North coast loop guide — Yehliu, Jiufen and Shifen in one day
Taipei: Yehliu Jiufen Shifen guided tour
Duration: 9 hours
Can you do Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen in one day from Taipei?
Yes. Most organised tours cover all three in 9–10 hours (NT$900–1,800 per person from Taipei). Going independently by public transport requires backtracking and is possible but complex. Yehliu in the morning (80 min bus), Shifen midday (taxi from Yehliu NT$400–500), Jiufen late afternoon for dusk (taxi from Shifen NT$200–300).
The north coast loop: Taiwan’s classic day-trip circuit
The northeast coast of Taiwan between Taipei and the Keelung mountain hinterland contains a remarkable concentration of distinct landscapes within 60 kilometres: a lunar-like coastal geopark, a mountain gold-rush town with red lanterns, and a railway village where paper lanterns ascend above the tracks.
Combining Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen Old Street, and Shifen sky lanterns into a single day has become the most-booked day-trip itinerary from Taipei — and for good reason. Each site takes 1.5–3 hours and offers something genuinely different. The challenge is logistics: the three sites are not served by a single transit route, requiring either an organised tour or deliberate private transport.
This guide covers both the organised tour option and the independently managed version.
| Where | Yehliu (coastal), Jiufen and Shifen (mountain, near Keelung) |
| Cost | Around NT$900–1,800 pp on a tour; around NT$850–1,165 pp independently |
| Time needed | Full day, roughly 9–10 hours door to door |
| Getting there | Tour pickup, or bus/taxi/train combination from Taipei |
| Best order | Yehliu first, then Shifen, then Jiufen for dusk |
Why the three-site loop works as a single day
Geographic proximity: Yehliu is on the coastal highway 30km north of Taipei. Jiufen and Shifen are 40km northeast in the mountain foothills inland from Keelung. A loop from Taipei through Yehliu and then to Jiufen and Shifen covers roughly 100km of driving and is entirely feasible in one long day.
Complementary experience types: Yehliu is outdoor geological walking. Shifen is participatory (sky lanterns) and waterfall scenery. Jiufen is atmospheric townscape, food, and teahouse culture. They do not compete with each other.
Optimal timing per site: Yehliu benefits from early morning (cooler, fewer buses). Shifen is pleasant from mid-morning through afternoon. Jiufen is most beautiful from late afternoon through dusk when the lanterns illuminate.
Recommended daily timeline
08:30 — Depart from Taipei If taking an organised tour, pick-up from hotel or designated meeting point. If independent, catch the first Bus 1815 from Taipei West Bus Station A.
09:30 — Arrive Yehliu Geopark The 80-minute bus from Taipei arrives as the park opens or shortly after. Spend 1.5–2 hours in the three zones. The Queen’s Head in Zone 1 is the priority; Zone 2 for the honeycomb rocks if time allows. Exit by 11:15–11:30.
11:30 — Transit to Shifen By tour bus this is direct (30–40 min). Independently, take a taxi from Yehliu to Shifen (approximately NT$400–500, 25–30 min) — this is the link that requires private transport since there is no direct bus between Yehliu and Shifen. Alternatively, bus back toward Keelung and then TRA train to Ruifang and Pingxi Line — adds about 90 minutes of transit.
12:00 — Shifen Sky lantern release (20–30 min). Lunch in Shifen (NT$80–120 at local stalls). Walk to Shifen Waterfall and back (40–50 min). Depart Shifen by 14:30–15:00.
14:30 — Transit to Jiufen By tour bus: direct, 25–35 min. Independently by taxi from Shifen to Jiufen: approximately NT$200–250, 20 min.
15:00–18:00 — Jiufen Arrive mid-afternoon when the old street is busy but before peak dusk crowds. Walk Jishan Street, stop at a teahouse on the upper roads, photograph the lantern staircase viewpoint as the lanterns begin glowing at dusk.
18:30 — Depart for Taipei By tour bus: return to Taipei hotel (1 hour). Independently from Jiufen: Bus 788 to Ruifang (20 min), then TRA train to Taipei Main (35–40 min). Last bus from Jiufen runs around 22:30.
