Clustered with atmospheric laneways and traditional teahouses, Jiufen Old Street is an enchanting district and one of the most popular day trips from Taipei. It forms part of a former gold mining town that was made famous for its resemblance to the village in Hayao Miyazaki’s animated film “Spirited Away”.
Stroll along Jiufen Old Street to explore its souvenir stalls and traditional eateries where you can dine on authentic Taiwanese snacks, such as taro ball soup and peanut ice cream. Be sure to climb the staircase that leads to the multi-storey A-Mei Teahouse, which offers sweeping mountain views and is one of Jiufen’s most photographed landmarks.
In the evening, you can settle in to watch a Taiwanese opera at the Shengping Theater, which has been beautifully restored to reflect its appearance in the 1930s. It’s a short walk from the Jiufen Goldore Museum, which brings the village’s industrial past to life during gold mining tours.
Getting there
Jiufen Old Street is around a one-hour drive from Taipei and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. Buses are the main means of getting to Jiufen while Jiufen Old Street is ideally explored on foot.