I fell in love with Jiufen, so I came here — three homestays where you can enjoy the sea view and relax

▲ The Liangwanli Jiufen Shuins Dong Homestay boasts an exceptional sea view, with the top floor offering a view of the Yin-Yang Sea. (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)

ReporterYan Xintong/ Comprehensive Report

The Jiufen area is full of unique architecture and impressive multi-level staircases, attracting many people with a special attachment to the place. They travel from far away to open homestays and shops here, and eventually settle down to live.

Although Jiufen is located on a mountainside, it also offers stunning bay views. Opting for a homestay with scenic features—such as Liangwanli Jiufen Shuins Dong Homestay, Lanyingju, and Xiao Jiaoluo Youth Hostel—allows you to take in breathtaking scenery. Spending a night at any of these local homestays lets you enjoy panoramic mountain and sea views.

1. Liangwanli Jiufen Shuins Dong Homestay
Liangwanli Jiufen Shuins Dong Homestay is situated right behind the Yin-Yang Sea, located next to Liantong Elementary School. Just walk up the stairs and you’ll find this homestay. The owner, Mr. Pan Junjie, loves outdoor activities such as diving, hiking, and rock climbing, and has a particular fondness for the scenery around Jiufen. He once used Jiufen as the subject of his research, so he knows the area very well.

Mr. Pan pointed to a nearby mountain peak: “Look, that used to be the Gold Waterfall. That mountain is Tea Pot Mountain, and beyond that is Banpin Mountain. I’ve climbed all the mountains here.”

Then, pointing to another hillside, he continued: “That’s the chimney. Back then (pointing to another area), that was the miners’ dormitory. If you walk along that path from here, you’ll go through Jian Mountain Trail, and after that trail, you can reach Jiufen—it’s only about a thirty-minute walk.”

Standing on the terrace and pointing to Liantong Elementary School, he said: “Next to it is Liantong Elementary School—the one with the longest slide in all of Taiwan.” His words revealed his deep love for Jiufen.

Originally a diving instructor overseas, Mr. Pan happened to rent this house when he returned to Taiwan, so he turned it into a homestay. In the summer, he runs diving certification classes. Running the classes and operating the homestay here is what he loves and dreams of doing. He also welcomes travelers to book stays here, with full views of the Yin-Yang Sea.

▲ Liangwanli Jiufen Shuins Dong Homestay is located directly behind the Yin-Yang Sea, with a prime location for enjoying the best views of the sea. (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)

▲ Liangwanli Jiufen Shuins Dong Homestay has a spacious terrace, providing lounge chairs for guests to rest. (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)

▲ Liangwanli Jiufen Shuins Dong Homestay offers double and family room types, where you can step out of your room and enjoy the spectacular Yin-Yang Sea view. (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)

▲ Liangwanli Jiufen Shuins Dong Homestay also offers backpacker hostel room types—six-bed mixed dormitories with bunk beds, creating a warm and unique atmosphere. (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)

▲ Liangwanli Jiufen Shuins Dong Homestay provides backpacker hostel rooms, with a bedside lamp and power outlet at each bed for guest convenience. (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)▲

2. Lanyingju
A homestay located on Jiufen Old Street, elegant and unique. The owners are a Hong Kong couple who named the place after the mother of one of them. Owner Mr. Shi said, “My mom’s name is Lan Ying. We changed ‘Ying’ to ‘Ying’ (cherry blossom).” Mr. Shi, who has worked hard in Taiwan, and his mother, who lives between Hong Kong and Taiwan, share a deep bond. He chose the name, which holds special meaning.Originally working in finance in Hong Kong, Mr. Shi fell in love with Taiwan’s warmth and human touch during a trip a few years ago. Later, during another visit, he stumbled upon this entire building for sale. Without any prior plan, driven by enthusiasm, he bought it and invested in opening a homestay.He went from being a complete outsider knowing nothing to running a fairly successful business.

As soon as you enter the homestay, you can hear the warm greetings of the owners, with a thick Cantonese accent—an unforgettable impression for many guests. Mr. Shi laughed and said, “How strange, you can all tell I have a Hong Kong accent.” “What’s most beautiful about Taiwanese people isn’t just the place—it’s the pace of life. It’s much slower than Hong Kong, and we really love it here.” Because they love it so much, they’ve opened a second branch not far down the same street—“Yingmuju,” currently in trial operation.