Organised tour options
The most popular group tour format covers all three sites with a guide and hotel pickup:
Yehliu, Jiufen and Shifen guided group day tourFor a tour that includes Pingxi sky lanterns as well:
Yehliu, Jiufen and Pingxi day tourFor a full-day private tour with flexibility on stops and pacing:
Private scenic tour: Jiufen, Yehliu and PingxiAn all-inclusive tour covering the key north coast destinations:
Full day trip to Jiufen, Yehliu, Shifen and moreGoing independently: the detailed logistics
The main challenge: There is no direct public transit from Yehliu to Shifen without significant backtracking. Here is the independently-managed routing:
Option A (taxi between sites — recommended):
- Bus 1815 from Taipei West Bus Station A → Yehliu (NT$90, 70–80 min)
- Taxi from Yehliu to Shifen (NT$400–500, 30 min)
- Shifen sky lanterns and waterfall
- Taxi from Shifen to Jiufen (NT$200–250, 20 min)
- Jiufen old street
- Bus 788 from Jiufen to Ruifang (NT$25, 20 min)
- TRA train from Ruifang to Taipei Main (NT$49–61, 35 min)
- Total transport: approximately NT$850–1,000 per person solo; less when splitting taxi fares
Option B (tour bus + train hybrid):
- Organised group tour to Yehliu and Jiufen (covers the bus-awkward parts)
- Independent Pingxi Line from Ruifang to Shifen at your own pace
- Better for those who want guide context at the main sites but flexibility at Shifen
Option C (train-only — only Jiufen + Shifen, no Yehliu):
- TRA from Taipei Main to Ruifang → Pingxi Line to Shifen → return to Ruifang → Bus 788 to Jiufen
- Cannot easily include Yehliu without significant backtracking
- Total transport approximately NT$200–250; no taxi needed
- See Jiufen day trip guide and Shifen sky lantern guide for details
Budget breakdown per person (independent, taxi sharing with 2 people)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Bus 1815 Taipei → Yehliu | NT$90 |
| Yehliu entry | NT$80 |
| Taxi Yehliu → Shifen (per person, split) | NT$200 |
| Sky lantern at Shifen | NT$150–200 |
| Shifen Waterfall entry | NT$50 |
| Lunch | NT$100 |
| Taxi Shifen → Jiufen (per person, split) | NT$120 |
| Teahouse in Jiufen | NT$150–250 |
| Bus + train Jiufen → Taipei | NT$75 |
| Total | NT$1,015–1,165 |
Organised group tour typically costs NT$900–1,500 including transport and guide but not individual entry fees or food — comparable total cost, with the tour handling logistics.
What to look for when booking a tour
When choosing a north coast loop tour:
- Confirm the order of sites (Yehliu first is significantly better — see timing logic above)
- Ask how long is allocated at each site (minimum 1.5 hours at Yehliu, 1.5 hours at Shifen including waterfall, 2 hours at Jiufen)
- Verify whether Shifen Waterfall is included or just the lantern release (some tours skip the waterfall walk)
- Check if the tour returns via Keelung Night Market (some evening tours do; this adds useful context)
For individual guides to each site, see: Yehliu Geopark guide, Jiufen day trip guide, Shifen sky lantern guide.
For the broader context of day trips from Taipei, see best day trips from Taipei.
For the destinations themselves: destinations/jiufen, destinations/shifen, destinations/yehliu, destinations/keelung.
Should you add Pingxi lanterns too?
Some tours extend the loop to include Pingxi’s sky lantern plaza alongside Shifen’s. This works if you are comfortable with a longer day (10–11 hours) and do not mind a fourth stop competing for daylight. For most first-time visitors, three sites is the right amount — a fourth risks turning each stop into a rushed photo-op rather than a proper visit. If Pingxi appeals more than Yehliu’s rock formations, consider swapping it in rather than adding it on; see the Pingxi Line day trip guide for a route built specifically around the branch line villages.
Frequently asked questions about North coast loop guide — Yehliu, Jiufen and Shifen in one day
What is the best order for the north coast loop?
Is Yehliu + Jiufen + Shifen better by tour or independently?
How much does the north coast loop tour cost?
Can I rent a car or scooter for the north coast loop?
How much time do you need at each stop?
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