JiuFen Tourist Area in Northern Taiwan

Yet another famous area in Taiwan; originally home of a thriving gold mine, JiuFen now mines the gold straight out of tourists pockets. A small town built into the side of a steep mountain, JiuFen packs literally hundreds of shops, stalls, tea houses and restaurants into amazingly tight places. Tourists from Taiwan and abroad flock to the area seven days a week, with even more coming for holidays and weekends. Similar to most market-type areas in Taiwan, the variety of goods available is astonishing. A very impressive little town with a great view and wonderful, though difficult to describe charm.