Shi Fen Old Street & Jui Fen Old Street

A couple of hours' drive away from Taipeh, these 2 old streets are tourist attractions by virtue of their long existence, tucked away up in the hills.

On way up to Shih Fen

The first stop was Shi Fen Old Street where a train still serves the little village. The train tracks bisect two rows of tiny shops.

Standing on the train tracks

The shops sell Sky Lanterns, souvenirs and vegetables.

Fresh vegetables

Here comes the train

Tourists stop here to purchase these lanterns and they write their wishes on the lanterns before they are let off into the sky.

Shop selling sky lanterns

 Swepa also purchased a lantern and we wrote our theme on one side while our inhouse Toast Masters  Club wrote on the other. Then our lantern was lighted up and set free into the sky, carrying our wishes for empowerment of women and more women helping women.

Our sky lantern with our theme before it was lit and sent off into the sky.

View from end of Jui Fen Old Street

The second stop was Jui Fen Old street which is a narrow 800 meter stretch of paved bricks flanked by small shops selling all kinds of souvenirs, local delicacies, herbs, confectionery, pastries, handicraft, clothing, bags and crockery.

Entrance to Jui Fen Old Street

 

We stopped by a few shops to check out their products. Most of them were very attractive and we could still do some bargaining.

The way up to these two old streets which are at an elevated level is very picturesque.