The street operates on a branch line originally built to transport coal from the mountainous Pingxi District to the coast.
Sky lanterns were historically used by villagers as signals to indicate the area was safe from bandits, a practice that evolved into a modern cultural celebration.
The area is located within a narrow valley, creating unique acoustic conditions when trains approach the station.
The street layout follows the path of the Pingxi Line railway tracks exactly, with no physical barriers between the shops and the trains.
Shifen Old Street is a historic commercial strip built directly along an active, single-track railway line that continues to operate for the Pingxi train branch. The street is famous for the ritual of releasing large, paper sky lanterns, which visitors write messages on before launching them toward the sky. Traditional storefronts and street food vendors line the narrow tracks, forcing tourists to step aside whenever a train passes through. The area preserves remnants of Taiwan's coal-mining heritage, reflecting the village's origins as a logistics hub for the region's mines. The railway was constructed in 1921 to transport coal, later shifting to passenger tourism as industry declined. The tracks serve as the primary pedestrian thoroughfare for the village. It remains one of the few places in the world where daily transit and public pedestrian activity coexist in immediate proximity.
The center of the railway tracks during the gap between train arrivals.
Step completely off the tracks and behind the yellow safety lines whenever you hear a whistle or see train lights approaching.
Visit the nearby Shifen Waterfall, located a short walk away, to complement your trip to the Old Street.
Write your wishes on the lantern before heading to the tracks to save time and reduce congestion in the shop aisles.
Avoid releasing lanterns during high-wind or heavy rain conditions, as they can become fire hazards or environmental waste.
The railway line operates daily, but lantern activities may be suspended during extreme weather alerts like typhoons.
Be mindful of train schedules and do not leave debris from lanterns in protected forest areas.
