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.
Rick McCharles 