Review: Taipei Full Day Trip to Jiufen, Yehliu & Shifen

Alright, let’s chat about this day trip I took from Taipei – the one that hits Jiufen, Yehliu, and Shifen. You know, the usual tourist trail stuff. To be honest, I went in with middling hopes, figuring it’d be crowded and maybe a bit, like, overhyped. Did it deliver? Did it let me down? Well, let’s just get into it.

First Stop: Yehliu Geopark – Nature’s Odd Playground

So, first off, Yehliu Geopark. Apparently, this place is known for these crazy rock formations sculpted by wind and sea. Seriously, some of them look like they’re straight out of a, you know, cartoon or something. The most well-known, of course, is the Queen’s Head. Everyone’s queuing up to snap a photo with it, and truthfully, it’s almost difficult to get a good shot, that is, unless you have a, very, healthy dose of patience. There are a few spots that look very similar, so too it’s almost easier to just go take photos at those. I found it was crowded, very crowded, but pretty amazing at the same time. It can be pretty darn hot so be sure to grab your sunscreen.

The thing I probably liked most was wandering around and seeing all the other crazy rock shapes. You know, there’s the Sea Candles, the Ginger Rocks… it’s, in a way, like a natural art gallery, is that right? You kind of feel like you are visiting some alien landscape that used to be featured in the show Star Trek. That said, remember your walking shoes because you will need them!

Next Up: Shifen Old Street – Lanterns and Railway Tracks

Okay, next we rolled into Shifen Old Street. Apparently, this place is known for its railway tracks running right through the middle of the street. Now, truthfully I never thought that I would get to see such a peculiar, yet lively scene as this! The coolest part? You can buy a sky lantern, write your wishes on it, and then, boom, you just set it off into the sky. So, in some respects, it’s kitschy, I guess, but fun nonetheless.

Walking down the street itself is, well, it’s an experience. You will have streams of tourists flowing, like your own salmon going back upstream to, like, the tourist spot source. Very tasty street food wafts under your nose in an unending steam. Tiny shops line the tracks filled with all kinds of neat trinkets. Even though it might be chock full of other travelers, it still carries a, pretty good dose of, charm.

Jiufen: Stepping into a Miyazaki Film

Finally, we ended up in Jiufen, which I’d heard so much about. Arguably, everyone says it’s like stepping into a scene from a, very, Miyazaki movie, and, well, they’re not wrong. The red lanterns, the narrow, winding streets, and the tea houses perched on the hillside create such a nice place. To be sure, it’s gorgeous.

You should explore the small streets. It’s quite nice to, you know, soak it all in. Granted, it’s jam-packed, maybe you would feel a bit like you are stuck like canned sardines. But the views from the tea houses? Pretty much unbeatable, they tends to be fantastic. I found a spot, sipped some tea, and just watched the sun sink into the ocean. Pretty stellar.

You should, totally try some of the street food in Jiufen, very important. I mean, taro balls are a must, honestly. Apparently, there’s a place that’s known for them. So, like your food and scenery? Jiufen checks all those boxes.

The Tour Logistics: Getting There and Getting Around

Now, let’s chat tour logistics. I picked a group tour from Taipei Main Station since, very important, I wanted to, you know, dodge all the hassle of figuring out public transportation. It was fairly comfy, you know, and all that jazz. Though a smaller tour or a private taxi might just feel slightly more relaxed. I actually really felt it was worth it!

Keep in mind, these tours can be fairly jam-packed. So it may be quite tricky. Especially since you might want a little more time in Yehliu or just Shifen! That’s not to say you might want to figure out just doing things, like your traveling, completely solo!

Things I Wish I’d Known (or Packed!)

Alright, here are a couple of, you know, tips. Definitely comfy shoes, because all that walking could be a bear. To be honest, a hat and sunscreen? Crucial, so your fair skin doesn’t get too fried, very. To be sure, bring some water with you! I found I was guzzling water to hydrate. It would be fairly good to keep yourself hydrated, like your body.

Little bit of cash for snacks and trinkets tends to go a good distance. Though many locations now seem to let you use LinePay. Also remember to have a decent attitude, otherwise the grumpy moods will start. If your attitude ain’t so great, well, get it out of the way and go somewhere, so, pretty, for the Instagram, so everyone thinks that your holiday is so interesting, it would bring everyone a smile. To be honest.

Is This Taipei Day Trip Worth It? The Final Verdict

You are asking if I think this Taipei day trip is worth it, eh? Totally, if you, you know, understand what you’re getting. It’s a, very, whirlwind tour that hits a few of the island’s highlights. Are there lots of people there? For certain, but in any event it could be amazing! I had some very cool experiences, I grabbed some nice photos, and I slurped up some stellar eats. To be honest, you could do worse.