Shifen Taiwan Travel Guide: Best Things to Do & Essential Tips [2026]

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Shifen is a small town in the northeast side of Taiwan that most travelers visit for just a few hours to chase waterfalls, try the local street food, and launch sky lanterns into the sky.

Usually combined with Jiufen, Shifen offers a completely different vibe defined by its railway street market. To help you navigate it seamlessly, I’ve put together this Shifen Taiwan Travel Guide covering everything you need to know before you go.

We typically avoid overly commercial spots built just for tourists, but Shifen felt different. It is surrounded by incredible nature, and the act of writing our wishes on a lantern became a deeply reflective moment. It made us think about all we’re grateful for and the life we left behind when we quit our jobs in the Netherlands to travel full-time.

Let’s get into the details..

Things to Know When Visiting Shifen for the First Time

Is Shifen known for something in particular? Yes! It’s world-famous for its historic railway line running straight through an old market street, sky lantern releases, and being home to one of Taiwan’s most beautiful waterfalls.

The active train runs right through the middle of the street. Unlike anywhere else, the Pingxi Line train passes inches from souvenir stalls and visitors, requiring everyone to step off the tracks for a moment until it goes past. Unfortunately the line was shut for maintenance the day we went and we didn’t get to experience this.

Releasing a sky lantern is the main event. If you are visiting Shifen for the first time you could try its sky lantern tradition. You’ll find dozens of family-run shops offering multi-colored paper lanterns where you can write your personal wishes with a brush before setting them aloft.

Have an EasyCard with you. It’s essential for paying for regional train fares, such as the Pingxi Line connecting Ruifang to Shifen, and local buses. Note: You can only top up your EasyCard with cash at convenience stores or stations (international credit cards are not accepted).

Don’t skip the Shifen Waterfall. To reach this stunning cascade, you’ll need to walk 20-30 minutes from Shifen Old Street. The walk is really pleasant as you’ll be passing through bridges, and lush greenery.

It gets very touristy and crowded. Just like Jiufen, midday brings a massive wave of day-tour buses from Taipei. If you prefer a more peaceful experience, it is best you arrive early in the morning.

Have enough cash with you. While convenience stores accept cards, small street food vendors, local cafes, and sky lantern shops operate entirely on cash.

Shifen Taiwan Travel Guide – How We Did It

When we were planning our weekend away to Jiufen, Shifen and Jiaoxi hot springs, we decided to stay 2 nights in Ruifang which connects directly to Jiufen and Shifen so we visit them early before the crowds. And it worked well like this!

Since accommodations in Jiufen were fully booked, Ruifang turned out to be a blessing: it’s an authentic, non-touristy town with direct bus connections, letting us beat the crowds.

We took a train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang, checked into our hotel, and caught Bus 1062 to Jiufen for the afternoon.

The next day, our hotel informed us the train tracks to Shifen were closed for maintenance and called a taxi for us. We paid NT$ 560 (€15.50 / $17.63) for two people for a 17 km (10.6 mi) ride (a bus replacement service handled our return).

Ordinarily, the local Pingxi train connects Ruifang and Shifen in 30 minutes for just ~NT$20 (€0.60).

How to Get to Shifen from Taipei

If you are trying to figure out how to get to Shifen from Taipei, your route depends entirely on whether you plan to combine it with Jiufen or other towns in the area, and of course, how much time you have available. Here are your options:

By Train

The train is widely considered the best, most authentic, and most scenic way to get from Taipei to Shifen. First, catch a Taiwan Railway (TRA) train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station (~35 to 50 minutes). From Ruifang, you will transfer to the single-track Pingxi Line for the final 25 to 30 minute leg directly into Shifen Station.

💡Tip: EasyCards work for local trains on both legs but express trains require a reserved ticket. Because the Pingxi Line runs once per hour, check the return schedule at Shifen Station so you don’t get stranded!

