Jiufen

Historic mountain town steeped in tea heritage

Jiufen is a small mountain village in Taiwan known for its winding streets and traditional architecture. The area features wooden houses with red lanterns, offering views of terraced rice fields and distant city lights at night. Local tea shops serve oolong tea made nearby, while street vendors sell snacks like taro balls and roasted chestnuts. Morning mist often covers the hills, creating a calm atmosphere for walking or photography. Jiufen retains old Taiwanese culture through its temples, markets and seasonal festivals that attract visitors seeking quiet scenery and local traditions.

Add to list Map view

Village in Taiwan

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 7.8

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	8

Read details

3/5

In Jiufen, English is spoken by many shopkeepers and tour guides, especially near popular spots. Most locals understand basic English, though some older residents may need simple phrases or a translator.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Jiufen Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Excellent for mountain views and historic streets. Walk lantern-lit alleys, try street food, enjoy teahouses and photograph scenic coastal hills.

Place score

8.5

Best at:

Cosy towns

Walkable

Traditional culture

Romantic

Mountains

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

👩 8

Solo

Taiwan – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	110 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) £1 ≈ NT$43.16
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Taiwan, especially in major cities. The EasyCard (a stored-value card for public transport and convenience stores) and mobile payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are common. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not expected in Taiwan, and it is not common to leave tips in restaurants, taxis, or hotels.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in Taiwan, but alcohol is typically consumed in licensed venues such as bars and restaurants.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, but there are designated smoking areas outdoors.

Lunar New Year (date varies)	Celebrated with family gatherings and feasts
National Day (10 October)	Taiwan’s National Day

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 119 (Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Taiwan Taxi
Other:	Taiwan is known for its night markets, beautiful mountains, and vibrant cities. It is a popular destination for food lovers and nature enthusiasts.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Jiufen, Taiwan

⛅

Jan

⛅

Feb

⛅

Mar

⛅

Apr

⛅

May

⛅

Jun

⛅

Jul

⛅

Aug

⛅

Sep

⛅

Oct

⛅

Nov

⛅

Dec

High season:	April, Oct. - Nov.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - March, May - Sep., Dec.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Rain is likely year-round, heaviest October to February with northeast monsoon fog and drizzle

Weekends and public holidays: Old Street extremely crowded, weekday mornings and evenings far quieter

Typhoon season July to October: bus and train services can be suspended at short notice

Don't miss

🏮 Stroll down Shifen Old Street, lantern-lit at sunset
🍵 Taste taro balls and herbal tea in a hillside teahouse
🌙 Climb to the night market, sample stinky tofu with locals
🚡 Ride the cable car to observe Jiufen's sea view panoramas
⛏️ Explore the gold mining museum, learn about 19th-century strikes

You've been here?

Why travel to Jiufen?

Jiufen, perched on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, offers travelers a quiet glimpse into Taiwan’s past and present. The narrow streets are lined with tea houses, souvenir stalls and small eateries that serve local specialties such as taro balls and sweet potato noodles. Walking through Jiufen feels like stepping back in time; the architecture reflects the era of mining prosperity, while modern cafés provide a comfortable contrast. The village’s elevation gives it a temperate climate even during Taiwan’s hot summer months, making it an ideal spot for leisurely strolls. From the main street you can enjoy panoramic views of the coastline and the surrounding mountains, especially striking at sunrise or sunset when the mist rolls over the hills. For those interested in culture, Jiufen hosts occasional festivals that showcase traditional music and dance. Jiufen’s proximity to Taipei – just a 90‑minute train ride – makes it accessible for day trips without the need for extensive travel arrangements. The local transportation network includes buses and taxis that can take you directly into the heart of the village. Whether you’re seeking culinary delights, scenic vistas or a quiet retreat from city life, Jiufen provides an authentic Taiwanese experience grounded in history and natural beauty.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Taipei Confucius Temple
2 Yehliu Geopark
3 Elephant Mountain
4 Jiufen Old Street

🎡Places for activities

1 National Palace Museum
2 Taipei Zoo
3 Yehliu Geopark
4 Elephant Mountain
5 Jiufen Old Street

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Yehliu Geopark
2 Tamsui River
3 Elephant Mountain

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Arrive early to avoid crowds at Jiufen Old Street.
Wear comfortable shoes; cobblestone paths and steep stairs are common throughout the village.
Try local tea shops for authentic Taiwanese oolong, but be prepared for limited seating during peak hours.
Explore the lesser-known mountain trails behind the main street for panoramic sunset views of Taipei's skyline.

