Day Trips: Jiufen, Shifen and Tamsui in Taipei
Part of the Taipei travel guide — see every topic in All Taipei Guides.
Some of the best places near Taipei are outside the city. In one hour you can reach old mining towns on green hills, a small railway line through river valleys, or a seaside town at the mouth of the river. Buses, trains and the MRT reach all of them. You can do one trip in a morning, or join two in a long day.
Jiufen
Jiufen is a small town on a steep hill above the northeast coast. It grew during a gold rush, then became quiet when the mines closed. Today its narrow lanes are full of snack stalls, red lanterns and tea houses with views of the sea. The main street, Jishan Street, is covered and busy. Try the taro balls, a sweet dessert served cold or hot. Jiufen is very crowded on weekends and at sunset. For a calmer visit, go on a weekday morning. Nearby Jinguashi has a gold mining museum and quiet hiking trails, and it makes a good second stop.
Getting to Jiufen
There are two main ways. Bus 1062 leaves from near Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT station and goes straight to Jiufen in about one to one and a half hours, depending on traffic. Or take a regular train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang, then a short bus or taxi up the hill. Ruifang is also where you change for the Pingxi line, so you can join Jiufen and Shifen in one day. Buses back to Taipei can be full in the evening. Leave a little earlier than you plan, or be ready to wait in line.
Shifen and the Pingxi line
The Pingxi line is a small branch railway that runs through a green river valley. It starts at Ruifang and stops at small towns such as Houtong, Shifen and Pingxi. At Shifen, the train passes right through the old street, very close to the shops. Visitors write wishes on large paper sky lanterns and release them from the track between trains. A short walk away is Shifen Waterfall, a wide waterfall that is often compared to a small Niagara. Houtong, an earlier stop, is known as a cat village, with many friendly cats living near the station. Trains are not frequent, so check times.
Tamsui
Tamsui is the easiest day trip, because it sits at the end of the red MRT line. The ride from Taipei Main Station takes about 40 minutes. Tamsui is a riverside town where the Tamsui River meets the sea. A long waterfront path has snack stalls, cafés and street music. Fort San Domingo, a red fort first built in the 1600s and later used as a British consulate, stands on a hill above the river. A ferry and bike paths lead to Fisherman's Wharf, with its white Lover's Bridge. Tamsui is famous for sunsets over the water, so plan to stay until evening.
Planning tips
Use an EasyCard for buses, the MRT and most regular trains. The Pingxi line also sells a one-day pass, which is useful if you want to stop at several towns. Weekdays are much quieter than weekends at all these places. Jiufen and Shifen are hilly and can be wet, because the northeast coast gets a lot of rain, especially in winter. Bring an umbrella and shoes with good grip. If you have little time, choose Tamsui for an easy afternoon. Choose Jiufen and Shifen together for a full day. Start early to avoid the crowds and the heat.
Day Trips: Jiufen, Shifen and Tamsui at a glance
| Getting there | Jiufen: bus 1062 or train to Ruifang · Shifen: Pingxi line from Ruifang · Tamsui: red MRT line |
|---|---|
| Hours | Shops in old streets roughly 10am–evening; check train times |
| Cost | Low; transport mostly payable by EasyCard |
| Best time | Weekdays; spring and autumn; Tamsui at sunset |
| Time needed | Tamsui half a day · Jiufen and Shifen a full day |