Keelung Shore Excursion to Jiufen Village: 4-hour private tour

Golden Waterfalls and a film-famous village in four hours from the cruise port

A private 4-hour shore excursion from Keelung port takes you to five Northern Taiwan landmarks: the eroded rock formations of Nanya Rock, the mineral-split waters of Yin Yang Sea, the acidic golden cascade of the Golden Waterfalls, the abandoned copper smelter of the Remains of the 13 Levels, and Jiufen Village, the hillside town that inspired a celebrated film. A professional guide, air-conditioned vehicle and port pickup are included. You choose between a car or van at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Keelung Shore Excursion Highlights

• Stop at Nanya Rock formations
• View the Yin Yang Sea colors
• See Remains of the 13 Levels
• Visit Golden Waterfalls
• Explore Jiufen Village and teahouses

The experience

The tour leaves the Port of Keelung and moves through the northeastern coast, stopping first at Nanya Rock, where sandstone and sedimentary formations have been carved into shapes like the Ice Cream Rock, Bamboo Shoot Rock and Fur Seal Rock over years of weathering. Each one is built for photographs. From there you move to Yin Yang Sea, where mineral deposits in the water create a visible split: half golden, half blue, a natural phenomenon the Chinese name associates with the yin and yang symbol.

The Remains of the 13 Levels comes next: a copper smelter built in 1933 when Japanese mining operations began here, closed in 1987 as the industry declined. The structure stands like an abandoned palace on the hillside and has become a landmark for film and advertisement shoots across the region. Then you reach the Golden Waterfalls, where water flowing through mining areas interacts with sulfur, arsenic and copper ores, triggering chemical reactions that turn the cascade a bronze-like golden hue. The waterfall flows down a verdant hillside and is among Taiwan's most photographed natural sites.

The final stop is Jiufen Village itself, a mountainside town that flourished during the gold mining boom of the 1940s, then fell into disrepair before becoming famous as the setting for the award-winning film "A City of Sadness." The village's melancholic atmosphere and historical character drew global attention after the film's success, and today it draws visitors to its lantern-lined old street, traditional teahouses and local food stalls. A cup of tea at a teahouse lets you sit with the scenery. If you have a sweet tooth, the traditional Taro Ball dessert is a local specialty worth trying.

What’s included

• Professional licensed tour guide in English, Vietnamese or Chinese.
• air-conditioned vehicle (car or van, your choice at checkout).
• pickup and drop-off at the Port of Keelung.
• toll and parking fees.
• local general liability insurance.

Options for this experience

2 options

Air-conditioned CarUp to 2 per booking · Guide in 4 languages · No fixed timePrivate guided tour by car for up to 2 people; pickup is included

Air-conditioned VanUp to 7 per booking · Guide in 4 languages · No fixed timePrivate guided tour by van for up to 7 people; includes pickup

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 day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Chinese and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Edison Travel Service

Is this one for you?Book the car if you're traveling solo or as a couple. The van seats more passengers and their luggage together, so a family or small group books one vehicle instead of splitting across two.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Vietnamese, Chinese and Chinese.

What makes the Yin Yang Sea split into two colors?

Mineral deposits in the water create the split. The process of natural mineral formation results in the bay appearing half golden and half blue, a phenomenon the Chinese name "Yin Yang Sea" connects to the yin and yang symbol.

Why is the Golden Waterfalls golden?

The Golden Waterfalls gets its bronze-like hue because water passes through mining areas and interacts with sulfur, arsenic and copper ores. These chemical reactions transform the water into acidic mineral water with a golden color that tints the hillside as it cascades down.

What is the Remains of the 13 Levels?

The Remains of the 13 Levels is a former copper smelter built in 1933 when Japanese mining operations discovered copper in the area. The smelter closed in 1987 as the mining industry declined, but the structure remains a significant landmark of the region's mining history and a popular location for film and advertisement shoots.

Why is Jiufen Village famous?

Jiufen Village was the filming location for "A City of Sadness," an award-winning film directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien. The village's historical character and melancholic atmosphere attracted global attention after the film's success, transforming it into the most popular destination in northeastern Taiwan and reviving its economy through tourism.

Can I book this tour if I'm traveling with a small child?

Specialized infant seats are available. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers.