Shifen Old Street
十分老街
The liveliest railway old street on the Pingxi Line, where trains pass right by the shopfronts and visitors write wishes on the tracks and release sky lanterns.
Shifen Old Street lies on both sides of Shifen Station on the Pingxi branch line, the busiest stop on that route. The railway runs straight through the middle of the old street, flanked by shops selling sky lanterns, chicken wings stuffed with rice, and peanut roll ice cream. Visitors write wishes on the sides of their sky lanterns and light them on the tracks before a train arrives, then step back to the side of the road when the train pulls in. It is one of the best-known experiences in the Taipei suburbs. Single-colour sky lanterns start at about NT$200, and multicolour ones cost more. Shopkeepers will take your photo. Nearby, Jing'an Suspension Bridge is a good place to watch trains cross the river, and Shifen Waterfall is about 20 minutes' walk from the old street. Getting there: take Taiwan Railway to Ruifang Station and transfer to the Pingxi Line. A one-day pass lets you get on and off at stations such as Houtong, Shifen, Pingxi and Jingtong. You can also take a taxi from Jiufen, about 25 minutes. Safety note: when a train passes, follow the shopkeepers' instructions and make sure you move well off the tracks.
Opening hours
Old street open all day; shops about 10:00–19:00
Nearby sights
- Shifen Waterfall
- Pingxi Old Street
- Xiaozi Mountain
- Jingtong Old Street & Station
- Houtong Cat Village
- Keelung Miaokou Night Market
- Shengping Theater
- Jiufen Old Street