In this travel guide, I will teach you how to do a DIY day trip to Shifen and Jiufen for only $8!
Shifen Old Street is a hub for those eager to see an old railroad town which still retains the beauty of old Taiwan. Originally built to transport coal, the Shifen Old Street stop has now become one of the most popular tourist attraction in Taiwan.
Jiufen is a mountain town in northeastern Taiwan, east of Taipei city. It’s famous for its narrow alleyways of its old town, packed with small eateries, street-food shacks and souvenir stores. Jiufen is also the inspiration of the famous Japanese anime movie “Spirited Away”.
How to get to Shifen
From Taipei Main station, ride the Blue Bannan line and alight Riufang station. Travel time is 1 hour and fare is 70ntd ($2.34)
Transfer to the Pinxi line going to Shifen old street. Travel time is 40 to 50 minutes and return ticket is 60ntd ($2).
What to do in Shifen :
Light a sky lantern for good luck. 100ntd ($3.35)
Visit the Shifen waterfalls
Cross the Jingan Bridge
Eat street food
Take a lot of pictures.
How to get to Jiufen
From Shifen station, take the train going to Riufang station.
Ride bus 827 going to Jiufen. 15ntd ($0.5) Travel time is 15 to 20 minutes. Be sure to have the exact amount as buses will not give change.
What to do in Jiufen:
Explore Jiufen old street
Shopping
Eat street food
Drink tea
Visit the inspiration of the highly acclaimed Japanese anime “Spirited Away“
Take a lot of pictures.
How to get to Taipei from Jiufen
Ride bus 1062 going to Taipei. Travel time is 1 hour and bus ticket is 80ntd ($2.7)
The bus will drop you off at Raohe night market where you can have a few street food to end your day trip.
From Raohe take the MRT going to Taipei Main Station. 40ntd ($1.2)
Expenses:
day trip fare 265ntd = $ 8
After reading this travel guide, now you know how to do a DIY day trip to Shifen and Jiufen for only $8!
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy Taiwan. Plan your trip well so you can have an amazing vacation.
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You can also book a hassle-free Shifen and Jiufen with Yehliu geopark if you don’t want a DIY tour. Just click the link below.
It looks like a really nice day for only 8$. The pictures you added are beautiful. I would definitely like to go to those waterfalls.
Great post! I’ve never been Taiwan before, but it’s definitely on my must see list! Shifen and Jiufen also seem to be economically reasonable. I would love to try their street food!
This place looks so pretty and exotic this pictures show it all.
Wow!! Those places look so amazing I would love to go to Taiwan and visit those places. The waterfalls look so cool! And I like how it isn’t very expensive to travel.
Eat street food. Take lots of pics. Two of my most favorite things to do on a trip. 🙂
Only $8? That is quite a deal! I love to travel on a budget.
I can’t even buy lunch where I live for $8! It looks beautiful in Shifen and Jiufen, especially the waterfalls.
I had a Taiwanese friend who invited me to go on holidays to visit her home town, I wish I went.
wow. only $8 for a whole day experience? can’t beat that price.
Loved the waterfalls! And wow all of this in a $8 budget is a must do. Although the good luck lantern while standing on the train tracks looks risky .
The places are very colourful. The gushing waters of the falls are wonderful. I liked the picture of the house and the streets. Nice article.
Sheifen waterfalls are a true thing of beauty , i admit i would love to visit one day just to see it
I haven’t been in Shifen and Jiufen. It looks like a fun place to visit. I hope to see it soon! Great tips!
wow. those waterfalls are stunning. i would definitely love a day trip to visit ! must be a great place for a hike and picnic.
First of all thank you for sharing such amazing idea on this trip guide. Definitely a great help especially to those people which is a first timer here.
I love the variety of your itinerary from the busy streets to the waterfalls. No wonder I havent heard about these places since Ive never been to Taiwan yet. Will definitely check these out!
Wow! this looks like a great place to visit after this pandemic crisis. I would love to see the stunning Shifen Waterfalls.
The Shifen Waterfalls is really stunning and amazing. I would love to be there someday. Those pictures are so picturesque and perfect for instagrammable posts.
This seems like an exciting place. I would like to see the sights and landmarks like the waterfalls here!
These two places are classic, short excursions from Taipei and thanks a lot for sharing your tips about it! I have been there many times but still, I could find something new in each visit. Maybe I will consider visiting again some times soon.
That looks like a beautiful place to visit. I love the pictures you shared.
This place looks magical. Thanks for the detailed information.
I would love to visit this place in Taiwan. Especially that natural falls. However, I might not be doing what most tourists – sending those sky lantern wish coz it only will pollute the environment. There are many ways to send your wishes.
I’ve always wanted to light a sky lantern. They are so pretty. I would like to go one day!