Jiufen Night View and Shifen Day Tour from Taipei

Shifen Waterfall

The tour begins in the Pingxi district, a forested valley about an hour from Taipei. Shifen Waterfall is one of the largest curtain-style waterfalls in Taiwan: the Keelung River spreads across a wide rock ledge and falls in a white sheet into a deep green pool. Mist rises from the base, and on bright afternoons a rainbow often hangs in the spray.

A pleasant path leads from the visitor area to the falls, crossing a swaying suspension bridge with views up and down the river. Viewing platforms let you see the waterfall from the front and from the side. You spend about 50 minutes here. Shifen Waterfall opening hours end in the late afternoon, which is why the tour visits it first before the valley gets busy.

Shifen Old Street and the Pingxi railway

Shifen Old Street grew up around a small branch railway built in the early 20th century to carry coal from the valley's mines. The single track still runs straight through the middle of the street, lined on both sides by wooden shops, snack stalls and souvenir stands. When a train approaches, a bell rings, everyone steps aside and the little carriages roll past almost close enough to touch.

Spend your time here trying local snacks such as chicken wings stuffed with fried rice, browsing the shops and photographing the railway bridge over the river. If you are planning a Shifen day trip from Taipei on your own, the train journey requires several changes, which is why a guided tour with transport is the easiest way to combine Shifen and Jiufen in one afternoon.

The sky lantern tradition

The Pingxi valley is the birthplace of Taiwan's sky lantern tradition. In the past, villagers in these remote hills are said to have released lanterns to signal to their families that they were safe. Today the custom is a way to send wishes into the sky, and the valley's Lantern Festival, held each year on the 15th day of the first lunar month, fills the night with countless glowing lights.

On the tour, you can buy a large paper lantern at a shop on the old street, choose its colours according to the wishes they represent, write your messages with brush and ink, and release it from the railway tracks. The activity is optional and paid on site in cash; one lantern can be shared by two to four people, and your guide helps you with the purchase and the photos.

Jiufen Old Street at dusk

From the valley, the vehicle climbs to Jiufen, a former gold-mining town perched on a steep hillside above the Pacific. Arriving in the late afternoon is the highlight of this tour: as the light fades, the red lanterns along the narrow lanes and the wooden teahouses switch on one by one, and the town takes on a magical glow against the darkening sea and mountains.

You have about 2.5 hours to explore Jiufen Old Street, taste taro balls and other snacks, and climb the famous stairway lined with teahouses. Sitting in a teahouse with a pot of local oolong while the lights come on below is unforgettable, at your own expense; ask your guide for a recommendation. Lantern-lit views depend on daylight hours, weather and arrival time, and are best from autumn to spring.

Views over the north-east coast

Jiufen's position high on the mountainside gives sweeping views over the north-east coast of Taiwan: the curve of the shore, the harbour of Keelung in the distance, fishing boats on the water and the steep green slopes of Keelung Mountain behind the town. On clear evenings, the lights of the coastal villages twinkle below as night falls.

Is Jiufen worth visiting at night? For atmosphere, yes: the lanterns, the views and the cooler evening air make it very different from the busy daytime visit. Bring a light jacket, as the mountain air cools quickly after sunset. At the end, the vehicle returns to Taipei Main Station, about seven hours after departure; ask about drop-off at Raohe Street Night Market.