Juifen

I participated with four friends. We had a total of seven people, including another family. Our driver/guide was very kind and showed us around, and we thoroughly enjoyed every spot we visited. I would definitely like to participate with the same guide again next time. Thank you very much.

・The tour generally involves listening to announcements on the bus or near the entrance to each location, then spending some free time on your own, returning to the meeting point by the designated time. ・The agile minibus allowed for a smooth tour. At every tourist spot, large buses overflowed the parking lots, making parking difficult. Also, in Jiufen and Shifen, there were long lines at the return bus stop, making me glad I signed up for this tour instead of public transportation. ・Our Japanese guide, Mr. Qiu, gave honest, unique, and entertaining announcements. He is extremely knowledgeable about each tourist spot, so by following his instructions, you can travel efficiently, affordably, and enjoyably. Another unique aspect of this tour is being able to hear about the real life of Taiwanese people and the differences between Taiwan and Japan. The meeting time was strict, but it was unavoidable when trying to visit so many places in one day. ・In the end, I walked nearly 20,000 steps, but I was able to rest (and even sleep) my feet during the bus rides, so I didn't feel too tired. According to Chiu, this tour packed a number of tourist spots into one day that would normally take several days to visit. However, I felt the time spent at each tourist spot was just right. We ate lunch in Jinshan Old Street, where Chiu recommended several restaurants, so we basically chose from those. We tried the steamed buns he recommended. There were many other shops in the area, selling items at bargain prices. Finally, we stopped off for a cup of Taiwanese tea at a tea shop near Dongmen Station. The tea was delicious. The Taiwanese tea and pineapple cakes sold at this tea shop were reasonably priced. When I tried to buy souvenirs at the airport just before leaving, I was surprised at how expensive pineapple cakes were! I was also glad he recommended a xiaolongbao restaurant near Dongmen Station for dinner after the tour.

Our guide Florence Tsai was excellent in switching between mandarin and English, helping us to appreciate Taiwanese culture, food and history. The itinerary is a little rush but it’s good opportunity for us to recce the locations so that we can consider where to invest more time when we return to Taipei again. The bus was comfortable and safe despite the winding roads up and down Jiufen on a rainy day. Kudos to the driver Mr Huang! My kids 6 and 9 years old napped comfortably on the bus! Many food, sightseeing and activities during the trip like “walking on Mars” in Yehliu, raising a lantern in Shifen, feeding cats in Houtong and enjoying tea and street food in Jiufen. Never a dull moment. Highly recommended!

The lady who took care of me was cheerful, friendly, and very helpful. I had picked out three photos of outfits I was interested in beforehand, and she showed them to me, and she recommended the one that would suit me, so I quickly decided. The hair styling was quick, and there were a variety of hair accessories, including hairpins. It was daytime at the end of November, but it was warm enough that I didn't need fur. There are many stairs and uneven roads in the city, so I brought wedge pumps instead of high heels. It was good to avoid the crowds in the city center and take photos on the outer road or outside the temple.