Beyond the Mist and Red Lanterns of Jiufen (九份)
Anyone who's been to Jiufen knows the familiar vibe: misty skies, bustling crowds, and those iconic red lanterns that scream Spirited Away. It's instantly recognizable!
I skipped the taro desserts, the zen tea ceremonies, and the usual "Instagrammable" spots. My trip was about:
- Savoring a pineapple cake offered by a genuinely kind shop owner. I don't remember his name, but I remember his smile – it convinced us to buy three boxes!
- Meeting a Vietnamese tofu shop owner. She took one look at our group and said, "Vietnamese? Come try some!"
The stinky tofu? Well... it still stinks. 🫠
But eating it in the fog, holding the tofu, chatting, and hearing a familiar Vietnamese accent made the "stink" feel... somewhat endearing. 😌
That's it. Nothing overly romantic, no need to get deep. Jiufen, for me, wasn't about capturing the perfect photo for social media. It was about meeting a few lovely strangers and having those memories stay with me from this Taiwanese land.
Later, back home, I learned the story:
The Meaning Behind the Name
"Jiufen" (九份) means "Nine Portions." Initially, there were only nine families in the area, and they would request nine portions of supplies when someone went to market, sharing them equally. 😬
Then came the gold rush. The village boomed with people flocking there to mine and build. Then the gold ran out, and people left.
What remained: the winding paths, the red lanterns, a few small shops... and an indescribable feeling of nostalgia. That's it.
Some places are perfect just by understanding, feeling, and tasting them.
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