Taiwan - JiuFen Old Street (九份老街)

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Morning JiuFen! Wake up in the morning and amazed by the beautiful sea view through our guest house’s room.

It was raining whole night and was so misty early in the morning.

View of the main street from our balcony.

After some light breakfast at our guesthouse, we had a morning walk to JiuFen Old Street (九份老街).

The must have photo spot lol. Entrance of JiuFen Old Street is just beside the 7-eleven convenient store, can be spotted easily.

Let’s talk about top 5 things to do at JiuFen Old Street.

1. Loiter around :P

JiuFen Old Street is full of souvenir shops selling handicrafts, clothes, accessories, snacks, food and etc. Besides, there are several unique little cafés and teahouses along the narrow passage, here is definitely an old street full with surprise.

A traditional clay mask museum.

Ghost themed clay mask.

One of the many stores selling local traditional snack.

2. Try the “snow burning” ice cream roll

We were actually being attracted by the crowds in front of the store.

Then we found interesting with the thing this old man worked at. He is grinding at a huge “peanut brisk” into powder form.

While the lady beside busy wrapping up the ice cream roll :) the ice cream roll is made up of a thin layer of popiah skin, 2 scoops of ice cream, some peanut powder and some Chinese parsley! Yes, is Chinese parsley which always appears in Taiwan cuisine! Now it exists in ice cream roll! A weird combination but ended up tastes so good! It was a challenging task to have ice cream in cold weather but was totally worth it! 

3. Try the most famous Taro balls

Think of JiuFen, I believed that many would think of the taro balls made from yam and sweet potato.

Follow this way for the yummy taro balls!

Walk along the narrow passage way with staircases towards JiuFen primary school and before you reached the primary school, this little store would be spotted on your right hand side.

Taro balls by Aunty Gan (阿柑姨芋圆).

We ordered a bowl of taro balls served with hot red and green bean soup. Heard that taro balls served with blended ice tastes good too but the weather is too cold for us to try it.

The best dining place ever, with mountains and sea view. 

4. Pay a visit to ShengPing Theater (晟平戏院)

ShengPing Theater is the oldest theater in north Taiwan. The old movie poster on the wall brings some colours to the old building. The theater was closed when we were there, missed the chance to have a look inside. 

5. A-Mei Tea House (阿妹茶馆)

A-Mei Tea House is an old style Taiwanese building with rare in-line window sills which enable natural light to brighten up the building. Red lanterns and unique masks outside of the tea house create oriental features to the building.

Unique masks at A-Mei Tea House.

Night view of A-Mei Tea House.

Japanese animation, “Spirited Away” by Hayao Miyazaki was inspired by this unique designed tea house.

One can always enjoy a pot of fine tea with view of the ocean or the old street.

We had a great time at JiuFen! JiuFen is definitely a place to visit when you are at Taiwan!

Bye JiuFen, we miss you!

How to go:

TaiPei – JiuFen

Exit at MRT ZhongXiao FuXing (忠孝復興) station. Walk to FuXing South Road (復興南路) bus stop. Take KeeLung-RuiFang (基隆-瑞芳) bus.