Updated: Sep 22, 2026

A Jiufen & Shifen Day Trip: Waterfalls, Tea Houses and Lantern-Lit Lanes

For a first trip from Taipei, allow a full day: visit Shifen Waterfall and the railway-side old street in the morning, then head to Jiufen for snacks, tea and lanterns around dusk. With only half a day, choose one destination. Pick Jiufen for hillside tea houses and coastal views, or Shifen for the waterfall and railway scenery.

The two places reward different kinds of exploring. Shifen gives you a reason to spend time outdoors; Jiufen invites you into side lanes and tea houses. Leave some room in the itinerary to stop when something catches your eye.

Traveler photograph of Jiufen tea houses, red lanterns and mountain scenery

Jiufen tea houses and mountain views, photographed by a traveler.

How to Plan Your Day

You can visit both places in one day, but they require transport between them. They are not two neighboring streets you can simply walk between. To combine the waterfall with Jiufen after sunset, consider this order.

Part of the day	Suggested plan	Leave room for
Morning	Travel from Taipei to Shifen	Connections, the waterfall walk and viewpoints
Midday	Explore Shifen Old Street, eat, then travel toward Jiufen	Browsing and waiting for transport
Afternoon	Walk around Jishan Street and Shuqi Road in Jiufen	Snacks, steps, a tea-house stop and sea views
Dusk into evening	Enjoy the lantern-lit lanes, then return to Taipei	Checking your return service and boarding point

This is a suggested sequence, not a timetable. If you are traveling with children or older relatives, or want a long afternoon over tea, Jiufen alone may suit you better. Prefer an outdoor day? Give Shifen Old Street and the waterfall more time.

Shifen: A Waterfall Walk and a Railway Town

Shifen Waterfall: keep daylight for the outdoors

Shifen Waterfall Park has paths and viewing platforms offering different perspectives of the falls. Allow time for the walk there and back as well as photographs, rather than treating it as a quick stop at a viewpoint.

The park has opening hours and a last-entry time, unlike the street outside. Plan to visit during daylight and check seasonal hours and path notices before setting off. Wear shoes with grip and allow extra walking time in wet weather.

Shifen Old Street: shops beside a working railway

At Shifen Old Street, the railway runs close to the shops. Have lunch, browse lantern crafts and postcards, or watch a train pass from a safe position. You do not need a checklist of shops to enjoy the town.

If you want to try a sky-lantern activity, follow local operators' and officials' instructions. Browsing and watching the railway are good reasons to visit on their own. The tracks are in use: stay in permitted areas and do not stand on them for photographs.

Jiufen: Street Food, Stone Steps and Tea With a View

Jishan Street: start with a few small bites

On Jiufen Old Street, try a little at a time: taro balls, herb rice cakes known as caozaiguo, or Taiwanese meat dumplings called ba-wan. Share portions if you are traveling together, leaving room for a tea-house stop later.

You do not have to join the first long queue. Walk a little, see what looks good and where you can sit, then choose. Shops keep their own hours, so check ahead if a particular stop matters to you.

Shuqi Road and Shengping Theater: turn off the main shopping street

Jiufen is more than its busiest shopping lane. New Taipei City's official Jiufen walking route includes Shuqi Road and Shengping Theater, combining steps and older buildings with the street-food area. Check the theater's opening arrangements separately if you want to go inside.

The lanterns along the steps make a lovely photo subject, but look beyond a single famous angle: a corner, an overhanging roof or a smaller lane can be just as interesting. Make room for other people after taking your photograph.

Traveler photograph of red lanterns above a narrow stone staircase in Jiufen at night

Jiufen's steps after dark, when the lanterns change the feel of the lane.

Tea houses and sea views: make sitting down part of the plan

If you leave as soon as you finish your snacks, you miss a good reason to linger in Jiufen. Choose a tea house or café that appeals to you, and check the menu, minimum spend and seating before deciding. If a sea view matters, ask about the seats available that day.

Clear weather can open up the coast, while cloud gives the hills a different atmosphere. Instead of squeezing tea into a gap between attractions, make it one of your afternoon stops.

Traveler photograph of a terrace overlooking the hills and coast from Jiufen

Jiufen facing the sea. Leave enough space in the day to sit and enjoy the view.

Dusk: revisit the lanes as the lanterns come on

For lantern photographs, let your visit extend through dusk and return to a staircase or tea-house view you saw earlier. An attractive evening scene does not mean every shop stays open late. Check the journey home in advance, then leave after dinner or photographs at a pace that suits you.

Getting There From Taipei

For Shifen first: check Taiwan Railway services from Taipei to Ruifang, connecting to the Pingxi Line for Shifen. To continue toward Jiufen, you can return to Ruifang and connect with a Jiufen-bound bus. Use the Shifen station information and train departures to plan the connection.

For Jiufen only: compare a train to Ruifang followed by a bus with Taipei-area buses 965 and 1062. Consult the official Ruifang transport overview for routes and stops. Not every service described as leaving Taipei starts outside Taipei Main Station.

If you prefer someone else to handle connections, compare an organized day tour or private driver, checking the meeting point, time at each stop and return arrangements. Traveling independently? Save the return route and accommodation address on your phone before leaving Taipei.

A Little Preparation for a Better Walk

Jiufen has plenty of steps, and Shifen also involves walking. Comfortable shoes, rain gear, water and charging equipment are useful. If you are checking out or changing hotels that day and still have a suitcase, ask your accommodation or find a convenient Taipei storage stop with Drop2Go before departure. Take a daypack, and check that your chosen shop fits your return route and collection time.

If you have a flight or long-distance service that evening, consider visiting just one destination. Leaving room for queues and delays makes the day more enjoyable than constantly watching the clock.

FAQ

Can you visit Jiufen and Shifen in one day?

Yes, with a full day and planned connections. Shifen in the morning and Jiufen from afternoon into dusk is one option. With only half a day, choose one place for a more relaxed visit.

What is the difference between Jiufen and Shifen?

Jiufen is a hillside town known for tea houses, street food and lantern-lit lanes. Shifen offers a waterfall and an old street beside a railway. Choose Jiufen for tea and sea views, or Shifen for more outdoor scenery.

Is Jiufen better during the day or at night?

Daylight suits browsing, food and mountain-and-sea views; dusk and evening offer lantern scenes. For a first visit, arrive in the afternoon and stay through dusk if your return transport allows. Check individual shop hours.

Can you visit Shifen Waterfall at night?

Plan a daytime visit. The waterfall park has opening and last-entry times, which are separate from access to the old street. Check the official notice before traveling.

Are Jiufen and Shifen worth visiting in the rain?

In light rain, you might shorten the outdoor walks and spend more time in a Jiufen tea house, depending on conditions. Change plans for heavy rain, strong wind or path closures, and take wet steps slowly.