Jiufen + Shifen in One Day — Walking the Spirited Away Trail from Taipei 2026

The Story

Two villages in the hillsthat make Taipei's most-loved day trip

Just beyond Taipei's northeastern edge, the green hills of Ruifang and Pingxi hide two old villages that have become postcards of Taiwan itself — Jiufen (九份), a former gold-mining town clinging to a hillside, its narrow lanes strung end to end with red lanterns, and Shifen (十分), a railway village on the Pingxi branch line where visitors write wishes on paper sky lanterns and release them straight from the live train tracks. The two sit close together, and pairing them into a single day has become the classic Taipei day trip.

What makes this trip special is that it serves up everything in one day — a hands-on ritual in the lantern release, raw nature at Shifen Waterfall (the widest in Taiwan), local snacks like steaming taro balls, and the time-worn atmosphere of Jiufen's lanes, which many travellers loosely link to the look of Spirited Away. The real key to enjoying it is getting the order and the timing right, because the Pingxi Line train runs just once an hour. On this page we line everything up for you: which train to board, where to go first, and how to catch Jiufen's evening light at its very best.

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Release a Sky Lantern

Write your wishes on a paper lantern and send it skyward from Shifen's train tracks

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Taiwan's "Little Niagara"

Shifen Waterfall, the widest in Taiwan, a 20-minute walk from the station

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Jiufen's Lantern Lanes

A hillside gold-mining town, at its most beautiful at dusk as the lanterns glow

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Easy from Taipei

A one-hour train ride to Ruifang, then the Pingxi Line and a quick bus

Tourists holding colourful sky lanterns beside the railway tracks on Shifen Old Street — Shifen Old Street — lantern shops line both sides of the tracks as visitors hold their lanterns ready to release on the rail line.

Narrow covered alley of Jiufen Old Street hung with red lanterns and shop signs — Jiufen Old Street — a narrow covered alley strung with red lanterns and restaurant signs the whole way through.

Getting There from Taipei

From Taipei Main Stationto Shifen and Jiufen

The trip hinges on the train — ride the TRA to Ruifang first, then branch out to the two villages. The route is not complicated, but check the times carefully, because the Pingxi Line trains are an hour apart.

🚆 The Main Route

①Taipei → Ruifang — take a TRA train from Taipei Main Station (or Songshan Station) to Ruifang, about 45–50 minutes. Trains leave frequently, every 5–20 minutes.
②Ruifang → Shifen — at Ruifang, cross to platform 3 for the Pingxi Line branch train to Shifen, about 25–30 minutes. This line runs roughly once an hour.
③Shifen → Jiufen — ride the Pingxi Line back to Ruifang, then take bus 1062 or a taxi up the hill to Jiufen, about 15–25 minutes.
④Jiufen → Taipei — for the return, bus 1062 runs directly from Jiufen back to Taipei, so there is no need to backtrack to Ruifang.

🎫 Costs · Passes Worth Having

💴Taipei–Ruifang train ticket is about NT$49 each way on a local train. Tap in and out with an EasyCard.
🎟️Pingxi Line One-Day Pass costs around NT$80 for unlimited rides on the branch line all day — well worth it if you plan to stop at several stations such as Houtong or Jingtong.
🚌Bus 1062 costs about NT$15–30, EasyCard accepted. There are both Ruifang–Jiufen and direct Jiufen–Taipei services.
💳Carry one EasyCard and you are set — it works on trains, buses and convenience stores. Top it up at any station or 7-Eleven.

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Tip: As soon as you reach Ruifang or Shifen, photograph the Pingxi Line timetable. Trains are an hour apart, so missing one means a long wait. Knowing the schedule in advance lets you pace your wandering and your lantern release without rushing.

One-Day Itinerary

The recommended orderShifen by day, then Jiufen for dusk

Why Shifen first? Releasing lanterns and walking to the waterfall suit daylight, while Jiufen is at its most beautiful as its red lanterns light up in the evening — order the day this way and you get good light at both, with no doubling back.

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Around 08:30–09:00

Leave Taipei

Board a TRA train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang. An early start helps you stay ahead of the tour groups and the crowds, and the ride out is all easy green hills.

