According to the latest tourism data, Jiufen Old Street attracts over 3 million visitors annually, making it one of the most popular mountain town destinations in northern Taiwan. The entire old street features approximately 50 specialty shops, with taro balls, teahouses, and creative products being the most well-known. Currently, the top three must-buy souvenirs at Jiufen Old Street are taro balls, herbal rice cakes, and tea products, with an average order value of NT$200–500. Want to know which shops offer the best value?
- Amei Teahouse: Signature taro balls with a delightfully chewy texture, See details
- Herbal Rice Cake Shop: Traditional recipe, generous fillings, See details
- Jiufen Tea House: Selected Pinglin high-mountain tea, with stunning ocean views, See details
- Creative Workshop: Handmade pottery and postcard DIY experiences, See details
More Jiufen souvenir recommendations, view the complete shopping guide.
When talking about Jiufen, most tourists first think of the inspiration for Bathhouse Man's oil shop from Miyazaki's Spirited Away, as well as the stone-step old street built along the mountain. However, this small mountain town in Ruifang District, New Taipei City, in recent years has seen not only traditional teahouses, but also the rise of many specialty cafés and creative shops, injecting new vitality into the Jiufen shopping experience.
Jiufen itself is not a traditional "department store" area, but rather excels through the specialty shops on the mountain town old street. There are no large department stores here, but there are handmade boutiques and nostalgic teahouses that feel much warmer than chain shopping malls. According to the latest 2025 trends, visitors from China, Hong Kong, and Macao spent 280 billion USD on outbound consumption, and as a popular destination near Taipei, Jiufen continues to attract large numbers of domestic and international tourists to explore.
The shops at Jiufen Old Street are mainly concentrated on three main streets: Jishan Street, Shuzhi Road, and Qingbian Road. Rather than being called a shopping street, it is more of a cultural experience through time. Visitors can enjoy tea and scenery at traditional teahouses, and discover one-of-a-kind handmade souvenirs at creative shops.
Featured Teahouse Recommendations
A-Mei Teahouse is the most iconic teahouse in Jiufen, reportedly one of the inspirations for the Bathhouse in Spirited Away. Tea set packages here are approximately NT$300–500 per person, using high-quality oolong tea and serving refined tea snacks. Operating hours are 9:00–21:30, suitable for planning a lunch or afternoon tea session. Evening visits are especially recommended for enjoying Jiufen's night scenery — the red lanterns lit up create a truly unforgettable view.
Jiufen Tea House, established in 1993, is the first teahouse in Jiufen to be converted from an old residence, preserving a rich traditional atmosphere. The shop offers a variety of Taiwanese high-mountain teas, with tea gift boxes priced between NT$500–20,000, making them a great choice for gifts. The building itself is worth savoring, with its wooden structure harmonizing beautifully with the old street scenery.
New Cafés Opened in 2025–2026
Hima Café is a recent highlight in the Jiufen mountain town, known for Basque-style cakes, caramel puddings, and other specialty desserts. The café enjoys bright natural lighting, contrasting with traditional teahouses, and is ideal for young tourists who prefer modern café vibes. Pricing is moderate, with desserts around NT$150–250.
Sanshō Zai Café, located in Shuinandong, is a bit farther from Jiufen Old Street, but offers a prime location with views of the Yin-Yang Sea. It has become a highly discussed Instagram-worthy café in recent years. If time allows, it's well worth planning a half-day trip.
Specialty Souvenir Shops
The Old Miner Grocery Shop sells a wide variety of Jiufen-themed souvenirs, from fridge magnets and luggage tags to handmade accessories. Small items are priced around NT$50–200, making it a great place to pick up souvenirs. The shop's décor is filled with mining village charm, letting visitors feel the weight of Jiufen's past mining history.
Henry Cats & Friends is one of the few hand-drawn cat-themed souvenir shops in Jiufen, with product prices ranging from NT$200–800. All items in the shop feature cute cat designs, making it especially popular among young women and cat lovers.
Budget-Friendly Food Recommendations
Street food at Jiufen Old Street has always been a visitor favorite. A-Zhu's Peanut Roll Ice Cream is NT$40 per serving — a classic taste of nostalgia. Taro ball soup is Jiufen's most iconic dessert, with prices at various shops ranging from NT$40–60. It's recommended to choose an old shop that insists on handmade production for a chewier texture. Fish ball soup with tofu pockets is the top savory choice, at approximately NT$50–80 per set.
Practical Information
For transportation from Taipei, there are two main options: one is taking Bus 1062 from Exit 2 of Zhongxiao Fuxing Station, with a travel time of about 1–1.5 hours and a fare of NT$98; the other is taking a train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station (about 30 minutes, fare approximately NT$45), then transferring to a bus or walking uphill.
Jiufen Old Street itself is free to visit. Shops typically open after 10:00 AM, while larger teahouses and restaurants close between 19:00–21:00. Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) operate 24 hours, a great help for visitors staying overnight in Jiufen.
Travel Tips
To avoid crowds, it is recommended to arrive before 10:00 AM on weekdays, or visit on Tuesdays through Thursdays. After 17:00, tour groups gradually disperse, and 19:00–20:00 is the best time to photograph the red lantern night scenery. For a deeper experience of Jiufen, staying overnight is recommended — the mountain town's atmosphere in the early morning and late night is entirely different from daytime, with a charm all its own.
October to December in autumn is the best season to visit Jiufen, with comfortable cool weather and lower chances of rain. It is advisable to avoid the typhoon season from June to September and the humid summer months.
