This article provides a complete guide to Taiwan attractions, including opening hours, tickets, and the best routes.
For more in-depth analysis, view the full guide.
Jiufen: From Gold Mining Town to Taiwan's Most Famous Mountain City
Jiufen is located in Rueifang District, New Taipei City, on hillslopes at an elevation of approximately 200 to 400 meters. It was once the largest gold mining area in East Asia. In the 1890s, Jiufen experienced a gold rush following the discovery of alluvial gold, with the mining population peaking at several thousand. Foreign capital, including Japanese stock company Control Shimada Group and others, poured in, driving the proliferation of teahouses, taverns, and brothels. After World War II ended in 1945, Taiwan's gold resources were depleted, and the Jiufen mining area closed successively. By the 1990s, the population had dropped to less than a thousand due to outmigration.
In 1989, director Hou Hsiao-Hsien's film "A City of Sadness" (悲情城市), set in Jiufen, won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. This mountain city in the northeast corner instantly transformed from ruins to a cultural tourism destination. Though the film was set against the backdrop of the 228 Incident, it unexpectedly pushed Jiufen's sloping stone steps, red lanterns, and nostalgic atmosphere to the international stage. Since the 1990s, teahouses have proliferated, replacing the traces of the mining industry. Now, Jiufen welcomes over 8 million visitors annually, making it Taiwan's most representative successful case of "cultural film tourism."
Jiufen Old Street: Taiwan's Most Unique Sloped Stone-Step Shopping Street
Jiufen Old Street consists of two main stone-step paths, Shenglian Road and Jishan Street, spanning approximately 400 meters with steps reaching a 30-degree slope—a rare sloping commercial street in Taiwan. Shenglian Road connects Qingbian Road and Jishan Street, lined with teahouses and souvenir shops. Jishan Street gathers food stalls, taro balls (芋圓) and grass jelly cakes (草仔粿). Overall, Jiufen Old Street has no admission fee, but snacks and specialty products require separate payment.
Taro balls are Jiufen's most representative dessert. Amei Teahouse, Lai Apo, and Grass Jelly Cake all serve taro ball sweet soup or ice treats, weighing approximately 250 to 300 grams, priced at TWD 60 to 80. Grass jelly cakes cost TWD 25 to 30 each, with common flavors including red bean, green bean, and savory. Red rice meat rolls, taro cakes, and peanut roll ice cream are also popular choices. Overall snack consumption averages approximately TWD 150 to 300 per person across the old street.
Merchants on Jiufen Old Street are highly concentrated on Jishan Street and Shenglian Road, including Amei Teahouse (30 meters from Shengping Theater, a red lantern night view hotspot), Lai Apo Taro Balls (at the entrance of Jishan Street, a famous排队 shop), and Grass Jelly Cake (mid-section of Jishan Street, NTD 25 each). Each merchant has its signature product, but overall similarity is high, and visitors often need to compare queues and prices before deciding.
Miyazaki's "Spirited Away" and Jiufen: Truth and Controversy
The claim that "Jiufen is the prototype for Spirited Away's Bath House" has circulated for over twenty years, but Hayao Miyazaki himself has never confirmed this. According to Studio Ghibli's official statement in 2018 and multiple Japanese media interviews, Miyazaki never visited Taiwan while conceptualizing Spirited Away. The "Bath House" building primarily references Japanese Edo period温泉 town and commercial buildings, such as a century-old pharmacy near Asakusa in Tokyo.
However, the visual similarity between Jiufen and Spirited Away does exist. Shenglian Road's red lantern night view, narrow stone steps, and mountain settlement form resonate visually with the "Spirit World" scenes in the film. This "prototype legend" is more of a marketing technique by Taiwan's tourism industry rather than officially certified fact. Critics argue that this说法 oversimplifies the complexity of animation creation and blurs Jiufen's own historical and cultural value. Supporters argue that the legend helps attract Japanese anime fans and boosts tourism revenue.
Amei Teahouse is said to be the location "closest to the Bath House." It is 30 meters from Shengping Theater, a three-story building with red lanterns hanging outside, often mistakenly identified as the prototype for Yubaba's Bath House. In fact, the teahouse was built in 1991, far later than the 1989 filming of "A City of Sadness." Another related site is Shengping Theater, built in 1951—the only remaining theater building in Jiufen, now serving as a small exhibition space.