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Around 10:00–13:30

Shifen — lanterns and the waterfall

Take the Pingxi Line from Ruifang to Shifen. Walk the old street, pick a lantern shop, write your wishes and release the lantern from the train tracks. Then walk about 20 minutes to Shifen Waterfall, and grab lunch along the old street.

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Around 13:30–14:30

Travel Shifen → Jiufen

Ride the Pingxi Line back to Ruifang, then take bus 1062 up the hill to Jiufen. Leave a little buffer for the wait — if the bus queue is long, consider sharing a taxi with fellow travellers.

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Around 14:30–17:30

Jiufen — wander the lanes and sip tea

Walk Jishan Street, taste the taro balls and the bean-flour ice-cream rolls, settle in for tea at an old teahouse, take in the coastal views from a balcony, and find your photo spot on the Shuqi Road steps before the crowds build.

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Around 17:30–19:00

Jiufen's golden moment

Stay for dusk — the red lanterns across town light up one by one against a deep blue sky. This is the image you came for. Frame it from the steps or a teahouse balcony and take your time.

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Around 19:00–20:30

Back to Taipei

Take bus 1062 directly from Jiufen back to Taipei, or descend to Ruifang for the train — check the last departures earlier in the day and always leave a buffer.

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Can you flip the order? Yes — some travellers go up to Jiufen first thing when it is quieter, then drop down to Shifen in the afternoon. But do that and you miss Jiufen with its lanterns lit, which is the most beautiful sight of all. If you must choose, we recommend saving Jiufen for the evening.

Shifen · 十分

What to see in Shifenthe sky-lantern village on the railway

Shifen was once a coal-mining town. Today it is the liveliest village on the Pingxi Line — trains still rumble straight down the middle of the street, and the moment each one passes, the crowds step back out to release their lanterns.

Hundreds of glowing orange paper sky lanterns rising into the night sky over Pingxi — The image so many travellers come for — hundreds of glowing sky lanterns drifting up into the evening sky over the Pingxi area.

Highlight

Releasing a lantern on the tracks

This is why people come to Shifen. Lantern shops line both sides of the old street, which has a working railway running straight down its centre. Choose a lantern by colour, brush your wishes onto all four sides, and the shop owner lights it and films and photographs your release as the lantern lifts skyward.

A lantern costs roughly NT$150–250 each, depending on the number of colours — single-colour is cheaper, multi-colour costs more. Each colour carries an auspicious meaning: red for health, pink for love, yellow for wealth. When a train approaches, staff blow a whistle for everyone to clear the tracks.

Nature

Shifen Waterfall

From the old street, follow the riverside path for about 20 minutes to reach Shifen Waterfall — a horseshoe-shaped curtain of water roughly 40 metres wide and 20 metres tall, which has earned it the nickname "Taiwan's Little Niagara." Several viewing points and a footbridge let you take it in from different angles.

The waterfall sits in a public park, free to enter and open during the day. The shaded path suits both children and older visitors. After heavy rain the falls run stronger and look especially dramatic, though the path can get slippery.

Add-On Stops

Houtong · Jingtong · Pingxi

If you have the One-Day Pass, make it pay by stopping at other Pingxi Line stations — Houtong, the famous cat village; Jingtong, with its old wooden station and retro feel; and Pingxi itself, a quieter village than Shifen where you can also release lanterns.

Each station is worth about 30–60 minutes of strolling. To fit them all in, leave Taipei early and trim your Jiufen time slightly.

Food

Snacking on Shifen Old Street

While you wait for your train, graze your way along the old street — chunky Taiwanese fried chicken, sticky-rice sausage, fragrant tea eggs and old-style ice cream, all easy on the wallet. Carry small cash, as many stalls do not take cards.

Shifen Old Street feels more relaxed than Jiufen — the shops are less packed and it is easier to walk, which makes it a good spot to rest and refuel before moving on.

Jiufen · 九份

What to see in Jiufenthe gold-mining town of red-lantern lanes

Jiufen once thrived on its gold mines under Japanese colonial rule. When the gold ran out the town fell quiet — before coming back to life as the most atmospheric, time-worn town in Taiwan.

Shifen Waterfall, a wide curtain of water flowing into an emerald pool surrounded by forest — Shifen Waterfall — the wide cascade nicknamed "Taiwan's Little Niagara," an easy stop on the way before climbing to Jiufen.

