As night falls over the mountain town of Jiufen, red lanterns light up one by one, and the stone-stepped old street transforms into a dreamlike food paradise. Unlike traditional flatland night markets, Jiufen's nighttime market is built into the mountainside, with winding stone-step alleys hiding authentic Taiwanese snacks and nostalgic teahouses. Tasting traditional flavors amid the misty mountain fog is what makes Jiufen most enchanting.
Jiufen is not a night market in the traditional sense, but a mountain town old street with nighttime charm. The 'night market' concept here comes from the red lanterns lit by shops in the evening, the fragrant street food, and the bursts of laughter from teahouses. Many visitors find that instead of browsing a night market, it's more like strolling through the alleys of a mountain town filled with the atmosphere of Miyazaki's 'Spirited Away,' experiencing that unique nostalgia and romance.
【Featured Highlights】
Jiufen Old Street's nighttime charm lies in its multi-layered experience: first, visual enjoyment, with red lanterns lining the stone steps and retro buildings looking especially captivating at night; second, culinary exploration, from affordable street food to refined tea snacks; finally, atmosphere creation, strolling through misty moments as if traveling back to the bustling old mining town. Most shops here close early, and visitors wanting to experience Jiufen at night are advised to catch the golden hours between 5 PM and 7 PM.
【Recommended Spots】
1. A-Gan Yi Taro Ball (No. 5, Shuzhi Road)
The original pioneer of Jiufen taro balls, with craftsmanship passed down for over 60 years. Their signature taro ball soup (NT$40-60) is handcrafted using natural ingredients, with three-colored taro balls—purple sweet potato, taro, and sweet potato—offering a chewy and smooth texture. The classic combination with red bean or mung bean is highly recommended. Seats are limited inside, but the second-floor windows offer panoramic views of the mountain town at night, making it a must-visit secret spot for many travelers.
2. A-Mei Teahouse (No. 20, Shixia Lane)
Believed to be one of the inspirations for the bathhouse in 'Spirited Away,' it's the most iconic teahouse in Jiufen. Open from 8:30 AM to midnight, allowing visitors to enjoy tea while taking in the night scenery. Tea service costs approximately NT$300-500, where you can experience traditional Taiwanese tea ceremony and appreciate the tea master's exquisite skills. At night, the red building looks even more mysterious and dreamlike under the lights.
3. A-Lan Cí Gěi (Grass Rice Cake) (No. 90, Jishan Street)
A long-established local shop operating for decades, open until 7:00 PM on weekdays, extended to 8:30 PM on weekends. Each grass rice cake costs NT$15, with generous fillings available in red bean, mung bean, and savory flavors. The chewy skin and fragrant filling make it a great souvenir choice. According to the shop, in recent years they've launched a reduced-sugar formula in response to health trends, which has been popular among young customers.
4. Yuwan Bozai (Fish Ball Uncle) (No. 17, Jishan Street)
A traditional snack shop specializing in handmade fish balls. Fish ball soup costs NT$50, and dried tofu wrapped costs NT$80. Made with fresh fish paste handcrafted on-site, the texture is fresh and crispy. The shop also sells fresh fish balls for visitors to take home and cook.
5. Wild Herbs Shop (No. 147, Qingbian Road)
A newly opened specialty shop in 2025, combining herbal culture with creative beverages, open from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The shop offers various herbal flower teas and handmade cookies, perfect for travelers who want to escape the crowds and quietly enjoy an afternoon. The shop's fresh and artistic style has made it a rising hot spot on Jiufen Old Street.
【Practical Information】
Transportation:
From Taipei, take Keelung Bus Route 788 (Jinguashi Line) or Route 856 (Golden Fulong Line, operates on holidays), with approximately 1.5 hours of travel time; Taiwan Tour Bus Golden Fulong Line is also an option. Drivers can park at Taiyang Parking Lot, charged NT$200 per day per entry.
Business Hours:
Most shops on Jiufen Old Street operate from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, but each shop varies. A-Gan Yi Taro Ball: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM; A-Mei Teahouse: 8:30 AM to midnight; Wild Herbs Shop: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Visitors are advised to confirm the operating hours of their target shops before visiting.
Budget:
Affordable street food costs approximately NT$15-80; teahouse experience costs approximately NT$300-500; souvenirs like pineapple cake gift boxes cost NT$100-200. For a day trip, food budget is recommended to be around NT$300-600.
【Travel Tips】
The best visiting times are weekday mornings from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM or evenings from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM to avoid weekend crowds. Many shops are still open on Mondays with fewer people, making it a good choice. For footwear, non-slip shoes are recommended as the stone steps can be slippery when wet; mountain weather is changeable, so lightweight raincoats are better than foldable umbrellas. Jiufen Old Street is built into the mountains with many stairs, so it's advised to travel light and avoid bringing large bags to不影响 your enjoyment.