How to travel to Jiufen

Jiufen is accessible via public transportation from Taipei, Taiwan’s capital. The most common route involves taking a train to Ruifang Station on the Tamsui–Keelung Line, followed by a bus or taxi ride to Jiufen. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes from Taipei by train and an additional 20–30 minutes via road transport. Alternatively, visitors can drive along scenic coastal roads for a longer but more flexible trip. Jiufen’s location in the northeastern hills requires navigating winding mountain roads, which may challenge less experienced drivers. Public buses connect major transit hubs to Jiufen’s outskirts, with local minibuses or taxis completing the final leg. Accessibility varies by season due to weather conditions affecting road and rail travel.

Access summary

From Taoyuan International Airport (TPE): High‑speed train to Taipei Main Station (35 min), then bus or taxi to Jiufen (30–40 min).
From Taipei City: MRT to Keelung, transfer to local bus 45 min; or direct bus from Taipei Main Station 50 min.
By ferry from Keelung Port to Hualien and then bus to Jiufen, total 4–5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Jiufen

Jiufen offers a mix of guesthouses, boutique inns and traditional homestays that cater to both budget travelers and those seeking a more immersive experience. The village’s narrow lanes are lined with charming tea house‑converted rooms, many featuring panoramic mountain or sea views. Mid‑range options typically include clean, well‑furnished accommodations with private bathrooms, while higher‑end boutique inns provide personalized service, local décor and complimentary tea tastings. For a truly authentic stay, consider family‑run homestays that offer homemade meals and cultural exchanges. Seasonal demand spikes during the autumn foliage and winter festivals, so booking in advance is advisable to secure preferred rooms and rates.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Cuncyue Hot Spring Resort

8.6

CHECKinn MAGI Kids

9.3

The Moment Hotel Yilan by Lakeshore

CHECK inn Yilan LuoDong

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Jiufen

Jiufen, a picturesque mountain village in Taiwan, is best explored by taking the Jiufen Railway from Ruifang Station to the top of the hill. The narrow-gauge train offers scenic views and is a popular choice for tourists. For those preferring a more active approach, buses run regularly from the railway station down to the village square, though the journey can be slow due to winding roads. Taxis are readily available but pricier; sharing one with other travelers is cost-effective. Walking through Jiufen’s narrow streets reveals charming alleys and local shops, best experienced on foot once you arrive at the top. The area is accessible year-round by public transport.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-61 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 61% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-11 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to TWD) is 11% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Keelung, Taiwan - 10 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£39	£83	£219
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£23	£53	£128
🍝 Food per day	£15	£26	£75
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£4	£16

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£12
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£3.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.80
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£6
☕ Cappuccino	£2.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.15

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.35
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£10
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.70

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£6
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£29
🤧 Cold medication	£7
💇 Basic haircut	£12

Safety information overview

General safety

Jiufen remains a safe destination for travelers, with low crime rates and friendly locals. Tourists should stay vigilant in crowded night markets, avoid unattended bags and respect local customs. Overall, the village offers a secure, welcoming environment for visitors.

Health & Medical

Jiufen offers modest medical care: a small clinic provides basic services, while Taipei’s hospitals are nearby and highly rated. Air quality is generally good, but occasional dust from traffic can irritate lungs. Travelers should carry medications for allergies or motion sickness.

Accessibility

Jiufen’s steep, narrow lanes and historic stone houses offer limited wheelchair access; many steps block entry to shops and viewpoints. However, some newer cafés have ramps and the town’s compact layout allows short walks for those with mobility aids. Plan ahead for uneven surfaces.

Tap water

In Jiufen, tap water is generally safe to drink and readily available in most homes and public areas. The local supply meets strict quality standards, though some visitors prefer bottled water for peace of mind when exploring the historic streets.