Jiufen, Shifen and Houtong Cat Village Private Tour
Description
Discover the charm of Northern Taiwan on this private tour. Begin with a visit to Houtong Cat Village, followed by the unique experience of releasing a sky lantern in Pingxi. Stroll through the historic Jiufen Old Street, famously known as the inspiration for Miyazaki’s Spirited Away. Conclude the tour by admiring the stunning Shifen Waterfall and exploring Shifen Old Street, known for its local charm and iconic railroad. The tour includes convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off in Taipei City, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Pick-up from your hotel in Taipei City: Your driver-guide will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby or on the first floor of your Airbnb, holding a sign with your name. Thank you.
Shifen Waterfall is a scenic waterfall located in Pingxi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on the upper reaches of the Keelung River.
Located in the Pingxi area, Shifen Old Streets is a collection of lanes and alleys in and around the Shifen railway station area where you can have lantern activities.
Houtong was once a rich small mining town in Ruifang, renowned for a well-preserved culture surrounding its railway, which was built during the Japanese rule of Taiwan.
Jiufen Old Street is a narrow, winding alleyway with shops, teahouses, and restaurants that offers tourists a view of traditional Taiwanese life.
Drop-off at your hotel or Airbnb in Taipei City at the end of the tour.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Your driver guide will hold a sign (Our business name + your name) and wait for you at the hotel lobby.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(82)
Jeffrey was a great guide! Very communicative and organized. We really enjoyed our day with him and learned a lot.
I had such a lovely time on my private tour with Jennifer! It ended up just being me (solo) and Jennifer was an excellent companion. She taught me so much about Taiwan history and culture on our drives and while exploring the sites. The logistics of the trip were very smooth. The hike to Shifen waterfall was beautiful and I enjoyed the flying lantern activity much more than expected, especially after learning the unique history of the tradition. The cat village was small and sparse but had cute cafes and shops. I was so glad to have Jennifer with me for Juifen— she explained all the food options and showed me all the best places to eat! Not only did Jennifer take tons of fantastic pictures of me during the trip, she also sent me a portrait drawing of me in Shifen after the trip! Highly recommended!
This day was amazing! We did 4 tours in 10 days while in Taiwan and this one by far was THE BEST! Nicholas was the most knowledgeable and attentive guide. He thought of everything! Down to the umbrellas and the lovely music during our drive. Each stop was wonderful but the lunch with an ocean view and the Old Village stop was unforgettable. Thank you Nicholas for making this day one we will never forget.
It was raining cats and dogs, but we had a very nice time with Bubble. He was very accommodating, full of knowledge and tips, and made adjustments to make it easier to enjoy ourselves in spite of the downpour. We highly recommend this tour.
Hi, Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re very happy to hear that you still had a very nice time with Bubble, even though it was raining cats and dogs. It’s wonderful to know that he was accommodating, knowledgeable, and able to adjust the day so you could enjoy the tour despite the downpour. We’re also glad his tips and flexibility helped make the experience more comfortable for you. Thank you again for choosing YOLO Taiwan and for recommending our tour. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back to Taiwan again in the future. —Frank @ YOLO Taiwan
Our guide, Henry, turned what could have been a washout into a special experience. The weather was miserable for a good portion of the day (which meant no cats in Houtong) but Henry was so accommodating and informative that we all thought this trip was the highlight of our Taiwan experience.
