About Shifen Old Street
Shifen Old Street is a charming and historic street located in Shifen, a small town in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Famous for its old-world charm, beautiful landscapes, and cultural experiences, Shifen Old Street is one of the most popular attractions in the Pingxi District, which is known for its traditional railway town atmosphere. Shifen is the earliest developed and largest settlement in northern. The “Pingxi Line”, a railway branch line built for coal mining, has become the biggest feature of Shifen Old Street, connecting the old street with the railway.
What makes Shifen truly special is the fact that trains still run right through the middle of the street. With shops and stalls lining both sides of the active railway, visitors can stroll along the tracks, shop for souvenirs, and even launch lanterns between train arrivals. When the train whistle sounds, the crowd parts, cameras come out, and you’ll witness one of Taiwan’s most iconic travel moments. When you release your sky lantern, you will have the opportunity to experience the novel feeling of a train passing by you. This is also the filming location for many famous movies.
Shifen Old Street is situated along the Pingxi Railway Line, a picturesque train route that was once a key part of Taiwan’s coal mining industry. The street itself is lined with traditional Taiwanese shops, snack stalls, and souvenir shops, where visitors can immerse themselves in the nostalgic atmosphere of a bygone era. The area retains much of its historical charm, with old buildings and the iconic railway tracks running through the street, adding to the unique experience.
Although the coal mine has been closed, the snack shops and sky lantern craft shops on the old street are still bustling and are a must-see attraction for international tourists visiting Taiwan. You can experience releasing sky lanterns and looking up at the blessings of sky lanterns. There are sky lanterns of different colors to choose from, and you can write down your wishes with a brush. During the sky lantern release process, the host will also guide everyone to pose and help take photos! Enjoy the small town charm.
The Sky Lantern Colors Represent
The sky lantern colors represent different blessings
Red: Health and Peace
Yellow: Money and Wealth
White: Future and Brightness
Orange: Love and Marraige
Pink: Bllss and Happiness
Blue: Career and Promotion
Purple: Study and Test
Green: Vigour and Success
Magenta: Attraction and Popularity
Where the Most Popular Location?
The main locations for releasing sky lanterns include Pingxi , Shifen and Jingtong. Shifen Old Street is the most popular location and the earliest place to release sky lanterns. So most tourists come here to release sky lanterns.
Can I release sky lanterns any day?
You can also buy and release sky lanterns any day of the year at Pingxi, Shifen or Jingtong. There is a time limit for releasing sky lanterns. It is forbidden to release sky lanterns between 22:00-06:00.
You can release sky lanterns any day of the year. However, there is a Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival celebration around the Yuanxiao Festival (Lantern Festival) every year. The Lantern Festival, celebrated around the 15th day of the first lunar month. If you have time, you can attend the event.
When is the best time to release sky lanterns?
The best time to release sky lanterns is usually between 16:00-19:00.
What should I pay attention to when releasing sky lanterns in Pingxi?
It is safer to choose a windless day to release sky lanterns. You need to keep a distance between people and objects to avoid the risk of burning.
Sky Lantern Price?
Single color sky lantern: about NT$150
Two-color sky lantern: about NT$200
Colorful sky lanterns: about NT$300
Environmentally friendly sky lanterns: about NT$400
How to release alantern?
Go to a shop and buy a colorful lantern.
Write words of blessing and wishing on the lanterns.
Ask the staff to help light the fuel in the lantern.
Hold it down while the hot air fill the lantern.
Release the lantern to float upwards.
These lanterns are waterproof, so rain is not a problem. However, windy weather can cause serious damage.
Best Things to Do in
Shifen Old Street is world-famous for its sky lantern tradition. Visitors can write their wishes, hopes and dreams on the brightly coloured paper lanterns and then release them into the sky, watching them float through the air, conveying messages of love, good luck and prosperity. This practice symbolizes hopes and dreams being taken to heaven. Whether it’s your first time or your fifth time, watching the lanterns rise to the top of the mountain is an unforgettable experience.
In addition to its beautiful scenery, the town’s vintage train station and bustling street markets offer a glimpse into Taiwan’s history, making for a truly unique experience for visitors. Whether you want to release sky lanterns, admire majestic waterfalls, or just stroll through the old streets, Shifen Old Street will give you an unforgettable experience.
Release a Sky Lantern
Write your wishes on a colorful paper lantern and release it into the sky above a live railway line. It’s a unique and unforgettable experience. Shops provide lanterns in different colors, each symbolizing different kinds of blessings (health, love, career, etc.).
■ Shifen old street: Sky Lantern Experience (Colorful Sky Lantern Voucher) 吉祥天燈 (Below)
Watch the Train Pass Through the Street
The iconic landscape of Shifen Old Street is the Pingxi Railway that runs through it. The railway runs right through the middle of Shifen Old Street, so it is exciting to watch the train pass by just steps away from the vendors and tourists. As the train approaches, tourists disperse, then gather again to light lanterns or buy local snacks. This is one of the most popular photo spots in Taiwan.
