Day 1: SG > Taipei (Jiufen)

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I wrote the below 2 years ago but didn't post it.. Thinking I could actually revisit Taiwan again but sadly due to covid-19... Anyway, posting it now.

Went during Oct 2019, it was a rainy season. 

Took an afternoon flight... 
The good and bad about travelling in the afternoon.

"Good" = can check-in to our accommodation once we reached.
"Bad" = caused of the timing. Almost the entire day gone when we finally reach our accommodation area.

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A trip where I finally went for "trekking". 

My 6D5N Trip
 Day 1: SG > Taipei (Jiufen)
Day 2: Jilong Mountain > Jiufen Old Street
Day 3: Jiufen Old Street > Taipei Main Station (Ximending)
Day 4: Xindian (Bitan) > Wulai > Raohe Night Market + Rainbow Bridge
Day 5: Banqiao >
Day 6: Back to SG

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It was a rainy day on our day of arrival. 

Transport
Fortunately we pre-arranged for a chartered ride to Jiufen accommodation. Our the driver did his homework beforehand so we were able to get our accommodation easier despite the heavy rain. Our driver was also kind enough to bring us to Ruifang Food Street to get our dinner before heading up to Jiufen.

We could have:
Alternative way to Jiufen was to take a bus from
Taoyuan Airport to Taoyuan HSR ->
Taoyuan HSR to Taipei HSR ->
Taipei Train Station to Ruifang train station ->
Ruifang Train Station change to bus again to get to Jiufen Old Street.
(Can save on transport $$ but have to spend more time on travelling with much inconvenience)

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Our Stay @ He Feng Xiao Zhu
The room
 The view from the balcony


My accommodation at Jiufen is at He Feng Xiao Zhu. I read from reviews it was close to Jiufen Old Street. Apparently they have 2 buildings and the one I booked with balcony view is nearer to Jiufen Old Street. Less than 2 mins and we were at Jiufen Old Street. My room was at level 3 and we had to carry our luggage up the stairs.

Prior to arrival, the host had given us instruction on the shortcut way to the accommodation place. So it was really easy getting there. The lady host was also very nice to share with us which shops to go for good food, where to walk and sip tea and upon hearing us wanting to trek, she shared with us a nearby mountain, Jilong Mountain trail which was just 10 mins walk away from the accommodation area.

Jiufen Old Streets
The empty streets and the red lantern 

By the time we reached, most of the shops at Jiufen Old Streets were closed for the day. There were still some people walking around the streets taking photographs. Despite the rain, it was nice strolling along the empty lanes with the red lanterns that lighted up the Jiufen Old Street. 

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