Jiufen vs Shifen: Which One to Choose for the Best Day Trip? [2026]

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If you are traveling to Taiwan, I am sure you’ve heard about the Jiufen and Shifen villages in the northeast by now. If you’re short on time, you might be wondering which one truly deserves a spot on your itinerary.

I am writing this Jiufen vs Shifen guide to break down what each offers, their distinct vibes, and how to choose the right one for your travel style.

I personally believe they offer completely different experiences, so if you are truly pressed for time, it’s often better to visit them both on an organized day tour rather than forcing yourself to skip one.

Jiufen vs Shifen: Everything You Need To Know

The Jiufen Day Trip: Atmosphere, Views, and Food

If your idea of the perfect Jiufen day trip involves wandering through narrow, lantern-lit alleyways, sipping traditional tea while overlooking mountains and valleys, then Jiufen is where you want to be.

• The Vibe & Scenery: Perched dramatically on a mountain slope overlooking the Pacific Ocean (or at least, that’s what the postcards claim, because when we visited it was so cloudy we were basically staring into a wall of white), Jiufen looks like it it came out of a Ghibli film.

And while it’s famously linked on the Internet to Spirited Away, Studio Ghibli has officially clarified that it wasn’t the actual inspiration. As afternoon turns to evening, hundreds of glowing red lanterns light up the steep, winding staircases. Because of its mountain location, it is frequently misty and moody, which only adds to its charm.

• The Highlights: The heart of the village is Jiufen Old Street, a maze of street food stalls, souvenir shops, and tea houses. A few worth checking are Jiufen Teahouse, Artist Teahouse and A-Mei Teahouse.
• The Food Scene: Jiufen is a paradise for foodies. You cannot leave without trying the famous taro balls (served hot in ginger syrup or cold over shaved ice with sweet beans), traditional pork pepper buns, and peanut ice cream rolls.

If you prefer a sit-down place, try to find one overlooking the valley. We went to Jiufen Jie Jiao Traditional Diner and although it was pretty cloudy that day, we still enjoyed it.

• The Catch: Because of its popularity, Jiufen gets crowded, especially during weekends and afternoons. If you prefer less crowds, we found the morning to be more quiet. Tourist buses started arriving after 3pm (when the lanterns were lit up) and it got noticeably more crowded and congested.

The Shifen Day Trip: Lanterns, Waterfalls, and Railway Tracks

If Jiufen is all about moody scenery and slow exploration, a Shifen day trip is about active, hands-on fun. It is located deeper in the lush Pingxi Valley, and it offers an entirely different kind of energy.

• The Vibe & Scenery: Life in Shifen revolves around Shifen Old Street, where active train tracks pass through the middle of the village with a backdrop of super green hills. When a train isn’t rolling by, the tracks turn into a busy walking path, a popular photo spot and the center of the area’s most famous activity.

• The Highlights: The crown jewel here is the Shifen Sky Lantern Experience. You can choose a multi-colored paper lantern (each color symbolizing different wishes like health, wealth, or career success), write your personal wishes on all sides, and release it into the sky right off the active railway tracks.

In just a short walk there is also Shifen Waterfall, often called Taiwan’s “Niagara Falls”. It is a gorgeous, powerful cascade surrounded by lush greenery. When we visited it was raining a lot which made its force even stronger and unique to observe.

• The Food Scene: The food here is more like classic Taiwanese street market food, like scallion egg pancakes with local grilled sausages, stinky tofu, chicken wings stuffed with fried rice, and refreshing local fruit juices.

In an alley, we even found a Korean street food place which we had missed eating so much. It was delicious, but unfortunately I can’t find it on the maps anymore. Let me know if you come across it.

• The Catch: Shifen is wide open and flat compared to Jiufen, but it can feel just as crowded on the tracks when tour groups arrive. Releasing sky lanterns into the sky is also a big environmental concern as they eventually land somewhere and can impact the environment significantly.

There are organised groups responsible for cleaning up but sometimes the wind can just push a lantern really far away and I am not sure how much is done for such cases.

Short on Time? The Best Way to See Both in One Day

Trying to visit both Jiufen and Shifen independently in a single day using public transit can be a logistical puzzle. It involves catching a train from Taipei to Ruifang, then transferring to the local Pingxi line to Shifen.

There is no direct bus to go to Jiufen from Shifen (or viceversa) so you’d need to catch a train or bus back to Ruifang and then another bus to Jiufen (there is no train station in Jiufen). If your itinerary is tight, coordinating these schedules can eat up hours of your vacation time.

The Smart Alternative: If you want to experience both villages without the headache of public transit transfers, booking an organized day tour is your best option. There are numerous highly-rated day tours starting from Taipei and covering Jiufen, Shifen and Yehliu geopark in the north of Taiwan into a day trip.

Why It Works: The tour agency handles all the transport logistics for you, ensuring you get enough time at each spot without wasting hours waiting at bus stops. You’ll also get to meet other travellers and learn about the traditions of each location.

If, however, you prefer to DIY it, then check out our detailed guide on how to get to Jiufen from Taipei.

Final Verdict: Jiufen vs Shifen

Having visited both Jiufen and Shifen, I truly believe that neither (including Yehliu) require spending multiple days exploring them so devoting a few hours in each is the perfect balance if you’re short on time.

Since we had a lot of time in Taiwan we decided to spend 2 nights in Ruifang and take it easy, but I understand this might not be the case for everyone. Hopefully this Jiufen vs Shifen guide has helped you make up your mind.