Taiwan’s towns and villages are famous for their atmospheric streets and Shifen Old Street is one of the most captivating. Shifen Old Street is unique in that it blends superb shopping and dining with an operational railroad track. Once an important transportation link for the town’s coal-mining trade, the street is now a tourist attraction loved for its delicious food and sky lanterns.
Arrive by train at Shifen Station and follow the crowd that makes its way hurriedly to the street along the tracks. Shops and restaurants, some of them almost spilling onto the tracks, line both sides of the railroad. Take photos of this picturesque and colorful market scene with a backdrop of lush green hills. Trains pass through frequently and delight the onlookers that have moved to safety by sounding their horns.
The highlight of the shops is the chance to purchase one of the sky lanterns characteristic of the Pingxi District. Once used as a means of communication by townsfolk and railroad workers, today they are a source of entertainment and good fortune. Ask storeowners what the different colored lanterns represent and then purchase one that best suits you. Write a good luck message on it, light it and let it float off into the distance.
Consider buying a snack from one of the street’s dozens of food stalls. Fill up on boneless grilled chicken wings stuffed with rice and barbecued pork sausages. Stands also offer Taiwanese staples such as dumplings, oyster omelette and stinky tofu. Be sure to try ice cream and peanut shavings served together in a crepe-like pancake.
The easiest way to reach Shifen Old Street is to take the Pingxi Line to Shifen Station. Drivers can use the metered car park located a 10-minute walk from the town center. Find other attractions within comfortable walking distance of the street. Among them are Guanpu Suspension Bridge and Shifen Waterfall.
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