Jiufen Old Street & Shifen Sky Lantern/Waterfall Tour – Full Day

Venture east of Taipei and explore the traditional village of Jiufen, a once prosperous gold mining town steeped in history and culture. On this full day tour, we’ll also take you to the Pingxi District where we’ll make our own traditional lanterns and visit the breathtaking Shifen Waterfall. Here’s a breakdown of our stops and activities for our action-packed adventure:

Yin Yang Sea: We’ll start the day with an amazing view of the Yin Yang Sea. This picturesque coastal bay got its name from the contrasting gold and blue hues of its waters. While locals believe the goldish-yellowish hue was a result of previous mining activities, the bay actually gets its color from the large amounts of insoluble iron (also known as ‘Fool’s Gold’) in the water.

“Interesting sight to behold! Stayed there appreciating the beauty for about 15 minutes before we headed to our next stop. Loved the scenery here.” — Angelina, Singapore

Gold Museum: Once we reach the charming and picturesque village of Jiufen, we’ll make our way to the Gold Museum. Here we’ll learn about the Jiufen’s rich mining history and even get to experience panning for gold just like the previous generations of villagers did.

Jiufen Old Street: Next, we’ll explore the bustling streets of Jiufen, taking in the local vendors and wares, as well as the gorgeous sweeping views of the mountains and seas. We’ll stop by a local tea house and theater for some photos before boarding our comfy vehicle and heading to the Pingxi District.

“An old gold mining town, Jiufen has reinvented itself as an energetic, eclectic tourist haven packed with shops, eateries, and assorted stalls catering to the throngs of tourists coming to visit. The surrounding countryside and views are truly breathtaking.” — Mr M, USA

Shifen Waterfall: Dubbed “Taiwan’s Niagara Falls”, the Shifen Waterfall is also the country’s broadest waterfall, stretching roughly 40m across, with a height of around 20m. We’ll snap some photos of this natural beauty and its surrounds before making our way to our last stop of the day.

Shifen Old Street: This charming collection of old-fashioned alleyways is filled with shophouses, restaurants, and more. However, it is most popularly known for its railway that cuts through the street where people light and release traditional lanterns. With a bit of help from one of the local artisans, you’ll fashion your own unique lantern before releasing it into the sky and watching it drift away.

“This is a must do on any trip to Taiwan. Recommend exploring the stores for Taiwanese delicacies like dried pork or beef, but the highlight of this stop is the lightning of the lantern and sending it into the sky!” — Mari, USA