Is Klook’s Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen Day Tour Worth It? An Honest Review
On our third day in Taiwan, we tried Klook’s highly-rated Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen day tour. This tour conveniently departs from Ximen, Taipei. As luck would have it, it was a Monday, meaning we avoided the typical weekend crowds. But was the tour truly worth the hype? In this honest review, I’ll break down each stop and share whether this experience met our expectations.
Initially, I considered planning a DIY tour after reading several guides online. But honestly, the thought of managing all the logistics was overwhelming. So, in the end, I decided to book a tour. It felt much easier knowing someone else was handling everything, and we could sit back and relax while traveling between stops.
The day started with a buffet breakfast at our hotel (Greenworld Hotel). We made sure to give ourselves about 30 minutes to enjoy a hearty meal before heading out.
Our hotel was conveniently just a 5-minute walk from the meetup point at Ximen Exit 5, so we arrived around 7:45 AM. We have plenty of time to spare.
By 7:50 AM, one of the guides arrived and started organizing everyone into groups. We were placed with Sophie, our tour guide for the day. She arrived at 8 AM and handed out ID tags to keep track of her group.
We were settled on the bus by 8:15 AM, sitting comfortably at the front. The bus was clean, and the AC was a welcome relief from the morning heat.
Visiting Yehlui
Yehliu is one of those places that feels almost otherworldly, located along Taiwan’s northern coast. It’s famous for its quirky rock formations that seem like something out of a sci-fi movie. The most famous of these formations is the “Queen’s Head,” a natural sculpture resembling a regal figure. The park’s surreal landscape, with its honeycomb and mushroom-like rocks, draws visitors worldwide. Yehliu also offers panoramic ocean views and a chance to explore Taiwan’s rich coastal ecology.
On our way to our first stop, Yehliu Geopark, Sophie gave us some background info about the area. She even offered to pre-sell tickets to save us from waiting in line later, which was super helpful since we didn’t know what the crowds would be like. Since Audrey got in for free, we only needed two tickets.
We arrived at Yehliu around 9:30 AM, and after a 10-minute walk from the entrance, we made it to the park itself.
Yehliu is known for its interesting rock formations and photo spots. There are 36 photo points around the park, but it was scorching hot, so we only managed to visit a few before taking a break.
After about 30 minutes of exploring, Audrey and I returned to the tourist center to cool down, get my notebook stamped, and browse the souvenir shop. Meanwhile, Dee stayed behind to snap some more photos.
Outside Yehliu, there’s a little market where you can pick up cold drinks, dried fish, and other souvenirs. If you like dried fish, this is a great place to grab some—it’s sweet and savory.
We left Yehliu around 10:40 AM and made our way to Shifen.
Experience at Shifen Old Street
Shifen is a place that feels like stepping back in time. The old railway tracks run right through the center of town, with trains occasionally rumbling by as people casually step aside. But what really draws people in are the sky lanterns. You can scribble your hopes or dreams on a lantern, light it, and watch it rise slowly into the sky, joining countless others. The whole town seems to come alive as lanterns drift upwards, carrying hopes and dreams. It’s a peaceful yet meaningful way to share your wishes. Shifen gives you a quiet sense of connection between the old trains and the floating lanterns—to the past and each other.
On the bus, Sophie told us what to expect at Shifen and took orders for lunch so we wouldn’t have to waste time standing in line. We ordered chicken wings with rice and the famous peanut ice cream. We also pre-ordered a sky lantern for later in the day.
We reached Shifen around 11:30 AM. The walk through the narrow streets of Shifen is usually packed with visitors, but since it was a weekday, it was much quieter, and some stores were even closed.
We headed straight to the old train tracks where the lanterns were released. After writing our wishes on the lantern, we set it off into the sky. It was a simple but beautiful moment. The staff who helped us with the lanterns were really friendly, and they even spoke a bit of Tagalog, which made us feel right at home.
Afterward, we had some time to shop around and pick up a few souvenirs. I bought a little lantern keychain as a memento of our trip to this lovely place. We left Shifen around 12:30 PM and headed to our next stop, the Shifen Waterfall.
