【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen in Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan

【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen

Outty Ranking 64 4.3 · 10 traveler reviews8.5 hoursFrom $40
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Outty Ranking

64/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.3/5

Based on 10 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen worth booking?

【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen is a 8.5-hour experience in Taipei, Taiwan, from $40 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 10 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
64 / 100
Rating
4.3/5 (10)
Duration
8.5 hours
From
$40 per person

Operated by MyProGuide Taiwan, with licensed local guides. Looking for a unique way to explore Jiufen and Shifen? Join this day tour combining scenic views, nostalgic old streets, and a memorable local train journey. Start at Shifen Waterfall, known as Taiwan’s “Little Niagara,” and admire its lush surroundings. Then explore Shifen Old Street, stroll along the railway tracks, and release a sky lantern with your wishes. Enjoy a scenic local train ride from Shifen to Houtong, passing through mountains and valleys. In Houtong Cat Village, meet free-roaming cats, explore cat-themed shops, and discover the history of this former mining town. End your day at Jiufen Old Street, where you can wander through lantern-lit alleys, visit traditional teahouses, try local snacks, and enjoy beautiful mountain and ocean views. Experience Northern Taiwan through nature, culture, local railway charm, and historic hillside towns.

What you get

    About this experience

    Operated by MyProGuide Taiwan, with licensed local guides. Looking for a unique way to explore Jiufen and Shifen? Join this day tour combining scenic views, nostalgic old streets, and a memorable local train journey. Start at Shifen Waterfall, known as Taiwan’s “Little Niagara,” and admire its lush surroundings. Then explore Shifen Old Street, stroll along the railway tracks, and release a sky lantern with your wishes. Enjoy a scenic local train ride from Shifen to Houtong, passing through mountains and valleys. In Houtong Cat Village, meet free-roaming cats, explore cat-themed shops, and discover the history of this former mining town. End your day at Jiufen Old Street, where you can wander through lantern-lit alleys, visit traditional teahouses, try local snacks, and enjoy beautiful mountain and ocean views. Experience Northern Taiwan through nature, culture, local railway charm, and historic hillside towns.

    What's included

    Included

    • Shifen-Houtong One way Train Ticket
    • Tour Guide
    • Insurance
    • Transportation

    Not included

    • Sky Lanterns (250NTD)
    • Personal Expenses
    • Meals

    What you'll see and do

    1. Shifen Waterfall

      Accompanied by a professional tour guide, take a leisurely stroll along the trail beside the waterfall and immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of cascading water.

      50 minutes here

    2. Shifen Old Street

      Discover the historic and cultural charm of Shifen, surrounded by Taiwan’s beautiful natural scenery. Write your wishes on a traditional Chinese sky lantern (天燈) and release it into the sky for a memorable experience.

      50 minutes here

    3. Originally built during the Japanese colonial period for mining purposes, this historic railway station has since transformed into a popular photo spot for visitors after releasing sky lanterns. From here, you could hop on the unique Pingxi Line train and head to Houtong Cat Village, a charming destination that once recommended by CNN.

      20 minutes here · Admission included

    4. Houtong Cat Village

      Houtong was once a thriving mining town, and its history is closely tied to Taiwan’s mining industry. Today, it is better known as Houtong Cat Village, where friendly cats roam the streets and attract visitors from around the world. Take a stroll through the village, meet its feline residents, and discover the unique blend of mining heritage and cat culture.

      90 minutes here

    5. Jiufen Old Street

      Jiufen Old Street is one of the most famous attractions in Northern Taiwan, known for its charming old-town atmosphere and stunning mountain and sea views. Take a relaxing break at a traditional tea house and enjoy a cup of Taiwanese tea while admiring the scenery. Stroll through the narrow streets, explore local shops and food stalls, and soak up the unique charm of this historic hillside town.

      120 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Taipei

    Meeting Time: 08:15 Departure Time: 08:30 Please look for our guide wearing a yellow uniform.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Meeting Time: 08:15 Departure Time: 08:30 Please look for our guide wearing a yellow uniform.

    Options you can book

    • English / Chinese Guide

    • Cantonese Guide

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    cmn, yue, en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 30 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    MyProGuide Inc.

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Per Taiwan law, children under 4 years old must use a child safety seat. Please notify us in advance if needed (An additional fee of TWD 300 per seat applies).

