The small town of Jiufen (九份), a former mining town, up on a hill. It usually rains in Jiufen but I was lucky that the skies stayed clear even though it was cloudy. The town was made famous by the Taiwanese film A City of Sadness 悲情城市.


The historical street is now filled with small shops that sell lots of paraphernalia catered to tourists. A bit too commercialised for my liking.


There are many teahouses in Jiufen, but one that I was recommended to go to – and I really liked – is Jioufen Teahouse 九份茶坊.


There are many types of tea you can choose from.


You can either enjoy your tea indoors or savour it alfresco like what I did. Alfresco is MUCH nicer with the view of the mountains and a cool autumn breeze blowing. As I sat there enjoying my brew of Oriental Beauty tea (東方美人茶), I wrote several postcards to my family and friends.


The teahouse also has a Ceramic Art Workshop and Gallery. The ceramic works are available for sale.


The many shops that line the small streets that wind up and down Jiufen.


Time moves so slowly in this town that even the dogs laze around for a snooze.


Jiufen looks out to this view on a good day – as I sipped my tea, I almost wished time stood still for me too.
Jioufen Teahouse 九份茶坊
224台灣新北市瑞芳區基山街142號
Tel: +886 (02) 2496 9056