It is quite a small street, but is extremely popular because it is along the narrow train tracks where trains from Taipei come, and it is also the place where people send skylanterns with wishes into the skies. You can buy a skylantern from $200, depending on the colours, and write messages to departed loved ones etc on all four sides. The staff will then light joss paper inside to heat up the air, before the lanterns are released to soar into the sky. It is good that they try to recycle the lanterns when they burn up and return to earth - locals are encouraged to find these and are then given a small financial reward to return these to the authorities. The shops lining the train tracks are mostly souvenir and snack shops.

Such fun! We took the train from Taipei - the view was mainly of the river, mountains and waterfalls. At Shifen Old Street we enjoyed great food, and loved choosing the colours for our lantern as each colour represents a different aspect of life. Then we painted words and pictures on each side of the lantern before it was lit and rose into the air. It was lovely to take part in this cultural tradition, and even though hundreds of people did the same, we never had to wait more than a couple of minutes for any part of the process. The Street is a mix of modern and traditional, and set each side of the railway line. There are lovely waterfalls about 20 mins walk away if you have time. Highly recommend a visit.

The main (perhaps only) reason for stopping here is to make a lantern and send it high in to the sky. We had a lot of fund doing it and it was a unique experience. You put your wishes on the sides of the pre-made lantern and the shopkeeper lights it for you and you let it fly off. Surprised that they don’t burn the woods down but they claim that the rainy climate minimizes the risk. They also pay people to bring them back so that they don’t litter the countryside. A great activity if you’re in the area.

I just loved experiencing the train leaving and all the people having to move off the railway track. I also enjoyed sending up a lantern in tribute to my Chinese friends and just actually visiting this place. This is not somewhere to stay for a long time. I just wish I had had the time to visit places such as Jiufen and other beautiful places close by. Would I return, if I was showing someone around who had not visited before. There are so many other wonderful places to discover in Taiwan. Enjoy!

A street lined with shops on both sides of the railway track. Most shops are selling either souvenirs, snacks, or the highlight of this area - sky lanterns. A little upset that our driver brought us to a shop that sold the rainbow sky lantern at 400twd instead of 350twd that most shops charge there

It’s a bit too touristy but still has its charm with the central emphasis being those wanting to release their lantern. It’s not cheap but not too expensive yet everyone seems to enjoy the endeavour. Food stalls are nice but bit pricey and there’s this ridiculous train running through the middle of the town where people are releasing lanterns just 30 seconds before. You just had to be there.