Taiwan’s northeast coast sits where the Central Mountain Range meets the Pacific, and the three towns on this itinerary each represent a different layer of what that geography produced. Shifen developed around a coal mining railway that ran through the centre of town; when the mines closed, the tracks stayed and the sky lantern tradition grew up around them, repurposing the industrial corridor into something else entirely. Jiufen was a gold mining settlement that expanded rapidly during the Japanese colonial period, and its steep lanes and teahouse culture reflect an era when the town was flush with mineral wealth and Japanese administrative influence. Yehliu’s coastline is the result of differential erosion: the softer sandstone erodes faster than the harder calcium-rich nodules embedded within it, leaving formations that look nothing like anything a standard coastal landscape produces.
This guided day trip from Taipei covers all three in nine hours, with a licensed guide in English, transportation included throughout, and a Yehliu Geopark entry ticket included for shared tour bookings. The itinerary runs in two possible orders depending on your departure time: the 9am slot starts at Shifen and ends at Yehliu, while the 12pm slot reverses the sequence. Either way, the day finishes near Raohe Street Night Market, one of Taipei’s oldest and most compact night markets, where you can continue into the evening on your own. With 4.6 stars from over 2,200 verified reviews, this is one of the most consistently booked day trips from Taipei.
Hotel pickup is included for private tour bookings. For shared tours, the meeting point is MRT Taipei Main Station (R10/BL12), Exit M3. Look for the guide in a yellow shirt. If you prefer to explore Taipei itself before heading to the coast, the city has free walking tours that cover the historic districts, temples and Japanese-era neighbourhoods in the city centre.
What You’ll See on This Day Trip
Shifen Old Street and the Sky Lantern Tradition
Shifen Old Street runs along an active railway line that originally served the Pingxi coal mining district. The tracks pass so close to the shopfronts that trains move slowly through the street itself, and the gap between the carriages and the buildings is narrow enough that vendors on both sides pull their goods back as each train passes. The sky lantern tradition here is tied to the mining era, when lanterns were used to signal that miners had returned safely from the shafts. Today you write a wish on a paper lantern and release it above the tracks. The lantern cost is not included in the tour price and is paid separately on the day.
Shifen Waterfall
Shifen Waterfall drops 20 metres into a horseshoe-shaped basin and is sometimes called Taiwan’s Niagara, a comparison that overstates the scale but captures the curtain-like quality of the fall. The water comes from the Keelung River, and the surrounding canyon of basalt columns and subtropical vegetation makes it one of the more unusual waterfall settings in northern Taiwan. The approach is a short walk from Old Street. Note that if the suspension bridge is under annual maintenance, the route changes and involves additional walking.
Jiufen Old Street
Jiufen’s gold rush began in 1893 when gold was discovered in the surrounding hills, and the town expanded fast enough that it attracted Japanese developers who built the terraced teahouses and narrow staircase lanes that define its current character. The most photographed spot is Shuqi Road, a staircase lined with red lanterns and teahouses that drops steeply toward the sea. The Japanese animated film connection that many visitors reference is disputed by the studio involved, but the visual similarity is real enough that the association has stuck. The guide gives you two hours here, enough time to walk the main lanes and eat something local at your own cost.
Yehliu Geopark
Yehliu Geopark is a 1.7-kilometre headland that juts into the Pacific north of Taipei, and its surface looks like nothing else on Taiwan’s coast. The formations are classified into three zones based on their stage of erosion: mushroom rocks, ginger rocks and sea candlestick formations, each representing a different point in the process by which harder calcium nodules survive as the surrounding sandstone erodes away. The Queen’s Head is the most visited formation, a rock that has balanced in its current shape for roughly 4,000 years and is estimated to have another 100 years before erosion changes it beyond recognition. Entry to the geopark is included for shared tour bookings.
Tips to Get the Most Out of This Day Trip
✔️ Choose your departure time based on crowds, not convenience. The 9am slot reaches Shifen early, before the lantern area fills up. The 12pm slot arrives at Jiufen in the late afternoon, when the red lanterns are lit and the light on the hillside is better for photos. Both have trade-offs worth considering before you book.
✔️ Bring cash in New Taiwan Dollars. The lantern in Shifen is paid separately on the day. The Jiufen weekend shuttle bus costs NTD 15. Several street food stalls along the route are cash-only. ATMs are available in Shifen and Jiufen but queues can build up during busy periods.
✔️ Wear shoes you can walk in for several hours on uneven ground. Jiufen’s staircase lanes are steep and the stone surfaces are worn smooth in places. Yehliu’s rocky terrain requires attention underfoot. Sandals and flat-soled shoes without grip make both sections harder than necessary.
