Tea Houses, Lantern-Lined and Narrow Alleys Up in the Clouds
Not-so high up a mountain, 588 meters high, is this charming old gold mining town of Jiufen. This mountain town is about 45 minutes from Taipei by car (a little longer travel time by bus). I decided to pay the village a visit during my stay in Taipei. I was so glad I made the trip, albeit very wet on the day I went up to have tea at a famous tea house. Although only a rumour, the place where I had tea was an inspiration for the bath house in the Ghibli film "Spirited Away." In fact, there were little "Spirited Away" characters displayed right across from the cashier counter. This is Jiufen, the beautiful Taiwanese mountain town of delightful tea houses and narrow alleys lined with red lanterns.
J. Jo
8/5/20242 min read
Taken while standing at the bus stop across
I arrived early in Jiufen, as I heard from the locals in Taipei that the place did get crowded throughout the day. Considering the very tiny alleys and streets, I took heed, and got on the bus to the mountain town early..
On the way, I didn't realise how tiny the place was that I missed my stop. There was no way for the bus driver to stop past the designated bus stop to let me out due to the very narrow roads. Upon reaching the top, and missing the stop, the bus proceeded to go downhill onto the other side of the mountain. I got off at the next stop, and waited for another bus heading back to Jiufen. After getting on, I made sure I didn't miss the stop a second time.
I made my way to the tiny alleys. The day was just starting that many shops were still closed. The food stall workers were just getting started, preparing their offerings that day.
I didn't realise upon entering the main area that there would be many steps going up and down. I thought by reaching the top that the shops would be on a plateau. With many steps, and the ground being wet from the misty morning -- the town was up in the clouds after all -- I had to be a little cautious not to slip and fall. That wouldn't be good. And there, near the famous tea house was a statue of a miner by which to remember the gold mining town that it once was. It was during the Japanese occupation from 1850-1945 that the Japanese built the town of Jiufen as a gold-mining town.
A-Mei Teahouse where I had green tea and some tasty treats
I was very glad I made the trip to see Jiufen, and go early. The place did get very crowded by the time I left. The tight alleys with that many people reminded of my time in Mont St. Michel, France. While I may not be back to see Mont St. Michel, Jiufen, on the other hand, I may go see again. Xièxie, Jiufen.