Check the train schedule and find a spot to shoot a video, one of the most iconic photos of Taiwan.
Street Food & Local Charm
Beyond lanterns, Shifen is also a haven for delicious Taiwanese street food. From grilled sausages on a stick to peanut ice cream rolls wrapped in cilantro (trust us—it works), there’s no shortage of local treats to try while you explore. The shops also sell hand-crafted goods, lantern-themed souvenirs, and nostalgic candy that kids and adults both love.
Tip: Bring cash, as many vendors may not accept credit cards.
Visit Shifen Waterfall
Shifen Old Street is the gateway to natural beauty as well. Just a short walk away is the stunning Shifen Waterfall, Taiwan’s widest and most dramatic cascade. Combined, these two spots make the perfect day trip for nature lovers and culture seekers alike.
Distance: Approximately a 15 minute walk from Shifen Old Street.
Scenic Route: The path to the waterfall is picturesque, featuring lush greenery and scenic views.
Highlight: The waterfall, often referred to as the “Little Niagara of Taiwan,” is especially stunning after rainfall .
Shifen Waterfall Map
Shifen Old Street to Shifen Waterfall
It is about 800 meters from Shifen Old Street to Shifen Visitor Center, and about 15 minutes walk to the Shifen Waterfall Park, passing by Shifen Street vendors along the way. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from the visitor center to Shifen Waterfall. Read Shifen Waterfall guide
Opening Hours
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Price
Cost: Free Entrance
The Best Time to Visit
Seasons: The ideal months are March to May and October to November, offering pleasant temperatures and lower humidity.
Weekdays: To avoid the crowds, plan your visit on weekdays. Weekends and public holidays can be particularly busy .
Time of Day: Arrive early in the morning to enjoy the street before it gets crowded. The late afternoon also offers beautiful lighting for photos.
Whether you’re writing wishes on sky lanterns, snapping photos of trains rumbling through the crowds, or simply soaking up the vintage vibe of a mountain town untouched by time, Shifen Old Street promises a truly magical experience. It is not just a tourist destination, but also a place to create memories and let dreams fly.
How to get to?
By MRT + Bus:
Take the MRT to MRT Muzha (BR02 Exit) → then take Muzha Pingxi Shuttle Bus(to Pingxi)or(to Shifen) (Bus No. 795) → Get off at Nanshan Community (Crossing the Jingan Suspension Bridge) or Shifenliao Bridge (Walk along the ramp on Shifen Street)
Last 4 stops: Nanshan Community → Shifenliao Bridge → Shifenliao → Shifen Visitor Center (Shifen Waterfall)
There is only one exit at Muzha MRT Station. There is no difference between the left and right exits. When you go out, walk toward the main road opposite.
The bus stop is on the road opposite the temple, not in front of it. You will see the bus stop sign after you cross the zebra crossing.
There are white lines on the floor for those who need to queue up for bus No. 795. You need to take Muzha Pingxi Shuttle Bus (Bus No. 795 to Shifen). The last stop is (Shifen Waterfall).
Note: Bus No. 795 goes to Pingxi and Shifen, so be sure to look carefully (to Shifen).
This bus is just like any other bus in the city. You need to swipe your EasyCard when you get on and off the bus. The bus only has a dozen seats, so you may need to stand for 30-60 minutes. If you have children, I would not recommend taking the bus unless you can guarantee a seat.
By TRA Train
Take the MRT or TRA to Taipei Station → transfer to the TRA Badu Station or Ruifang Station(approximately 45 minutes) → At Ruifang, switch to the Pingxi Line and take the TRA to Shifen Station(about 30 minutes).
By Car
From Taipei, take National Freeway 1 east toward Keelung, then south to Shifen. The drive takes about an hour, depending on traffic.
Parking: There are parking areas near Shifen Old Street; however, they can fill up quickly on weekends and holidays .
About Day Tour
Because you are not familiar with transportation, your round trip could take up to 4 hours. If you live in Taipei, I recommend taking a day tour. This way you can have fun without worrying about which station to get off and transfer to another bus, and then you can sleep peacefully on the car. For convenience, almost all Foreign tourists will choose a day tour to Jiufen and Shifen, or rent a car and let the driver go to Jiufen and Shifen. Don’t doubt it, one-day tour is your best choice.
Day Tour From Taipei (klook)
■ Shifen Sky Lantern Experience (Colorful Sky Lantern Voucher) Shifen old street
■ Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen, Shifen, and Golden Waterfall
■ Yehliu, Jiufen and Shifen
■ Yehliu, Jiufen and Shifen with Taiwanese Pastry Making
■ Houtong Cat Village, Jiufen and Shifen
■ Yehliu, Jiufen and Shifen
■ Heping Island, Shifen and Jiufen
Car Rental with Driver From Taipei (klook)
■ Taipei Car Rental with Driver- Customized itinerary (Chinese/English/Korean/Japanese)
■ Private tour Car Rental with Driver : Jiufen , Pingxi (Chinese/English/Korean/Japanese)