【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 9 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 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (9)
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- From
- $40 per person
Looking for a unique way to explore Jiufen and Shifen? Join this day tour combining scenic views, nostalgic streets, and a charming railway experience in Northern Taiwan. Start in Shifen, home to the spectacular Shifen
What you get
About this experience
Looking for a unique way to explore Jiufen and Shifen? Join this day tour combining scenic views, nostalgic streets, and a charming railway experience in Northern Taiwan. Start in Shifen, home to the spectacular Shifen Waterfall, known as Taiwan’s “Little Niagara.” Feel the mist and admire the waterfall surrounded by lush greenery. Then stroll along Shifen Old Street beside 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 — a true railway adventure. In Houtong Cat Village, meet free-roaming cats, browse cat-themed shops, and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this former mining town. End the day at Jiufen Old Street, a hillside village of lantern-lit alleys, traditional teahouses, local snacks, and panoramic ocean views. This tour blends nature, culture, and a memorable train journey — a refreshing way to experience Jiufen and Shifen.
What's included
Included
- Shifen-Houtong One way Train Ticket
- Tour Guide
- Insurance
- Transportation
Not included
- Lanterns Release Experience (250NTD)
- Personal Expenses
- Meals
What you'll see and do
Shifen Waterfall
Guided by a professional tour guide, you can take a leisurely stroll along the trail beside the magnificent waterfall, allowing you to experience the harmonious melody brought by the water.
50 minutes here
Shifen Old Street
Shifen is a town rich in culture and history which provides a nice glimpse at Taiwan's beautiful natural scenery. You can consider releasing a Chinese Lantern with a wish written on it to let it go into the sky.
50 minutes here
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
Houtong Cat Village
Houtong started to become famous because of the mining industry in the past, and now it is more well known for the cats living in the village.
90 minutes here
Jiufen Old Street
Jiufen old street, one of the most famous attractions in Northern Taiwan. It is a good place to enjoy the Taiwanese tea and relax at the tea house. Strolling along the old street, you can see the view of both mountains and the sea
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Taipei
Gathering Time: 08:15 Departure Time: 08:30 Please look for the guide in yellow uniform.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Gathering Time: 08:15 Departure Time: 08:30 Please look for the guide in 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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- MyProGuide Inc.
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for 【Incl. Train Experience】Shifen & Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
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
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
Exelente travel guide
Travel guide with very friendly design, even when it had rained all day. Translation app in German.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
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
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
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
【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?
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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?
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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?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 9 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?
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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 3 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?
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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?
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On Outty we rank every Taipei experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Full-Day Private Custom Taipei City Tour, Private Tour to Jiufen, Yehliu Geopark, and Pingxi, Full-Day Private Northern Taiwan Tour from Taipei with Pickup. 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?
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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?
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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.
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