Jiufen Night Tour from Taipei: Golden Waterfall & Lantern Streets

Red lanterns light Jiufen's narrow streets while the Golden Waterfall glows bronze at dusk

A guided night tour from Taipei to Jiufen Village and the northeastern coast, with stops at the Golden Waterfall, Gold Museum, Baoshishan Lookout and the illuminated Remains of the 13 Levels. You ride by bus for an hour each way, explore the gold mining history through artifacts and a 220-kilogram Guinness-certified gold bar you can touch, watch the sunset over the Bay of Two Colors, and walk Jiufen's red-lantern streets after dark when teahouses and food stalls fill the hillside village.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Jiufen Village2h 30m
2. Raohe Street Night Marketpassing by

Jiufen Night Tour and Nearby Attractions

• Bus ride from Taipei to Jiufen
• Visit ShueiNanDong Golden Waterfall
• Explore the Gold Museum and park
• Climb to Baoshishan Lookout for sunset
• Walk through Jiufen Old Street
• Stop at Remains of the 13 Levels
• Return bus ride to Taipei
• Optional drop-off at Raohe Street Night Market

The experience

The bus leaves Taipei and climbs toward the northeastern coast, where the Golden Waterfall earns its name from the mineral-rich water that flows through old mining areas. Sulfur, arsenic and copper ores turn the cascade bronze, making it one of Taiwan's most photographed waterfalls. The Gold Museum comes next. A sprawling park that holds the mine tunnel, Japanese-era residences and the Crown Prince Chalet. The centerpiece is a 220-kilogram gold bar certified by Guinness World Records in 2004. You get to hold it in your hands.

From the Baoshishan Lookout, a short climb accessible to all ages, you watch the sunset paint the Bay of Two Colors. Then comes Jiufen Old Street after dark, when red lanterns hang from every roofline and the narrow lanes fill with teahouses serving fresh tea, local food stalls and vendors selling taro balls and souvenirs. The resemblance to the animated film Spirited Away has drawn global attention to the village, though the director has said the movie was not inspired by it. The tour ends at the Remains of the 13 Levels in nearby Jinguashi: a former copper smelter from 1933, now lit amber each evening from 6pm to 9pm, that looks like an abandoned palace from a distance.

The return trip to Taipei takes about an hour. If you prefer, you can ask to be dropped at Raohe Street Night Market instead of your hotel or meeting point, turning the ride home into another chance to browse food and souvenirs.

What’s included

• Professional licensed tour guide in English, Vietnamese or Chinese.
• entrance ticket to the Gold Museum.
• air-conditioned bus transport from Taipei.
• local general liabilities insurance.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private tour (English, Chinese, Vietnamese)12:00, 12:30, 13:00 and 13:30Tour type: Take this day tour with a private guide of your own, with pickup and drop-off at your lodging in central Taipei City.

Group tour (English, Chinese)13:30Tour type: Join a shared tour and meet people of all ages from various countries. (fixed meeting point)

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 12:00, 12:30, 13:00 and 13:30

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish, Chinese and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Edison Travel Service

Is this one for you?Choose the group tour to travel with other visitors and share the cost, or book the private option if you want hotel pickup, a dedicated guide and the flexibility to linger at any stop. Either way, the eight-hour itinerary fits all the major sites (waterfall, museum, lookout and lantern streets) into one evening without rushing between them.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Vietnamese, Chinese and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What is the Golden Waterfall and why does it look bronze?

The Golden Waterfall flows through areas where copper, arsenic and sulfur ores sit in the ground. The minerals interact with the water and create chemical reactions that turn it golden and give the hillside a bronze tint, making it one of Taiwan's most photographed waterfalls.

Can you actually touch the gold bar at the Gold Museum?

Yes. The museum displays a 220-kilogram gold bar that holds a Guinness World Record from 2004, and visitors are invited to physically hold and touch it during the tour.

What is there to do in Jiufen Village at night?

Jiufen Old Street fills with teahouses where you can order freshly brewed tea and watch the view, food stalls selling local dishes and the traditional taro ball dessert, and shops selling souvenirs. The red lanterns hanging from the rooftops create the nighttime atmosphere the village is known for.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

A small amount of walking is involved across the stops. The climb up Baoshishan Lookout is short and suitable for all fitness levels, so comfortable shoes are recommended but no special fitness is required.

What are the Remains of the 13 Levels?

The Remains of the 13 Levels is a former copper smelter built in 1933 during the Japanese colonial era in the nearby town of Jinguashi. It is lit with amber lights each evening from 6pm to 9pm and looks like an abandoned palace from a distance, making it a popular spot for photographs.