This ancient village, shimmering and incredibly unique, is not only beautiful but also rich in stories.
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Jiufen, located in the Shifen District of New Taipei City, is arguably the most famous tourist destination in Taiwan. Stepping into this ancient town feels like traveling back in time or entering a fairyland, with its picturesque, historical scenery adorned with lanterns, wooden houses, and steep stairways.
However, even if you have visited this place, you may not know all the fascinating facts below:
1. The Fame of Jiufen Began with a Classic Film
Poster of A City of Sadness.
Those who are passionate about Asian cinema from previous decades surely know the classic film A City of Sadness. This work, which won the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien, inadvertently helped a once remote area in New Taipei become famous as it is today.
A City of Sadness was filmed in Jiufen, and the breathtaking beauty of the town left a lasting impression on viewers. The first tourists to visit this secluded village in the 1990s came primarily because of the film.
2. Is Jiufen the Prototype Town in “Spirited Away”?
Ghibli animation is said to be inspired by Jiufen.
If A City of Sadness helped Jiufen become a popular domestic tourist spot, then Spirited Away introduced the town to a global audience. The Ghibli film is believed to have drawn inspiration from Jiufen. Following the film’s resounding success, tourists from all over the world wanted to visit Taiwan to immerse themselves in a fairy tale atmosphere, even though the director of Spirited Away has denied that he drew inspiration from Jiufen.
3. The Village Only Escaped Isolation Over 100 Years Ago
During the Qing Dynasty, this area was extremely remote, with only 9 households.
The unique name Jiufen comes from the Qing Dynasty when the area was incredibly remote, with only 9 households, almost completely isolated from the outside world. Therefore, whenever supplies were sent, they would send 9 portions up there. It wasn’t until 1890 that a gold mine was discovered in the village, leading to its prosperous development. After the minerals were nearly exhausted, Jiufen still retained another “gold mine”: its stunning scenery that attracts tourists from around the world.
4. From a Village of 9 Households to Overpopulation
The houses here are closely built and not perfectly aligned.
If you pay attention, you will notice that many houses in Jiufen are extremely small and built closely together. Jiufen transitioned from a remote area to experiencing a “population explosion” shortly after the gold mine was discovered. This is why we now see houses built closely and not perfectly aligned, which adds to the unique charm of Jiufen.
5. Jiufen Has a Golden Waterfall
The water has a golden hue from the remnants of old gold mines in the area.
Many visitors may have missed this attraction during their trip to Jiufen. The village’s golden waterfall is particularly unique because the water has a golden hue from the remnants of the old gold mines in the area.
6. A-Mei Tea House Serves World-Class Tea
A-Mei Tea House, the most famous tea shop in Jiufen.
The large A-Mei Tea House, located right outside, is undoubtedly the most famous tea shop in Jiufen, often requiring visitors to wait in line for an hour to enjoy tea. This place retains distinctive Japanese architecture and offers a variety of teas and snacks. Visitors line up at A-Mei not only for its beauty but also because the tea here has received numerous international quality certifications.