By Bus

To go by bus the easiest way is to take the Taipei Metro Wenhu Line down to Muzha Station. From there, hop on the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route 795 (Muzha–Pingxi Line), which takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes straight to Shifen Old Street.

Including your MRT ride from central Taipei, the total journey is around 1.5 to 2 hours, and the bus fare (~NT$45) is payable with your EasyCard.

Tip: Buses on this route run approximately every 60 to 70 minutes depending on the day, so check a recent timetable in advance.

Via an Organised Tour (what we’d do if we were short in time)

Book an organised day tour if you want to maximize your time without juggling public transport timetables. Most tours depart from Taipei via comfortable coaches or vans, and combine highlights like Yehliu Geopark, Shifen Waterfall, a hands-on sky lantern experience, and an afternoon in Jiufen Old Street.

By Car

Driving a car is an independent method to reach Shifen, covering a distance of roughly 35 to 40 kilometers from central Taipei in about 45 to 60 minutes. It’s also a great stop if you are road-tripping across the northeast coast like Yilan and Hualien counties.

💡Tip: Parking spaces near Shifen Old Street and the waterfall are limited on weekends, so an early morning start is crucial.

By Bicycle

For experienced cyclists, riding from Taipei to Shifen is an epic but demanding endurance challenge. The route covers roughly 35 to 45 kilometers one-way, taking you out of the urban basin and straight into the winding mountain climbs of the Pingxi District. Expect steep elevation gains and narrow stretches of road shared with traffic.

💡Tip: Only attempt this if you are an advanced rider comfortable with heavy climbs and road cycling in Taiwan; always check your bike’s gears, pack plenty of water, and monitor the weather closely before heading into the hills.

Things to Do in Shifen Taiwan

There aren’t many things to do in Shifen, hence why many people choose to visit it as a quick half-day trip, but personally I believe it packs some of the most unique and iconic experiences in Taiwan if you take the time to soak them in.

• Visit Shifen Waterfall: It is about 20 to 30 minutes walk from Shifen’s old street across pedestrian bridges and incredible nature. It is an impressive waterfall and the area around it is organised with places to eat local foods, have a drink and take pictures.

Even in heavy rain when we visited, its force is incredible and impressive. It is an easy walk to do with kids too.

• Release a sky lantern on the railway tracks: Head to Shifen Old Street, choose a vendor, and write your wishes onto a four-color paper lantern representing topics such as wealth, health, career, happiness, marriage and more. This is by far one of the most popular things to do in Shifen Taiwan.

This made us reflect on what we truly want, what is important in life, and how many things we are grateful for. At that time, we had aready been traveling for 6 months (after leaving our jobs in the Netherlands) and writing our wishes was a grounding moment for us.

• Walk across the historic Jingan Suspension Bridge: This long pedestrian bridge helps you cross the Keelung River near the train station, and offers amazing views of traditional rooftops and the river valley before reaching the waterfalls (or the old street on your way back).

There will be other suspension bridges on your way to the waterfalls too that offer amazing views. Allow yourself some time to enjoy the walk.

• Try the local street food specialties: Wander through the stalls near the tracks to try the local foods. We tried some amazing scallion pancakes with local grilled sausage and we also found a Korean place hidden in the alleys and we had some tteokbokki which we had missed so much! Unfortunately I can’t find the location on Google Maps 🙁

We also tried the typical Taiwanese egg pancakes with scallions and a sausage from a local street food vendor and our favourite peanut ice cream roll and they were both yummy! Another popular place near the train tracks is this place serving stinky tofu!

Final Thoughts

Shifen might be compact, but its unique blend of waterfalls, nature, sky lanterns, and a railway running straight through the heart of the old street makes it a unique stop on any Taiwan itinerary.

Whether you are visiting Shifen for the first time or looking for a quick half-day escape, spending 3 to 4 hours here is more than enough. I hope this Shifen Taiwan Travel Guide helps you plan your adventure seamlessly!