Jiufen grew rapidly in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries after gold was discovered in the surrounding hills, drawing miners and merchants and transforming a quiet settlement into a bustling mountain town. When the mining era ended, the town quieted for decades before drawing new attention from travelers and filmmakers drawn to its atmospheric lanes and dramatic coastal setting. Today it draws visitors from across Taiwan and beyond, with its layered staircases, traditional teahouses, and sweeping Pacific views remaining its greatest attractions.

The transition from late afternoon to dusk is when this hilltop panorama shows its full range, as the village lights warm the lower slopes just as the sky above the sea turns. Arriving in the hour before sunset gives you time to find your footing before the colors begin.