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View of Jiufen Old Street. Photo taken by Gregg Tavares.

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Jiufen Old Street

Jiufen Old Street. Photo taken by edwin.11.

Jiufen Old Street is a mountain area located on the seaside in Ruifang district, in New Taipei city. During the reign of the Qing, the village was very isolated with only nine families.

Later in 1890 gold was discovered by workmen who were building the Taipeh-Kelung railway. Most of the visitors who visit Taipei always end up in Old Street since it contains the best of Taiwan in just one package.

It was built mostly by the Japanese during the gold rush period as it began as an isolated mining town. The town became a tourist attraction after the gold mines declined.

During the development of Jiufen, most of the buildings were constructed in very close proximity thus containing many houses in small spaces.

Below are ten fascinating facts about Jiufen Old Street

1. Gold was Discovered in Jiufen

Gold production in Jiufen began early in 1430 with the new rediscoveries by the early inhabitants. The awareness of the wealth of the area in gold came to be during the reign of Qing.

In 1890 gold flakes were discovered by the workmen who were constructing the Taipeh-Kelung railway. Other gold-rich areas were discovered in 1893 that produced several kilograms of gold.

The rush for gold was the major cause of the development of the small isolated village which reached its peak in the Japanese era.

After World War 2, the gold mine declined, and the mines were shut off in 1971.

2. The Households are Densely Populated

Jiufen Old Street. Photo taken by bizmac.

During the gold rush, very many houses were constructed in Jiufen which occupied the small spaces. Some of the households appear to be conflated in the neighboring houses with others standing above.

Each building seems to appeal to the other building, to move over to give some space. The water that is channeled through small streams passes by the doorway or in some building over the floor.

3. The Movie 鈥� A City of Sadness鈥� was Filmed in Jiufen

The film 鈥淎 City of Sadness鈥� which is claimed to be the reason for the popularity of the area was filmed in Jiufen. The film featured the February 28 incident where thousands of civilians were killed in 1947.

The beautiful sceneries of Jiufen that appeared in the film captured the attention of most of the viewers who visited the area.

From the beginning of 1990, the area began to receive an influx of tourists. Some tea houses and style cafes were built bearing the name 鈥淐ity of Sadness鈥�.

4. Jiufen Resembles the Downtown in the Movie 鈥淪pirited Away鈥�

Apparently this place was inspiration for Spirited Away. Photo taken by Gregg Tavares.

Jiufen also became well known after it resembled the downtown in the Japanese film called 鈥淪pirited Away鈥� in 2001.

The movie is animated and led to the attraction of most of the Japanese tourists in the area.

It became one of the most visited areas among Japanese tourist attraction sites. The director of the movie later claimed that it was not the model city in that movie.

5. The Village Remained Isolated Until the Early 1990s

The small village was isolated during the first reign of Qing and it only contained nine families. Since the village was not being served by any roads, the inhabitants received goods by shipment.

The families used to receive nine portions of goods in every shipment hence the name 鈥淣ine Portions鈥�.

The discovery of gold led to the influx of people in the area as well as the construction of structures.

6. Jiufen is a Tourist Attraction Site

The major tourist attraction in Jiufen is the exceeding atmospheric Jiufen Old Street.

The old street has a lot of charm, especially from the staircase leading through Amei Teahouse and Shengping theater on the Old Street.

It contains the rich history of the area as the ancient buildings and the eateries have been preserved today.

7. It Hosts A Gold Museum 

Jiufen Gold Museum, Jiufen, Ruifang District, New Taipei, Taiwan. Photo courtesy of Chongkian.

The gold museum was officially opened in 2004 as the first eco-museum in Taiwan. The purpose of the museum is to preserve precious natural resources, the rich culture, and history. 

The gold museum has been housed by the former Taiwan Metal Mining offices. The second floor of the building is made up of gold artwork and also displays the characteristics of gold.

8. It has a Golden Waterfall

The golden waterfall is the most famous attraction in Jiufen Old Street that attracts both local and foreign tourists. The visual of the golden waterfall is one of the best experiences for visitors.

The beautiful waterfall has a bend color due to the heavy metal that has been deposited in the area.

9. Some of the Tasty Delicacies are Served in Jiufen Old Street

Jiufen contains some of the best eateries which offer both traditional and modern specialties. The Old Street is lined up with several food stalls which stall the most popular Taiwanese street meals.

Taro and sweet potato ball are the most famous things that are mostly eaten. The herbal rice cake and the taro cake are also some of the famous traditional specialties in Old Street.

10. Amei Tea House in Jiufen Old Street Offers World-Class Tea

A-Mei Tea House and its surroundings, in Jioufen, New Taipei. Courtesy of Felix Filnkoessl.

The Japanese history and the style of architecture are well preserved in the Amei Tea House. The teahouse is located in the heart of Old Street. It obtained its name from the owner.

It offers a variety of cold and hot tea, and specialty snacks together with other desserts. Most of the ingredients used are made within the house such as the fruity aroma of osmanthus tea wine and the floral.

Jiufen Old Street is a well-known place that attracts a lot of tourists especially due to the rich history preserved in the area.

The beautiful eateries that serve both the traditional and modern specialties are a major attraction to the visitors.

The movie (A City of Sadness) played a great role in making Jiufen Old Street to be greatly recognized worldwide.