Night markets, mountain towns and marble cliffs
This is leg 1 of 3, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Taipei, Jiufen & Taroko
Taipei to Jiufen and Pingxi
Taipei and Jiufen and Pingxi sit about 29 km (18 mi) apart in a straight line, with Jiufen and Pingxi to the east. It is leg 1 of 3 on our Taipei, Jiufen & Taroko itinerary, a 9-day trip. Here is how long it takes by train, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 29 km · 18 mi
- Est. road distance
- 35–41 km
- Est. drive time
- 25–50 min
- Direction
- Heading east
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By train
Our Taipei, Jiufen & Taroko itinerary is planned around rail, so a train is the likely way to cover this leg. Timetables and direct connections vary — check the operator before you book.
By car
Driving is an estimated 35–41 km (22–26 mi) and 25–50 min at typical average speeds, not a routed time.
TRA express trains run Taipei to Hualien in about 2 to 2.5 hours; book seats ahead on weekends. From Hualien, continue by train around the south or return to Taipei and take the High Speed Rail to Tainan in under 2 hours. Taipei's MRT and buses cover Jiufen and Shifen.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Jiufen and Pingxi
Mountain mining towns above the northeast coast, with old streets and waterfalls. Stay 1 day or one night.
Jiufen Old Street
Narrow lanes of tea houses and snack shops climbing a hillside above the sea.
A-Mei Teahouse
Red-lantern teahouse on Jiufen's stairway, a classic spot for oolong with a view.
A-Gan Yi Taro Balls
Hillside shop serving chewy taro and sweet potato balls in shaved ice or warm soup.
Gold Museum, Jinguashi
Former Japanese-era gold mine with a walk-in tunnel and a 220 kg gold bar to touch.
Teapot Mountain Trail
Short, steep hike to a rocky summit over the coast and the Yin Yang Sea.
Golden Waterfall
Roadside cascade stained gold by minerals from old mine workings.
Before you leave Taipei
A food-obsessed capital with hot springs and hiking trails at the edge of town. Stay 3 days.
National Palace Museum
One of the world's great collections of Chinese imperial art, jade and calligraphy.
Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan)
Steep 20-minute stair climb to the classic view of Taipei 101.
Beitou Hot Springs
Thermal valley with a public hot spring, Thermal Valley steam pool and a wooden library.
On this curated route
Where Taipei → Jiufen and Pingxi sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Jiufen and Pingxi to Taipei is the same 29 km in a straight line, heading west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Taipei to Jiufen and Pingxi: questions travelers ask
How far is Taipei from Jiufen and Pingxi?
Taipei is about 29 km (18 mi) from Jiufen and Pingxi in a straight line, with Jiufen and Pingxi to the east. By road, we estimate 35–41 km (22–26 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Taipei to Jiufen and Pingxi?
An estimated 25–50 min, assuming 35–41 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day. Our itinerary leans on rail, so check train times too.
Which itineraries include the trip from Taipei to Jiufen and Pingxi?
Our Taipei, Jiufen & Taroko itinerary includes this leg. Taipei, Jiufen & Taroko runs about 9 days across 4 stops, best in Oct – Dec, Mar – May.
Onward from Jiufen and Pingxi
Guides for both ends
- Taipei travel guide
- Taipei weather best time to visit
- Jiufen and Pingxi travel guide
- Jiufen and Pingxi weather best time to visit
Jiufen and Pingxi by month
- Jiufen and Pingxi in January
- Jiufen and Pingxi in February
- Jiufen and Pingxi in March
- Jiufen and Pingxi in April
- Jiufen and Pingxi in May
- Jiufen and Pingxi in June
- Jiufen and Pingxi in July
- Jiufen and Pingxi in August
- Jiufen and Pingxi in September
- Jiufen and Pingxi in October
- Jiufen and Pingxi in November
- Jiufen and Pingxi in December
Plan Taipei → Jiufen and Pingxi with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.