▲ Jiufen Homestay – Lanyingju: Both the second and third floors are scenic rooms, with a prime location and stairs leading up to Jiufen Old Street right next door. (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)

▲ Jiufen Homestay – Lanyingju: The popular signature room type—“Caiyunjian” (Colorful Clouds) four-person room—features excellent lighting, allowing guests to enjoy mountain, sea, and bay views. (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)

▲ Jiufen Homestay – Lanyingju offers the “Lanying Three/Four-Person Suite,” featuring wooden headboards and large scenic windows. (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)

▲ Jiufen Homestay – Lanyingju offers the “Sunny Day” double room type, a favorite among couples and best friends traveling together. It includes an outdoor balcony for a sweet private moment while enjoying the view. (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)

▲ Jiufen Homestay – Lanyingju also offers a twin-bed room type, known as the “Ocean” double room. Thoughtfully designed for friends traveling together, each person gets their own bed—no awkwardness..(Photo / Taken by reporter Yan Xintong)

3. Little Corner Youth Hostel
The inn owner, Madam Wang, is a warm and friendly older sister. She already ran a homestay called "Lita House," but because of her passion for the hospitality industry, she decided to team up with her sister-in-law to open another hostel-style accommodation, "Little Corner Youth Hostel."The owner mentioned that she previously worked in working holiday programs abroad. After returning to Taiwan, she fell in love with Jiufen and thus started her own homestay. Her whole family is involved in the homestay business. Little Corner Youth Hostel offers windowed rooms as well as backpacker-style dormitory bunk beds. There is also a terrace at the back of the building with stunning views of Jiufen.

▲ Jiufen Homestay – Little Corner Youth Hostel (Photo / Taken by reporter Yan Xintong)

▲ Jiufen Homestay – Little Corner Youth Hostel, a bright and airy double room with a scenic window overlooking Jiufen Bay. (Photo / Taken by reporter Yan Xintong)

▲ Jiufen Homestay – Little Corner Youth Hostel offers bed sales and 8-person shared dormitory bunk beds, ideal for backpackers traveling together. (Photo / Taken by reporter Yan Xintong)

▲ Jiufen Homestay – Little Corner Youth Hostel’s common area, apart from the backpacker rooms, features a cozy lounge like a home away from home. (Photo / Taken by reporter Yan Xintong)

▲ Jiufen Homestay – Little Corner Youth Hostel (Photo / Taken by reporter Yan Xintong)

▲ Jiufen Homestay – Little Corner Youth Hostel common area, with painted walls and a scenic terrace nearby. (Photo / Taken by reporter Yan Xintong)

Erwanli Jiufen Shui'ns Dong Homestay
Official Website:http://www.20000league.com.tw/
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/20000league
Address: No. 74, Lane 101, Dongding Rd., Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Phone: 0935-389379
Room Rates:
6-Person Single-Bunk Dormitory: Standard Price / NT$1000; Holiday / NT$900; Weekday / NT$800
2-Person Suite: Standard Price / NT$2800; Holiday / NT$2600; Weekday / NT$2200
4-Person Suite: Standard Price / NT$4500; Holiday / NT$4200; Weekday / NT$3800

Lan Ying Ju
Official Website:http://www.lanyinghome.com/index.html
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/lanyinghome
Address: No. 14-9, Jiufen Motor Road, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Phone: (02)2406-2363
Room Rates:
Colorful Clouds Quadruple Room: Standard Price / NT$4880; Weekday / NT$3580; Holiday / NT$3980
Lan Ying Triple/Quadruple Room: Standard Price / NT$4880; Weekday / NT$3580; Holiday / NT$3980
Ocean View Double Room: Standard Price / NT$3880; Weekday / NT$2580; Holiday / NT$2980

Little Corner Youth Hostel
Fan Page:https://www.facebook.com/coenerinn
Address: No. 1, Kengwei Lane, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Phone: 0938-460100
Room Rates:
Valley of the Wind: Weekday / NT$2500; Holiday / NT$3200
Blue Ocean: Weekday / NT$1600; Holiday / NT$2000
Baroque: Weekday / NT$1800; Holiday / NT$2200