Hi, Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re very happy to hear that Henry helped turn a rainy day into such a special experience for your group. Even though the weather was not ideal and Houtong was quieter than expected, it’s wonderful to know that Henry’s flexibility and thoughtful guidance made the trip memorable. We’re also glad to hear that his informative service helped make this tour a highlight of your Taiwan experience. I’ll be sure to share your kind words with Henry. Thank you again for choosing YOLO Taiwan and for sharing your experience. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back to Taiwan again in the future. —Frank @ YOLO Taiwan
Jennifer was very knowledgeable to all the areas and the history of each place. She was very prompt on arrivals to pick up us up. The ride was very relaxing ☺️
Hello! Thank you for choosing YOLO Taiwan and for taking the time to share your review of our Jiufen, Shifen and Houtong Cat Village Private Tour. We are so glad to hear that you had a wonderful day exploring with Jennifer! A smooth day trip out to the countryside relies heavily on good timing, so it is great to know that Jennifer was incredibly prompt with her pickups and provided a completely relaxing ride between destinations. We are also happy that her deep knowledge of the local history added an insightful layer to your visits to Jiufen, Shifen, and the Cat Village. I will gladly pass your kind words and the smile along to Jennifer; she will be highly encouraged to know her punctuality, knowledge, and hospitality made your day so comfortable and memorable. Thank you again for your genuine feedback. We wish you all the best and look forward to welcoming you back to Taiwan for another relaxing journey in the future! —Lawson @ YOLO Taiwan
It was a great way to see more of the country and experience different parts of Taiwan! Our guide, Cody, was very helpful and informative. He went above and beyond to let us spend time in the places we wanted to spend more time. Great day!
Hi bittybuggy, Thank you for choosing YOLO Taiwan and for taking the time to share your review of our Jiufen, Shifen and Houtong Cat Village Private Tour. We are so glad to hear that you had a great day exploring and experiencing different sides of Taiwan’s beautiful countryside. The true value of a private tour is having the freedom to set your own pace, so it is wonderful to know that Cody went above and beyond to adjust the day, ensuring you could spend extra time at the spots that mattered most to you. I will gladly pass your kind words along to Cody; he will be highly encouraged to know his helpfulness and informative guiding made your day trip so successful. Thank you again for your genuine feedback. We wish you all the best and hope to welcome you back to Taiwan for more exploring in the future! —Lawson @ YOLO Taiwan
Alex was a great guide who allowed us to take our time and really enjoy each stop. Very knowledgeable and charming guy who gave us great info regarding the temples and some history in the areas. Great tour!
Dear Guest, Thank you for choosing YOLO Taiwan and for sharing your wonderful experience! We are delighted to hear that you had such a great time on our Jiufen, Shifen and Houtong Cat Village Private Tour. It is fantastic to know that Alex made such a positive impression. We believe that a private tour should be enjoyed at your own pace, and I am glad his charming personality and deep knowledge of the local temples and history added so much depth to your visit. We want our guests to feel relaxed and fully immersed in the culture, so hearing that you never felt rushed is wonderful. I will certainly pass your kind words along to Alex; he will be thrilled to know his efforts helped make your tour a success. Thank you again for your review and recommendation. We wish you all the best and hope to welcome you back to Taiwan for another adventure in the future! —Lawson @ YOLO Taiwan
Roger was a fantastic guide! He was a great conversationalist in English and provided background of the areas all along the way. Highly recommend Roger!
Dear Guest, Thank you for choosing YOLO Taiwan and for sharing your recommendation. We are happy to hear you had such a fantastic experience on our Jiufen, Shifen and Houtong Cat Village Private Tour. It is wonderful to know that Roger’s engaging conversation and the background information he shared along the way made the journey so enjoyable for you. We believe that a great guide does more than just drive; they bring the history and culture of Taiwan to life, and I am glad Roger did exactly that. I will certainly pass your kind words along to him; he will be delighted to know his efforts were so highly appreciated. Thank you again for your review. We wish you all the best and hope to welcome you back to Taiwan in the future! —Lawson @ YOLO Taiwan
We spent the day with Nicholas. His knowledge and enthusiasm helped make the tour a memorable experience. We enjoyed the locations and our lunch at the Tea House. Highly recommend.
Dear Guest, Thank you for choosing YOLO Taiwan and for sharing your experience. We are happy to hear that you had such a memorable day on our Jiufen, Shifen and Houtong Cat Village Private Tour. It is wonderful to know that Nicolas’s knowledge and enthusiasm added so much to your journey. We are also glad you enjoyed the selected locations and your lunch at the tea house. I will certainly pass your kind words along to Nicholas; he will be delighted to know his passion for sharing Taiwan made such a positive impact on your visit. Thank you again for your recommendation. We wish you all the best and hope to welcome you back to Taiwan in the future! —Lawson @ YOLO Taiwan
