Jiufen

Jiufen (九份; Jiǔfèn), historically spelled Chiufen and alternately spelled Jioufen, is a small town in Northern Taiwan. It's a must visit for any Studio Ghibli fans who will find many of its streets familiar as it served as the inspiration for the movie Spirited Away.

Jiufen was a prosperous gold mining town until the digging stopped in the 1950s. It then went into sharp decline. However, its quaint streets, tea houses and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean saved it from becoming yet another anonymous mining ghost town. Jiufen is now a popular escape from the capital for those eager to relive scenes from the past. It has provided the setting for several period movies, including Hou Hsiao-hsien's A City of Sadness, which won the Golden Lion award at the 1989 Venice Film Festival.

• Historic Commercial District. shops open 11:00-18:00 generally. It consists of a series of stores and restaurants running along Jishan and Shuqi Streets, which are built into the side of the coastal hills and considered a must-see site for visitors. The area is known for its collection of shops, eateries, and teahouses, allowing visitors to sample local specialties and purchase handicrafts and other knick-knacks. The area also provides spectacular views of the harbors and the Pacific Ocean below. The most popular entrance is located near the bus station, next to a 7-Eleven shop and the public toilets.
• Taiyang Co. Ruifang Mining Operation Office, No. 54, Shuqi Road, +886 2 2497 2071. 0830-1700 (Closed weekends). This historic building just below Shuqi steps at the bus parking lot. Yen Yun-nian (1882-1923), a Jiufen merchant, got the business authority from Japanese "Itoda Gumi" during the Japanese era. The company was established in 1948 by his brother, quarrying gold since 1914 till 1971. The Bafan Tunnel mine entrance still remains inside the office, but not open to visitors at present.
• Songde Park. A small memorial park in Jiufen's east, located on Qinbian Road. There are monuments to praise the great achievement of Yen Yun-nian who founded Jiufen's mining culture. Creative artistic sculptures can easily be seen in the park. Also the early Mining Tunnel can also be found next to the park.
• Wufan Tunnel, Qingbian Road. Next to the park, this tunnel has been excavated in 1927. The coal transported out from the tunnel was smashed in the mine-smashing area and carried by high altitude transporting pipe. There is a light railway passing through the tunnel, which was run by a Japanese company and then contracted by Jiouda Co. when the Japanese left Taiwan in 1945. In 1971, in order to protect the security of the residents and visitors, all mine tunnels were sealed. There is a small community park for people to rest and enjoy the ocean view.

Historic Commercial District. shops open 11:00-18:00 generally. It consists of a series of stores and restaurants running along Jishan and Shuqi Streets, which are built into the side of the coastal hills and considered a must-see site for visitors. The area is known for its collection of shops, eateries, and teahouses, allowing visitors to sample local specialties and purchase handicrafts and other knick-knacks. The area also provides spectacular views of the harbors and the Pacific Ocean below. The most popular entrance is located near the bus station, next to a 7-Eleven shop and the public toilets.

Taiyang Co. Ruifang Mining Operation Office, No. 54, Shuqi Road, +886 2 2497 2071. 0830-1700 (Closed weekends). This historic building just below Shuqi steps at the bus parking lot. Yen Yun-nian (1882-1923), a Jiufen merchant, got the business authority from Japanese "Itoda Gumi" during the Japanese era. The company was established in 1948 by his brother, quarrying gold since 1914 till 1971. The Bafan Tunnel mine entrance still remains inside the office, but not open to visitors at present.

Songde Park. A small memorial park in Jiufen's east, located on Qinbian Road. There are monuments to praise the great achievement of Yen Yun-nian who founded Jiufen's mining culture. Creative artistic sculptures can easily be seen in the park. Also the early Mining Tunnel can also be found next to the park.

Wufan Tunnel, Qingbian Road. Next to the park, this tunnel has been excavated in 1927. The coal transported out from the tunnel was smashed in the mine-smashing area and carried by high altitude transporting pipe. There is a light railway passing through the tunnel, which was run by a Japanese company and then contracted by Jiouda Co. when the Japanese left Taiwan in 1945. In 1971, in order to protect the security of the residents and visitors, all mine tunnels were sealed. There is a small community park for people to rest and enjoy the ocean view.

• Mount Jilong. The elevation of mountain is 588 m, which is Jiufen and Jinguashi’s dividing line. On the peak, people can overlook the whole Neihu district, Taipei City, Keelung and northeast coast seascape. To look far from Jinguashi or Fushan Temple, the mountain shape looks like a pregnant woman lies on the land, when the hair spread on the East Sea with clear curves. Therefore, it is known as Big-Belly Beauty Mountain. There is a mountain trail so far and the entrance is right across the Parking Lot. You can climb the peak in about 40 minutes.
• Xiaojingua Peak. Along Line 102 to Shuangxi Highway to the highest point of Mt.Jilong, you can see the Xiaojingua Peak on the hilltop. It opens the first page of Jiufen gold digging history.

