If you end up visiting Taipei, likelihood is you’ll consider a day trip to Jiufen. The mountainous town in northeast Taiwan is one of the popular day trips from Taipei and for good reason. For starters, it’s incredibly picturesque with narrow alleyways, teahouses and old world charm. Secondly, there’s an incredible alternative of Taiwanese food and native delicacies (plus a few of the most effective bubble tea you’ll discover within the country!)
Getting to Jiufen from Taipei
The easiest option to visit Jiufen is by bus. While trains are also on offer, it’s quicker, easier and cheaper to hop on a bus in Taipei that can take you on to the old town of Jiufen. The travel time from Taipei to Jiufen is around 60-90 minutes depending on traffic. The price of the bus is just just a few dollars, making it an affordable day trip to tackle your personal (though there are numerous corporations offering day trips in the event you prefer to go along with a guide).
Which bus should you’re taking?
Take bus number 965 from Taipei to Jiufen, which operates between Banqiao and Jinguashi. Buses run every 30-40 minutes during peak times, and each 40-60 minutes off-peak. The best time of day to go to is outside of peak traffic times in Taipei, because it took as noticeably longer to return to Taipei when returning after sunset from Jiufen.
What to do in Jiufen
Jiufen is often thought to be the foodie capital of Taiwan. It’s also here in Jiufen where I had the most effective bubble tea of the trip, so make sure you arrive hungry and able to try the local delicacies!
If you enjoy sweets, there are an abundance on offer in Jiufen. This suited me well being a vegetarian, as I had previously missed out on a lot of local food offerings – but alas, Jiufen didn’t disappoint! Some of the most effective sweet delicacies on offer in Jiufen are:
- Brown sugar bubble tea
- Peanut ice cream rolls
- Taro ball soup
- Mochi
Another highlight for foodies visiting Jiufen is the normal teahouses. These tea houses date back to Japanese rule and feel like a step back in time. Two of the most effective that I can recommend are A-MEI Teahouse and JiouFen TeaHouse.
Escape the ordinary and discover the extraordinary! From bustling cities to serene landscapes, every journey begins with a single step—let us guide yours. Enjoy curated itineraries, hidden gems, and hassle-free bookings designed for explorers at heart. Whether it's a weekend getaway or a globe-trotting adventure, your Next unforgettable experience is just a click away.
