Living in a fairy tail, a journey in Jiufen (Taiwan)

Have you never watched the japanese animation "Spirited Away" of Hayao Miyazaki? The whole story of this famous fantasy film is set in a magical ancient town which the author claims it has been inspired by the town of Jiufen in Taiwan.

This "secret" town located in the north of Taiwan, thereabout Taipei, has really something magical in the air, just walking on the streets it feels like living an ancient asian fairy tail. The old architectures, the market, the unique teahouses, the red lantern lighted everywhere, the colors, the warm people, the culinary smells, the fresh air, the nature, the stunning panorama views bring shiver down the spine.

Historically influenced from the japanese colonial period, Jiufen was a mining town rich of gold. The town went into sharp decline when mining was discontinued but saved it from becoming an anonymous mining ghost town, in fact, Jiufen is now a popular tourist destination for people eager to relive scenes from the past.

Just outside the town centre, it easy to reach other worthy spots, such as the mine with its museum; traditional japanese structures, including imperial mansions; artisan workshops; the Golden Waterfall, called so for the goldish color of the flowing water; and the many mountain peaks reachable by walking or hiking for few minutes, wich provide spectacular views of the harbor and the Pacific Ocean below.

It is sensational thinking as a small place can give big emotions!

#Taiwan