Mount Jilong. The elevation of mountain is 588 m, which is Jiufen and Jinguashi’s dividing line. On the peak, people can overlook the whole Neihu district, Taipei City, Keelung and northeast coast seascape. To look far from Jinguashi or Fushan Temple, the mountain shape looks like a pregnant woman lies on the land, when the hair spread on the East Sea with clear curves. Therefore, it is known as Big-Belly Beauty Mountain. There is a mountain trail so far and the entrance is right across the Parking Lot. You can climb the peak in about 40 minutes.

Xiaojingua Peak. Along Line 102 to Shuangxi Highway to the highest point of Mt.Jilong, you can see the Xiaojingua Peak on the hilltop. It opens the first page of Jiufen gold digging history.

There are numerous things to eat in Jiufen. Fishball soup, yuyuan (taro balls), dumplings served hot or cold with sweet red beans, nuts and mochi are all widely available. The sheer number of restaurants can be a little overwhelming though.

• Grandma Lai's Yuyuan, No. 143, Jishan Street, +886 2 2497 5245. 0800-2000. the most famous one for its taro balls.

Grandma Lai's Yuyuan, No. 143, Jishan Street, +886 2 2497 5245. 0800-2000. the most famous one for its taro balls.

Jiufen boasts numerous teahouses that offer great views over the Pacific Ocean.

• Amei Tea House, 20 Shixia Ln, Shuqi Rd, +886 2 2496-0833. Su-Th 08:30-00:00, F 08:30-01:00, Sa 08:30-02:00. Instantly recognizable as the inspiration for the ornate bathhouse in Spirited Away.
• City Of Sadness Restaurant, 35 Shuchi Road, +886 2 2406-2289. Just on the corner of Shuqi and Qingbian Roads. This restaurant was featured in Hou Hsiao-hsien's film A City of Sadness.
• Jiufen Teahouse, No. 142, Jishan Street, +886 2 2496-9056. (九份茶坊), 142 Jishan Street. Jiufen Teahouse was once the meeting place for many great Taiwanese writers and artists when it first opened. When you enter from the narrow crowded street, you come into a spacious and calm interior. On the right are steaming iron kettles nestled in a long fiery bank of coals. Bundles of tea and high quality ceramics and tea implements fill the first level. The host will lead you to a quiet table on the lower levels, or you can sit outside on the back terrace in good weather. You can choose your favorite tea and tea snacks from the menu and sit there for as long as you like. Take a break and wander around to look the paintings and other wonderful artwork by local artists. There is also a gallery on the lower level with more beautiful ceramics.

Amei Tea House, 20 Shixia Ln, Shuqi Rd, +886 2 2496-0833. Su-Th 08:30-00:00, F 08:30-01:00, Sa 08:30-02:00. Instantly recognizable as the inspiration for the ornate bathhouse in Spirited Away.

City Of Sadness Restaurant, 35 Shuchi Road, +886 2 2406-2289. Just on the corner of Shuqi and Qingbian Roads. This restaurant was featured in Hou Hsiao-hsien's film A City of Sadness.

Jiufen Teahouse, No. 142, Jishan Street, +886 2 2496-9056. (九份茶坊), 142 Jishan Street. Jiufen Teahouse was once the meeting place for many great Taiwanese writers and artists when it first opened. When you enter from the narrow crowded street, you come into a spacious and calm interior. On the right are steaming iron kettles nestled in a long fiery bank of coals. Bundles of tea and high quality ceramics and tea implements fill the first level. The host will lead you to a quiet table on the lower levels, or you can sit outside on the back terrace in good weather. You can choose your favorite tea and tea snacks from the menu and sit there for as long as you like. Take a break and wander around to look the paintings and other wonderful artwork by local artists. There is also a gallery on the lower level with more beautiful ceramics.

• Jinguashi - Former gold mining town, now a mountains-meets-ocean picturesque get-away. See the Gold Museum (NT$80), the Crown Prince's Chalet, and other sights. Or follow numerous hiking trails. Take the Jiufen bus (NT$50) to the end of the line, then take another bus (NT$21) from in front of the pavilion next to the 7-Eleven at the Jishan Street entrance. You can also take bus 856 (adults at NT$15, students at NT$12, and half-price at NT$8 per section) from Jiufen to different attractions in Jinguashi.