    Photos

    【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen in Taipei, photo 2【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen in Taipei, photo 3【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen in Taipei, photo 4【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen in Taipei, photo 5【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen in Taipei, photo 6【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen in Taipei, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 10 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    5 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    10 verified traveler reviews for 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    8
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    1
    1 star
    1
    Sort
    P8766PWamyz · August 2026

    Wonderful tour!

    Had a lovely tour with Vivian, who needed to switch back and forth between English and Mandarin to suit all of the tour attendees! She packed a lot in and gave us a great deal of history and trivia on the way to our tour stops. We got just the perfect amount of time for all the stops!

    via Tripadvisor

    Michael R · April 2026

    Fantastic Experience. Thank you Evelyn!!

    Great tour! We had Evelyn as our guide. She was incredibly communicative, professional and knowledgeable about all of the places we went! She was so friendly and made sure we all understood where we were going and what we were looking at. We really enjoyed hearing about the history of all of the sites we visited, and you can tell she was very proud and excited to share these experiences with us 🙂. Definitely would book with this company again, and thank you Evelyn!!

    via Tripadvisor

    cottbus · February 2026

    Exelente travel guide

    Travel guide with very friendly design, even when it had rained all day. Translation app in German.

    via Tripadvisor (translated)

    Elizabeth_J · November 2025

    The no train train tour

    So the guide Evelyn was very good, energetic and informative. The tour did not meet my expectations and I blame poor communication from the tour company for this. I booked the tour around 6 weeks ago, before the hurricane damaged the railway. The company did not inform me the train ride was now impossible. If I had known this I would have cancelled because sitting in a bus visiting places suffering from over tourism was not really my agenda. I only really wanted to see the cat village and ride the train. I knew nothing of the cancellation until departure from Taipei. Also please think before sending the lanterns into the sky. Remember they come back down, look in the trees around and in the river. Nobody cleans them away, they just take the tourists money and do not care. Is a myth worth this kind of pollution? We’re on holiday having fun but should nature not be allowed to thrive without human disturbance and ignorance?

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear that Evelyn provided an energetic and informative experience. Regarding the train ride, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. Unfortunately, the railway closure due to the hurricane was beyond our control, and we understand how this affected your expectations. We recommend checking with the booking platform or our team for the most updated information before the tour in the future. We also appreciate your concern about environmental impact. Your comments regarding lanterns are valuable, and we will continue to remind guests about responsible practices to minimize environmental effects. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

    via Viator

    Navigator25315342634 · November 2025

    Unflexible, not customer-centered company

    Nothing about the trip itself. The trip was nice. But I accidentally paid twice the day before the tour because the system prompted me twice. Instead of showing any goodwill and refunding the duplicate payment, they kept referring to their policy. Very disappointing. I ended up paying twice for the exact same tour on the same day. The company is s...

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback, and we’re glad to hear you enjoyed the trip itself. Regarding the duplicate payment, we’re unfortunately unable to process refunds for individual account issues directly. We kindly recommend contacting the platform you booked through, as they are able to handle payment-related inquiries and can assist with resolving the duplicate charge. We’re sorry for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    8.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $40 to $41
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    4
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by MyProGuide Inc., who run 63 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.3.

    See everything MyProGuide Inc. runs

    Why this scores 64

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)72
    Review evidence (18% weight)39
    Booking momentum (14% weight)31
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)31
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Taipei.

    How much does 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen cost?

    +

    Prices start at $40 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Taipei usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen take?

    +

    Plan for about 8.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Taipei is not rushed.

    Is 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 10 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Taipei, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen?

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    Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Taipei can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Taipei and add a light layer if any part of the 8.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Taipei within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Taipei?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Taipei experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Small-Group: Yehliu, Jiufen & Pingxi Day Tour from Taipei, Full-Day Private Custom Taipei City Tour, Private Taroko Gorge National Park Day Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Taipei?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Taipei?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen?

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    Included: Shifen-Houtong One way Train Ticket; Tour Guide; Insurance; and Transportation. Not included: Sky Lanterns (250NTD); Personal Expenses; and Meals. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen?

    +

    Meeting Time: 08:15 Departure Time: 08:30 Please look for our guide wearing a yellow uniform. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen offered in?

    +

    It is offered in Chinese, Cantonese and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen if the weather is bad?

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    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen?

    +

    Across 10 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    What booking options are available for 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen?

    +

    There are 2 options to choose from, including English / Chinese Guide, Cantonese Guide. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen.

    Pick your date