Hotels in Jiufen

Jiufen: Gold-Rush Hillside Above the Northeast Coast

Jiufen sits on a steep ridge in New Taipei City's Ruifang District, roughly 45 km northeast of Taipei's city centre. The town rose to prominence during the Japanese colonial gold rush of the 1890s and peaked as a mining settlement in the early 20th century. Its narrow stone stairways, red lantern-lit teahouses, and views over Keelung Mountain and the Pacific draw visitors from across Asia. The 1989 film A City of Sadness renewed international attention, and the Jiufen Old Street (基隆山老街) area became one of Taiwan's most photographed districts.

Where to Stay

Accommodations cluster along Jishan Street and the quieter lanes above Shuqi Road. Guesthouses cut into the hillside offer sea-facing rooms overlooking Yin Yang Sea, the mineral-stained inlet below the former Shuinandong smelter. Properties here are compact — most are family-run inns of 5–20 rooms rather than large hotels. Weekend occupancy is high; mid-week stays offer lower rates and thinner crowds on the stone steps.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Bus 1062 runs from Taipei's Zhongxiao Fuxing station to Jiufen Old Street in approximately 70 minutes.
• Best time to visit: October–December brings cooler temperatures and clearer skies; summer afternoons are humid and foggy.
• Pack accordingly: Bring waterproof shoes — the stone steps are slick after rain, which falls on average 200+ days per year in this coastal range.
• Cash: Most small teahouses and stalls are cash-only; ATMs are available near the Jiufen bus stop.