and elegantly wrapped right into a roll of ice-cold goodness.
Cost: NT$40/piece
Opening Hours: 10AM – 7PM (Mon – Sat), closes 8:30PM on Sun
Address: No. 20, Jishan St, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224 [224台湾新北市瑞芳区基山街20号]
9) Grandma Lai’s Taro Balls (賴阿婆芋圓)
Taiwanese Taro Balls have since entered Singapore’s market, coming in an assortment of flavours and toppings. But nothing beats consuming a bowl of conventional chewy taro balls in Jiufen Old Street amongst the locals at Grandma Lai’s.
Cost: NT$50/bowl
Opening Hours: 7AM – 9PM
Address: No. 143, Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224 [台湾新北市瑞芳区基山街143号224]
Other Things to Do in Jiufen
Sheng-Ping Theatre (昇平劇院)
Built in 1934, Sheng-Ping Theatre 昇平劇院 is likely one of the first movie theatres in Taiwan. It was in the end closed in 1986 because of the dwindling inhabitants of Jiufen. After getting used as a movie location in a 1989 Taiwanese movie, A City of Sadness 悲情城市, Sheng-Ping Theatre gained attraction once more and is now being conserved.
The theatre can be exhibiting reruns of A City of Sadness (悲情城市) at sure instances of the day, so do attempt to catch one you probably have time to spare in Jiufen.
Opening Hours: 9:30AM – 5:30PM (Mon – Fri), closes 6PM on Sat and Sun
Address: No. 137, Qingbian Road, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224 [224台湾新北市瑞芳区青边路137号]
A-Mei Tea House (阿妹茶樓)
Another iconic landmark made well-known by movies is A-Mei Tea House. You would possibly acknowledge it from Hayao Miyazaki’s 2001 film, Spirited Away. Touristy is what A-Mei Tea House has develop into as a consequence of its recognition, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a pleasant backdrop for pictures and value trying out when at Jiufen!
Address: No. 20 Shixia Alley, Ruifang Town, Xinbei, Taiwan [台湾新北市瑞芳镇石厦巷20号]
Opening Hours: 8:30AM – 12AM (Last admission at 10PM)
Jiufen and Shifen Guide
We hope that this itinerary has piqued your curiosity in visiting the quaint townships of Jiufen and Shifen. In at the moment’s quickly altering world, it’s good to have someplace to remind us how vibrant life was once within the yesteryears. Not forgetting how handy it has now develop into to cowl these two cities on a day journey!
*Pro-tip: Remember to pre-book your Jiufen & Shifen shuttle bus for a hassle-free journey!
Read additionally: 8D Taiwan Itinerary: Insider’s Guide to Hidden Adventures from Taipei to Kaohsiung by way of THSR
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