Almost every tourist itinerary includes Jiufen.

It’s a tiny seaside town outside Taipei City. 45 minute bus ride.

I went, actually, for the Teapot Mountain Trail — but Jufien was terrific, as well.

Jiufen Old Street is the main attraction, a narrow, winding alleyway with shops, teahouses, and restaurants that offer tourists something of a view of traditional Taiwanese life.

It was positively packed when I arrived at dusk.

Happily, I found a restaurant balcony providing a view of the chaos below. 😀

The lanterns are evocative.

There is an incredible variety of foods to try in the night market.

Old street closes early when the ice-cream mini-trucks arrive. Actually, small garbage trucks play music, trying to get tourists to get out of the way.

I stayed just above the impressive Jiufen Zhaoling Temple.

Definitely an excellent stop.