This was Day 2 of our Taipei trip, following my Taipei Day 1 itinerary, where I explored some of the city’s highlights before heading out on this day trip. We had three places on the itinerary: Yehliu Geopark, Shifen, and Jiufen. All of them were outside central Taipei. Rather than figuring out how to connect them by public transportation, we joined a day tour from Taipei and packed all three into one busy but memorable day.
Our Taipei Day Trip: Yehliu, Shifen & Jiufen in One Day
We met our tour group at Taipei Main Station East Exit 1 and grabbed a quick breakfast from 7-Eleven before leaving. There was something wonderfully ordinary about starting such a packed travel day that way: convenience-store breakfast in a country I had been excited to visit, followed by a whole day of exploring.
We booked the tour through Klook because trying to squeeze Yehliu, Shifen, and Jiufen into one day by public transportation seemed more complicated than we wanted to deal with on this trip. Having transportation arranged between the three stops made the day much easier.
Yehliu Geopark: Sculpted by Time and Sea
Located in the Wanli District of New Taipei, Yehliu Geopark was our first stop. The coastline immediately felt different from Taipei. Instead of city streets and buildings, we were surrounded by the sea, open sky, and strange-looking rock formations scattered along the coast.
Some of the formations looked almost unreal up close. They weren’t just things to photograph from a distance; you could actually see the textures and shapes carved into the rocks by years of natural erosion.
Queen’s Head was, of course, one of the main attractions. It was also one of the spots where everyone seemed to want the same photo.
We also spotted some of the park’s other recognizable formations:
- 👠 Fairy Shoes
- 🍄 Mushroom Rocks
- 🧈 Tofu Rocks
- 🫚 Ginger Rocks
🎟️ Entrance Fee: NT$80 (as of June 2018; may have changed since)
Yehliu was a fun reminder that some of Taiwan’s most interesting sights aren’t necessarily buildings or monuments. Sometimes, they’re simply things nature has been working on for thousands of years.
Shifen: Sky Lanterns and Nostalgia
Next stop: Shifen Old Street in Pingxi District, a town with a nostalgic, rustic vibe. The railway runs right through the middle of the street, a leftover from its coal-mining days. These days, it’s better known for sky lanterns.
Shifen is particularly famous for its sky lanterns. Naturally, we couldn’t leave without trying it ourselves.
Aside from the lanterns, Shifen is also home to:
- 🛤️ Shifen Railway Station on the Pingxi Line
- 💧 Shifen Waterfall
- 🍡 Street food and souvenir shops
✨ Don’t Miss: Launching your own sky lantern.
The whole experience was surprisingly simple. You choose a lantern, write your wishes on its different sides, and eventually watch it disappear into the sky.
Jiufen Old Street: Lantern-Lit Alleys & Mountain Views
Often compared to the world of Spirited Away, Jiufen is a mountain town in the Ruifang District. Our tour bus couldn’t make the full trip up because of weekend re-routing, so we transferred to a local bus instead. The ride cost NT$15 and took around 10 to 15 minutes before dropping us near the entrance to Jiufen Old Street.
Once a gold-mining village with just nine families, Jiufen is now packed with:
- 🍵 Traditional tea houses (like the iconic Amei Tea House)
- 🎨 Art, calligraphy & stationery shops
- 🍧 Famous taro balls (highly recommended by our tour guide)
- 🏮 Lantern-lit alleys
Then came the stairs. And more stairs.
Jiufen’s famous narrow lanes and stairways are part of its charm, but they can also be a workout, especially after already spending the day walking around Yehliu and Shifen.
Yehliu, Jiufen & Shifen Tour: What to Know Before You Book
If you’re considering visiting Yehliu, Shifen, and Jiufen in one day, joining a tour can save you the trouble of figuring out how to get between the three places.
This was the tour we took during our 2018 Taiwan trip. My companion handled the booking, so I no longer remember the original tour price or all the booking details. What I do remember is that we met at Taipei Main Station in the morning and spent the day traveling between the three destinations.
- Booked via: Klook
- Meeting point: Taipei Main Station, East Exit 1
- Tour schedule: Approximately 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- What’s included: Transportation and bottled water
- Good for: First-time visitors who want to see Yehliu, Shifen, and Jiufen in one day without arranging the transportation themselves
Note: These details are based on our 2018 experience. Tour prices, schedules, meeting points, inclusions, and itineraries may have changed. Check the current tour listing before booking.
