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Things to do in Shifen Old Street

Our most recommended things to do in Shifen Old Street

From Taipei: Group Tour of Yehliu, Jiufen, and Pingxi

1. From Taipei: Group Tour of Yehliu, Jiufen, and Pingxi

View Taiwan's northern highlights with this group tour from Taipei. Visit destinations like the Yehliu Geopark, the old-fashioned mountain village of Jiufen and Shifen. Start your day with pickup in downtown Taipei, and relax as you make your way to Yehliu Geopark, home to a number of unique rock formations caused by wind and sea, where you will view fascinating rock formations like the Queen's Head, Sea Candles, Fairy Shoe, Ginger Rocks, Elephant Rock, and more. Next, head to Jiufen village, which was once famous for being a gold-mining town in the 1940s, but is now popular for inspiring scenes in the film "Spirited Away." The success of the movie brought vitality to Jiufen’s tourism, making it the most popular destination in northeastern Taiwan. It’s recommended to have a cup of tea at a teahouse, where you can appreciate the picturesque scenery, and the freshly brewed tea at the same time. Besides the teahouses, here you can also tastes various local foods and buy souvenirs. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss the traditional Jiufen dessert—Taro Ball. Your tour continues with a visit to Shifen Waterfall. It is one of the most popular attractions in this area, widely-known as the “Little Niagara Falls” of Taiwan, a cascade-type waterfall similar to North America’s Niagara Falls. There are several viewing platforms near Shifen Waterfall, where the visitors can see the waterfall from different angles, even have a close-up look. Then head to the Shifen Old Street to experience the iconic tradition of flying Sky Lantern. Your tour guide will teach you how to release a sky lantern correctly, so you can fully enjoy the tranquil and peaceful moment. The street is lined with souvenir shops, sky lantern shops and eateries, where you can spend some time buying souvenirs or trying some local snacks before returning to Taipei.

From Taipei: Private Scenic Tour to Jiufen, Yehliu & Pingxi

2. From Taipei: Private Scenic Tour to Jiufen, Yehliu & Pingxi

Taiwan is without a doubt filled with an endless collection of seascapes, landscapes, and beautiful landmarks that will stun even the most articulate poet. This tour is designed for those who wish to visit the most iconic and picturesque sites throughout Northern Taiwan. On top of snapping some Instagram-worthy pictures, learn about the Taiwanese culture and history behind those sites, whilst immersing yourself in the beauty of nature. Make your first stop at the Queen's Head at Yehliu Geopark. Gaze in awe at the magical views of stone formations inside the park. Your guide will not only snap cool shots for you, but will also explain the formation of the unique stones as well as the Taiwanese people and their culture. Then, visit Chifen, which is well known for its beauty and history as a former goldmine town in Northern Taiwan. Taste delicious Taiwanese snack along the alley, or choose the option to enjoy tea at the A-Mei Tea House, which inspired Oscar awarded animator Hayao Miyazaki for the beautiful house in Spirited Away.  After this, continue your scenic tour to Pingxi, Taiwan's most romantic place. Stroll along Shifen Old Street, one of the most popular movie shooting spots, where you can see a collection of local shops along old train tracks and winding lanes. Towards the end of your tour, make wishes by releasing by a sky lantern into the air and hope that your dreams will come true.

From Taipei: Pingxi Sky Lantern and Shifen Waterfall Tour

3. From Taipei: Pingxi Sky Lantern and Shifen Waterfall Tour

Meet your tour guide at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station, then enjoy a ride to the suburban area and start a nostalgic tour of Taipei. There are three branch railway lines still operating in Taiwan: Pingxi Line in Taipei, Neiwan Line in Hsinchu, and Jiji Line in Nantou. As time goes by, these three branch lines have turned into tourist railway lines. Pingxi is one of these small towns that were once prosperous due to the coal mining industry in the 1960s. The last coal mine closed in 1997, many of the residents moved out, and these towns became silent and desolated. Even though the golden age may be long gone, Pingxi becomes well-known for being the film location of some movies and TV commercials. Sky Lantern launch in Taiwan originates from Shifen in Pingxi District. Nowadays, the lanterns are used as symbols of peace and good fortune, the world-renowned Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is a big yearly event that draws hundreds of thousands of people every year. Today you have an opportunity to experience this on the train track: write a message, light the lantern and watch it fly to the sky. There are lots of shops that sell Sky Lanterns, souvenirs, and traditional snacks along the train track, you may enjoy a little shopping before we head off to the next stop – Shifen Waterfall. Also known as Taiwan’s "Niagara Falls", Shifen Waterfalls are the biggest cascading falls in Taiwan. It is also a popular scenic attraction and easily accessible by foot from Shifen Train Station. If the weather is good, it creates a rainbow as it splashes into the lake. Your tour ends with a return transfer to your chosen drop-off location. Either at Xinyi Shopping District (Taipei 101) or MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station.

New Taipei: Shifen Pingxi Sky Lantern

4. New Taipei: Shifen Pingxi Sky Lantern

Pingxi Sky Lantern is a traditional activity that has become a popular tourist attraction in Taiwan. The lanterns are made of paper and bamboo and are released into the sky with the hope of bringing good luck and fortune. The practice dates back to the 19th century when lanterns were used to signal between villages and communicate messages during times of war. The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival takes place annually in February, and it attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. However, visitors can also participate in the tradition year-round at the Shifen Old Street, located in the Pingxi district of New Taipei City. Shifen Old Street is a bustling market street that is lined with shops selling sky lanterns, traditional snacks, and souvenirs. Visitors can purchase a lantern from vendors and write their wishes or messages on the paper. The writing can be done in any language, making it an inclusive experience. Once the lantern is ready, a candle is lit inside, and the lantern is released into the sky. Watching the lanterns float up into the night sky is a beautiful sight and feels like a magical moment. This is a beautiful way to connect with the culture and people of Taiwan and to participate in a centuries-old tradition.

Other Sightseeing Options in Shifen Old Street

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What people are saying about Shifen Old Street

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 75 reviews

Joseph was my tour guide and he was amazing! He was really helpful and knowledgeable with the history of the places. He also accommodated to our likes and made the tour around the things that we liked. Amazing tour and tour guide, letting us know what are the must eat and must try! Was able to book him again for the city tour! Would totally go for the tours again:)

The trip was great and my family loved it. The tour guide and the driver are friendly, had good & clear explanations, helpful. Thanks, Jenny and Mr. driver.

Walter was a great guide who managed our small group through crowds and rain. He gave some great information about Taiwan and Taipei during the drive.

Although it was a rainy day we had a great trip and Vincent was an excellent guide. Well worth booking the tea as part of the day.

Beautiful places. Interesting food village. Good tour guy Jacky.