Taiwan Day Trip Guide: Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen & Shifen

✧ Series Note – Taiwandering 2019 ✧
A third visit, a shared adventure—full of inspiration and discovery.
Thank you for reading and supporting my stories. ✨🇹🇼
📅 Travel Dates: November 1–4, 2019

When I left Taiwan in February 2019, I didn’t say goodbye—I made a quiet promise. I’ll be back. (And somehow, I already knew I would—long before I even wrote about it in my February 2019 first Taiwan story.)

And just months later, there I was again, stepping into the cool midnight air of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, the kind of chill that feels like Christmas is near—even when it isn’t.

The crisp air greeted us like an early hint of Christmas—cool, refreshing, and quietly magical.

After clearing immigration, we exchanged pesos for NT dollars and boarded the Kuo Kuang Bus (NT$140 as of 2019) bound for Taipei Main Station. The one-hour ride felt like a gentle transition from anticipation to adventure.

Collage of sidewalk tiles in New Taipei, Taiwan, showing painted Queen’s Head rock formation and a peace emblem with multilingual text, taken in 2019 — Even beneath our feet, Yehliu tells its story—tiles of the Queen’s Head and peace symbols echoing heritage and hope.

By 3 AM, we checked into NeoSoho Hostel, a cozy backpacker-friendly stay with a shared kitchen, free WiFi, and easy access to everything.

A few hours later—barely rested but buzzing with excitement—we were up again. Yes. Together with me was a friend. This time, the journey wasn’t solo. And somehow, that made everything feel new again.

🪨 Yehliu Geopark – Nature’s Sculpture Garden

Morning came too quickly. By sunrise, we were already on the road, chasing our first stop: Yehliu Geopark, a coastal wonder where wind and sea have sculpted rocks into surreal masterpieces.

Overcast coastal scene near Yehliu Park in New Taipei, Taiwan, showing ocean waves, forested hills, and a concrete promenade with railing, taken in 2019 — A quiet day by the sea near Yehliu Park, where waves meet the promenade and misty hills frame Taiwan’s rugged coastline.

Walking through its pathways felt like stepping into an open-air museum curated by nature itself. From the iconic Queen’s Head to formations that looked almost alien, every corner sparked curiosity. No two rocks were alike—each shaped by time, tides, and imagination.

Bustling Yehliu street in New Taipei, Taiwan, with people walking near shops and a 7-Eleven under a clear sky, taken in 2019 — Everyday life unfolds in Yehliu, where locals and travelers mingle along lively streets framed by shops and seaside air.

There’s something humbling about Yehliu. The rocks don’t try to impress you. They just exist—shaped by time, by wind, by waves that never stopped returning. And yet, they leave you in awe. I found myself staring longer than usual, tracing shapes with my eyes, wondering how something so still could feel so alive.

Scenic coastal view near Yehliu in New Taipei, Taiwan, showing grassy terrain, rocky beach with visitors, green hill, and ocean horizon under partly cloudy skies, taken in 2019 — Coastal Landscape near Yehliu, Taiwan.

It was quiet… even with the crowd. Like nature was speaking in a language only patience could understand.

🎟️ Entrance fee: NT$80 (as of November 2019)

Mushroom-shaped sandstone rock formations at Yehliu Geopark in New Taipei, Taiwan, with visitors exploring paths along the rocky coast under an overcast sky, taken in 2019 — Nature’s artistry unfolds at Yehliu, where wind and waves sculpt sandstone into timeless shapes along Taiwan’s rugged shore.

🏮 Jiufen Old Street – A Nostalgic Escape

From the rugged coast, we climbed into the mountains—into a place that felt like it belonged to another world. Jiufen Old Street isn’t just a destination. It’s a feeling. Often associated with Spirited Away, Jiufen feels like a place suspended between reality and dream. Narrow alleyways twist through teahouses like secrets, lantern-lit corners, and souvenir shops that seem frozen in time.

