Best teahouse in Jiufen — 5 best Jiufen tea houses you definitely must-visit
Taipei is a well-known city for its friendly and civilized way of life. When in Taipei, you can eat and shop at the Ximending night market, as well as visit the famous Taipei 101 tower. Not only that, but you may want to visit nearby areas such as Jiufen and Shifen old towns from Taipei. These are only two of the many fascinating places to visit in Taiwan. Now, how about a day spent exploring Jiufen tea houses? Isn’t that a brilliant idea? Relaxing experiences await you as you sip refreshing teacups while looking down on Jiufen – its scenic nature and old town. So, are you looking for the best teahouse in Jiufen to unwind and immerse yourself in Taiwanese culture? Check out our list of the top 5 Jiufen tea houses to find out!
What do you need when traveling to Taiwan?
- 4G SIM CARD and iPASS combo: Traveling requires you to not only move constantly, but also to research new locations, track directions, and stay in touch. That is why every traveller requires a 4G SIM card and an iPass.
- Taipei Fun Pass: In addition to discovering tea houses in Jiufen, purchasing a Taipei Fun Pass to gain free access to popular tourist attractions in Taipei is a great idea.
- HSR pass: A quick and inexpensive way to travel throughout Taiwan. Learn more about the HSR pass right here.
- Rent private cabs from Taoyuan airport: Taking a taxi from the airport to hotels is quite expensive, costing around 1000-1200 TWD. As a result, renting a car is the most convenient option.
How to get to Jiufen? What everyone should know
- Take the TRA to Rui Fang station: The TRA is the railway that connects Jiufen and Shifen. The Easy Card/IPass is the most convenient way to purchase train tickets. Buses 788/825/827/1062 run from Rui Fang station to Jiufen.
- Jiufen Shuttle Bus Line: It takes about 460 TWD to get to Jiufen from Ximen station. Tickets for the shuttle bus can be purchased here.
Side note: It is recommendable to go by train thanks to the speed and the Rui Fang station itself – there are many food vendors for visitors to stop by and grab some food and drinks. Keep this in mind!
Jiufen tea house: Follow Chihiro to discover Jiufen tea houses
The famous animated film Spirited Away was inspired by Jiufen’s old town, which features red lanterns and traditional tea houses and restaurants along the streets. If you’ve ever imagined yourself wandering around the lively world of Spirited Away, your dream can now come true at Jiufen tea stores, where the scene and vibe are no less similar.
Along Jiufen’s streets, you may come across souvenir vendors selling Spirited Away-themed gifts. Many Ghibli Studio fans consider this to be their “destined” town. Furthermore, it is difficult to look away from traditional Taiwanese restaurants, which many tourists enjoy visiting.
Arrive in Jiufen this time, let us introduce you to all the tea flavours at Jiufen’s most famous tea houses.
Best teahouse in Jiufen: Amei Tea House
Amei Tea House, a distinctive Jiufen tea house, offers the opportunity to slowly enjoy hot teacups in a large space with a picturesque view of the sea. Tourists love the traditional Amei Tea House for its high quality and amazing, all-inclusive services. Prepare to be enchanted by the delectable Oolong tea served with a variety of cakes such as mochi, red bean cakes, mung bean cakes, and so on.
Amei Tea House’s servers will teach you how to taste tea like a true Taiwanese. To begin, clean the tea leaves with the provided water. Pour in hot water after rinsing and wait for the leaves to dissolve. Pour the tea into a small cup to smell it; if it has reached the desired aroma, move on to the next cup.
It is best to arrive at Amei Tea House before 3 pm and advisably on weekdays to avoid crowding.
Address: 224, Taiwan, New Taipei City, Ruifang District, 市下巷20號
Opening Hours: 08:30–23:00
Phone number: +886 2 2496 0833
Top Jiufen tea house: Jiufen Tea House
Jiufen Tea House is a traditional tea shop housed in an ancient building that is most likely over a century old. This is not only a tea house, but also an image and craft library. Landscape paintings, window blinds, and copper or wood tea utensils are displayed here, creating a vintage atmosphere that relaxes and free flows customers’ minds with the scent of Jiufen tea.
Jiufen Tea House is well-known among tourists for its beautiful location with a view of the sea and mountains. Learning about the traditional art of tea enriches customers’ experiences and, on occasion, gives them a new perspective on Taiwanese tea-drinking culture. Customers who have learned the art of tea making can buy tea as a gift for friends and family back home.
Not to miss out on the chance of experiencing Jiufen Tea House, you can reserve a table in advance right. Refreshing cups of tea and their addictive scent will surely ease your muscle after a long day exploring Jiufen.
Address: No. 142, Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224
Opening Hours: 10:30–21:00
Phone number: +886 2 2496 9056
Best teahouse in Jiufen: Siidcha Tea House
Siidcha Tea House is more modern than Jiu Fen Tea House, and the rooftop view of Jiufen Old Town is considered the best of all tea houses in Jiufen. Here, you’ll be able to drink tea like the Hakka people of Taiwan. The Hakka Taiwanese have their own style of tea known as Lei Cha – tea ground with various types of herbs – the flavor is super fresh and the drink is also healthy.
Visitors can directly observe the tea being ground, and grabbing a cone of matcha ice cream later is also one of their favorites. Remember to include Siidcha Tea House on your Jiufen ideal tea tour itinerary!
Address: No. 166號, Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224
Opening Hours: 11:00–19:00
Phone number: +886 2 2496 9976
Best teahouse in Jiufen: Skyline Tea House
It sounds like the best combination ever, watching the sunset while sipping a luxurious cup of Oolong tea. Skyline Tea House serves Oolong grown entirely on Taiwanese soil. Tea is served with light snacks such as charcoal peanuts, dried plums, or dried guava. The hot cup soothes the sweet and sour taste of dried plum and guava from the first sips, blending them together and creating the most delightful, comfortable feeling.
It is best to arrive at Skyline Tea House around 4 p.m., when the sun has set and Jiufen is illuminated by Mother Nature’s vibrant colors and street lights. The picturesque scene is waiting for you to be awestruck with your own eyes.
Address: 224, Taiwan, New Taipei City, Ruifang District
Opening Hours: 9a.m.–9p.m.
Phone number: +886 2 2496 7733
Traditional Taiwanese Tea House
Traditional Taiwanese Tea House, the final stop on our tea tour in Jiufen today, is a little difficult to find due to its location at the far end of Jiufen town. You must look for the dark, wooden balcony that is visible from the outside. Because the tea house is located on a slope, those wearing high heels will have to exert more effort; sneakers are definitely preferable.
Located on a balcony, the view is unquestionably beautiful, as you can watch the entire scene down there, from the mountains to the sea. And I have not mentioned rainy days, how romantic it is seeing hills half-hiding behind the blurry screen, and listening to teardrops from the sky? Do all of those sound appealing enough to compensate for your climbing effort?
Meal courses are available at the Traditional Taiwanese Tea House. Most of them are prepared in the Taiwanese style, which is oily; if this does not appeal to you, consider eating somewhere else in Jiufen town before arriving.
The discovery of tea houses in Jiufen is akin to stepping into a time machine, bringing up a vintage, nostalgic vibe for anyone who seeks it. If you are one of those kind souls who, like me, cherish the beauty of the past, I hope you will use this list someday. I wish you a wonderful trip to Jiufen, Taiwan!