Living In Taiwan Made Me Want To Explore More

Living in Taiwan has made me realize that I need to make more effort to actually explore while I am here. It is so easy to get stuck in the same routine, especially when you work full time. You go to school, come home tired, rest, maybe do a few things, and then the week starts again. Before you know it, months have passed, and you are living in a country that people travel across the world to visit, but you are still going to the same few places.

I think that is something I have been thinking about more recently. I do not want to live in Taiwan and only have memories of work, my apartment, and the same restaurants near me. Of course, daily life is part of the experience too, but I also want to make sure I actually see the country while I am here. Taiwan has so many places that are easy to reach for a day trip, and sometimes I forget that I do not always need a big holiday or a flight to feel like I am experiencing something new.

So I have been trying to say yes to more small trips. Not every trip needs to be perfectly planned or expensive. Sometimes it is just about choosing a place, going with friends, walking around, eating something, taking pictures, and making a normal day feel different. This trip to Yehliu and Jiufen was one of those days. It was not perfect, and it was definitely tiring, but it felt like I was actually making a memory in Taiwan, and I liked that.

Starting The Day At Yehliu And The Queen’s Head

We started the day at Yehliu, where the famous Queen’s Head rock is. It is one of those places you hear about when people talk about sightseeing in Taiwan, so it was nice to finally see it properly. I had seen pictures before, but seeing it in real life is always different. You get to walk around, look at the rock formations, see the ocean, and understand why people make the trip there.

Yehliu was a nice way to start the day because it felt open and different from the city. There was space to walk around, take pictures, and just look at everything. We did the normal tourist thing, took photos, walked around, and looked at the different rocks. It was fun, but it also meant that by the time we went to Jiufen later in the afternoon, we had already used a lot of energy.

That is something I think people should keep in mind if they want to do both places in one day. It is definitely possible, but it is not one of those days where you barely move. You are going to walk a lot. Yehliu already has walking, and then Jiufen has even more walking and stairs. So if you plan to do both, just know from the beginning that it is going to be a full day, not a quick little outing.

Getting To Jiufen Later In The Afternoon

After Yehliu, we went to Jiufen later in the afternoon. I actually think that was a good time to go because we got to see Jiufen during the day and then stay until night. If we had gone only in the morning or only at night, I think the experience would have felt different. Going later in the afternoon gave us both sides of it.

When we arrived, Jiufen was already busy, but it still felt nice to see it in daylight. During the day, you can see the views properly. You can see the mountains, the streets, the shops, and how everything is built into the hill. It is not a flat place, and you notice that immediately. The streets are narrow, the shops are close together, and everything feels like it is stacked on top of each other.

I liked arriving before it got dark because it gave us time to walk around and understand the place a bit before the lights came on. You can look into the shops, see the stalls clearly, and take in the views without everything being only about the night lights. I know Jiufen is famous for looking beautiful at night, but I actually liked seeing it during the day too. It felt more real that way.

Seeing Jiufen In The Day And At Night

I am really glad we stayed until night because Jiufen does change when the lights come on. During the day, it feels more like you are exploring. You can see the buildings, the views, the people, the signs, the food, and all the little details. It feels busy, but you are still seeing the place clearly.

At night, the feeling changes. The lights make the streets look warmer, and everything starts to look prettier. The shops glow more, the lanterns stand out more, and the whole place feels more like the Jiufen people talk about online. I would not say it becomes peaceful because it definitely does not. There are still a lot of people, and it can get very crowded, but it does become more atmospheric.

I think seeing both made the trip feel more worth it. During the day, you get the views and the actual layout of the place. At night, you get the lights and the feeling. If someone asked me when to go, I would say later in the afternoon is a good choice because you do not have to choose between day and night. You can experience both without spending the entire day there.

The Small Shops And Stalls Are A Big Part Of The Experience

Jiufen has so many small stalls and shops. People are selling snacks, drinks, souvenirs, small gifts, and all kinds of random things. It is the kind of place where you think you are just going to walk through, but you keep stopping because there is always something else to look at.

That is what makes it fun. You do not really need a strict plan for walking around because the place itself gives you things to do. You walk a little, stop at a stall, look at something, buy a drink, look at snacks, then keep walking. A few minutes later, you stop again because there is another shop or another food stall. It is very easy to spend time there without doing one specific big activity.

I also liked that it did not feel like everything was only one type of thing. There were food stalls, drink stalls, souvenir shops, small restaurants, and little places selling things you probably do not need but still want to look at. Some things are very touristy, but that is expected. Jiufen is a tourist place, so it makes sense. I still enjoyed walking around and seeing what was there.

The Food And Drinks Were More Affordable Than I Expected

The food and drinks were more affordable than I expected. Since Jiufen is such a popular place, I thought everything would be expensive just because tourists go there. But a lot of the smaller stalls were actually reasonable. You can get drinks, snacks, and smaller foods without feeling like you are spending too much.

That made the experience better because Jiufen is really the kind of place where you want to snack while walking around. You do not want to feel like every small thing is overpriced. I liked that we could buy drinks or try something without overthinking it too much. It made the day feel easier and more fun.

