Jiufen, Mountain settlement in Ruifang District, Taiwan.
Jiufen is a mountain settlement in Ruifang District, Taiwan, spread across steep slopes overlooking the northeast coast. The main street runs along a hillside and connects narrow stone stairway lanes that lead to low buildings with tile roofs and hanging red lanterns.
In the late 1800s, a gold discovery transformed the small village into a busy mining area, drawing workers from across northern Taiwan. Mining ended in the 1970s, and the settlement later developed into a destination for visitors exploring its old lanes.
Tea houses along the upper lanes serve Oolong and Oriental Beauty, often on low wooden tables near windows facing the valley below. Visitors sit on floor cushions and take part in short infusions, pouring hot water over leaves multiple times.
Buses run regularly from Taipei Main Station, and the ride takes roughly one hour on winding mountain roads. Weekends and holidays can bring crowds to the main lanes, so arriving early in the morning or on weekdays helps.
Animated films from the early 2000s featured backgrounds that recall the narrow lanes and lanterns here. Many visitors come to photograph stairways and rooftops that resemble the drawn scenes.
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