Taipei Trip Part 7: Jiufen, the real world of Miyazaki Anime "Spirited Away"

[Introduction]

I traveled to Taiwan for four days and three nights. This time, I visited Taipei and its surrounding areas. In this article, I will write about walking around Jiufen as part of Day 2.

[Visit Places (series of articles)]
* Day 1: Flying to Taipei & Xiao Long Bao at Din Tai Fung
* Day 1: Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei, National Taiwan Museum and National Museum of History
* Day 1: Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (Light-up)
* Day 2: Pingxi Line (Jingtong)
* Day 2: Pingxi Line (Shifen)
* Day 2: Pingxi Line (Houtong)
* Day 2: Jiufen [This article]
* Day 3: National Palace Museum
* Day 3: National Martyrs’ Shrine
* Day 3: Xinyi District
* Day 3: Taipei 101
* Day 4: 228 Peace Memorial Park, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Longshan Temple and Ximending
* Day 4: Huashan 1914 Creative Park & Return to Home

[Travel Date]
2017.04.27-30

[Main Part]

Going to Jiufen

Now I returned from Houtong station to Ruifang station. Then, I will move to Jiufen.

I planed to move from Ruifang to Jiufen by bus and moved to the nearest bus stop on foot.

In the bus.

I arrived at the entrance of Jishan Street, which was the starting point of walking around Jiufen.

Walking around Jiufen

To begin with, I walked around Jishan Street, the main street of Jiufen. There were a variety of shops along Jishan Street.

There was also such a sightseeing spot where visitors were able to view the sea.

Along with Jishan Street, Shuqi Street was another main street.

I just happened to see a big dog.

A Mei Tea House is one of the most famous tourist spots in Jiufen.

Lai Ah Po Yu Yuan and Jioufen Teahouse

Jiufen is famous for its light-up scenery in the evening. Since there was still time before the sunset, I will fill the time by having quick bites.

First, I stopped by Lai Ah Po Yu Yuan.

Lai Ah Po Yu Yuan is famous for its taro balls.

Then, I visited Jioufen Teahouse.

Jioufen Teahouse is a gallery as well as a teahouse.

I ordered a set of tea and pineapple cake.

Jioufen Teahouse had a patio and here is the view from the terrace.

Light-up in Jiufen

Now the sun started to go down, I moved to A Mei Tea House.

This is Skyline Tea House located across from A Mei Tea House.

The light-up has started.

The scenery was really fantastic.

It was the magic hour.

Around A Mei Tea House.

There were so many visitors around here.

Along with A Mei Tea House, this area with the signboard of “A City of Sadness” was another photo spot in Jiufen.

I returned to around A Mei Tea House.

At the observatory where visitors can see the sea.

Now I will return to the hotel.

Though I expected in advance, there was a long queue at the bus stop. In the meantime, several taxi drivers offered a share ride to Taipei station for NT$200 per person, so I returned to Taipei by taxi.

Light-up at Taipei station

After I got off the taxi at Taipei station, I took some photos of Taipei station with light-up.

Locomotive.

There was a roof garden at CAESAR PARK TAIPEI where I stayed and hotel guests were able to see wonderful views of Taipei station from the garden.

The second day of my Taipei trip was over.

[Closing]

That’s it for the article about walking around Jiufen as part of Day 2.

Jiufen was the filming location of “A City of Sadness” and is said to be a model of “Spirited Away”. Now Jiufen has become one of the most popular tourists spots in Taiwan, so I saw lots of visitors there. Although the access to Jiufen is not so easy, I believe Jiufen is worth for visit 🙂

In the next article, I will write about National Palace Museum as part of Day 3.

[Map]