Shifen Old Street - reviews,open hours,photo spots,things to do | WanderBoat AI Trip Planner

Review for Shifen Old Street (十分老街) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Shifen Old Street (十分老街) is a charming and vibrant destination that captures the essence of Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage. Here’s my detailed review: Atmosphere: Shifen Old Street exudes a nostalgic charm with its vintage railway tracks, traditional shops, and lantern-filled skies. The old street runs parallel to the train tracks, creating a unique atmosphere where visitors can watch trains pass by while exploring the area. The combination of historical ambiance and bustling street life makes it a captivating place to visit. Cultural Experience: The highlight of Shifen Old Street is undoubtedly the sky lantern tradition. Visitors can purchase lanterns, write their wishes on them, and release them into the sky. This beautiful and symbolic activity is not only a fun experience but also deeply rooted in local culture. The sight of numerous lanterns floating into the sky, especially in the evening, is mesmerizing and adds a magical touch to the visit. Scenic Beauty: Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Keelung River and surrounding mountains, Shifen Old Street offers stunning natural scenery. The combination of the rustic old street with the lush greenery and river views creates a perfect setting for photography and relaxation. Food and Snacks: Shifen Old Street is a haven for food lovers. The street is lined with food stalls and small eateries offering a variety of local delicacies. Must-try items include traditional Taiwanese snacks, such as grilled sausages, fried chicken, and sweet taro balls. The food is delicious, affordable, and a great way to sample authentic Taiwanese cuisine. Shopping and Souvenirs: There are plenty of shops selling unique souvenirs and handmade crafts. From traditional lanterns and paper products to jewelry and local snacks, the variety ensures that there’s something for everyone. These items make for perfect mementos or gifts to take back home. Accessibility: Shifen Old Street is easily accessible by train from Taipei, making it a convenient day trip. The station is right on the old street, and trains regularly pass through, adding to the charm. The area is pedestrian-friendly, but be prepared for some walking and occasional crowds, especially during peak times. Service and Facilities: The vendors and shopkeepers are friendly and welcoming, often going out of their way to help tourists. The street is well-maintained, with clean restrooms and seating areas available. Information signs and guides are also present to help visitors navigate the area. Overall Experience: My visit to Shifen Old Street was truly enjoyable. The combination of cultural richness, scenic beauty, delicious food, and the unique experience of releasing sky lanterns makes it a must-visit destination in Taiwan. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a foodie, or simply looking for a memorable experience, Shifen Old Street offers something special for everyone. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Taiwan!

Toon TranToon Tran

00

Shifen Old Street is a fantastic destination, especially for families! We visited recently, and our experience was simply unforgettable. One of the main highlights was the lantern lighting. Watching these colorful lanterns, each carrying a personal wish, rise into the sky was magical and something my son loved! Lantern prices are reasonable, starting at 200 NTD for a single-color lantern and 250 NTD for the four-color option, which we chose for a bit more color and fun. Each lantern shop has a staff member who helps set everything up, making the process easy and enjoyable. Our helper was not only skilled at getting the lantern ready but also took amazing photos and videos of us while we released it. It’s perfect for families or anyone who wants to capture these memories without having to fuss with a camera. Their friendliness and willingness to make it a special moment added so much to the experience. The street itself is bustling with life, packed with interesting shops, delicious street food vendors, and the charm of old Taiwan. From pineapple cakes to skewered meats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. My son was thrilled by all the treats and the train that runs through the heart of the street, adding to the fun atmosphere. A short walk from the main street takes you to Shifen Waterfall, which is beautiful and well worth a visit. The combination of nature and lively street culture makes Shifen truly unique. We left Shifen with beautiful photos, full hearts, and memories to last a lifetime. If you’re in Taiwan, especially with family, I highly recommend Shifen Old Street — it’s an unforgettable experience that lets you connect with local traditions while having a lot of fun!

