Hiking Jiufen to Ruifang via Liulang Road

Jiufen is a charming old mining village on the coast of Taiwan, about 30 km away from Taipei.

It’s a very popular day-trip destination. Most people arrive by bus, but I decided to add a little hike.

Jiufen, aka “Real-life spirited away”

Jiufen is considered an inspiration for “Spirited Away”, despite Hayao Miyazaki claiming he was inspired by multiple places.

You can see a list of similarities in this post.

The most Iconic place is the A-Mai teahouse adorned with lanterns that have to look splendid when it’s dark.

I agree with this post claiming that it’s best to stay in Jiufen overnight to enjoy the lanterns in the dark.

Unfortunately, I had to get back to the airport.

Getting to Jiufen

Most people take 1065 bus from Songshan station or a train to Ruifang and a taxi from there.

I decided to limit transit time in favor of spending time outside.

I took an Uber from the Taipei 101 area for about 1100 NTD. It took 50 minutes.

Hike to Ruifang

I was studying Google Maps and pieces together a trail that should work but is not well advertised (hence this post).

It was a great idea to take this route BACK to Ruifang, as it becomes quite steep at places.

You start just by continuing the Old Jiufen road. When you pass all the stalls, you continue on the Quingbian road until you see a trail marker.

The first part of the trail is Liulang road – road made for the mining railway to transport the ore.

From what Ive pieced together, the railway was never completed because it becomes too steep close to Ruifang. Now it’s a footpath that ends with a series of steps to the bamboo forest.

Once you get to the forest, you can go on the main road.

You have to walk a few hundred meters on the road shoulder.

Once the road climbs to the viaduct over railway, go on the left side to find a footpath and pedestrian tunnel under tracks. It apparently doubles as a scooter parking.