Jiufen, Shifen & Houtong Cat Village Private Day Trip

Jiufen alleys, sky lanterns in Pingxi and Houtong’s cats

You’ll wander old railway streets in Houtong Cat Village surrounded by friendly cats, write your wish on a lantern in Pingxi before letting it rise over Shifen’s tracks, feel the cool spray at Shifen Waterfall, and end up lost among Jiufen’s glowing lanterns and winding alleys—each stop feels like its own little world.

What’s included

Your day covers private transportation with pickup and drop-off at your Taipei hotel or Airbnb, all tolls and parking fees taken care of, an English- and Mandarin-speaking local guide by your side throughout, plus fuel surcharges so you don’t have to worry about extra costs—and yes, releasing your own sky lantern in Pingxi is part of the experience too before heading back home tired but happy.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Northern Taiwan highlights

• Pick-up from Taipei hotel
• Visit Shifen Waterfall
• Explore Shifen Old Street
• Visit Houtong Cat Village
• Walk Jiufen Old Street
• Drop-off at Taipei hotel

The Experience

The first thing I noticed when we pulled into Houtong Cat Village was the smell—somewhere between sweet grass and that faint, dusty scent you get around old train tracks. Our guide, Li, grinned as a ginger cat wound itself around his ankle. “They’re the real bosses here,” he joked, and honestly, it felt true. There were cats everywhere: sleeping on benches, peering from windowsills, even one perched on a vending machine like it owned the place. I tried to count them but gave up after ten. The village still has traces of its mining past—rusted rails and faded murals—but now it’s all paws and soft meows.

After that, we drove through misty hills to Shifen Waterfall. It wasn’t huge but the spray hit my face before I even saw the falls. There’s this low roar that drowns out everything else for a second—kind of grounding, actually. On Shifen Old Street, trains rumbled by so close you could almost touch them if you weren’t careful (don’t). We picked out a bright blue sky lantern at one of the stalls. Writing wishes with a marker felt silly at first but then I got oddly serious about it. When we let it go over the Pingxi Branch Rail Line, Li said something about luck traveling far if the wind is right. I watched ours float until it was just a dot.

Jiufen Old Street came last—narrow lanes packed with people and red lanterns overhead. The air smelled like grilled squid and sweet taro balls (I tried both; only liked one). A woman selling tea laughed when I asked for “the Spirited Away view”—she pointed me to a balcony crowded with selfie sticks anyway. The light was soft by then and everything looked kind of golden. We wandered until our legs got tired and then just sat on some steps watching shopkeepers pack up for the day.

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Jiufen & Shifen tour?

Yes, pickup from your Taipei City hotel or Airbnb is included.

How long does it take to reach Jiufen from Taipei?

It usually takes about an hour by private car from central Taipei to Jiufen.

Can I release a sky lantern during this day trip?

Yes, you’ll have the chance to release a sky lantern at Shifen Station in Pingxi.

Are there lots of cats at Houtong Cat Village?

Yes—Houtong Cat Village is famous for its many friendly stray cats roaming freely.

Is lunch included in this private tour?

No set lunch is included but there are many food stalls along Jiufen Old Street where you can buy snacks or meals.

Is this day trip suitable for families with kids?

Yes—the tour welcomes children and infants; strollers and infant seats are available if needed.

Do guides speak English on this tour?

Your guide speaks both English and Mandarin fluently during the tour.