You might have known already, for I guess as you were googling about Jiufen Mountain Town in Taiwan, articles about the place being the inspiration for the 2001 Japanese animated fantasy film “Spirited Away” will surely pop-out your screen.
When I was doing so, I was extremely excited that I highlighted it in our list and put a note to not miss going there. I think I’ve already watched that film 3 times and I super love it.
But if you were a someone who haven’t seen the film yet, do not feel incomplete for either way, Jiufen is definitely a must visit place in the northern part of Taiwan.
Continue reading, will tell you more about what Jiufen Mountain Town looks like on a rainy day.
Jiufen, also spelled Jioufen or Chiufen, is a mountain area in Ruifang District, New Taipei, Taiwan. Jiufen is rich with history rooting from the nine families who first live in the place during the Qing Dynasty, up to the Japanese Colonization, but I wouldn’t be discussing it here. I just want to tell you that there is a great story behind this wonderful place. If interested, google it away!
When we were lining up our itinerary, we also included a visit to the Gold Museum which is actually near Jiufen Mountain Town in Ruifang District. Gold is one of the major produce of the place where Jinguashi Mine, the biggest gold deposit mine, is located. Unfortunately, we were forced to cross it out due to time constraint.
Travelling from Yehliu to Jiufen Mountain Town
A lot of ‘Cute Keelung’ signs in this place
Coming from Yehliu, we waited for a bus heading to Keelung (Bus #862). From the Maritime Plaza (the last stop of the Bus#862) we walk straight to Keelung Station. We were in between deciding whether to eat or not for we thought the timing of our stop is a bit in between lunch time.
We decided to just grab some bread along the way then head straight to the bus terminal (it was our way as well to ask locals for directions hehe).
Across the main Bus Terminal was a bus stop dedicated to people heading to Jiufen (Bus #788).
I already lost track how long was our travel to Jiufen but it was a good thing we were able to sit down on the bus we ride in. On that moment we were both hungry and a bit wet from the earlier destination. I think the bread we ate isn’t really enough to satisfy our cravings.
At the top of the town
I felt the excitement when I was already seeing the temple like place touching a portion of it to the clouds. The road was mostly steep, curving and narrow. It was actually more dangerous compared to the roads going to Baguio City in the northern part of the Philippines. It was raining hard and we still didn’t know if it would be okay to roam around this small city on a rainy day up on the mountain top.
As soon as the bus stops, a funny incident happen.
I lost my card and It was crazy!
All of the people in the bus heading to Jiufen already went down. Ruth was already outside holding our small umbrella waiting for me. I stood there at the back of the driver while he waits for me to tap my card. Unfortunately, my card is missing! I look for my card in my pockets, bag and even went to and fro my seat just to check if I’ve dropped it. But I did not see it. I was sweating already on a cold evening and I actually do not know what to do. I think I wasted almost 10 minutes just looking. The driver looked at me while I signaled him that I lost my card. We were creating traffic already. He decided to close the door then move towards the next stop. I finally calm down and realized that my card was on the left side pocket of my shirt. Waaaahhh! It was crazy! I think I unknowingly put it there somewhere along the trip. Cramming and overpowered by my nerve, I felt confused and forgot where I put it. Or maybe I’m just getting old I’m forgetting stuff already lol!
I as go down giggling to my self, I walked back for almost a kilometer and head straight to Jiufen’s Bus stop.
Exploring Jiufen Mountain Town on a Rainy Day
Ruth was so worried when I met her at the entrance of the Town. I was a bit worried as well that we will be separated for there was a lot of people in the area. It would be difficult for us to find each other for I know she’s having a hard time connecting through the internet. Good thing she didn’t move from where I left her.
From then on, we move on to explore with a bit of hesitation, for it was raining hard. The stores within the area serve as our cover. Almost all of the people are either wearing a raincoat or holding an umbrella.
Jiufen Mountain Town was like a huge interconnected market separated by stairs. It got stalls ranging from souvenirs, noodle shops, jewellery, art shops, of course, food stalls and some other creepy items.
Too tired and hungry to walk we decided to look for a place to eat. Funny that we were too entice when we see a rice meal on the menu. I guess we were not the only one for when we sat down we realized almost all of their clients where Filipinos.
Unfortunately, the food we ordered wasn’t how we expected it to taste. I guess this could be a good call to at least make the dish tastier or maybe add up more tasty dishes on their menu.
After eating, we stroll around again to buy some souvenirs. We actually felt a bit lost roaming around for we really didn’t know where to go. I thought maybe we just follow where the others are going. And just like that, they brought us to the right direction – to the famous tea place.
If only we arrived here earlier it could have been nice to see how the sky gets dimmer. It could also have been good if we could dine in the place but we realized we are running out of time. We heard that Shifen shops close early and we cannot miss flying a lantern. Skipping dinner, we went to the bus station and look for a ride back to Keelung where we would be taking the train going to Shifen.
But before heading to Shifen here are some photos I took at Jiufen.
To be continued . . .
