Shifen Old Street

we booked a one day trip covering 3 places in a day. this is the last destination during our trip. nice place to visit for short period. bought a nice keychain here. the are few eateries selling local snacks.

Definitely worth going as i manage to get nice pictures along with my “Tian Deng” 😂 Train ride was ancient

You can buy fried crabs and peanut rolls of ice cream in ten old streets, and the most important thing is to put sky lights here, there is a row of shops selling sky lights on both sides of the train tracks, and the clerk will help you take photos and videos of the sky lights.

The Shifen old street is incredible , especially when the train cross by. moreover , you can eat lots of local food in there

Best experience to release sky lanterns - a tradition practiced by locals for years to make wishes! The old street itself is touristy and filled in souvenir shops and food vendors

Shifen Old Street is a mesmerizing step back in time, offering a nostalgic journey through narrow cobblestone alleys adorned with traditional red lanterns. The charming old-world atmosphere, coupled with the breathtaking hillside views of the Pacific Ocean, creates an enchanting experience. The street is lined with an eclectic mix of shops selling local crafts, tea houses, and street food stalls, providing a feast for the senses. Sampling local delicacies like taro balls and pineapple cakes is a must. The distinct architecture and historical remnants add to the allure, making Jiufen a haven for those seeking a taste of Taiwanese culture and history. While the streets can get crowded, especially on weekends, the overall ambiance and unique offerings make Shifen Old Street a captivating and memorable destination.

Shifen is the place if you wish to put up sky lanterns in Taiwan. This place provides local and tourists the option of sending off a sky lantern at any time of year, even outside of official festivals. We took the train in Rui Fang to Shifen, do note that the train run usually hourly to Shifen direction. The time scheduled is fixed so do ensure that you check the timing as the train depart punctually. Google map is a good gauge of timing as it shows the train timings too. A few stops away from Rui Fang, and once reached there will be an old street along the track where shops selling the sky lantern and foods. You can decorate your own sky lantern, and choose the colour for 4 sides and write your wishes on it. The colours are supposed to represent different themes. For example, yellow is for wealth, red is for health, pink is for romance and and blue is for good luck and you can choose other colours that suit you too. The shop owners will help you light the lantern and even take photos and videos before launching the sky lantern. We chose the first shop as you can ensure your photos taken does not have people behind it. It is a must visit place if you wish to 放天灯 or just soak into the atmosphere of an old street.