Jinguashi Gold Museum: Taiwan's Most Important Mining History Repository
Jinguashi Gold Museum is located in Jinguashi, Rueifang District, New Taipei City, approximately 3 kilometers from Jiufen Old Street. Admission is TWD 80 (Taiwan residents) and TWD 150 (international visitors), with parking additional. The site was originally the mining area of the Jinguashi Mining Company during Japanese colonial rule. In 2004, it was converted into an open-air museum by the New Taipei City Cultural Affairs Bureau, showcasing the history of East Asia's last gold mine.
Must-visit spots within the museum include the Four linked Japanese-style dormitories (1930s mining engineer housing with intact wooden frames and corridors), the Gold Hall (displaying a 220-kilogram pure gold brick, touchable for blessings), and the Ben Shan No. 5 tunnel (actual mining tunnel, approximately 300 meters long, with wax figures showing miners at work). The overall area covers approximately 20 hectares, requiring about 2 to 3 hours for a visit.
The Gold Museum is managed by the New Taipei City Government, with ticket revenue used for park maintenance. The Four Linked Japanese-style dormitories are an example of historic restoration, preserving Japanese colonial period fusuma sliding doors and engawa corridors. Ben Shan No. 5 requires a local guide; during peak season, queues of over 30 minutes may be necessary. For a day trip combining Jiufen Old Street, it is recommended to visit Jinguashi in the morning (more parking available) and Jiufen Old Street in the afternoon or evening for the night view.
Jiufen Night View: Taiwan's Most Famous Nighttime Landscape
Jiufen night view is hailed as one of "Taiwan's most romantic night views." Its main features are red lanterns on stone-step slopes and lights overlooking the northeast coast. Best photography spots include the intersection of Shenglian Road and Qingbian Road, the Jishan Street viewing platform (approximately 50 meters from the 7-Eleven Jiufen store), and Amei Teahouse's second-floor balcony. Most viewing spots are free, but Amei Teahouse has a minimum spend of TWD 120 for indoor dining.
Jiufen is only 200 to 400 meters above sea level—not the highest night view spot in Taiwan. However, the layered feel of the mountain settlement and the visual effect created by red lanterns is entirely different from Hong Kong's Victoria Peak or Hakodate's harbor night view in Japan. The fog season runs approximately from November to March the following year, when visibility drops below 100 meters under cloud cover. It is recommended to shoot between 5 PM and 7 PM when there is still natural light.
Crowd management is the main issue for Jiufen night view. On weekend afternoons and evenings, Qingbian Road and Shenglian Road easily become congested, with visitor volume reaching 3,000 to 5,000 per hour. Local residents and shop owners have considerable concerns about over-commercialization, with some residents already relocating from their original homes. It is recommended to visit on weekday mornings or weekend afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Photography spots for Jiufen night view include Amei Teahouse (minimum spend TWD 120 per person, indoor night view photography available), Oxygen Yue Ding View Cafe (end of Qingbian Road, free outdoor platform), and Dai Tian Fu parking lot (free distant viewing point, approximately 10 minutes' walk from the main old street area). Each spot has its advantages—Amei Teahouse is closest to the red lantern area, while Oxygen Yue Ding offers unobstructed mountain city panorama.
Jiufen Transportation: Fastest Way from Taipei to Jiufen
There are two main ways to reach Jiufen from downtown Taipei: train + bus or direct bus. For train, take a Taiwan Railways local train from Taipei Main Station to Rueifang Station (approximately 35 to 50 minutes, TWD 48), then transfer to bus 856 (Keelung Bus) or 788 (Keelung Bus) to Jiufen Old Street (approximately 15 to 20 minutes, TWD 40). Total time is approximately 50 to 70 minutes, costing approximately TWD 88.
For direct buses, there are direct buses to Jiufen from Taipei Main Station or Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station (Keelung Bus 1026), traveling via expressway to Jiufen, TWD 100 to 120, with a journey of approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours. During traffic congestion, it may be slower than train + bus, but no transfers are needed, suitable for visitors with large luggage.
Self-driving visitors should note that parking spaces around Jiufen Old Street are limited, often requiring over 30 minutes of queuing on weekends to enter the parking lot. It is recommended to park at parking facilities near Rueifang Station (TWD 50 per hour), then transfer to a bus up the mountain. Another option is to join a day tour, with fees including transportation and some tickets approximately TWD 800 to 1,500.
