Public transport · About 9–11 hours

Jiufen and Shifen Northeast Coast Day Trip

Combine Shifen’s railway town and waterfall with Jiufen’s hillside lanes and signature snacks on a full day using trains and local buses.

Plan at a glance

Best for: Travelers who want a full day of railway towns, waterfalls and hillside lanes.
Start point: Ruifang Station
Getting around: Combine the Pingxi Line with local buses to Jiufen.
Key reminder: Leave a buffer at Ruifang because connections are not guaranteed.
Not ideal for: Visitors looking for a low-walking or unhurried itinerary.

Before you go

Start early and check both the Pingxi Line timetable and current bus information before departure.
Allow a buffer at Ruifang because train and bus connections are not guaranteed.
Wear shoes with reliable grip; Shifen paths and Jiufen stairs can be slippery after rain.
Weekends are crowded. Consider visiting Shifen first and reaching Jiufen later in the afternoon.

Jiufen + Shifen yourself, or a guided route?

Self-guided Jiufen + Shifen

Choose your own stops and pace

This itinerary follows Ruifang, Shifen and Jiufen by rail and bus. Yehliu and Golden Waterfall are not stops on this self-guided route.

Manage the transfers and return journey yourself; allow time for waiting, walking and stairs.

Continue with the self-guided route

Guided day option

Combine the major stops in one day

Best if you want the major Northeast Coast stops combined into one guided day from Taipei.

Good if

You want the major stops combined into one day from Taipei.

Skip booking if

You prefer setting the pace and stops yourself.

The booking page language does not guarantee the guide language. Before booking, check the selected package stops (including whether Yehliu is included), guide language, meeting point and time, and any costs not included.

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Route overview

Jiufen and Shifen Northeast Coast Day Trip

Stop 115–20 minutes
Connect at Ruifang Station
Arrive early, confirm the Pingxi Line timetable and keep the station as your transfer point between Shifen and the bus to Jiufen.
Transport
Ruifang Railway Station →
ruì fāng huǒ chē zhàn
Stop 245–60 minutes
Start at Shifen Old Street
Explore the shops beside the active railway and try a rice-stuffed chicken wing before following signs toward the waterfall.
Shifen Old Street →
Transport
Shifen Station →
shí fēn chē zhàn
Eat nearby
雞翅包飯 · Snack
Rice-Stuffed Chicken Wing
jī chì bāo fàn
A deboned chicken wing packed with seasoned fried rice, then grilled until the skin is smoky and crisp—a popular handheld bite in Shifen.
Stop 375–90 minutes
Walk to Shifen Waterfall
Follow the riverside path to the viewing platforms, allowing enough time to walk back for your planned train.
Shifen Waterfall →
Transport
Shifen Station →
shí fēn chē zhàn
Stop 42–3 hours
Finish among Jiufen’s hillside lanes
Return through Ruifang and take a local bus to Jiufen. Explore the old street, then sample taro balls, fish ball soup and herbal rice cake before heading back.
Jiufen Old Street →
Transport
Ruifang Railway Station →
ruì fāng huǒ chē zhàn
Eat nearby
芋圓 · Dessert
Jiufen Taro Balls
yù yuán
Chewy taro and sweet-potato dumplings served warm in syrup or chilled over ice - Jiufen's signature mountain-town dessert.
Vegetarian-friendly
魚丸湯 · Soup
Fish Ball Soup
yú wán tāng
Springy handmade fish balls in a light, savory broth. Jiufen shops may also serve Fuzhou-style balls with a juicy pork filling.
草仔粿 · Snack
Herbal Rice Cake
cǎo zǎi guǒ
A soft, chewy green rice cake scented with local herbs. Fillings range from savory preserved radish to sweet red bean.

Trip plans

Part of a longer trip

3 days

Taipei & Northern Taiwan: 3 Full Sightseeing Days

Three usable sightseeing days combining Taipei, Tamsui and a mountain-and-coast day beyond the city; this is not an arrival-to-departure 3-night trip.

View plan →

4 days