Highlight

Jiufen Old Street (Jishan Road)

The heart of town is Jishan Street, a narrow covered alley that snakes along the hillside, lined on both sides with snack stalls, souvenir shops and an unbroken run of red lanterns. Follow it along and you reach the Shuqi Road steps, the steep stone staircase that is Jiufen's iconic photo spot.

The lanes are tight and busy, so walk slowly with the flow of the crowd. The best atmosphere comes at dusk, when the lanterns glow against the sky.

Atmosphere

A-Mei Teahouse · Shengping Theater

The A-Mei Teahouse, a three-storey building clad in dark green timber and hung with red lanterns, is the most recognised photograph of Jiufen — often (unofficially) said to echo the look of Spirited Away. Sip tea on its balcony for a sweeping view over the town.

Continue down the Shuqi Road steps and you find the small courtyard of the Shengping Theater, a beautifully restored old cinema, free to enter, that tells the story of the town's boom years.

Views

Coastal views from the hillside

Because Jiufen clings to a hillside, another of its pleasures is the view down towards the coast and the bay below. Find a teahouse balcony, a lookout point, or an open stretch near the end of the street, and you will see the mountains tumbling down to the sea.

Worth knowing: Jiufen sits high and the mountain weather changes fast — some days bring mist or light rain that hides the sea view. A clear day is a stroke of luck.

Food

Taro balls and Jiufen treats

The signature thing to try is taro balls — chewy, soft little dumplings made from taro and sweet potato, served hot in ginger soup or cold over shaved ice. Several famous shops line the lanes.

Do not miss the bean-flour ice-cream roll with coriander, an unusual but delicious bite, and Jiufen's fish balls in hot broth — the food here is reasonably priced and part of the whole experience.

Want it Easy, with No Train-Time Stress

Join a guided day tour
Jiufen · Shifen · Yehliu

If you would rather not juggle the train and bus connections yourself, or you want to add Yehliu to the same day, a guided day tour sorts the route and the transport for you, with a guide along the way — browse the options and prices on Klook. Going independently by train is cheaper and more flexible, so pick whichever suits you.

🚐 See Jiufen–Shifen tours on Klook →

Wherebest is an affiliate partner of Klook — we may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.

Sample Budget

Doing it yourselfwhat a full day costs

The figures below are an approximate per-person budget (in New Taiwan dollars) for travelling independently by public transport — actual costs vary with how much you eat and shop.

Item	Detail	Approx. Cost
Train Taipei ⇄ Ruifang	Round trip, local train	~NT$100
Pingxi Line One-Day Pass	Unlimited branch-line rides	~NT$80
Bus 1062	Ruifang–Jiufen and Jiufen–Taipei	~NT$60
One sky lantern	Average per lantern (shareable)	~NT$200
Shifen Waterfall	Free to enter	NT$0
2 meals + snacks	Shifen Old Street + Jiufen	~NT$350–500
Approx. total per person	Independent, one day	~NT$800–1,000

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Compared with a tour: A guided day tour with transport and a guide usually costs more than going independently, but you trade that for the ease of not making the connections yourself — and most tours include Yehliu too. If you are a small group on a budget, doing it yourself by train is cheaper and more flexible.

Insider Tips

6 tipsfor a smooth Jiufen–Shifen day

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Avoid weekends

Weekends and holidays get very crowded — Jiufen's lanes turn shoulder-to-shoulder. A weekday is far more comfortable.

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Leave Taipei early

An 8–9am start gets you ahead of the tour groups, lands you good train slots, and leaves plenty of time for both villages.

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Photograph the timetable

The Pingxi Line runs hourly — snap the schedule at the station on arrival so you can pace your time precisely.

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Prepare for rain and mist

Weather on the Jiufen hilltop changes fast. Pack a foldable umbrella or rain jacket and wear non-slip shoes.

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Check the last service

The last Pingxi Line train and the last bus run in the evening — miss them and you pay for a costly taxi. Always leave a buffer.

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Carry small cash

Lantern shops and many old-street food stalls take cash only — bring enough small notes and coins.

Plan the Rest

Fit this tripinto your Taipei plans

Open the full Jiufen town guide, see more of Taipei's attractions, or follow up with our Taipei 101 guide.

