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Camping in Taiwan Guide – Everything you Need to Know 在台灣露營常見問題March 21, 2025
With two-thirds of the island covered in mountains, Taiwan has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. One of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of Taiwan is via camping. Below is a very basic level FAQ on camping in Taiwan for foreigners who have never experienced it.
🏯 Planning your trip to Taipei? 🏮
Here are some top travel tips for you:
- Best time to visit: April to November when the temperatures are nice and the water is warm
- How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
- Best places to stay: Fullon Hotel or Hai Xia Your Home
- Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
- Stay connected with a local SIM
- Rent a car to explore distant sights

Disclaimer:
We are not affiliated with any campground or camping products in Taiwan. The following FAQ is only based on our opinion after years of camping in Taiwan, and should not be considered absolute fact. If in doubt, make sure you check with the local police station or other government office to make sure you are following local regulations while camping in Taiwan.

How to book a campsite in Taiwan:

Please be sure to check out camping options in Taiwan on Klook here or KKday here.

Is it legal to camp on the side of the road in Taiwan?

This depends on whether or not camping is banned on whatever particular spot of land you are on. Usually there are signs that say which activities are prohibited in the area. For National Parks, all camping is usually banned unless you apply in advance for an approved camp ground. If you camp on private property, this could be seen as trespassing. For land that is not clearly marked, there is always a risk that someone will call you out for trespassing or illegal activity. When in doubt, ask the local people in the area.

Average Price of Campsites in Taiwan:

Private-run campsites can go anywhere from 300 NT to 1000 NT per night. These usually include showers, bathrooms, and electrical outlets. Renting camping gear will cost you extra.

Best Camp Sites in Taiwan:

This is up to you to decide. The best campsite I ever stayed at was in Maolin, Kaohsiung. You can also check out this article by Taiwan Everything.

Best time of year to camp in Taiwan:

The best time of year to go camping in Taiwan is usually during autumn-spring (October – April) when the temperatures are lower and there is less rain and no typhoons. In the high mountains, the temperatures are cool at night even in the summer, but you should be careful to avoid camping during heavy rains or typhoons.

The best part of Taiwan to camp in:

The mountains. Two-thirds of the island is covered in mountains, and there are plentiful campgrounds to choose from.

How Taiwanese people camp:

A typical Taiwanese family will go car camping, which means they bring pretty much ever conceivable creature comfort from home. Also, most private campgrounds have showers, bathrooms, hair dryers, and electric outlets, as well as raised covered platforms on which to camp.

Do a lot of Taiwanese people go camping?

As compared to the United States, a significantly lower portion of the population of Taiwan regularly goes camping because most people live in big cities and do not have much of an outdoor lifestyle.

Campfires in Taiwan:

If you are staying at a private campsite, make sure to ask beforehand before starting a fies.
Setting fires on protected lands or national parks is usually prohibited. Always ask if you are on someone’s private land.
If you do start a fire, make sure you make a safe circle of stones or dirt around it, or inside a metal container, and that you properly extinguish the fire after use. If not, you could be fined for unsafe use of fire or destruction of property.

RV’ing in Taiwan

Yes, some people have RVs and there are RV and trailer park-friendly campsites in Taiwan.

What to bring while camping in Taiwan:

Summer: I recommend bringing just a mosquito net instead of a tent because it can get hot, especially if you are near sea level. But this might not always be an option, and it may rain.
Winter: Bring more sleeping bags and blankets than you think you need. Winters are cold in Taiwan. Even though the temperature might not be low, because of the humidity it will feel really cold.

Free camping in Taiwan:

There is free camping in Taipei City at Bishan Camping Area. As for free camping on private or public lands, please be sure to check with the local land owner or public officials before you camp.
For a list of “campable” places as shown by Follow Xiaofei, click here.

What are the basic rules/laws While camping in Taiwan?

Basic rules include:

No littering
No destruction of private/public property
No hunting
No fishing in prohibited areas
No trespassing without permission
No camping in protected areas or national parks with a permit
Have fun

Glamping / Luxury Camping:

There are many glamping spots in Taiwan. For more info on some luxury campsites, check out this article by Taiwan Everything.

Camping on the Beach in Taiwan:

Whether or not it is okay to camp on the beach depends on whether or not camping is prohibited on the beach. If camping is not prohibited, there is still a chance that someone will call the cops, who will come and ask what you are doing and may ask you to leave.

Places where Camping is Prohibited:

This depends on whether or not camping is prohibited on the beach. If camping is not prohibited, there is still a chance that someone will call the cops, who will come and ask what you are doing and may ask you to leave.

Where can I buy camping gear in Taiwan?

You can find basic camping gear at supermarkets such as Decathlon, Carrefour, RT-Mart, and Costco. However, there are also many small camping and outdoor stores in Taiwan. For a list of outdoor gear and camping gear stores in Taipei, click here.

Fishing in Taiwan:

In general, there are no restrictions for recreational fishing unless the area is marked as a fishing prohibited area, or you are fishing an endangered species. Fishing is generally prohibited in national parks and protected wildlife areas. When in doubt ask the local people or police department.

Hunting in Taiwan:

Hunting wild animals in Taiwan is generally restricted to all citizens except indigenous people with special hunting rights.

Bears/lions/tigers/other dangerous wildlife in Taiwan

Yes, there are bears and big cats in Taiwan, however, they rarely ever attack humans. It is rare to even see such wildlife in Taiwan.

