A few months ago, I had the opportunity to visit Taiwan during my boyfriend Kevin's visa-run journey. We stayed for approximately two or three nights—I can't quite recall now. Although it wasn't too long ago, it feels like a distant memory.
On this trip, we were joined by my dad and stepmom. We casually invited them, not expecting them to agree, but to our surprise, they did! We all stayed together at the same hotel, traveling and dining as a group, and experiencing everything together.
Instead of opting for a laid-back trip around Taipei, my dad suggested following social media's lead and visiting Jiufen Old Street, a quaint destination a few hours from Taipei. Given our limited time, we also planned to check out Beitou, the famous hot spring town near Taipei. However, this meant we had to travel directly from Beitou to Jiufen on the same day, leaving us with a super duper tight schedule.
When we arrived in Jiufen, it was already quite late, and we missed the sunset. Despite this, I could see why it's a popular tourist spot. A charming little town nestled in the mountains. The journey involved a bus ride up and down the winding mountain roads, an experience in itself!
Jiufen Old Street, the heart of the town, was packed with tourists and offered an array of food options. I quickly researched the area and found that most places were famous, given the street's small size. We indulged in various local delicacies, including a soup with stuffed meatballs and dry (not exactly stir-fry) noodles, beef noodle, and the highlight of our trip.. tada.. a Taiwanese shredded peanut ice cream wrap. I've always loved this treat, but this particular one was exceptional. The stall owner, a savvy marketer, adorned the plate with information about her shop, making it ideal for photos. She even spoke Thai to us, adding a personal touch to our experience and making us feel welcome. We laughed quite a lot there and for sure, recommend!
After our culinary adventure, we were quite full and decided to explore the town's shops. Jiufen is known for its tea houses that offer stunning hillside views. Unfortunately, it was too late in the evening to see much, and the tea houses were crowded, so we chose to head back.
The return journey involved a bus ride and a bit of a wait, which was not the most enjoyable part of our trip. The limited transportation options made me reconsider a return visit.
In conclusion, Jiufen is a beautiful little town that I would recommend if you have more time to spare in Taiwan. For a short visit like ours, the long trip may not be worth it. Nonetheless, it was a memorable experience in a picturesque setting, indeed!