Exploring Outside of Taipei - A Day Trip to Yehliu, Shifen, and Jiufen

The 1st group day excursion was filled with multiple locations: Yehliu Geopark, Shifen Waterfall, Shifen, and Jiufen. We were able to visit incredible rock formations, a waterfall, and historic streets.  

The Yehliu Geopark was pleasantly surprising. Although the walk up to the beach is unassuming, when we reached the beach we saw the rock formations filling up the beachfront. It was awestrucking walking through the formations. You can get so close!  

I saw a sand dollar on the ground, signaling the thousand years it has taken to form such an environmental beauty. Alongside the history ingrained into the sand, I was surprised to see trash and wood washed up on the shore. I remembered on the way up, a group of volunteers preparing. It looked like they were getting ready to do a beach clean up. The ecological park also attracted tourists from outside Taiwan. We passed groups speaking Korean and others speaking Japanese. After viewing the formations we walked up the small hiking path just past the beach and were gifted with amazing views of the coast. We returned to the beachfront to then head into the town right by the beach. We tried seafood dishes ranging from shrimp fried rice to seafood congee. It was very fresh and offered a break. After the extended break we rushed off to Shifen waterfall. 

The visit to Shifen waterfall was brief. We transited across an amazing suspension bridge, passed a shrine, and rushed through a souvenir stand. At the view, we saw the crashing waterfall and took photos. The rainy day made the entire image hazy and misty. We quickly left for Shifen.  

In Shifen, we wrote wishes on lanterns and watched them drift into the sky. I wrote for health and happiness using calligraphy brushes and ink. Just as we were about to set our sky lanterns into the sky it started to drizzle. Then we rushed off the tracks as the train came down the path and followed the track that was directly through the street we were on. We wrapped up photos alongside the track, sheltered from the rain. After the last photo, the rain stopped enough, allowing us to head back on the train tracks and watch our lantern float up the night sky.  

Lastly, we visited Jiufen, a mountaintop former gold mining town that got its name from the Qing dynasty, when shipments contained “nine portions” for the nine families who lived in the isolated village. In Jiufen, we visited a famous Shenping theater and Jiufen Old Street. The tight winding streets are laced with rich history with Taiwanese snacks and breathtaking views. As I climbed up the stairs beautiful lanterns and lanterns filled the nighttime view. I visited small shops and bought a small puzzle depicting cats in front of Amei teahouse that looks straight out of Spirited Away. At the end of a side street I tried sweet mochi balls with taro with ice and sweet syrup. I also tried small deep-fried crabs, perfectly crunchy and fresh. We wrapped up the night and headed home after a long day. 

All the locations summed up to a packed day-trip that offered wonderful insight to local tourism and allowed us to witness amazing ecological wonders and history of Taiwan. Just a short drive away from Taipei, complementing the daily urban student life with reconnecting with nature and exploring the history of Taiwan in person.