POISONOUS snakes/spiders/bugs in Taiwan:

There are many species of poisonous snakes and spiders in Taiwan. Please be careful when camping and hiking. If you are bitten, call 119 immediately.

Feral dogs in Taiwan

Unfortunately due to Taiwan’s love of animals, there is a huge feral dog problem in Taiwan. Be careful when approaching unleashed dogs, especially in mountain areas. Some preventative measures are to turn to one side, kneel down, or wave a stick at the dogs. If a dog begins to run at you, do not turn your back or run away, this will give them a reason to chase. Stare the dog down and back away slowly.

ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD CONSIDER WHILE CAMPING IN TAIWAN?

If in doubt, make sure you check with the local police station or national park office to make sure you are following local regulations while camping in Taiwan.

Our Journey Camping:

For a view into the average camping experience in Taiwan, check out our blog on Bishan Camping Area here. You can also check out the camping in Taiwan blog here and places that Follow Xiaofei recommends for camping here.

Please be sure to check out camping options in Taiwan on Klook here or KKday here.
To see more frequently asked questions about Taiwan related topics, click here.
You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.

Taiwan Cycling Guide – The Ultimate Guide to the Bicycle Kingdom 台灣騎自行車指南March 21, 2025

Taiwan is recognized as a bicycle kingdom and offers stunning routes for cycling enthusiasts, including coastal roads, mountain trails, and breathtaking gorges. Renting bicycles is convenient via services like Youbike, which operates at MRT stations, as well as road bike rentals at shops. Popular cycling routes include Sun Moon Lake and the Taipei Riverside Bikeway among others. If you are a fan of cycling, you definitely need to check out this amazing island.

🏯 Planning your trip to Taiwan? 🌊

Here are some top travel tips for you:

Best time to visit: Spring and Autumn when it is not too hot or cold and less rainy
How to get there: Plane tickets via Trip.com
Best places to stay can be found on Agoda
Book tours and activities in Taiwan on Klook
Stay connected with a local SIM
Rent a car to explore distant sights

Best Places to Cycle in Taiwan:

Popular cycling routes in Taiwan include the Sun Moon Lake Bike Trail, the Taipei Riverside Bikeway, Caoling Tunnel Loop, Xinwu Green Tunnel, Hehuanshan, Taroko Gorge, Yangmingshan, the North Coast, and the East Coast Scenic Area.
For longer more grand bike routes, I recommend going around the entire coast of Taiwan, the southern cross-island highway, central cross-island highway, and northern cross-island highway.

Taiwan Cycling Blogs I Recommend:

You can also check out the blogs Station in the Valley and Taiwan in Cycles for more ideas and recommendations.

Renting a Bicycle in Taiwan 在台灣租腳踏車:

Ubike/Youbike – This is a bike rental platform that uses fixed parking areas. You can find them in most of Taiwan. They are at most MRT stations, making it easy to get from the MRT or bus stop to your final destination. The fare is 10 NT for 30 minutes.
Road Bike Rental – You can rent a road bike for about 1000 NT a day at a local bike shop such as Merida or Giant. I highly recommend this shop in Taipei.

How do I use a Youbike in Taiwan?
To use Youbike you will need to buy an Easy card (悠游卡) or iPass card (一卡通). These cards can be purchased at most MRT stations, and are usually $100 NT. Once you have a card, you will need to register it at a Youbike Station using a local cell phone number. If you do not have a cell phone number in Taiwan, you can go to a local cell provider such as Chuanghua Telecom or Taiwan Mobile and show your passport to buy a SIM card.
Alternatively, you can use a credit card to rent a Youbike (can only be used one time per card).
Fares are 10 NT for 30 minutes, or free for the first 30 minutes if your trip originates from New Taipei City.
After you have a card you should:

Swipe the card next to an open bike.
Wait for the bike to unlock.
Ride to your next destination.
Place your bike in the Youbike stand and swipe your card to see how much money was deducted.

Buying a Bicycle in Taiwan 在台灣買腳踏車:

Buying a bike is easy. The main brands in Taiwan are Merida and Giant, and you can find their stores all over the island.

Fixing a Bicycle in Taiwan 在台灣修路腳踏車:

After riding a bike for a long time in Taiwan, you will certainly run into maintenance issues. To avoid problems, always make sure you have good tire pressure, your chain and flywheels are clean and oiled, and your brakes are tightened.

However, when a problem occurs, you will likely need to take it to a bike shop for repair. Besides Giant and Merida, there are other small “grandpa” bike shops everywhere. They usually do not charge much if anything for labor to fix your bike. You can try to point and gesture the problem with your bike, or you can learn some Chinese words:

Common bicycle vocabulary in Taiwan 常見腳踏車零件用語及詞彙:

English to Chinese translation of bicycle part names can be tricky, and chances are that Google Translate will be wrong. These words are highly specific and technical. Therefore we created this vocab list for your reference:

