Taipei City, Taiwan
Day Trip: Jiufen + Shifen
Full day out of the city — one of the most iconic Taiwan days.
Getting there: Train from Taipei Main Station → Ruifang Station (~45 mins express, NT$73, EasyCard works). From Ruifang, take bus 827 or 788 to Jiufen Old Street (~20 mins, NT$15). Alternatively the Tourist Shuttle Bus 965 runs direct from Ximen MRT Station for NT$90.
Plan: Go to Shifen first (it’s on the Pingxi Branch Line from Ruifang — platform 3, ~30 mins). Release a sky lantern on the railway tracks — it’s touristy but genuinely magical and costs about NT$150–200. Then continue along the Pingxi Line to explore the old street and small waterfall.
Head back to Ruifang, then bus up to Jiufen for the afternoon and evening. Wandering off the main Old Street into the side alleyways lets you escape the crowds — and at dusk, when the red lanterns light up, the town feels genuinely magical. Have tea at a teahouse with harbour views — Jiufen Teahouse or the Skyline Teahouse give you the famous layered view of the bay and Keelung Mountain. The view from town is lovely at sunset, and the Old Street lanterns are even more beautiful at night.
Vegan in Jiufen: Taro balls (芋圓), mochi, herbal jelly (仙草), shaved ice — most of the dessert stalls are vegan-friendly. Ask before buying.
Return: Bus from Jiufen → Ruifang → train back to Taipei.