Jiufen Old Street is a hillside old-street settlement on the western slope of Keelung Mountain in Ruifang District, New Taipei City. It was once a gold-mining settlement that regained attention after serving as a film location following the decline of mining. Winding stone-staircase alleyways, teahouses built along the slope, and lanterns lit one by one at dusk casting a glow across the hillside silhouette form the visual image Jiufen is best known for; it is now one of Taiwan's most prominent tourist landmarks.
Gold mining at Jiufen dates back to 1893, when the Benshan ore body at nearby Jinguashi was discovered; during the Japanese colonial era, Jiufen's mine was ranked alongside Jinguashi and Wudankeng as one of Taiwan's three major gold-mining sites. Mining formally ended in 1971, and the settlement declined for years until the 1989 film A City of Sadness was shot on location, gradually shifting businesses along Jishan Street toward tourism and reviving Jiufen as a well-known destination.
Highlights of Jiufen Old Street
The heart of the old street is Shuqi Road's stone staircase, lined on both sides with teahouses and souvenir shops climbing up the slope. Some teahouses have sea-view terrace seats overlooking the coastline where Keelung Mountain meets the Pacific. Jishan Street is the main horizontal street, concentrated with food stalls selling taro balls, fish balls, and herb rice cakes — common traditional snacks.
Peak crowds at Jiufen concentrate on weekend afternoons and around the time the lanterns are lit at dusk. If you want to avoid the crush, the stone-staircase streets are noticeably less crowded on weekday mornings, and getting a teahouse seat is much easier. The nearby Keelung Mountain has a hiking trail; from the summit you can look down over the entire Jiufen settlement and coastline — a one-way hike of about one hour, moderate difficulty.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there & timing
- From Taiwan Railways Ruifang Station, take Keelung Bus routes 788, 825, and others to Jiufen. Check the Keelung Bus website for schedules; extra buses run on weekends but it's still crowded.
- By car, follow Provincial Highway 2C into Jiufen; parking near the old street is limited, and public transit is recommended on weekends.
Nearby connections
- Jiufen is about a 20–30 minute walk (or a short bus ride) from Jinguashi Gold Museum; the two can be combined in half a day.
- Ruifang Station is the starting point for the Northeast Coast scenic area; the route continues to Fulong, Longdong, and other Northeast Coast attractions.
Sources: New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Department, Wikipedia entry for Jiufen. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Jiufen begin developing as a settlement?
Jiufen grew after modern mechanized gold mining expanded there around the 1890s, with the industry peaking in the 1930s as gold prices rose.
When did mining end in Jiufen?
Mining formally ended in 1971, and the settlement declined for years afterward.
How did Jiufen become a tourist destination again?
After the 1989 film A City of Sadness was shot there, businesses along Jishan Street gradually shifted toward tourism, reviving interest in the area.
Sources
- 九份 - 維基百科 — 開採起始年份、1971年結束採礦、1989年悲情城市取景與觀光轉型