(English 英文/Pinyin 拼音/Chinese Characters 中文字)
Broken 壞掉    Huài diào
Fix        修理    xiūlǐ
Replace           換        huàn
How much money?     多少錢?          duōshǎo qián?
How much money to fix this? 修理這個多少錢?      Xiūlǐ zhège duōshǎo qián?
Can you fix this?          這個可以修理嗎?      Zhège kěyǐ xiūlǐ ma?
Can you replace this? 你可以換這個嗎?      Nǐ kěyǐ huàn zhège ma?
How much money to replace this?     換這個多少錢?          Huàn zhège duōshǎo qián?
Bycicle 腳踏車/自行車/單車 Jiǎotàchē/zìxíngchē/dānchē
(Bicycle) part   零件    língjiàn
Road Bike        公路車            Gōnglù chē
Mountain Bike 山車    Shānchē
Freewheel/cassette     飛輪    fēilún
Seat Stay          後上叉            hòu shàng chā
Brake Block     煞車皮            shāchē pí
Brakes 煞車 shāchē
Brake Cable     煞車線            shāchē xiàn
Caliper Brake 煞車夾器        shāchē jiā qì
Brake Cable     煞車線            shāchē xiàn
Seat Post Clamp          座管束            zuò guǎnshù
Saddle 坐墊    zuòdiàn
Seat Post         座管    zuò guǎn
Top Tube          上管    shàng guǎn
Head Parts      車頭碗組        chētóu wǎn zǔ
Stem Cap         上蓋    shànggài
Stem 龍頭    lóngtóu
Handlebar       車手把            chē shǒu bà
Tape 手把帶            shǒu bà dài
Brake/Shift Level         煞車/換檔級別           shāchē/huàn dǎng jíbié
Shocks 避震器            bì zhèn qì
Fork 前叉    qián chā
Wheel 車輪    chēlún
Spoke   輻條    fútiáo
Hub      花鼓    huāgǔ
Tire      輪胎    lúntāi
Tread   紋路    wénlù
Rim      輪框    lún kuāng
Dropout 勾爪    gōu zhǎo
Nipple 銅頭    tóng tóu
Vavle    氣嘴    qì zuǐ
Crank   曲柄    qūbǐng
Gears   齒輪    chǐlún
Chainring/chainwheel 大盤    dàpán
Bottom Bracket           五通/中軸/BB wǔ tōng/zhōngzhóu/BB
Front Derailleur          前變速器        qián biànsùqì
Pedal   踏板    tàbǎn
Chain   鏈條    liàntiáo
Chain Stay        後下叉            hòu xià chā
Rear Derailleur            後變速器        hòu biànsùqì
Derailleur Cable          變速線            biànsù xiàn

Riding a bicycle safely in Taiwan 在台灣騎自行車安全須知:

First I would like to share my experiences with all of you. I have been riding a bicycle in Taipei for over six years now, and I have seen my fair share of accidents. I have collided with people opening their car doors, I have collided with other cyclists, had near misses with busses, and I have collided with bushes, the road, and pedestrians.
A few weeks ago, I collided with a woman as we were both trying to cross the street during the green light for a pedestrian crosswalk. She walked out from behind a bus and I did not have enough time to react. My shoulder caught her arm, and she spun around and fell to the ground, while I continued forward. We both were at fault. I crossed the street from the main road, and she was not walking on the crosswalk. In the end, the police came, made a police report, and she was taken to the hospital for a fractured elbow. I tried to offer money for her medical costs, but she refused. She could have sued me for more money but she didn’t because she is a nice person. But things could have gone much, much worse. From this experience, I have some basic advice for foreigners riding in Taiwan, especially if you plan on riding in Taiwan long term:
Words of advice:

Wear a helmet. Even though helmets are not required by law, a helmet could save your life in a crash, especially with a car or bus.
Do not compromise safety for speed or convenience. Better safe than sorry. Safety first.
Don’t run red lights. You will notice that in Taiwan some people run red lights on bicycles and are never fined or stopped by the police. Even though it may not be enforced, this is a dangerous habit that could get you or someone else killed.
Don’t ride in the wrong direction. This may seem safe if you see no cars, but eventually your luck will run out and you will get in an accident.
If you are in a car lane in front of a four-way pedestrian crosswalk when the pedestrian and bicycle lights are green, you still have to wait for the car traffic light. If you cross the white line into the pedestrian area, this is considered running a red light. You can only enter the pedestrian crosswalk legally from the sidewalk. If you cross that line and hit a pedestrian, it is your fault.
Consider getting insurance for your bike. If you are like me and accidentally hit an old lady in a pedestrian area who falls down and is seriously injured, you could be financially liable. Ubike has cheap insurance for all members. Sign up for Ubike’s insurance and if you have your own bike, get some insurance.
If you get in a serious accident, leave your bike where you crashed, call the police, and wait for the police to come. This is the rule for Taiwan traffic laws, even though it may impede traffic.
Slow down when you are on sidewalks. Avoid hitting pedestrians at all costs. Stay at a low speed and stop to avoid collisions.
Keep your brakes well-maintained. The biggest safety improvement you can make to your bike is having brakes that stop quickly. Tune your brakes regularly, it could save you money and it could save your life. This applies especially on rainy days. All the accidents I have ever been in could have been avoided if I had better brakes and braked sooner.
Use a loud bell. This will let pedestrians know to get out of the way or stay to the side of a sidewalk or bike path.
Use bright lights and reflectors on the front and back of your bike. This will prevent you front being hit by a car at night.
Avoid buses and bus stops. Buses can and will cut you off if you are cycling on the road in Taipei. I am cut off by buses multiple times a day. In a collision between a bus and a bike, the bus wins every time. Be aware and expect them to stop at every bus stop. You can go around the left side of them, but not the right side. If you try to go around the right side of the bus, you will likely run into pedestrians that are trying to get on and off the bus. The safest course of action is to stop and wait for the bus to drive off.
Keep your distance from parked cars. Parked cars can open their doors at any time, and some people will forget to look for oncoming traffic behind them. I have hit someone’s car door, which sucked for them and also damaged my bike.
When in doubt, stop, yield, and wait. As you can see from the regulations below, bikes are required to yield for everyone and everything. If you have doubts about what is safe or legal, better to stop and wait than go on ahead and get in an accident.

