Is Ruifang a Good Base for Jiufen and Shifen? The Good, The Bad, and Whether It’s Worth It

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When planning a trip to northern Taiwan’s mountain towns, most visitors instinctively search for accommodation in Jiufen, leading many to ask: Is Ruifang a good base for Jiufen and Shifen? That was certainly our question too when we realised that all accommodations in Jiufen were fully booked for our dates.

After doing some digging, we learned how people use Ruifang as a base to explore nearby towns and nature. Once a bustling hub for Taiwan’s historic coal and gold mining eras, it remains an unpretentious working-class town today.

After doing some digging, we learned how people use Ruifang as a base to explore nearby towns and nature. Ruifang used to be a central hub for Taiwan’s historic coal and gold mining eras, and now it is a working-class town.

In this guide, I will share our firsthand experience, along with practical tips on how to get there, where to eat, and where to stay in Ruifang.

Is Ruifang a Good Base for Jiufen and Shifen? My Experience

To be completely honest, staying in Ruifang wasn’t part of our original plan. When we booked a weekend away to explore Jiufen, Shifen and Jiaoxi, we left it rather late, and most hotels in Jiufen were fully booked, so we looked at Ruifang out of necessity.

It proved very convenient. It sits in equal distance from Jiufen and Shifen, and so it makes planning days easy. At the end of our trip, catching a coastal train from Ruifang station down to Jiaoxi for our next leg was also convenient.

When we first arrived, Ruifang felt a bit basic but that initial impression faded quickly. After visiting Jiufen, we genuinely appreciated Ruifang’s unpretentious and authentic working-class character. We spent our days exploring Jiufen and Shifen and our evenings walking Ruifang’s quiet neighborhood streets, trying local food, and blending with the town’s everyday life.

It provided a grounding contrast to the touristy vibe of Taipei, Jiufen, and Shifen, and I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a budget-friendly option and a good central hub in that area.

How to Get to Ruifang

By Train

Taking a Taiwan Railways local train from Taipei Main Station is the most efficient way. The journey takes roughly 40-50 minutes, and it is really affordable (we paid NT$ 228 – €6,40 for both of us). You can tap your EasyCard in and out. If you prefer to book online, 12Go Asia is the best way.

Note: You can only top-up your EasyCard with cash, no international cards accepted.

By Bus

Direct public buses (lines 965 or 1062) connect central Taipei to Ruifang Station in just over an hour. It is a budget-friendly alternative, and we used it on the way back from Jiaoxi to Taipei.

By Car

Driving takes about 40 minutes via the highway. If you are doing a road trip, it is convenient for exploring Jiufen, Shifen, and the coast, however, mountain roads are tight, so it is best to book accommodation with designated parking space.

Where to Stay in Ruifang

❗️Important Note: most of the hotels we stayed at in Ruifang, Jiaoxi, Taipei, and southern Taiwan require cash payments even if you make the reservation on Booking or Agoda. This is something we learned the hard way and I wanted to warn you too!

Here is a list of places where to stay in Ruifang:

🛏️ Ruifang Yi Hostel (where we stayed)

Price range: ~€40-70 per night

Yi Hostel offers a mix of budget-friendly dorm beds and private rooms with shared bathrooms (what we chose). It is conveniently located just steps away from the train station, bus stops, convenience stores, and local eateries.

The staff are exceptionally welcoming – they even stored our backpacks so we could head straight to Jiufen. Beyond the friendly service, you’ll find a large common area, a shared kitchen, and spotless facilities that make it a comfortable and reliable base for day trips.

On the downside, our private room had only a tiny window looking out at a blank wall, meaning very little sunlight or fresh air. This lack of natural light turned out to be a common quirk for budget rooms across Taiwan, and we slowly accepted it, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you prefer an airy space.

🛏️ Sweetfun

Price range: ~€50-100 per night

A stylish step up from the usual basic stays in the area, Sweetfun offers modern, aesthetic rooms located just a 6-minute walk from the station. It has a seamless self-check-in process and rooms right by the river offering lovely water views (make sure to choose the rooms with the view).

It’s a great choice if you appreciate a bit more design and comfort compared to other places in the area that are more basic and with shared facilities.

🛏️ ManMan House

Price range: ~€30-50 per night

A clean, budget-friendly option located just minutes from the railway station and convenience stores. The rooms are sparsely decorated and quiet (though some lack windows). It offers a comfortable, basic base for travelers on a strict budget that want to explore the nearby towns and nature. Another place that only accepts cash payments so be prepared.

🛏️ Golden House

Price range: ~€15-25 per night

An affordable, spacious option for solo travelers with only shared rooms and facilities, comfortable beds, and even complimentary snacks. It is also located right outside a bus stop with quick 10-minute access to Jiufen, and it is a quiet base away from street noise.

Where to Eat in Ruifang

If you are wondering where to eat in Ruifang, know that it isn’t a culinary destination like Taipei, but it has a handful of solid places to eat.

For breakfast, you can go to Yong He Soy Milk, a classic neighborhood spot for hot soy milk and flaky egg pancakes. When we wanted to stay on budget or eat a little healthier, we just grabbed yoghurt from PX MART Ruifang.

On your way to the station, local bakeries like 丘比特烘焙工坊 and 一口酥餅舖 are great for a quick pastry or snack. They have a wide variety of sweet or savory baked goods, including a delicious, unique square scallion pancake.

For lunch or dinner, the Ruifang Food Court is a convenient spot open from morning till the evening, with multiple stalls serving beef noodles, thick soups, and traditional snacks. This is also where locals go for their daily meals.

One of our favourite places was Keng Chi Beef Noodle Restaurant. The beef noodle soup was amazing, and the service was very fast. Interestingly, they also offer unique meat selections like pork diaphragm, scalp, and uterus – the first time we encountered this in Taiwan! We played it safe with the classic beef noodle soup, but it highlights how authentic Ruifang is.

While at the Food Court, you can also try the famous pepper buns at 瑞芳林記福州胡椒餅. They require a approximate 30-minute wait, so it’s best to order ahead, eat something else at another stall, and come back to pick them up.

Final Thoughts

So, is Ruifang a Good Base for Jiufen and Shifen? I’d say yes with a few minor trade-offs!

If you are looking for a budget-friendly, practical hub that keeps you connected to both Jiufen and Shifen without the tourist crowds or inflated prices, Ruifang is the place to go. It gave us a genuine look into everyday life in Taiwan and made transitioning to our next stop effortless.

However, if you’re chasing more luxury accommodations and mountain or valley views then it is best to book a place in Jiufen.