North Coast Tour: Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen
I booked this North Coast day trip to explore Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen—Taiwan’s hidden gems on Klook. The initial plan was to DIY this trip because I really wanted to explore Taipei solo. But I had to consider the weather, time, and convenience, plus, it was way cheaper than doing it myself. The tour covers everything from Yehliu’s unique rock formations to the nostalgic streets of Jiufen, and finally, Shifen’s famous lantern-filled skies.
Look at this cute Klook bus!
First stop: Yehliu Park.
The wind was wild, and the rock formations were stunning—nature really got creative here. The “Queen’s Head” rock is the star of the show, and yep, we lined up to get that perfect photo.
Next up: Jiufen.
Finally here! I’ve seen this place all over the internet, and it’s just as charming in person—probably my favorite part of the tour, too. This was also the reason I initially wanted to DIY: to sit and have a drink here at night. I’ve read it’s even more magical after sunset. So yeah, joining the day tour was really a tough decision. But it’s okay—next time I come back here, it’ll be at night for sure.
People say Spirited Away was inspired by this place. I can’t really relate—I haven’t seen the movie (oops)—but what I can say is that Jiufen is the best place to get lost in narrow alleys and be totally fine with it, because you’ll probably end up getting handed free snacks and tea. Hehe.
Of course, I didn’t forget to try some of the snacks too—like Taiwanese Sausage and chewy Taro Balls.
Overall, Jiufen is such a great place to visit.
You’ll get a little tired walking around since it’s on a hill, but it’s totally worth it. Also, it’s the best spot to grab souvenirs and fridge magnets—so don’t leave without checking out the shops!
Next: Shifen Waterfall.
A bit of a walk, but the fresh air, sound of the falls, and snack stalls along the way made it feel less tiring.
And the last stop: Shifen Old Street.
A sweet little town full of tourists lighting up their lanterns, which was probably the most nostalgic part of the day. Trains literally run through the middle of the street. I bought a 4-color lantern. They ask if you want a single, four, or eight-color lantern, as each color has a different meaning.
The guy who helped me light mine spoke Filipino—which was adorable! I feel like most locals in touristy areas here know at least a few Filipino words. He really tried his best to guide me while speaking Filipino. Wholesome!
*He asked me to do a finger heart — but I’m not really a finger heart kinda person, so I gave him a ✌️ instead. 😄*
And that wrapped up the tour. We traveled back to the city—a 3-hour ride— and I was knocked out the whole time.
Would I do it again?
In a heartbeat. Especially Jiufen—at night this time.
The whole day felt like a slow exhale. I wasn’t thinking about anything… except my tired legs. 😄