What are the regulations for riding a bike in Taiwan? (臺灣自行車規則-英文版)

In a previous blog we have provided our personal experience, a summary of Taiwan bicycle laws, as well as an appendix of the fully translated Taipei/Taiwan bicycle laws. Check out the full blog post here.

Historical Background:

The land that Dadaocheng (aka Twatutia in Taiwanese 大稻埕) stands on was once part of Basay tribal land. The Basay people had lived on the land for thousands of years before the first Chinese settlers.
Sections of Dadaocheng indicate that there were settlements here during the Dutch rule in the 1600s.
The first Chinese settlers came to the area in the mid-1800’s during the Qing Dynasty. They created a public area for drying rice and grain, called Dadaocheng (大稻埕) from which the place gets its name, which also became the central market in the area.
The earliest trading shops were built in 1851, mainly selling rice, sugar, camphor, and tea. Dihua Street (迪化街), or center street (中街) was created around this time, making it the oldest street in Taipei.
In 1859 the City God Temple was completed, the religious center of the area, and many streets sprouted out of the area. Most of the buildings were one story and made of red brick in Fujian style, and later western style houses were built.
In 1891, the first train connecting Keelung and Taipei was completed. In 1902, Dadaocheng station was completed on the Tamsui Railway line. Tea and rice were the major exports from Dadaocheng during the Japanese era.
After WWII, the main street, known as Center Street (中街) was changed to Dihua Street, to remember Dihua City in Xinjiang.
Dihua Street is an important place to buy traditional food supplies and ingredients. It is particularly popular during Chinese festivals.

Hours:

About 9 AM to 7 PM.

Price:

Free

Tours:

You can book a walking tour of Dihua Street on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
You can also book a Changing Cheongsam Tour at Dadaocheng on TripAdvisor here.
There are many tours of Dihua Street, Dadaocheng, and other spots in Taipei available on Klook here or KKday here.

Where to Stay:

High end:
We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Grand Hyatt (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), Marriot (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), Sheraton (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), Shangri-la (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), and Regent (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), which are all very high-quality hotels in the middle of Taipei City.
We also recommend Fullon Hotel, which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here).
Budget Hotels:
We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home, which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here).
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

How to get there:

By MRT: From Beimen MRT station, walk north to Tacheng Street. Keep going until the street becomes Dihua Street (about 500 meters). You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Car/Scooter: Take Shimin Blvd. west to Tacheng Street. Keep going until the street becomes Dihua Street (about 500 meters). There is paid car parking on Shimin Blvd.
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan’s many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here.
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here.

Map:

Please see below:

Our Journey:

I have been to Dadaocheng and Dihua Street a few times. It is kind of far from where I live in East Taipei so I do not go there that often. Before I went, I thought it was a hipster side of town full of fancy tea shops. While that is true, there are also many historical and cultural sights to explore.

The blog below describes just one walk through Dadaocheng. There is much more to explore.

Map of the area with walking times.

You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here.

Another map of the area with a list of attractions to see. I’m not going to get into that, because basically every building on the street has something special to see.

This is the first Watson’s, and also the first Western pharmacy in Taiwan, built in 1917.

Shop selling clothes and do-it-yourself fabrics.

Dadaocheng Theater 大稻埕戲院

The Dadaocheng theater can be seen clearly from the street, which still has traditional Chinese theatrical performances.

Taipei Xiahai City God Temple 臺北霞海城隍廟

The Xiahai City God Temple (霞海城隍廟), which dates back to the 1850s and is one of the oldest temples in Taiwan. It is split into two parts and is the religious center of the area; it is extremely popular despite its size. Because the temple also houses the City God’s Wife, it is also a popular spot for couples for those wishing to find love. For more about this temple, check out this blog by Josh Ellis.

Intersection along Dihua Street.

Traditional Chinese medicine and dried herbs along the street.

Another Chinese medicine shop.

Umbrellas being sold in front of a Chinese medicine shop.

Traditional bags and tools for sale.

Dragon fruit juice sold at a local tea shop.

Museum 207 (迪化街二0七博物館）

Rooftop view on top of the Museum 207.

Original oven on top of Museum 207.

Panorama from the same rooftop.

View of the street below.

Flyer for museum 207.

Period photos from near Dadaocheng.

More period photos of the area.

More exhibits in the museum.

Chinese braided artifacts.

More period photos.

Delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

Famous mural of Dihua Street.

Western-style red brick buildings.

Sofa inside a Chinese medicine pharmacy.

Chinese medicine cabinet.

Mural on the counter.

Marble and wood chairs.

Old shaft for airflow, or for heating.

Old wooden door and signpost.

View of the original wooden roof.

A TV show was shot in this same building. I couldn’t tell you where it was because I have forgotten. You have to go find it for yourself.

Chinese murals.

Traditional Chinese Medicine manikin showing the different parts of the body that let out Chi.

Ginseng roots, used heavily in Chinese medicine.

After you check out Dihua Street, you can also check out the Daodaocheng Wharf along the Tamsui River. Here are some more food stalls, a nice bike path, and great views the sunset.

You can book a walking tour of Dihua Street on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.

