Jiufen Night Tour from Taipei: Sky Lantern, Waterfall & Market
Shifen Waterfall trail, sky lantern release, Jiufen streets, Raohe food stalls experience
A 7-hour tour from Taipei visits Shifen Waterfall with a guided walk along the scenic trail, then moves to Shifen Old Street where you write wishes on a traditional sky lantern and release it. The route continues to Jiufen, a mountain town of narrow streets and teahouses, and ends at Raohe Night Market for Taiwanese street food. A professional guide and driver accompany the group throughout.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore waterfalls, lanterns, and markets
- Stroll trail beside Shifen Waterfall
- Release sky lantern at Shifen Old Street
- Explore Jiufen old cobblestone street
- Visit Raohe Night Market for street food
- Shifen Waterfall 50m
- Pingxi Branch Rail Line 50m
- Jiufen Old Street 2h 30m
What’s included
- Tour guide in English or Chinese.
- professional driver.
- transportation between all three sites.
- travel insurance.
- specialized infant seats available upon advance request (additional charge applies).
- Every day 13:30
Information
Full-day tour from Taipei to Jiufen old town, Shifen Waterfall and Raohe Night Market with licensed guide, driver and insurance.
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The experience
Shifen Waterfall opens the day with a leisurely walk along the trail beside the cascade, where the guide points out the landscape and local history. After the waterfall, you move to Shifen Old Street, where you write a wish on a traditional Chinese sky lantern (天燈), light it, and watch it drift into the night sky: a moment the itinerary names as memorable, and one that draws most travelers to this route.
Jiufen sits on a mountain above Taipei, a town of steep cobblestone streets lined with teahouses and snack stalls selling everything from taro balls to peanut rolls. The guide walks you through the old quarter and explains the history and culture woven into the narrow lanes. The rest of the time you explore at your own pace, stopping where the food or the shops catch your eye. This is where the tour spends its middle hours, and it is why Jiufen appears in so many Taiwan itineraries. The place has a lived-in, unhurried feel that newer attractions don't.
The day closes at Raohe Night Market, a covered market in Taipei proper where vendors sell grilled squid, stinky tofu, and other Taiwanese street food. You wander the stalls independently, eating what you want and moving at your own speed. The guide and driver handle the logistics between the three sites. The remaining time is travel. The tour runs in English or Chinese, and a professional driver means you don't navigate the mountain roads yourself.
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Chinese.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 4).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is Shifen Waterfall like, and how much time do you spend there?
Shifen Waterfall is a scenic cascade in the mountains northeast of Taipei, reached by a trail that runs alongside it. You walk the trail with the guide, who explains the landscape and local stories, then move on to Shifen Old Street where the sky lantern release happens. The waterfall and trail make up the first part of the day, with the remaining time allocated to travel to the next stop.
Can you really release a sky lantern, and is there a fee for it?
Yes, you write a wish on a traditional Chinese sky lantern at Shifen Old Street and release it into the sky. The sky lantern fee is not included in the tour price and is paid separately at the site.
What is Jiufen Old Street actually like to walk through?
Jiufen Old Street is a maze of steep, narrow cobblestone lanes lined with traditional teahouses, souvenir shops, and food vendors selling local snacks. The guide introduces you to the history and culture of the town, then you have time to explore the streets at your own pace, stopping at shops or teahouses that interest you.
How does the tour handle getting between Shifen, Jiufen, and Raohe?
A professional driver and guide handle all transportation between the three sites. You travel by vehicle, and the remaining time in the 7-hour tour is allocated to these journeys between attractions.
What should you know about Raohe Night Market at the end of the day?
Raohe Night Market is a covered market in Taipei where vendors sell grilled seafood, stinky tofu, and other Taiwanese street food. You explore the stalls and eat at your own pace. The tour does not include meals, so you buy and pay for food as you choose.
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Prices and times updated today
Jiufen Night Tour from Taipei: Sky Lantern, Waterfall & Market
7h · EN +1
from US$ 36.74 per person
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