Taipei Jiufen & Houtong Full-Day Guided Tour

Shifen Waterfalls: Try going to the other side to get the best views. The tour has enough time here, so make sure you really soak in the beauty of the falls, not just take photos. Shifen Lanterns: We’re happy with the store where we bought our lanterns. Richard (guide) also helped us buy peanut ice cream roll and chicken leg. We even got a $5 discount at the tea shop for our drinks. Cat Village: Super relaxing place. The cats are so fat and there are so many! The view is also really nice. Definitely one of our happy places since we’re a cat-loving family. Jiufen: Magical. Best to book the NIGHT JIUFEN, you arrive before night and get to see the lanterns light up. It’s crowded, but just be patient. Guide Richard: I like how he shared so much information about Taiwan, not just about the the places on the list. He made the trip fun, gave helpful tips, and kept everything organized. We received timely updates, and we never felt rushed. Thank u for writing on my pad! (Just keep walking)

I am really glad I chose this tour over the other Jiufen Shifen tours. The places we went were perfect and there was enough time to relax, get tea and food and pet the cats at cat village. Kate was also an awesome guide. She communicated well in both Mandarin and English to accommodate guests from all countries. My family was from U.S. and somebody else was from the Philippines so even though most people can understand Mandarin, she still accommodated the people that couldn’t understand. She also gave clear instructions on return time so there were no issues at each site. Overall it’s a very pleasant tour.

Efficient itinerary of combining Shifen, Houtong & Jiufen in 1 tour. Good pacing. Tour guide's recommendations of food snacks were delicious. Each location was enjoyable, scenic, and nice food available. Good walk too! Some places have multiple stairs to climb.

I joined the tour including Houtong on August 11th with my family. Starting from Shifen Waterfall in the early morning (the water volume was quite large this time of year), releasing sky lanterns (a special experience), the cat village (luckily saw many chill cats), and finally Jiufen (a classic scenic spot). The tour guide, Nana, professionally switched between multiple languages to carefully explain everything to everyone. She also recommended local snacks worth trying, or safe and high-value souvenirs. She led everyone to eat and drink along the way, and tirelessly took the initiative to help group members take beautiful photos and find the most beautiful scenery! Solo travelers no longer have to worry about having only landscape photos in their albums! Highly recommend tour guide Nana~~

Previously, I only joined tour groups when traveling abroad. This was my first time joining a domestic tour group, and it was a really great experience. Thanks to our guide Iris's enthusiastic and detailed explanations, even though it rained all day, we still happily visited the magnificent Shifen Waterfall, experienced releasing sky lanterns for good fortune in Shifen Old Street, and explored the unique Houtong Cat Village and Jiufen Old Street with its romantic red lantern atmosphere. All of these left a deep impression on me.

Auntie May was very lovely and energetic! Definitely part of why I enjoyed this tour. The cat village is a highlight of this holiday for me, but I do hope they get more visitors to support their residents, both humans and cats alike.

highly recommended this group tour if you want a hassle-free trip to these places. Our tour guide Richard was very helpful at recommending shops to get food & souvenirs. He also provided some context about Taipei’s history. I mainly booked this tour for the cat village. Many cats were seen & do buy from the locals to support the cats. I chose the evening tour on a Monday, which was a good idea as we could see the red lanterns light up at Jiufen Old Street. there were many people still so don’t be surprised if you don’t get a nice shot at the famous tea house 🥲 overall great experience! the provider & tour guide are very experienced, instructions given were clear & helpful.

It was a super fun and enjoyable experience and I felt taken care of every step of the way under the guidance of Tony. I highly recommend taking the Shifen > Houtong > Night Jiufen tour if you wanted to check out these iconic places but worry about navigating to them on your own. Besides taking you around, Tony will also provide great recommendations at all of the stops.

Roben is an excellent tour guide! We enjoyed the beautiful scenery and 3 unique destinations. Despite the rain, we have very good memories. If your family member has mobility issues like knee or walking problems please be advised there is a lot of walking and many stairs. We advise to research if your elderly family member can participate. My mother could not see the waterfall but there is a nice shop to sit at the entrance. Luckily at Houtong Cat Village there are many cats at the train station and there is a nice cafe. Jiufen was quite an adventure in the rain, lol. Walking from the bus parking was a little challenging since it is uphill. Once on Jiufen Street the walking is much easier. We could not participate in the A Mei tea experience, because there are many steep stairs, however, Roben suggested a wonderful alternative called Jiufen Teahouse. Overall, we enjoyed the tour and would highly recommend it.

This is a glowing review template for a Jiufen and Shifen day trip, perfect for sharing on social media, travel blogs, or with travel agencies/chartered drivers. The tone is natural and enthusiastic: Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) Title: The Perfect Blend of Mountain Town Charm and Sky Lanterns! An Unexpectedly Amazing Jiufen and Shifen Trip 🏮✨ My Jiufen and Shifen day trip experience was truly fantastic, far exceeding my expectations! 📍 First Stop: Shifen — A Place Full of Hope and Warmth Upon arriving at Shifen Old Street, the most iconic activity is releasing sky lanterns on the railway tracks. Writing my wishes on the lantern and watching it slowly ascend into the sky was a truly moving and calming experience. Besides releasing lanterns, the nearby Shifen Waterfall is also incredibly impressive. The air along the trail is fresh, and walking through nature on the path felt incredibly therapeutic. And you absolutely cannot miss the local delicacies on the old street: peanut ice cream rolls and grilled squid balls! 📍 Second Stop: Jiufen — A Timeless Mountain Town with Beautiful Scenery In the afternoon, we headed to Jiufen Old Street. Walking up the narrow alleyways and stairs, you're surrounded by a rich, retro, nostalgic atmosphere. Red lanterns are scattered everywhere, adorning the stone steps. As dusk falls and the lights come on, the entire mountain town is enveloped in a dreamy ambiance, as if you've stepped into an anime scene. * **Food Experience:** Ah Gan Yi Taro Balls are delightfully chewy and firm. Eating them while overlooking the beautiful sea view is a feast for both the eyes and the palate! * **Leisure Experience:** We found a teahouse with a view, sat down to enjoy some tea and conversation, and gazed at the stunning scenery of Shen'ao Fishing Harbor. It was incredibly relaxing and pleasant. > 💡 **Summary:** > This itinerary was perfectly planned and flowed smoothly. It allowed us to experience rich Taiwanese local culture and blessing rituals, while also soaking in the unique historical charm and breathtaking night views of the mountain town. It's perfect for taking photos, enjoying delicious food, or simply unwinding. I highly recommend it to all friends planning a trip to Taiwan! I will definitely come back again given the chance!