You can also book a Changing Cheongsam Tour at Dadaocheng on TripAdvisor here.
There are many tours of Dihua Street, Dadaocheng, and other spots in Taipei available on Klook here or KKday here.

Dadaocheng and Dihua Street are fun. There is lots more to explore here.

For other blogs on this place, check out Nick Kembel’s blog here and Josh Ellis’ post here.

You can also look for more activities in Taipei such as Rock Climbing, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, Diving, Snorkeling, Cooking Class, Glamping, Motorcycling, Strawberry Picking, Professional Photo Shoot, Body Relaxation SPA, Night Tour, Calligraphy Workshop, and more on Klook here or KKday here.

Check out our guide to Taipei’s Old Streets here.

Check out our Taipei Museum Guide here.

Also be sure to check out our full guide to Taipei here.
You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.

Jiufen Old Street – Taiwan’s Amazing Mountainside Village 九份老街March 20, 2025

Jiufen, located in the Ruifang District of New Taipei City, is a charming hillside town known for its vibrant old street, which many consider the best in Taiwan. Visitors can wander through narrow alleys filled with classic Taiwanese snacks, steep stairways, and historic buildings. From nearly every spot in town, you’ll find sweeping panoramas of Shen’Ao and Keelung Harbors. In addition to its scenic beauty, Jiufen is rich in historic and cultural landmarks, making it a fun trip for the whole family.

🏯 Planning your trip to Taipei? 🏮

Here are some top travel tips for you:

Best time to visit: March-May, and October – November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
Stay connected with a local SIM
Rent a car to explore distant sights

Background:

Jiufen gets its name from the original nine families who settled in the village during the Qing dynasty, who asked for nine portions of shipments every time they arrived (九Jiu=nine 份Fen=portion). The discovery of gold in the area created a gold rush in the town that lasted until the last Japanese Era. When gold mining ended in 1971, the town began to decay. After A City of Sadness was filmed there, the town began to see a tourist boom. Also, the town began to see many visitors, especially from Japan after 2001 due to the resemblance of the town in Spirited Away, even though Miyazaki has said that Jiufen was not the inspiration for the movie.

Hours:

Around 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Price:

Free

Tours:

You can book a tour of Jiufen Old Street with TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.

Where to Stay Near Jiufen:

We recommend Fullon Hotel, which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here).
We have stayed at and recommend Gold Mountain Ranch, which is a horse ranch and glamping destination in Jinshan. You can book a night at Gold Mountain Ranch on Klook here. You can also check out our full blog on the ranch here.
We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home, which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, or Agoda here).
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

How to get there:

By Train: Take TRA to Ruifang Station, then transfer to Keelung Bus which goes directly to Jiufen every few minutes (about a 15 minute ride from Ruifang). Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can book tickets to the high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here.
By Bus: Buses directly to Jiufen leave from Taipei Main Station and Songshan Station regularly. You can also book a shuttle bus to Jiufen from Taipei on KKDay here. You can also book tickets to travel to Jiufen via inter-city bus on Klook here.
By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 to Ruifang and then travel on highway 102 all the way up to Jiufen. Parking is scarce and some of the most expensive in Taiwan. Expect at least 250 NT per day for a car and 50 NT per day for a scooter.
Looking for scooter rental in New Taipei? Click here or here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD. You can also charter a car for a day to Jiufen on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan’s many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here.
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here.

Map:

Please see below:

Our Journey:

Jiufen sits on the side of a mountain near Keelung on the northern edge of Taiwan. On a sunny day, you can see Jiufen sitting on the mountain from Keelung or Su Ao.
I have been to Jiufen three times, once by bus and twice by scooter, and I have never been disappointed.

You can book a tour of Jiufen Old Street with TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.

View of Jiufen as we approach it up the mountain.

The main entrance to Jiufen Old Street is next to the 7-11 at a curve in the road, although you can come at it from any angle.

Jiufen Old Street is actually huge, with long windy streets and alleyways that can take you all day to fully explore.

Characters from Spirited Away shamelessly on display in one of the first shops we walked by.

The main entrance to the old street, which features a covered roof.

A fancy Taiwan beef noodle shop right at the entrance.

Jiufen Douhua (豆花， jellied tofu) and red bean/taro ball soup, a Jiufen delicacy.

Dried tofu（Dougan 豆乾）, another Jiufen delicacy.

Laoyouhao Taro Balls (老友號芋圓）

The place I have always gone to when visiting Jiufen is Laoyouhao Taro Balls (老友號芋圓）

Some of the ingredients you can choose for either a sweet soup or sweet ice treat, such as starch balls, jellies, taro, sweet potato, and tapioca among others.

The usual price is 50 NT per bowl, which is a cheap treat for Jiufen.

If there are not a lot of people, you can enjoy an amazing view out back.

Not to mention a delicious taro and sweet potato ball ice, mixed with starch balls and peanuts.

Another view from the restaurant balcony, which many Jiufen restaurants offer.

View looking inside the restaurant.

Full view of the Keeling Harbor and Jiufen from the restaurant.

Some pedestrians walking on the street below.

Inside you can stay out of the rain and enjoy some shopping.

Here you can find Taiwanese traditional malt candy and souvenirs.

Azhu Burning Snow 阿珠雪在燒

You can also try Azhu Burning Snow (阿珠雪在燒) which is like an ice cream burrito with peanut brittle inside.

Every roll is 40 NT, which is a pretty good price for a tourist trap like this one.