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Jiufen Town Guide

A full-page deep dive into Jiufen — where to stay, eat and wander, and how to make the most of the hillside town.

Open the Jiufen guide →

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10 Taipei Attractions

Taipei 101, Longshan Temple, the National Palace Museum and more in-city highlights — plan your Taipei trip in one page.

See Taipei attractions →

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Taipei 101 Guide

Your next day in the city — the observatory, ticket prices and the golden hour atop Taipei 101.

Read the Taipei 101 guide →

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Jiufen Day Tours Compared

Don't want to plan it yourself? Compare 6 day-tour styles from Taipei — Group / Small Group / Private / Half-Day / DIY + sky lantern — which is best for your travel style.

Compare Jiufen Tours →

Still deciding?

Torn betweenJiufen, Shifen, and Pingxi?

If you only have half a day to one day, which town is worth visiting most? Read the full comparison of all 3 northern Taipei old towns.

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Jiufen vs Shifen vs Pingxi

Compare 3 old towns north of Taipei — atmosphere, crowds, prices, and an honest answer to "Can I do all 3 in one day?"

Read the comparison →

Frequently Asked Questions

What to know beforeyour Jiufen + Shifen trip

Can you visit Jiufen and Shifen in one day?

Yes — it is the most popular day trip from Taipei. Both sit in the Ruifang and Pingxi districts of New Taipei and are close together. The recommended order is to visit Shifen in the morning to early afternoon for the sky lanterns and waterfall, then move on to Jiufen from late afternoon into the evening so you catch the red-lantern lanes at dusk when the lights come on. If you are short on time or would rather not juggle the train and bus connections yourself, a guided day tour is the easier option.

How do you get from Taipei to Shifen and Jiufen?

Take a TRA train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station, which takes about 45 to 50 minutes and costs around NT$49. At Ruifang, transfer at platform 3 to the Pingxi Line branch train to Shifen, about 25 to 30 minutes. For Jiufen, ride the Pingxi Line back to Ruifang and take bus 1062 up the hill, about 15 to 25 minutes, or a taxi. Buy a Pingxi Line One-Day Pass if you plan to stop at several stations along the branch line.

How much does releasing a sky lantern in Shifen cost?

Sky lanterns in Shifen cost roughly NT$150 to NT$250 each on a regular day, depending on the number of colours — a single-colour lantern is cheaper, a multi-colour one costs more. The price includes a brush and ink to write your wishes, and the shop owner will take photos and a video of your release for free. Each lantern colour carries a different auspicious meaning, for example red for health, pink for love and yellow for wealth. Prices may differ during the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival.

Should you visit Shifen or Jiufen first?

Visit Shifen first, in the morning to early afternoon, because releasing lanterns and walking to the waterfall suit daylight. Then head up to Jiufen for late afternoon into the evening — Jiufen's magic is its red-lantern lanes, which look their best at dusk when the lanterns light up against a deep blue sky. Ordering the day this way gives you good light at both places and means you never have to backtrack.

What time are the last trains and buses back to Taipei?

The Pingxi Line trains and the buses run on limited schedules. Pingxi Line trains run roughly once an hour, and the last service usually departs in the evening, around 21:00 to 22:00. Bus 1062 from Jiufen back to Taipei also has a final evening run. Actual times change by season and day, so photograph the timetable at the station when you arrive and always leave a buffer — if you miss the last service you will have to hire a taxi, which is far more expensive.

Can you add Yehliu to the same day trip?

Yes, but it makes for a packed day and demands careful timing. Yehliu Geopark lies in a different direction from the Pingxi Line, so combining Yehliu, Shifen and Jiufen in one day by public transport is awkward because of the multiple transfers. The easiest way is a guided day tour, which already bundles all three stops with transport and a guide so you do not have to worry about train and bus times. See more Taipei sights on our Taipei attractions page.

Ready to Go

Base yourself in Taipei for the day trip
or stay overnight in Jiufen to see the town empty

Most travellers use Taipei as a base and go out for the day, but if you want to see Jiufen after the day-trippers have left, an overnight stay on the hill is a special experience. Open our full Taipei guide to plan every day, or start searching for somewhere to stay.

📖 Full Taipei Travel Guide 🏨 Find stays in Jiufen →