A comprehensive shopping guide for Taiwan, covering malls, duty-free, and local boutiques.
For more recommendations, see the full guide.
Jiufen is a mountain town in Ruifeng District, New Taipei City, with over a century of history dating back to gold mining during the Qing Dynasty. Rather than traditional large department stores, this area features an old street winding up the hillside, home to dozens of distinctive teahouses, cafes, craft shops, and local snack stalls—forming a unique "vertical department store" shopping experience. As visitors make their way up the mountain, they can enjoy a rich variety of shopping options similar to what a department store offers, except that each "floor" here is an independent specialty shop filled with a thick historical atmosphere.
The shops on Jiufen Old Street can be divided into several main categories: traditional teahouses are the most representative, offering tea tasting and traditional snacks; creative product shops sell handmade crafts and cultural creative goods; specialty snack shops provide local delicacies like grass rice cakes, taro balls, and fish balls; and the specialty coffee shops that have emerged in recent years add new experiences to the old street. This distributed shopping model actually better reflects Jiufen mountain town's unique charm compared to a centralized department store—visitors can stroll and shop simultaneously, enjoying the fun of "street shopping."
【Recommended Shops】
A-Mei Teahouse is one of Jiufen's most famous teahouses, located at the highest point of the old street, overlooking Keelung Harbor. It retains the retro atmosphere of traditional Minnan-style architecture and offers Alishan high-mountain tea and handmade tea snacks. The building has a history of over 80 years—the wooden structure and vintage furniture make visitors feel like they've traveled through time. Tea service costs approximately 150-250 NTD per person, and reservations may be needed on holidays; it's recommended to visit on weekday mornings.
A-Gan Yi Taro Balls is a must-try traditional dessert shop in Jiufen, located in an old house beside Shenglou Road. Handmade taro balls have a chewy texture, served with red beans or peanuts and other toppings—about 50-70 NTD per bowl. A-Gan Yi Taro Balls has been in business for over 40 years and is a local old favorite; long lines form every afternoon. The shop insists on handmade production with daily limited supplies—it's recommended to visit in the morning.
City of Sadness Teahouse gained fame from the movie of the same name and retains a large collection of vintage furniture and decorations, offering traditional tea drinks and Taiwanese snacks. The shop has a nostalgic, retro atmosphere, and the second floor offers mountain views. Tea service here costs approximately 120-200 NTD, including snacks. The owner has collected many old photos and artifacts from early Jiufen—it's a great place to learn about Jiufen's history.
Hana Shunda is a Japanese-style creative goods shop, selling handmade jewelry, handmade soap, and cultural creative trinkets. The shop has a warm interior, with product prices ranging from 100-500 NTD. Such cultural creative boutiques are increasingly common in Jiufen, reflecting the development trend of Taiwan's creative industries in recent years—visitors can find unique souvenirs here.
Chief Nurse's Shop specializes in braised dishes and souvenirs, famous for traditional braised eggs, dried tofu, and pig's feet. This is one of the few snack shops in Jiufen providing seating for dine-in customers; braised dishes cost approximately 50-150 NTD per portion and are vacuum-packed for easy carrying. The shop name comes from the owner being a former nurse, ensuring quality assurance.
【Practical Information】
For transportation, you can take the Taiwan Railway from Taipei Main Station to Ruifeng Station (approximately 40 minutes, fare about 90 NTD), then transfer to a bus or taxi heading up the mountain. Alternatively, you can take Keelung Bus Line 1062 directly from Zhongxiao Fuxing Station of the Taipei Metro to Jiufen Old Street. Those driving can park at the Jiufen Multistory Parking Lot (30 NTD per hour) or the Ridge Parking Lot.
No admission fee is required for the old street itself. Tea service at shops costs approximately 120-250 NTD, snacks about 30-100 NTD, and souvenirs about 50-500 NTD. It's recommended to prepare at least 300-500 NTD for tasting and shopping.
Most shops are open from 10 AM to 6-7 PM, and teahouses sometimes stay open until 8 PM. It's recommended to avoid weekend afternoon peak hours—the quietest time is weekdays from 10 AM to 2 PM.
【Travel Tips】
Jiufen Old Street is built on a hillside—it's recommended to wear comfortable shoes and avoid high heels. The mountain weather is changeable; bring rain gear or a light jacket. When shopping, compare prices at different shops—the same type of product may have different prices at different vendors. It's recommended to buy souvenirs in the evening to avoid sun exposure causing spoilage. Teahouses typically require waiting over an hour on weekends—visiting on weekdays offers a better experience. To avoid crowds, consider staying at a guesthouse in Jiufen—the old street in the early morning or evening the next day has a special charm.