Too many treats for one to blog, including multiple sausage restaurants and stalls.

Fried oyster mushrooms that look delicious.

Rain gear on sale for a steal.

Here is where things get out of hand. 45 NT for a pork bun? Don’t waste your money, even if some sausage is stuffed in there.

Ahlan Herbal Rice Cakes 阿蘭草仔粿

Ahlan Herbal Rice Cakes 阿蘭草仔粿 are also a must try delicacy. They are traditional Hakka cuisine, and I don’t know exactly how to pronounce them in Hakka. At 15 NT per cake, they truly are a must eat 必吃. People that come here line up and buy them by the box full.

Peanut flavored rice cake.

Red bean flavored rice cake. Delicious!

Chinese paintings for sale.

More Spirited Away memorabilia. But Jiufen is not the inspiration you say, well no one cares. The people at Jiufen are still making bank because of that film.

More memorabilia shops, including Star Wars?

Rouyuan 肉圓

Rouyuan (肉圓), another Jiufen delicacy made of gluttonous rice and pork. They somewhat resemble pork buns.

A typical view down one of Jiufen’s streets.

View of Jiufen at the end of one of the alleyways. Notice the restaurants set up on the mountainside, all with great views of the scenery below.

People clamoring to get a selfie with the road sign and Keelung Harbor in the background.

People enjoying one of the restaurants with a view.

More people enjoying an afternoon dessert with a great view.

Iconic Jiufen steps and hanging lanterns.

Another traditional Taiwanese candy and novelty shop.

Steamed pork buns for a whopping 30 NT per bun. Not the cheapest.

More steps to the top of the old street.

Jiufen Elementary School 九份國小

I imagine on weekdays the views from Jiufen Elementary School 九份國小 are amazing. However, on weekends the school is closed.

Shengming Temple 聖明宮

Right next to the elementary school is Shengming Temple 聖明宮, which also has an amazing view.

And…free scooter parking! If only I had known I could have saved 50 NT on scooter parking, which is the most expensive I have ever seen in Taiwan.

Cats hanging out on the roof below the temple.

I guess the cats of Jiufen are a thing.

Looking up a random alley in Jiufen.

Looking down Jiufen’s steps.

Another view of Jiufen’s steps with the ocean in view.

An exhibition showing Jiufen’s coal and gold mining history.

Traditional Chinese restaurant near the middle of the Old Street.

View looking up the main steps.

Shengping Theater 昇平戲院

Another cool place to see in Jiufen is Shengping Theater 昇平戲院, which takes you back in time to the heyday of small movie theaters in Taiwan. I was surprised to see that the most prolific urbex and theater blogger in Taiwan Alexander Synaptic has not covered this one yet. I guess because it is no longer a ruin.

“Shengping Theater”
“The Shengping theater was called originally the Shengping Stage set up in the 9th year of Emperor Shiawa (1934). In 1961, the Shengping stage reconstructed once more and the building materials were hollow bricks to build walls. Chinese cypress is the best one as the roof’s structure with fir tacked on it, laid asphalt and bushed tar, it covers an area of 660 square meters. Its architecture belongs to the Baroque imitated style which was the most popular during the Japanese occupation time. Inside the theater, there were six-seat style seating that could be opened and were put in a U-shape. The cornerstone was hexagonal. The items on the programs included movies, Taiwanese Opera, New Opera, Palmardrama, and so on. The theater’s front square, called the entrance of stage, was surrounded with the shops, commodity supply depots, in a scene of bustle and excitement.”

The original ticket booth.

The original projector on display.

The restored movie hall that has free movies playing all day long!

Era treats on display. I guess alcohol and cigarettes were items of choice.

Another view of Su’ao and Keeling from Jiufen.

Mr. Stone Lee’s Postcards

For another cool souvenir, you can check out Mr. Lee’s hand painted post cards of Taiwan.

Also, there is a gold museum in one of these houses. I didn’t go but I thought their advertisements were a bit obnoxious.

Small alley leading back to the main street.

Deep fried ice cream sandwiches! What could be better?

Finally our tour of Jiufen had come to an end. We made our way back through the bottleneck at the entrance.

Down the street near the bus stop there is a pavilion where you can see more great views.

View of Jiufen on a sunny day.

Keelung Mountain 基隆山

Right next to Jiufen is Keelung Mountain, 基隆山, which is a popular hike for Instagrammers. I have not been on the hike yet but hopefully, I will go someday.

Last view of Su’Ao and Keelung Harbors before we made our way into the mountains of Jinguashi.

You can book a tour of Jiufen Old Street with TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.

Don’t forget that there are many activities available along Taiwan’s Northern Coast such as Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Archery, Tree Climbing, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Shen’ao Rail Bike, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.

Check out our guide to Taipei’s Old Streets here.

Check out our full guide to Taiwan’s Northern Coast here.

Also be sure to check out our full guide to Taipei here.
You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.

Shifen Waterfall and Old Street Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You GoMarch 19, 2025

Shifen township of Pingxi District, New Taipei is full of wonders that you should check out. Shifen Waterfall, Taiwan’s widest waterfall, is a must-visit scenic spot near Shifen Train Station. Surrounded by restaurants and gardens, it offers stunning views. Shifen Old Street is also renowned for sky lanterns and local cuisine. The area’s history and rich tourism have evolved from its coal mining past. Overall, it is definitely an area that you need to visit.