Bustling Jiufen street in New Taipei, Taiwan, with red lanterns hanging across traditional wooden and stone buildings, tourists exploring shops, taken in 2019 — Lanterns glow above Jiufen’s winding street, where history, food, and festivity draw travelers into its timeless mountain charm.

Jiufen Old Street is a hillside village wrapped in mist, history, and cinematic charm. Once a gold mining town, Jiufen now thrives as a cultural gem.

Ornate temple near Jiufen Street in New Taipei, Taiwan, featuring carved stone pillars, dragon sculptures, red lanterns, and decorative roof eaves, taken in 2019 — Lanterns sway against carved dragons as Jiufen’s temple stands timeless, a mountain sanctuary of devotion and artistry.

We stopped for something warm—xiao long bao and rice, a simple food that somehow tasted richer in the mountain air. And as we walked, I caught glimpses of the ocean in between rooftops.

Bamboo steamer basket filled with freshly steamed dumplings on a white plate in a Jiufen restaurant, taken in 2019 — Steaming baskets of dumplings bring warmth to Jiufen’s mountain streets, where food and tradition meet at every table.

Simple meals, but deeply comforting—especially with the cool mountain air wrapping around us. Between bites, we wandered through alleys where ocean views peeked through rooftops, reminding us that beauty often hides in quiet corners.

A bustling food stall in Jiufen, Taiwan, with bamboo steamers of dumplings, stir-fried tofu and vegetables, and whole chickens hanging, surrounded by workers and international flags, taken in 2019 — Steam rises from dumplings and sizzling pans as Jiufen’s street food stalls serve flavors that carry Taiwan’s warmth and diversity.

But standing there, I realized it wasn’t just about resemblance. It was the mood. That quiet magic of being somewhere unfamiliar, yet oddly comforting.

Like the world gently reminding us, “You’re still grounded, even in a dream.”

We paused for lunch:

Xiao Long Bao – NT$230
Pork-topped rice—NT$70

Elevated view from Jiufen Street in New Taipei, Taiwan, showing green hills, coastal town, ocean with islands, and cloudy sky, taken in 2019 — From Jiufen Street, the hills roll into the sea, where misty islands rise beyond the town’s winding paths and timeless charm.

🎈 Shifen Old Street – Wishes Take Flight

If Yehliu was about time and Jiufen about memory… then Shifen Old Street was about hope. Standing on railway tracks, holding a lantern filled with wishes, I hesitated for a second. Yes, actual tracks—surrounded by shops, laughter, and floating lanterns.

People releasing large red sky lanterns with handwritten messages along Shifen Old Street railway track in New Taipei, Taiwan, with airborne lanterns in the background, taken in 2019 — Wishes rise with glowing lanterns in Shifen, where hopes and prayers drift skyward above the mountain town’s railway street.

This is where you write your wishes and release them into the sky. Watching the lantern rise felt oddly emotional—like letting a piece of hope drift into the universe.

What do you even ask for… when you’re already here, living a moment you once only imagined? I wrote anyway. Not perfect words. Just honest ones. And when we let the lantern go, I didn’t just watch it rise—I felt something lift with it.

An orange tabby cat with stripes sitting on a wooden step in Shifen Old Street, New Taipei, Taiwan, against a colorful painted wall, taken in 2019 — A watchful tabby rests along Shifen’s Old Street, its calm gaze adding warmth to the vibrant lanes of Taiwan’s mountain town.

Maybe that’s the magic of Shifen. Not the lanterns themselves… but the quiet courage to believe in what you write on them.

I wrote a simple wish: more travels, good health, more money (hahahaha, of course), peace of mind, and a life filled with stories worth telling.

People releasing decorated sky lanterns with messages of luck, health, and success along Shifen Old Street in New Taipei, Taiwan, with multiple lanterns floating into the cloudy sky, taken in 2019 — Lanterns lift wishes into Shifen’s sky, carrying hopes of health, luck, and success above the mountain town’s glowing streets.

As the lantern slowly lifted and disappeared into the sky, I found myself making another wish—one I didn’t write down. To come back to Taiwan. Not just once… but, if life allows it, every year.

