Yehliu, Jiufen & Shifen Day Trip from Taipei with Lanterns

Summary

Jiufen old street flavors Yehliu rock shapes sky lantern wishes Shifen waterfall mist

You’ll wander Yehliu’s wild coastline, taste your way through Jiufen’s busy old street, and send your own sky lantern drifting above Shifen—all in one day trip from Taipei with a local guide. Expect laughter, little surprises, and moments you’ll remember long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

We met up just outside Ximen Station, still half-asleep but already the city felt like it was humming. Our guide, Ms. Chen, waved us over with this big smile—she switched between Mandarin and English so easily that I kind of envied her. The drive out to Yehliu Geopark was quiet at first, Taipei buildings giving way to green hills and then suddenly that salty sea air hit me through the window. I didn’t expect the Queen’s Head rock to look so fragile up close; people were lining up for photos but I just stared at those weird shapes for a bit, trying to figure out how wind could do all that.

Jiufen Old Street was next—honestly, it’s crowded and loud but in a way that makes you want to squeeze deeper in. Red lanterns everywhere, the smell of taro balls and grilled squid mixing together (not sure if that’s good or bad). We tried some peanut ice cream rolls—Li laughed when I tried to say it in Mandarin, probably butchered it—and ducked into a tiny teahouse with foggy windows. There’s this moment where you look down over the rooftops and see the ocean far off; I still think about that view sometimes.

By the time we reached Shifen Old Street, it was starting to drizzle—umbrellas popped up like mushrooms. Our group wrote wishes on a sky lantern (mine looked messy but whatever) and let it float up with dozens of others. Kids were running along the Pingxi rail line dodging puddles while our guide told us stories about coal miners who used to live here. The waterfall stop was quick but you can feel the spray on your face if you get close enough—kind of wakes you up after all those snacks. The ride back was sleepy; people dozed off or scrolled their phones quietly as Taipei lights came back into view.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen

• Meet at MRT Ximen Station Exit 5
• Visit Yehliu Geopark and Queen’s Head
• Explore Jiufen Old Street
• Visit Shifen Waterfall
• Put up sky lanterns at Shifen Old Street
• Return to MRT Ximen Station

Top questions

How long is the Yehliu Jiufen & Shifen day tour?

The tour lasts about 9 hours total, from 8:15 AM to around 5:30 PM.

Is pickup included for this day trip from Taipei?

Yes, round-trip transportation is included from MRT Ximen Station Exit 5 in Taipei.

Are guides available in English?

You can choose either an English or Mandarin-speaking guide for this tour.

What are the main stops on this tour?

The main stops are Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen Old Street, Shifen Old Street (with sky lantern), and Shifen Waterfall.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

No set lunch is provided but there is plenty of time to try snacks or meals at Jiufen Old Street.

Can infants join this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join—the vehicles have space for prams or strollers and infant seats are available.

How many people are on each tour group?

The vehicle size depends on the number of participants—from 5-seater cars up to 43-seater buses for larger groups.

Does this tour visit Pingxi Rail Line?

You’ll visit Shifen Old Street along the Pingxi Branch Rail Line as part of the itinerary.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transportation from central Taipei (MRT Ximen Station), an English or Mandarin-speaking local guide throughout, insurance provided by the supplier, plus all vehicle arrangements sized for your group—from small cars to minibuses or full coaches depending on how many sign up that day.