Shifen Jiufen and Yehliu Guided Day Trip from Taipei

Yehliu Geopark

Yehliu Geopark occupies a narrow cape on Taiwan's northern coast, about an hour's drive from Taipei. Over thousands of years, waves, wind and salt have carved the sandstone into extraordinary shapes: mushroom rocks with wide caps on thin stems, candle rocks, honeycomb surfaces and potholes filled with seawater. The most famous formation, the Queen's Head, looks like the profile of a woman with an elegant hairstyle and is one of the most photographed sights in Taiwan.

The entrance ticket is included, and you spend about 70 minutes exploring the main trail with your guide, who explains how the rocks formed and why the Queen's Head neck grows thinner each year. Stay behind the red lines that mark the cliff edges. Yehliu Geopark opening hours run from morning to late afternoon; the morning light and fewer crowds make the 09:00 departure a good choice for photos.

Jiufen Old Street

Jiufen clings to a steep mountainside above the Pacific Ocean. A quiet village until gold was discovered here in the late 19th century, it boomed into a busy mining town, then fell silent when the mines closed. Today its narrow lanes, stairways and wooden teahouses hung with red lanterns draw visitors from all over the world, and the views over the coast and the harbour below are superb.

You have about two hours to explore Jiufen Old Street, try local snacks such as taro balls and peanut ice cream rolls, and sit in a traditional teahouse at your own expense; your guide can recommend one. If you choose the 12:00 departure, you reach Jiufen as dusk falls and the lanterns glow. The best time to visit Jiufen is on a weekday, when the lanes are less crowded.

Shifen Old Street and the sky lanterns

Shifen Old Street lies in the green Pingxi valley, along a small railway line built in the early 20th century to carry coal. The tracks run right through the middle of the street, and shops and snack stalls line both sides. Several times an hour, a little train rolls slowly between the houses, and everyone steps back to the edge to watch it pass.

The valley is famous for its sky lantern tradition. You can write your wishes on a large paper lantern with brush and ink and release it into the sky from the tracks, an optional activity paid on site; one lantern can be shared by two to four people, and your guide helps with the purchase. You spend about an hour in Shifen, enough for the lantern, photos and a stroll along the suspension bridge.

Shifen Waterfall

A short drive from the old street, Shifen Waterfall is one of the largest curtain-style waterfalls in Taiwan, with the Keelung River pouring in a broad white sheet over a rock ledge into a deep pool. A rainbow often appears in the spray on sunny days, and the surrounding forest makes the setting especially green after rain. Viewing platforms give a full view of the falls from several angles.

You reach the waterfall along a pleasant path of about 15 to 20 minutes from the car park, crossing a suspension bridge over the river. Plan about 50 minutes in total. Is Shifen Waterfall worth visiting? Combined with the old street and the lanterns, it makes the Pingxi valley one of the most rewarding day trips from Taipei, especially in spring and autumn.

Back to Taipei and Raohe Street Night Market

After the last stop, the vehicle returns to Taipei, with an estimated finish between 17:00 and 18:00 on the 09:00 departure, or between 20:00 and 21:00 on the 12:00 departure. You can end the tour at Taipei Main Station or be dropped off at Raohe Street Night Market, one of the oldest and liveliest night markets in the city.

Raohe Street is a drop-off point, not a guided stop, but it is a great place to continue your evening. The market's entrance is marked by an ornate temple, and stalls serve pepper buns, grilled skewers, noodles and fresh fruit. From there, the MRT takes you back to most hotels. The order of stops and return times may change with traffic and weather.