🏯 Planning your trip to Taipei? 🏮

Here are some top travel tips for you:

Best time to visit: March-May, and October – November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
Stay connected with a local SIM
Rent a car to explore distant sights

Brief Historical Background of Shifen:

The town of Shifen, which was originally named for the ten families that lived there in the Qing Dynasty, needed ten portions of goods (Shi 十 = ten Fen 分/份 = portion).
Shifen Train Station was completed in 1918 and is the biggest train station on the Pingxi Railway line. During its heyday, it had the largest coal mining operation and the largest population in Pingxi District of New Taipei.
After the coal industry died down in the 1970s, tourism has taken its place as the major industry in the area.

The practice of lighting off sky lanterns in Taiwan began in Shifen, when, during the Qing Dynasty, local villagers would flee into the mountains during raids from bandits. Once the bandits had left, the remaining villagers sent sky lanterns into the air to let the fleeing villagers know that it was safe to come down from the mountains.
The people of Shifen send off sky lanterns as a symbol of peace and celebrate every year during the Lantern Festival (元宵節), a Chinese holiday.
Setting off sky lanterns as a tourist attraction began in the 1990’s and you can find people lighting off lanterns every day from Shifen.
The hundreds of sky lanterns set off every day, create an environmental problem with lantern trash piling around the forests and mountains of Pingxi District. The local people and volunteers help to clean up, but because of the tourism allure associated with lighting off the sky lanterns, it seems that this practice is not going away anytime soon.

Shifen Waterfall is 20 meters high and 40 meters wide (66 x 130 ft.), and is the widest waterfall in Taiwan. It is located near the town of Shifen, which was originally named for the ten families that lived there in the Qing Dynasty, who needed ten portions of goods (Shi = ten Fen = portion).
The waterfall lies on the Keelung River which runs through Pingxi and Ruifang, creating a cluster of waterfalls. The rocks here easily erode, making for odd shapes in the riverbed. The waterfall is also known as Taiwan’s “Niagra Falls.”
Before 2010, some government officials illegally charged tickets to see the waterfall. However, since then the waterfall has been made into a park free of any entrance fee.
You will also notice that there is a small 1 foot dam on top of the falls. This unnatural feature is according to Taiwan researcher Mike Fagan, “…not a dam, it’s a broad-crested weir [that] allows the northern WRA office to calculate flow volume rates.” Now you know.

Hours:

Shifen Station: The first train reaches Sandiaoling daily at 5:25 AM and the last train leaves Jingtong at 8:33 PM.
Shifen Waterfall: Winter ( October to May): 9 AM -4:30 PM (last people admitted, park open till 5:00 PM)
Summer (June to September) 9 AM -5:30 PM (last people admitted, park open till 6:00 PM)

Price:

80 NT per person for a one day pass. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on Pingxi Railway Line on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book a travel pass on Klook here.
Shifen Waterfall Price: Free

Basic Taipei Travel Tips:

There is no need to tip in Taiwan. It is not part of the culture here.
Taiwan uses the New Taiwan Dollar, and many transactions such as for street food still require cash. For more information, check out our guide to the New Taiwan Dollar here.
Get yourself a SIM card or portable WiFi such as from Klook here so you can stay connected and don’t get lost in the city.
The electrical voltage is 110V.
Get yourself an Easy Card, so you can travel easily on the MRT, Train, HSR, Youbike, and even shop at convenience stores. You can also book a Taiwan travel pass on Klook here.
For more travel tips, check out our foreigner survival guide here.

When should you go to Shifen?

Any time of year is great. However, waterfalls are most enjoyable during the hot summer, and you may want to come for the Lantern Festival when hundreds of sky lanterns are set off at once.
To avoid crowds and packed trains, do not go on weekends or holidays.

Tours of Shifen:

There are many tour itineraries that you can enjoy in Shifen that will take you to multiple destinations and arrange transportation. For more information, you can check out Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here, which are both great tour websites that can connect you with the right tour and tour guide for you.
Here are some of the most popular tours of Pingxi:

Activities in Shifen:

Don’t forget that there are many activities available around Pingxi such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, Diving, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, photo shoot, Jingtong Sky Lantern Police Station, Shifen Sky Lantern Experience, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.

Where to Stay :

We recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here).
We have stayed at and recommend Gold Mountain Ranch, which is a horse ranch and glamping destination in Jinshan. You can book a night at Gold Mountain Ranch on Klook here. You can also check out our full blog on the ranch here.
We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here).
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

How to get to Shifen:

By Train: Take the TRA to Ruifang Station, buy the Pingxi Railway line one day pass, and then switch to the Pingxi Railway line. Get off at Shifen Station.
Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on Pingxi Railway Line on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book a travel pass on Klook here.
By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 2 east toward Pinglin, then get off the main highway once you reach Shifen. You can drive right or left to reach all of the stations on the Pingxi Railway line. But please know there is limited car parking around Shifen.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD on Klook here.
By Bus: You can also book tickets to travel to Shifen via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan’s many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here.
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here.

Map:

Please refer to the map below for places of interest around Shifen:

Drone Footage:

See our drone footage of Shifen Waterfall 十分瀑布 above.

Chasing Sky Lanterns in Shifen with a Drone. Don’t light off sky lanterns. As you can see, they will just end up as trash down by the river!