✔️ Bring rain gear regardless of the forecast. Taiwan’s northeast coast has its own microclimate and can turn wet quickly even on a clear Taipei morning. The tour runs in most weather conditions, and the guide will adjust the itinerary if Yehliu closes due to a typhoon or storm. A compact umbrella or light waterproof jacket takes up little space and makes a significant difference.
✔️ The tour is not recommended for people with mobility impairments or heart or blood pressure conditions. This is stated clearly in the booking conditions and applies particularly to Jiufen’s steep stairs and Yehliu’s uneven coastal terrain. If any of these apply, contact the provider before booking to discuss options.
✔️ Eat in Jiufen rather than waiting for the night market. The two hours in Jiufen are enough to walk the main lanes and stop at one of the teahouses or street stalls. Taro balls, fish balls and pineapple cake are all available along the main street at reasonable prices. The Raohe Night Market at the end of the day is a good option but can be crowded on weekends.
Getting There and the Meeting Point
For shared tour bookings, make your way independently to MRT Taipei Main Station (R10/BL12), Exit M3. Your guide will be wearing a yellow shirt. The 9am and 12pm departures both leave from this point. For private tour bookings, hotel pickup in Taipei is included and coordinated at the time of booking.
The tour finishes near Raohe Street Night Market, not at the original departure point. Factor this into your plans for the evening, particularly if your accommodation is on the west side of Taipei. MRT access from Raohe is via Songshan Station on the Songshan-Xindian line.
What Else to See Around Taipei
Pingxi Village
Pingxi is one stop past Shifen on the same branch railway line and shares the same coal mining history. The village is smaller and less visited than Shifen, and the sky lantern tradition is identical. If you want to release a lantern in a quieter setting, Pingxi is worth the extra stop on a separate day. The Pingxi branch line itself, a 12-kilometre single-track railway through a river valley, is worth riding for the journey alone.
Tamsui Old Street
Tamsui sits at the mouth of the Tamsui River on Taipei’s northwest edge and was one of Taiwan’s main trading ports during the Dutch and Spanish colonial periods in the 17th century. Fort San Domingo, a Dutch-built fortification later occupied by the Spanish and then the British, remains in good condition and gives a clearer picture of Taiwan’s pre-Qing colonial history than most sites in the city. The riverside walk and Old Street are manageable in a half-day from central Taipei.
Beitou Hot Springs
Beitou is a district in northern Taipei accessible directly by MRT, built around a geothermal area that the Japanese developed into a spa district during the colonial period. Public baths are available at low cost, and the Beitou Hot Spring Museum occupies a preserved Japanese-era public bathhouse that explains how the district developed. It functions as a half-day trip that contrasts sharply with the coastal and geological itinerary of the northeast coast tour.
Popular Activities in Taipei
Free Tours in Asia
Hong Kong 🇭🇰
Hanoi 🇻🇳
Shanghai 🇨🇳
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the tour last?
The tour runs for approximately nine hours. Duration can vary depending on traffic, weather conditions and adjustments to the itinerary made by the guide on the day.
Where does the tour start and finish?
Shared tours depart from MRT Taipei Main Station (R10/BL12), Exit M3. Look for the guide in a yellow shirt. The tour finishes near Raohe Street Night Market, not at the original departure point. Private tour participants are picked up at their hotel and dropped off at the end of the day.
Is the Yehliu Geopark entry ticket included?
The entry ticket is included for shared tour bookings. For private tour bookings, confirm inclusions at checkout as terms may vary between pricing options.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The tour runs in most weather conditions. If a typhoon occurs or Yehliu Geopark closes due to bad weather, the itinerary will be adjusted. Rain gear is recommended regardless of the forecast, as the northeast coast has its own weather pattern independent of Taipei.
Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues?
No. The tour involves significant walking on steep, uneven terrain, particularly in Jiufen and Yehliu. It is not recommended for people with mobility impairments, heart conditions or high blood pressure. Contact the provider directly before booking if you have specific concerns.
Are food and drinks included?
Food and drinks are not included. There are opportunities to eat in Jiufen during the two-hour stop, and the tour finishes near Raohe Street Night Market. Bring cash for meals, the lantern cost and the Jiufen weekend shuttle bus fare (NTD 15).
Can I choose between a shared and private tour?
Yes. The shared tour meets at MRT Taipei Main Station and does not include hotel pickup. The private tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off. Both options cover the same itinerary and sites.
What languages is the tour conducted in?
The tour is available with guides in English, Chinese and Japanese. If the minimum number of participants for your preferred language is not met, the tour may run with a combined Chinese and English guide.
