Northeast Taiwan: Pingxi, Shifen, Houtong & Jiufen

What you’ll do

• Release your own sky lantern in Pingxi
• Explore a village full of friendly cats in Houtong
• Enjoy a traditional Taiwanese tea tasting in Jiufen
• Discover Jiufen’s gold mining history on an English-guided tour
• Wander charming old streets and hidden corners

Stops: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST), Pingxi Old Street, Shifen (Waterfall & Suspension Bridge), Houtong Cat Village, Jiufen Old Street.

Activity level: Easy to moderate walking; stairs in Jiufen lanes; walking paths around Shifen Waterfall.

What’s included

NT$1,690 per person · includes transportation, lunch, activities and insurance

• Private chartered round-trip transportation (10 hours, NTUST to NTUST)
• Shared lunch (合菜 table dishes in Shifen)
• English-guided gold mining history tour in Jiufen
• Traditional tea tasting experience and snacks in Jiufen
• Four-color sky lantern activity (shared 4 participants per lantern)
• Local snack tasting allowance (peanut ice cream roll / taro balls)
• Domestic travel accident insurance (旅遊平安保險)

Not included

• Dinner in Jiufen (free choice and self-funded)
• Personal purchases, souvenirs and additional food/drinks
• Transport to and from the NTUST meeting point
• Any optional activities not listed in the itinerary

Before you go

• Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for stone stairs in Jiufen and damp waterfall trails.
• Bring rain gear and an umbrella — weather in Northeast Taiwan changes quickly.
• Arrive in front of the NTUST main cafeteria by 10:00 AM; the bus leaves at 10:10 AM sharp.
• You pay NT$1,690 in cash and sign the insurance agreement when you pay. NTUST students pay on campus, at the west entrance of the T4 building (Fourth Academic Building), across from the First Student Cafeteria; we will email you the day and time.
• The booking form asks for your passport or ID number, needed for the travel insurance.
• Dinner in Jiufen is independent, allowing you to choose your own food and budget.

Frequently asked questions

How does the booking process work?

Click "Book with us" and fill in our Google Form, one form per person. Spots go first come, first served. If you get a spot, we will email you with the details on how to pay. If the trip is full, you go on the waiting list.

When and how do I pay?

Nothing is paid when you submit the form. The price is NT$1,690, paid in cash. NTUST students pay on campus, at the west entrance of the T4 building (Fourth Academic Building), across from the First Student Cafeteria; students from other universities: we email you how to pay. We will email you the day and time. When you pay, you also sign the insurance agreement.

How many spots are there, and when does booking close?

There are 10 spots left. Booking closes on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 12 PM (noon), the day before the trip, or earlier if all spots are taken.

What if I need to cancel?

If you cancel after your spot is confirmed, we keep NT$1,200 of the NT$1,690 price. Please let us know as soon as possible, so the spot can go to the next person on the waiting list.

Where do we meet?

In front of the NTUST main cafeteria on the Taiwan Tech campus at 10:00 AM. The bus leaves at 10:10 AM sharp.

What does the NT$1,690 price include?

Private bus from and back to NTUST, a shared lunch, the sky lantern, the English-guided gold mining tour, tea tasting, local snacks and travel accident insurance. Dinner in Jiufen and personal purchases are not included.

Who can I contact with questions?

Write to us at semesterescapes@gmail.com and someone from the team will reply.

Useful links

• New Taipei City Travel — Shifen & Pingxi: Official visitor information and seasonal hours.