What to do in Taipei?

About 40 kilometres from Taipei, Jiufen is a former mining village perched in the mountains of northeastern Taiwan, with lovely views of the sea. Once prosperous thanks to gold mining, it's now known for its narrow lanes, traditional teahouses, small shops and, above all, the red lanterns that create a special atmosphere after dusk. Much of the activity is centred on Jiufen Old Street, with Taiwanese snacks, stairways and shops clinging to the hillside.