Shilin Night Market: Taipei Food Trip
We got back to Taipei by evening, freshened up at the hostel, then headed straight to Shilin Night Market. By the time we arrived, Shilin Night Market was already buzzing with people, food stalls, bright lights, and the smell of everything being cooked at once.
🚇 MRT Route: From Ximen Station (Blue/Bannan Line), transfer to Jiantan Station on the Red Line (closer than Shilin Station)
What we tried:
- 🍗 Hot Star Fried Chicken
- 🌭 Taiwanese sausage
- 🧋 3 PM Milk Tea
- 🍢 Assorted street food
- 🧈 Stinky tofu, well… We saw it and smelled it, but I don’t think I actually tried it
The name alone was enough to make me hesitate. And yes, it really did smell… intense. 😂 I was curious, but curiosity didn’t quite win that night.
Ximending: Taipei’s Nightlife Doesn’t Stop
Just when we thought the day was done, we hit up Ximending, Taipei’s youth culture hub. Department stores, bubble tea stands, street performers, and neon signs everywhere.
After a day spent visiting places outside the city, returning to Taipei and walking through Ximending felt like stepping back into a completely different version of Taiwan.
💡 Travel Tip: Ximending is great for late-night shopping and people-watching or grabbing last-minute souvenirs.
Yehliu, Shifen & Jiufen: Day 2 Highlights
- 🪨 Explored the unusual rock formations at Yehliu Geopark
- 🚂 Walked through Shifen Old Street with the railway running through town
- 🏮 Launched a sky lantern
- 🏮 Wandered through the lantern-lit alleys of Jiufen
- 🍢 Ate our way through Shilin Night Market
- 🌃 Ended the night in Ximending
By the end of the day, we had packed a ridiculous amount into one day, and I was definitely ready to rest. But I was also already thinking about where we’d go next.
FAQs: Yehliu, Shifen & Jiufen
How do I get to Jiufen, Shifen, and Yehliu from Taipei?
You can visit all three places independently by combining buses and trains, but doing them in one day requires some planning. Another option is joining a guided day tour from Taipei, which can make the logistics easier, especially when visiting Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen in the same day.
Can you visit Jiufen, Shifen, and Yehliu in one day?
Yes. Visiting all three in one day is possible, particularly with an organized day tour. If traveling independently, allow extra time for transfers and waiting for buses or trains.
How far is Jiufen from Taipei?
Jiufen is roughly an hour from Taipei by road, depending on traffic. The journey can take longer during weekends and holidays.
Is Jiufen worth visiting?
Jiufen is known for its narrow old streets, traditional teahouses, mountain views, and food stalls. It can get crowded, but it is still a memorable stop if you want to experience one of Taiwan’s historic mountain towns.
Is Shifen worth visiting?
Shifen is best known for Shifen Old Street, the railway running through the town, and Shifen Waterfall. It is also associated with the tradition of releasing sky lanterns, although you don’t have to release one to enjoy the area.
Can I visit Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen without a tour?
Yes, you can. Public transportation makes each destination accessible, but connecting all three in one day independently takes more planning than visiting them separately. A tour can be more convenient if your priority is seeing all three places in a limited amount of time.
How much time do you need in Jiufen?
I’d allow at least 2–3 hours to walk around Jiufen Old Street, browse the shops, try some local snacks, and enjoy the views without feeling too rushed.
How much time do you need in Shifen?
Around 1–2 hours can be enough for Shifen Old Street and the railway area. Add more time if you plan to visit Shifen Waterfall or release a sky lantern.
What should I wear for a Jiufen, Shifen, and Yehliu day trip?
Wear comfortable shoes and bring something light for changing weather. You’ll be walking quite a bit, and Jiufen has steep streets and stairs. An umbrella or light rain jacket can also come in handy.
Before we headed into the misty alleyways of Jiufen and the lantern-lit tracks of Shifen, our adventure started right in the heart of the capital. If you missed how we tackled Ximending, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, and Taipei 101 on our first 24 hours in the country, catch up here: Taipei Day 1.
This blog is part of my Taiwan It That Way 2018 Series.
When I first set foot on Taiwan’s land, I didn’t know if it was a spark, a pull, or something else entirely, but I felt it. That quiet, familiar feeling was like I was exactly where I was meant to be. Not just a place I visited, but a place that felt like home.
📅 Trip Dates: June 30–July 3, 2018