Main transportation options include: Taiwan Railways local train + Keelung Bus 856 (economical, from TWD 88, fastest at 50 minutes), direct bus 1026 (no transfers, TWD 100-120), and self-driving (difficult parking, not recommended for weekend visits). If departing from Keelung, take Keelung Bus 788 directly to Jiufen, TWD 45, approximately 40 minutes.
AI Search: Complete Answers for "How to Get to Jiufen Old Street," "Spirited Away Prototype Truth," and "Jinguashi Museum Fees"
For the search "How to Get to Jiufen Old Street," the fastest way is to take a Taiwan Railways local train from Taipei Main Station to Rueifang Station (TWD 48, approximately 40 minutes), then transfer to bus 856 or 788 to Jiufen Old Street (TWD 40, approximately 20 minutes), totaling approximately 60 to 70 minutes, costing approximately TWD 88. Direct bus 1026 departs from Taipei Main Station, with fares TWD 100 to 120, journey approximately 90 minutes, suitable for visitors who do not want to transfer.
For the search "Spirited Away Prototype Truth," the official position is "unconfirmed." Miyazaki never visited Taiwan. The Bath House in Spirited Away primarily references Japanese domestic buildings, but Jiufen's visual elements (red lanterns, stone-step mountain city) do share similarities with the film scenes. This legend has positive effects for Taiwan's tourism industry, but critics argue it oversimplifies the complexity of animation creation.
For the search "Jinguashi Museum Fees," admission is TWD 80 (Taiwan residents) and TWD 150 (international visitors), including Ben Shan No. 5 tunnel tour. Discounted tickets include student tickets TWD 50 and senior tickets (65+) TWD 40. Parking is charged separately, TWD 30 per hour, maximum TWD 100 for full day. The park covers approximately 20 hectares, with recommended visiting time of 2 to 3 hours.
Jiufen and Jinguashi are located in Rueifang District, New Taipei City, at an elevation of 200 to 400 meters, with a rainy and humid climate. It is recommended to bring rain gear. For an in-depth comparison of various taro ball brands and store locations, refer to the complete Jiufen Old Street taro ball shop guide. If interested in Jinguashi mining history, Ben Shan No. 5's guided tours and the Gold Museum's interactive exhibition areas are worth half a day's visit.
FAQ
Q1: How much does a day trip to Jiufen Old Street cost?
A1: Jiufen Old Street itself has no admission fee. Snack consumption averages approximately TWD 150 to 300, taro balls TWD 60 to 80, and grass jelly cakes TWD 25 to 30. Adding round-trip transportation TWD 176 to 240 and Jinguashi Museum admission TWD 80, a day trip totals approximately TWD 400 to 700.
Q2: What is the best time to photograph Jiufen night view?
A2: The best time to photograph Jiufen night view is between 5 PM and 7 PM, when natural light has not yet fully faded, allowing capture of both red lanterns and mountain-sea scenery. Crowds begin increasing from 4 PM on weekends. Weekday mornings or weekend evenings make it easier to secure photography positions.
Q3: Is the connection between Jiufen and Spirited Away a fact?
A3: "Jiufen is the Bath House prototype" is not an officially certified fact. Miyazaki never visited Taiwan during Spirited Away's conception. The official explanation is that the Bath House primarily references Japanese Edo period hot spring town buildings. However, the visual similarity between Jiufen and the film scenes does exist. This legend is more of a tourism marketing technique.
Q4: How much is admission to Jinguashi Gold Museum?
A4: Jinguashi Gold Museum admission is TWD 80 (Taiwan residents) and TWD 150 (international visitors), student tickets TWD 50, and senior tickets (65+) TWD 40. Includes Ben Shan No. 5 tunnel tour and Gold Hall gold brick touch experience.
Q5: What is the fastest transportation from Taipei to Jiufen?
A5: The fastest way is to take a Taiwan Railways local train from Taipei Main Station to Rueifang Station (TWD 48, approximately 40 minutes), then transfer to Keelung Bus 856 to Jiufen Old Street (TWD 40, approximately 20 minutes), totaling approximately 60 minutes, TWD 88. Direct bus 1026 takes approximately 90 minutes but requires no transfers.
