Whilst in Taiwan, I did a day trip to Jiufen. More like a half day trip given the wet weather conditions. I couldn’t bear to spend any more time walking around in the rain.
My attempt to get a bus there failed so after searching for a relocated bus stop, not finding it, I decided to go by train. Even then, after taking the train, I still had to get a bus.
Here are some pics of trying to get out of the city:
The Taipei 101 Tower:
Stairs to the Subway:
Arrival at Jiufen:
Jiufen is basically a village up in the mountains with lots of little narrow alleyways famous for teahouses, food and market stalls.
The little alleyways are crammed with people.
You should go there with an empty stomach. So many local yummy foods to try. Taiwan is a country of cheap culinary eats.
Peanut ice cream rolls:
Giant mushrooms:
Various seafoods:
Some ugly looking fruit:
A lively bustling place. But too many people for my liking. And the rain made it worse as everyone had umbrellas.
When you get through the maze of alleys to the end lookout point, you’ll be rewarded with picturesque views over the valley below and the ocean beyond.
I ate lunch at this really cool wooden cliffside teahouse:
I loved eating my way through Taiwan – home to tea and dumplings – a few of my favourite things.
A shame it wasn’t a clear sunny day.
But I do love me some yum cha:
The food was divine. I really think I should move to Taiwan.
A really cool teahouse:
A sea of umbrellas:
A maze of stairs and alleyways:
And you can’t go to Taiwan and not escape the stinky tofu!
The stuff really reeks. It’s quite nasty. Luckily, it tastes better than it smells.
Jiufen can be done as an easy half day trip from Taipei. I probably could have spent a day there had the weather been nicer. Ended up going back to Taipei in the afternoon and did some sightseeing in the main city instead.
Memoirs of Aleisha 