Going to Shifen Waterfall
Shifen Waterfall, often called Taiwan’s “Little Niagara,” is a place where nature truly shows off. It’s not the tallest waterfall, but its wide, horseshoe shape and powerful flow are mesmerizing. The sound of the rushing water is almost meditative, and the mist from the falls creates a refreshing breeze as you stand on the viewing platforms. It’s been a local favorite for decades, especially for families looking to escape the city. Historically, the area around Shifen was a coal mining region, and the old railway tracks still run nearby, a reminder of Taiwan’s industrial past.
It was a short drive, and from the drop-off point, it took us about 15-20 minutes to walk to the waterfall. There were a few food stalls and shops along the way, so we grabbed some snacks before continuing our trek.
The waterfall wasn’t as full as I expected, but it was calm and peaceful. The gentle breeze made it a nice break from all the walking.
Shopping at Juifen
Juifen was once a quiet, isolated mountain village.The town’s name, “Jiufen,” literally means “nine portions,” a reference to the nine families that originally lived there. In those early days, whenever supplies arrived, they were divided into nine portions for the residents.
Everything changed in 1893 when gold was discovered in the nearby hills. Almost overnight, Jiufen became a gold mining town, attracting people across Taiwan and beyond. The gold rush brought wealth and development with mining tunnels, workers’ quarters, and trade. After World War II, as the gold mines were depleted, Jiufen slipped back into quiet obscurity. For decades, it was almost forgotten. But in the 1980s, Jiufen experienced a resurgence, partly thanks to the Taiwanese film A City of Sadness, which showcased the town’s picturesque beauty. This is associated with the inspiration for the setting of the beloved Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away. This brought Jiufen back into the spotlight as a must-see destination.
By 2:30 PM, we arrived at our last destination of the day—Juifen, famously known for its resemblance to scenes from Spirited Away. The town has two bus stops, and we were dropped off at Bus Stop 2. From there, it was a 45-minute walk to the popular tourist area. We did get lost along the way (it’s easy to do in Juifen’s winding streets), but that was all part of the adventure.
Juifen is a souvenir lover’s dream. There are so many shops selling everything from trinkets to local snacks. After some exploring, I went to the tourist center to get my notebook stamped—another long walk, but worth it. By the time I returned, I was tired but happy to have collected another stamp as a keepsake.
With about 20-30 minutes left before leaving, we decided to grab a drink at a nearby café. The air conditioning wasn’t as strong as we’d hoped, but it was still a nice spot to rest. We ordered mango juice, but it tasted more like orange mango—definitely different from the sweet Philippine mangoes we’re used to. The coffee was decent, though, and gave me an energy boost.
By 5 PM, we were back on the bus, heading back to Ximen. It had been a long day, but we were happy and satisfied with all the places we’d seen and our experiences.
Was Klook’s Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen day tour worth it? Absolutely.
This tour ticks all the boxes for anyone looking for a stress-free, convenient way to explore some of Taiwan’s most iconic destinations. From the stunning rock formations at Yehliu Geopark, the peaceful tradition of releasing sky lanterns in Shifen, and the historical appeal of Jiufen, the day was packed with diverse experiences.
What really made the tour shine was the convenience factor. Having a knowledgeable guide like Sophie made a world of difference. From organizing tickets to pre-ordering meals, she made sure that we spent more time enjoying the sights and less time dealing with logistics. Each stop offered something unique, and the pacing was just right, allowing us to appreciate each destination without feeling rushed.
There were a few minor downsides—such as the tourist crowds and occasional heat—but these were manageable and didn’t detract from the overall experience. We also lucked out by going on a weekday, which helped us avoid the heavier weekend crowds.
Ready to book? You can find the tour on Klook’s website here. You can also use a discount code from any of the numerous travel content creators who offer deals. Even though I don’t have a code to provide, it’s worth checking with your favorite bloggers or influencers for discounts. Happy travels!
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