Of course, not everything is cheap. Some places are more pricey, especially the more famous spots or places that have nice views. Some restaurants and tea places feel more tourist-focused, and you can tell that you are paying more for the location or the photo opportunity. I do not think that is always a bad thing, but it is something to know before going. If you want cheaper food, the smaller stalls are a better option. If you want the view or a more famous place, expect to pay a bit more.

Finding A Proper Place To Eat Was Not That Easy

The part that was not as easy was finding a proper place to sit down and eat. Snacks are everywhere, so if you just want something small, you will be fine. But if you are with friends and you want an actual restaurant where you can sit down properly, it can take more time.

A lot of the restaurants are small, and some places do not have many tables. When the streets are crowded and you are already tired from walking, choosing where to eat becomes more annoying than it should be. You start looking at menus, checking if there is space, wondering if the place is too expensive, and then walking a bit more because maybe there is a better option further down.

That was one thing I would do differently next time. I would research a few restaurants or tea houses before going, just so we have options. I do not think you need a strict plan for Jiufen, but having one or two saved places would make things easier. When you are already hungry and tired, it is not the best time to start making decisions in a crowded street.

The Stairs Are Not A Small Detail

Jiufen has a lot of stairs. I knew there would be stairs, but I still feel like people do not explain it enough. It is not just one staircase here and there. You walk up, then down, then around, and then there are more stairs again. The whole place is built in a way that makes walking part of the experience.

This is why I would not tell anyone to go there in uncomfortable shoes. You can still dress nicely and take pictures, but you need to be realistic. If your shoes are painful, Jiufen will make you regret it. There is too much walking and too many stairs to pretend that comfort does not matter.

It was even more noticeable for us because we had already gone to Yehliu earlier in the day. By the time we were walking around Jiufen, we had already used our legs a lot. So if you are planning to do both places in one day, please dress properly. Wear comfortable shoes, wear clothes you can walk in, and do not underestimate how tiring it can get.

It Gets Very Crowded

Jiufen gets very crowded, especially later in the day. There were many tourists, and I noticed a lot of Japanese and Korean tourists too. The streets are narrow, so when there are a lot of people, you are not really walking at your own pace. You are moving with the crowd.

People stop to take photos, people stop to buy food, people are trying to pass, and everyone is squeezed into the same small streets. It can feel a bit much, especially when you are already tired. I do not think that ruined the experience, but it is something you should expect before going.

If you do not like crowds, I would say prepare yourself mentally. Jiufen is not a quiet little walk, especially at popular times. It is busy, full, and a little chaotic. But that is also part of the energy of the place. You just have to go with patience and not expect everything to move quickly.

Going With Friends Made It Better

I think going with friends made the day better. If I had gone alone, I probably would have felt the tiredness more. With friends, even the annoying parts become easier. When you are tired, you can laugh about it. When you cannot find the perfect place to eat, at least you are all confused together. When there are too many stairs, everyone can complain together and keep walking.

It also made the experience feel more memorable. Jiufen is nice because of the views and the food, but it is also nice because of who you go with. Walking around, stopping for snacks, taking pictures, and staying until the lights came on felt better because I was sharing it with people.

Not every trip has to be perfect to be a good memory. Sometimes the days you remember are the ones where you walked too much, got tired, had to make decisions while hungry, and still ended the day happy that you went. This was one of those days.

What I Would Do Differently Next Time

If I went again, I would plan the food part better. I would save a few restaurants or tea houses before going, especially if I was going with friends. I would not plan every minute, but I would at least know where we could go if we wanted to sit down and eat properly.

I would also make sure I wore the most comfortable shoes I had. Not shoes that are “fine.” Actually comfortable shoes. Jiufen is not the place to test shoes that might hurt later. It is too much walking, and once you are already there, you cannot escape the stairs.

I would still go later in the afternoon though. I think that timing worked well. Seeing Jiufen in the day and then staying until night made the experience feel more complete. I liked getting both the views and the lights, so that is something I would do again.

My Honest Advice Before You Go

My honest advice is to go later in the afternoon if you want to see both day and night. That way, you can enjoy the views while it is still bright and then stay long enough to see the lights come on. I think that is the best way to experience Jiufen without spending the whole day there.

Bring cash, wear comfortable shoes, and do not go there expecting a peaceful little walk. It is busy, it is narrow, and there are many stairs. If you are going with friends and want to eat at a proper restaurant, research a few places before going so you are not walking around hungry trying to decide.

Also, give yourself enough time. Jiufen is not a place I would rush through. The fun is in walking around, stopping at stalls, looking at the shops, trying snacks, taking pictures, and just seeing the place slowly. If you rush, I think you miss the point.

Final Thoughts

I am glad I went to Jiufen. It was pretty, busy, affordable in some places, and full of stairs. It was not a perfect relaxing day, but it was a good experience, and I think it is one of those Taiwan places worth seeing at least once.

It also reminded me that I need to keep exploring Taiwan while I am here. I do not want to look back and feel like I only worked and missed the places around me. There is so much to see, and sometimes I just need to make the effort to go.

Jiufen was beautiful in the day and even prettier at night. It was crowded, tiring, and a little annoying when we were trying to find somewhere to eat, but I still liked it. Next time, I would plan the food part better, wear very comfortable shoes, and still stay until the lights come on.e on.