Thusitha KariyawasamThusitha Kariyawasam

00

Shifen Old Street was a highlight of our visit to the area around Taipei! Sure it’s really just a tourist attraction selling lantern experiences, souvenirs, and food, but it is really quite unique and fun. Despite the fact that we went on a Thursday in October, it was quite busy (evidently because a lot of students were visiting on a ‘Graduation Trip’). We were apparently lucky that we missed the busiest part of the day, and it really wasn’t too bad – we just needed to wait our turn for about 10 minutes to launch our lantern. The lantern shops, at least the one we dealt with, really had the process down to a science. You select your lantern (~150 to ~400 NTD depending primarily on the number of colors), they hang the lantern up in the shop and you use brushes to express your wishes (different colors are more appropriate for different types of wishes (some said pink for romance, white for health, orange for money, but it’s an art not a science.) After writing the wishes on the lantern, the flammable material is added and you go outside to the railway tracks to launch. Some of the shop workers who help you launch the lanterns have great personalities, and are very good at getting posed photos and making it a fun experience. Keep your eyes open for the famous rice stuffed chicken wings (and order the spicy ones). We visited Shifen as part of a KKday North Coast Day Tour. It visited Yehliu, Shifen Old Street, Shifen Falls, and Jiufen. It was a convenient and reasonably priced way to visit these places in one day. The tour left at 8:45am from Taipei Main Station (reservations required). Shifen Old Street, by far was the best part of the day.

Doug ADoug A

00

I first saw this place on an advertisement, and decided to visit it by myself. I was not disappointed. The experience is really unique. The street is really small and can be packed during peak hours. The parking areas are spacious but you do need to walk some distance to get to the street. If you take the train, the route is a bit complicated and time consuming, but the view you can see during your journey is worth the time. After you’ve arrived, the sole activity here is the lantern. It costs NT$250 for me (4 colours) and I get to keep a polaroid photo of me releasing the lamp, or an extra NT$30 for each additional polaroid picture. They also have some souvenir stores and some snacks to purchase (I love the chicken stand right outside the train station’s entrance/exit), but other than that, nothing else. There is a beautiful waterfall nearby, and it’s not that difficult to go as well, although you have to go by foot. There is also an old bridge with amazing view nearby, but beware if you’re afraid of heights. I heard from locals that many people dislike the place and the activity because it’s not exactly environmental friendly. I haven’t researched much about this, but if you are someone who is concern and believe in this topic, research first before your visit.

Lorraine FredericaLorraine Frederica

10

This market is known for their floating lanterns which you can paint and then launch by lighting a small torch. You can pick a vendor and they will offer different color options for various prices and then you can paint messages on the lanterns. Our tour driver took us to his favorite shop where they used plasticized paper (some shops offer more eco friendly options). Once complete, an attendant helps to take pictures and video, then lights the torch and lets you launch it. It was a very still night so the lanterns went straight up and floated about 5 minutes before slowly descending and falling to the ground (we saw someone's lantern fall about 100ft away). The lanterns are pretty big, maybe 1 yard/meter tall so I assume someone is picking them all up in the morning to throw them away (otherwise they'd be piled up everywhere). One interesting note, the launch area is on an active railroad. It appears to be a low speed cargo rail but no one told us (at least not in English) so I was surprised to see one go by at about 5mph while we were painting our lantern. Even though this area is known for launching lanterns at night, most of the other shops closed at 7 so after launching our lantern I wanted a snack and the food shops were closed.

Phil TsaiPhil Tsai

00

Shifen Old Street is a magical destination that captures the essence of Taiwan's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Nestled along the railway tracks, this charming street offers a unique and nostalgic experience, with the sound of trains adding to its quaint charm. The main attraction is the sky lantern tradition, where visitors can write their wishes on colorful lanterns and release them into the sky—a truly enchanting sight, especially at night. The street is lined with shops and stalls selling a variety of local snacks, souvenirs, and handmade crafts, making it a delightful place to explore and immerse yourself in Taiwanese culture. Beyond the lanterns, Shifen Old Street is surrounded by stunning natural scenery, including the famous Shifen Waterfall. A short hike from the main street leads you to this breathtaking cascade, often referred to as the "Little Niagara of Taiwan." The combination of cultural experiences and natural beauty makes Shifen Old Street a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Taiwan. Whether you're there to participate in the sky lantern tradition, enjoy delicious local food, or simply take in the picturesque landscapes, Shifen Old Street promises an unforgettable and heartwarming experience.

Michael KesumaMichael Kesuma

10