August 25, 2026
Jiufen vs Shifen: Which Should You Visit?
If you're planning a day trip from Taipei, Jiufen and Shifen are two of the most popular destinations in northern Taiwan. Both are easy to combine with a Taipei itinerary, but they offer very different experiences.
Jiufen is famous for its atmospheric old streets, mountain and ocean views, traditional teahouses, and local food. Shifen, on the other hand, is best known for its railway town, sky lantern experience, and the impressive Shifen Waterfall.
So, if you only have one day, should you visit Jiufen, Shifen—or both?
The good news is that Jiufen and Shifen can easily be combined into one day trip from Taipei, especially when traveling by private vehicle.
Jiufen vs Shifen at a Glance
| Jiufen | Shifen | |
|---|---|---|
| Best known for | Old Street & mountain scenery | Sky lanterns & railway town |
| Main highlights | Jiufen Old Street, teahouses, viewpoints | Shifen Old Street, Sky Lantern, Shifen Waterfall |
| Atmosphere | Historic mountain town | Small railway village |
| Recommended time | 2–3 hours | 2–3 hours |
| Best for | Food, culture, photography | Activities, nature, families |
| From Taipei | Around 1 hour | Around 1–1.5 hours |
Both are worth visiting, but the experience is completely different.
Why Visit Jiufen?
Jiufen is a historic mountain town overlooking Taiwan's northeast coast.
Once an important gold-mining settlement, today Jiufen is famous for its narrow alleys, traditional architecture, red lanterns, teahouses, local snacks, and beautiful mountain scenery.
What to Do in Jiufen
Walk through Jiufen Old Street, where you can try popular Taiwanese specialties such as taro balls, herbal rice cakes, fish balls, and other local snacks.
Stop at one of Jiufen's traditional teahouses and enjoy Taiwanese tea while overlooking the mountains and coastline.
The town is also one of northern Taiwan's most photogenic destinations, especially when the lanterns begin to glow in the late afternoon.
Jiufen Is Best For
Travelers interested in:
- Taiwanese culture and history
- Traditional food
- Mountain and ocean scenery
- Photography
- Teahouses and relaxed exploration
If this sounds like your kind of trip, Jiufen should definitely be on your itinerary.
Why Visit Shifen?
Shifen offers a completely different experience.
Located along the historic Pingxi railway line, the town is famous for Shifen Old Street, where trains still pass directly through the center of the village.
The most popular activity here is releasing a sky lantern beside the railway tracks.
Visitors write wishes on the lantern before releasing it into the sky—a tradition that has become one of Taiwan's most recognizable travel experiences.
Don't Miss Shifen Waterfall
Just outside the old street is Shifen Waterfall, one of Taiwan's most impressive waterfalls.
The waterfall is surrounded by green mountains and walking paths, making it a great addition to the railway town and sky lantern experience.
Shifen Is Best For
Travelers interested in:
- Sky lantern experiences
- Nature and waterfalls
- Railway culture
- Family-friendly activities
- Photography
Jiufen or Shifen: Which One Should You Choose?
If you only have time for one destination, the choice depends on what kind of experience you're looking for.
Choose Jiufen if you prefer traditional streets, Taiwanese food, teahouses, history, and mountain scenery.
Choose Shifen if you prefer interactive experiences, waterfalls, railway scenery, and releasing a sky lantern.
But for most first-time visitors to Taiwan, there is an even better option:
Visit Both Jiufen and Shifen in One Day
Jiufen and Shifen are close enough to combine into the same day trip.
A typical itinerary can look like:
Taipei → Shifen Waterfall → Shifen Old Street → Jiufen Old Street → Taipei
- This gives you a mix of nature, local culture, food, mountain scenery, and one of Taiwan's most famous traditional experiences—all in one day.
How to Travel Between Jiufen and Shifen
Traveling between Jiufen and Shifen by public transportation is possible, but there is no simple direct train connecting the two attractions.
Travelers normally need to combine buses, trains, or transfers depending on the route.
If you're visiting both destinations in one day, transportation time becomes especially important.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is the cheapest option and works well for travelers with plenty of time.
However, you'll need to plan transfers and schedules carefully, especially when traveling between Jiufen and Shifen.
Taxi
A taxi can save time between attractions, although availability and pricing may vary depending on the location and time of day.
Private Tour
A private tour is one of the easiest ways to visit Jiufen and Shifen in the same day.
Instead of planning multiple transfers, you can travel directly between attractions with hotel pickup and drop-off.
- It also gives you more flexibility to decide how long you'd like to stay at each stop.
Want to Add Yehliu?
If you have a full day available, another popular option is combining:
Yehliu Geopark → Shifen → Jiufen
Yehliu is famous for its unusual coastal rock formations, including the iconic Queen's Head.
Combining all three destinations creates one of the most popular day trips from Taipei and allows you to experience Taiwan's coastline, waterfalls, railway culture, traditional streets, and mountain scenery in a single day.
A private vehicle is particularly convenient for this route because the three attractions are located in different areas of northern Taiwan.
Which Itinerary Is Best for You?
If you prefer a slower pace:
Taipei → Shifen → Jiufen → Taipei
If you want to see more of northern Taiwan:
Taipei → Yehliu → Shifen → Jiufen → Taipei
If you're arriving by cruise ship, Jiufen and Shifen can also be included in a private shore excursion from Keelung Cruise Port, with the itinerary adjusted according to your ship's arrival and departure time.
Explore Jiufen and Shifen with a Private Tour
Jiufen and Shifen are both worth visiting, and you don't necessarily have to choose between them.
With a private tour, you can enjoy hotel or port pickup, private transportation, flexible sightseeing time, and a customized itinerary without worrying about train and bus connections.
Whether you'd like to visit just Jiufen and Shifen or combine them with Yehliu and other attractions in northern Taiwan, the itinerary can be arranged according to your schedule.
Explore our Jiufen, Shifen & Northern Taiwan private tours and discover the best of northern Taiwan at your own pace.