Grid display of colorful lantern-shaped souvenir night lights arranged on a wooden wall in a shop near Shifen Waterfalls, New Taipei, Taiwan, taken in 2019 — Tiny lanterns glow in Shifen’s shops, souvenirs of light and memory from Taiwan’s waterfall trails.

We also tried a local favorite: peanut ice cream wrapped with shaved candy and herbs. Unexpected, slightly strange… but absolutely delightful.

🎈 Lantern prices:

NT$200 (multi-colored)
NT$100 (single color)

🌈 Shifen Waterfall – Nature’s Farewell

Before heading back, we stopped at Shifen Waterfall, often called the “Niagara Falls of Taiwan.” The water roared. The mist danced. And just for a moment, a faint rainbow appeared. It wasn’t grand. But it didn’t need to be.

A powerful waterfall cascading over rocky ledge surrounded by lush green forest vegetation in New Taipei, Taiwan, taken in 2019 — Mist rises from the falls as Taiwan’s forest breathes, a natural sanctuary of strength and serenity in New Taipei.

It felt like the kind of ending that doesn’t try too hard—just enough beauty to make you pause… and remember. As sunlight filtered through the mist, a faint rainbow appeared—soft, fleeting, and beautiful.

It felt like Taiwan’s quiet way of saying, “See you again.”

🍢 Shilin Night Market – A Feast for the Senses

By the time we returned to Taipei, the day had already given us so much. We warmed ourselves with hot noodles near Taipei Main Station before heading out again—because in Taipei, the night is just getting started. And yet, the city wasn’t done with us. At Shilin Night Market, one of the largest and most famous night markets in the city, everything was alive—lights, voices, the irresistible pull of street food.

Illuminated entrance to Shilin Market in Taipei, Taiwan, at night, with signage in Chinese and English, modern architecture, and bustling shops, taken in 2019 — Lights blaze above Shilin’s gateway, inviting travelers into Taipei’s most famous night market of food and festivity.

From crispy Hot Star Fried Chicken to endless rows of street food and bargain finds, it was a chaotic, delicious playground.

We ate without thinking too much. Walked without checking the time. Because sometimes, the best way to end a day… is to let it continue simply.

🌆 Ximending–Where the Night Finds You

And then came Ximending. Bright. Loud. Electric. A contrast to everything we had seen earlier—and yet, it fit perfectly. We ended the night in Ximending, Taipei’s vibrant youth district.

Singer and keyboard player performing in Ximending, Taipei, Taiwan, with promotional sign for Kris Kuo and social media links, in front of Watsons store and digital ads, taken in 2019 — Music drifts through Ximending’s neon streets, where Kris Kuo shares his voice with the city’s vibrant crowds.

Neon lights, street performers, trendy shops—everything pulsed with energy. It was loud, alive, and unforgettable.

By the time we returned to our hostel, we were exhausted—but in the best way possible.

If Yehliu grounded me, and Jiufen softened me, and Shifen lifted me… Ximending brought me back to the present. Alive. Awake. Exactly where I needed to be.

Musicians performing in Ximending, Taipei, Taiwan, with brass and woodwind instruments in front of an H&M store, accompanied by signage and a lively urban backdrop, taken in 2019 — Music fills Ximending’s streets, blending tradition and modernity in Taipei’s vibrant youth district.

💭 Final Reflection

Some days feel long. This one felt full. From stones shaped by centuries… to streets filled with stories… to wishes written in ink and released into the sky—Taiwan didn’t just give us places to see.

On the railway tracks in Shifen, we wrote our wishes on colored paper. It felt strange at first—putting hopes into something so fragile. But when the lantern lifted, I realized… sometimes you just need to let things go.

It gave us moments to carry. And maybe that’s why I keep coming back. Not just for the destinations…but for the feeling of finding pieces of myself in between them.

From Rock Formations to Sky Lanterns: A Perfect Day in Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen & Shifen