Shifen, Jiufen and Yehliu Geopark - Taiwan, March 2026.

We booked a day-trip tour with "Get Your Guide" to visit Shifen, Jiufen and Yehliu Geopark from Taipei. It was a nine hour trip starting from MRT main station.

The first stop was Shifen Village, about an hour East of Taipei. Shifen is a historic coal mining village in Pingxi District.  It's famous for the waterfall and the railway run directly through the Old Street. It's also known for painting and releasing Sky Latern spot on the railway in the old town.

Crossing Xinliao (Village) bridge.

Shifen Waterfall.

Painted lantern with the well wishes to be released.

Ready to release the lantern.

The train going down the Old Street shortly after our lantern was released. 

Jiufen, our next stop is a historic mountain village in New Taipei City. It's famous for the narrow, lantern-lit alleyways and stunning ocean views.

Entrance to Jiufen village.





Ocean view from the village.

The Old Street market of Jiufen Village.

Many shops and restaurants in the Old Street market.


It was late in the afternoon when we arrived at the Yehliu Geopark, our last stop on the tour.

Yehliu is on the north coast of Taiwan. The Geopark features all sort of strange-looking/mushroom rocks and sea caves. It's part of Datun Mountain that stretches out to the sea.

Entrance to Yehliu Geopark.

Yehliu Ocean World Building in the background.

Yehliu Geopark walking paths. The famous Queen's Head in the background.

Queen's Head, the most famous rock formation in Yehliu Geopark. A natural mushroom rock, it resembles the bust of a queen (Queen Elizabeth).






The tour ended at Songshan Ciyou Temple located at the bustling east entrance of the Raohe Street Night Market. We had our dinner in the night market.

Songshan Ciyou Temple.

Raohe St. Night Market.

Night market, a popular place to shop and dine.

Taipei, Taiwan - February 2026

Our first overseas trip in 2026 was Taiwan. We spent one week in Taipei including one day-trip to Jiufen, Shifen and Yehliu Geo Park. We have my brother, Tan and his wife, Lieu joining us on this trip. The hotel we stayed is in Ximending, a short two blocks to the National Musuem in Peace park.

On our way to Taipei via Japan Airlines.

Ximending district with New Year's lighting and decorations.

Ximending market area.

The National Taiwan Museum, the oldest musuem in Taiwan.

We started out by taking MRT and buses to Yangmingshan National Park which is known for cherry blossoms, seasonal flowers and hiking trails.

The famous "Flower Clock" in the park.

Xinhai Guangfu Hall where Spring Flower Festival recently held.

Some exhibits in Xinhai Hall from the Flower Festival.

View from Xinhai Guangfu Hall.

F

In Yangmingshan park.

Leaving Yangmingshan National Park, we continued taking the MRT for Tamsui district.
Tamsui is a seaside district of New Taipei City in North Tawain, sitting at the confluences of the Taiwan Strait and the Tamsui River.


Tamsui District - Shalun Village

Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf.

                                                                                                                                                                         

Lover's Bridge in the background.

The Lover's Bridge in Tamsui.

Our dinner at Shilin night market.

Shilin night market.

The next day, we took the MRT red line again to visit the famous Taipei 101/World Trade Center (Station).

Taipei 101 in Xinyi District.

In front of Taipei 101 Plaza.

The "Infinite Life" sculpture located outside Taipei 101.

More art work around Taipei 101 plaza.

Taipei 101 tower from inside the plaza.

The popular Din Tai Fung restaurant in Taipei 101 plaza.

One of the most visited sites in Taipei is Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, surrounded by beautifully manicured lawns. 

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.

                                                         

View from the Memorial Hall.


Changing of the Guards at noon.

National Theater and Concert Hall in Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Park

Spring blossoms in the south side of the Memorial Hall.

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial park.

We enjoyed exploring many Taipei districts on foot as well as by using their popular public transportation of MRT and buses. 

Presidential Offices Building.

The Red House in Ximending.

DiHua Street, the oldest street in the commercial center in Taiwan.


Graffiti alley in Wanhua district.

Dalongdong Baoan Temple, an UNESCO Asia-pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation.

Elephant Mountain.


Taipei 101 from the Elephant Mountain.

Taipei 101 at sunset.