360 Panorama

360-degree aerial view above Shifen Old Street in Pingxi District of New Taipei 十分瀑布. Check out our full guide to Shifen Waterfall here: https://www.foreignersintaiwan.com/blog/shifen-old-street
Posted by Foreigners in Taiwan 外國人在台灣 on Monday, August 5, 2024

Check out our 360 pano of Shifen Old Street above or via this link: https://www.facebook.com/Foreignersintaiwanblog/posts/pfbid02tD4LrCtkhvptxS7GXqQBM98iwefPqbLz3drRBZrbXjkjVt1VeG8w7XKs6y2Vdo4vl

360-degree aerial view above Shifen Waterfall in Pingxi District of New Taipei 十分瀑布. Check out our full guide to Shifen Waterfall here: https://www.foreignersintaiwan.com/blog/shifen-waterfall
Posted by Foreigners in Taiwan 外國人在台灣 on Monday, August 5, 2024

Check out our 360 pano of Shifen Waterfall below or via this link: https://www.facebook.com/Foreignersintaiwanblog/posts/pfbid02XYuz6jhKZbetMcjZEWdqFhN2Zr7APebASDLT2KTPE3i9wEWkK6ScgZ2wkT3HeNgSl

Our Journey:

I have been to Shifen Old Street about five times. Every time I pass by, I cannot help but notice the tons of lantern garbage in the trees and mountains next to the train station. I know that lighting off these lanterns is terrible for the environment, sending flaming paper and metal into the forest, so I have never let off a sky lantern.

Shifen Station is the biggest station on the Pingxi Line and the one where most tourists get off.

The town itself now is small and sits on both sides of the Keelung River.

Jing An Suspension Bridge 靜安吊橋

Near the train station you will find the Jing An Suspension Bridge (靜安吊橋), which will take you across the river. This is a suspension bridge across the river, lets you cross to the other side of the town. There is nothing really to see across the river in my experience, but there are some nice views from the bridge.

Once you get closer to Shifen Old Street, you will be sure to notice tens of lanterns in the air, being set off all day long. I can see the allure of setting off lanterns, writing your hopes and dreams on them, and then setting them into the air like on Tangled, but we don’t live in a fairytale world. When we light off lanterns they have real consequences like falling into a pristine river or forest.

The old street itself is really just on both sides of the train tracks. As you walk further and further down the tracks the shops disappear. Be careful of oncoming trains!

Sky Lanterns 天燈

Be careful where you walk, there could be falling burning debris from sky lanterns when you least expect it.

You can book a Shifen Sky Lantern Experience on Klook here.

The real old street starts a few hundred yards down the tracks to where there is only one set of tracks.

More lanterns are being sent up into the sky.

Nearly every shop on Shifen Old Street sells some form of lanterns. Usually this involves selling you the paper on which you then write/paint/draw your message, then wrap it around a metal frame and light a torch under it.

Once these things go up in the air, there’s no telling where they will land or how far they will float. One time I saw one float out as far as the border of Nangang in Taipei City. And who knows what tree they will fall on or what bush they will set on fire, although luckily Pingxi is wet enough that wildfires are not really an issue.

Food at the Old Street 老街的美食

If Sky Lanterns are not your thing (it’s okay, I’m not too fond of them either), the at least you’ll be sure to find some good food on the old street, like this sausage stand pictured above. This time we went, we tried a random traditional Taiwanese noodle and rice shop.

We had some rice noodles, which happen to be the thickest rice noodles (米粉湯) I’ve ever had.

The old and cheap braised pork rice (滷肉飯).

Souvenirs 紀念品

All along the street, you will find souvenirs of lanterns and Taiwan themes that you can take home to your relatives.

Shifen Waterfall:

I have been to Shifen Waterfall a total of four times, and I have enjoyed it every time. It is truly one of the most grand waterfalls in Taiwan.

You can book a tour to Shifen on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.

From Shifen Station, you can walk along the river down to Shifen Waterfall.

The parking lot in front has plenty of room for cars and scooters are free.

The main entrance also has some bathrooms and restaurants.

Siguang Suspension Bridge 四廣吊橋

Walking from the parking lot, you will first come across Siguang Suspension Bridge （四廣吊橋) which gives some great views of the Keelung River.

Another view of Siguang Suspension Bridge.

View of the Keelung River to the south; notice the many fallen lanterns in the background polluting the water.

Characteristic of the rocks along the Keelung River in Pingxi are small holes that are carved out by erosion.

A small waterfall pours into what looks like a perfect swimming hole.

Guanpu Suspension Bridge 觀瀑吊橋

The next bridge you will come across is Guanpu Suspension Bridge (觀瀑吊橋) which is the final connection to Shifen Waterfall. The railroad bridge sits right next to it.

Yanjingdong Waterfall (眼睛洞瀑布)

From Guanpu Suspension Bridge you can see Yanjingdong Waterfall (眼睛洞瀑布), which is literally translated “Eye Glasses Hole Waterfall” because of the shape of the eroded holes at the bottom of the waterfall which look like glasses (pictured above).

Walking across Guanpou Bridge.

View of the railroad bridge, Guanpu Bridge, and Yanjingdong Waterfall. Notice you have to walk some stairs in between.

View underneath Guanpu Waterfall.

Down below is some private land on which are some shops and things to take photos with, like an entire train full of real coal!

Also there are some fake horses and an abandoned suspension bridge to take selfies with.

Red ribbons tied to a tree as part of a Buddhist shrine next to the waterfall.

Four-Sided Buddha 四面佛

Here you can see the shrine to the four-sided Buddha, with the four sides representing success in business, love in marriage, wealth and prosperity, and peace.