Your complete guide to must-visit attractions in Taiwan, including opening hours, tickets, and tips.
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The alleyways, stone steps, and mountain paths of Jiufen are routes I've repeatedly confirmed while accompanying friends from out of town over the years. Rather than calling this a "tourist spot," it's more accurate to describe it as a three-dimensional mining museum—where gold mine tunnels, stone shrines dedicated to Earth God (Tudigong), and terraced tea fields all nestle along the ridge extending eastward from Mount Keelung.
If you've already explored the Old Street and want to learn more about this mountain town's past, the following five hiking trails are worth adding to your itinerary.
Keelung Mountain Trail is the most central hiking route in Jiufen, starting from the Geding Parking Area and taking approximately 40 minutes to reach the summit triangulation point. This route was originally the path miners took to commute to and from work, and along the way, you can still see the evenly laid stone steps, with some sections retaining the early-period Guanyin stone railings. The summit offers excellent views, overlooking the Jinguashi Basin and Keelung Port, and on clear days, you can even see the distant Keelung Islet. The trail is approximately 2 kilometers in length and is of moderate difficulty, with some stair sections being quite steep—it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes.
Continuing east from Keelung Mountain, you'll connect to the industrial road leading to Jinguashi. This section is locally referred to as the "Golden Light Road" and was used in the past to transport gold ore and supplies. Along the way, you'll pass by the "Pangkong" (tunnel) site—a short tunnel excavated during the Japanese colonial period for ore transportation, with only the entrance remaining today for visitors to imagine the scale of the engineering project. Walking from Jiufen Old Street to the Gold Museum Park in Jinguashi is approximately 3 kilometers, taking about an hour on foot. The trail is well-marked and mostly consists of downhill sections.
In recent years, many visitors have been walking along the "Coal Transport Ancient Trail" from the Shuinandong direction going upward. This path was used during the Qing Dynasty for coal transportation, and today some sections have been renovated into slab stone paths. The green tunnel formed by Miscanthus and Giant Elephant Foot on both sides creates a particularly atmospheric setting in autumn and winter. It's worth noting that some sections of this trail are quite narrow, making it difficult for two vehicles to pass each other. If not driving yourself, it is safer to be led by a local guide.
If you prefer a more relaxed route, Qingbian Road is a good choice. This road starts beside Jiufen Elementary School and winds along the mountainside, preserving traces of the early mining community settlements. The route is gentle and easy to walk, suitable for accompanying elderly family members or children. Along the way, you'll pass by several households still engaged in farming, and occasionally see tea leaves or dried vegetables being sun-dried—these scenes feel especially precious amid the commercial atmosphere of the Old Street.
The final trail I recommend is the branch of the "Grass Mountain Ancient Trail" extending from the East Peak of Keelung Mountain to Shuangxi. This route sees fewer tourists, but along the way you'll find historically significant stone Tudigong shrines and survey reference stones from the Japanese colonial period. For history and culture enthusiasts, this is a treasure of a section. The entire trail is longer, at approximately 5 kilometers, with some sections requiring fording streams or passing through bamboo groves. It is recommended to allocate half a day for this hike.
Practical Information
Regarding transportation, the most convenient option is to take a bus (825, 826, or 788) from Ruifang Train Station to Jiufen Old Street, with a journey time of approximately 15 minutes. For those driving, you can park at the Geding Parking Area (hourly rates for small vehicles, NT$30 per hour) or the Shuinandong Parking Area. A taxi from Ruifang Train Station costs approximately NT$100-150 per trip.
Jiufen Old Street itself does not have an entrance fee, while individual attractions such as the Gold Museum Park have an entrance fee of NT$80. Keelung Mountain Trail is a free public facility, though some sections do not have trash cans—please take your garbage with you.
Most trails are open all day, but it is recommended to start in the morning and descend before dark. Mountain weather changes quickly, and during the rainy season (May-June and September-October), the paths become slippery—special caution is advised.
Travel Tips
The peak tourist hours at Jiufen Old Street are mainly between 2 PM and 6 PM. If you want to enjoy the trails peacefully, it is recommended to arrive before 9 AM—not only will there be fewer people, but the lighting is also better for photographs. The viewing platform near Jinshan Temple is an excellent spot for capturing night views of the Old Street, but there are no trail lights at night, so a flashlight is an essential item. Additionally, most mountain trails do not have restrooms along the way—use the public toilets in the Old Street before setting out.
One final reminder: the stone steps in Jiufen have significant height differences. While flat shoes may look good, they are not comfortable for walking. A backpack is more suitable than a single-shoulder bag for long-distance walking.
