Jiufen Visitor Center Introduction
The Jiufen Visitor Center is located on the east side of the Jiufen Police Station. Visitors can get off at the bus stop "Jiufen Police Station" and walk a few steps to reach it. The governing body of this visitor center is the Tourism and Travel Bureau of New Taipei City Government. The first floor serves as the tourist service area, while offices are located on the upper floors, which are not open to the public. The architecture of the visitor center is quite modern, featuring a simple and refreshing design, with glass walls and columns that create a transparent visual sensation, encouraging travelers to come in and explore. The flooring on the first floor is made of pebble wash, evoking the image of being in a mining area. Outside the glass walls and within the service area, there are wooden benches available for visitors to rest. Behind the service desk, there is a large tri-lingual map summarizing some major tourist attractions in the Shuinandong, Jinguashi, and Jiufen areas and their relative locations. For first-time visitors to the Shuinandong, Jinguashi, and Jiufen area, it is highly recommended to visit the visitor center first, as it can save a lot of unnecessary wandering and provide an overview of the area along with valuable information. The staff will do their best to assist visitors with situations such as not knowing where attractions are located, how to get there, checking bus schedule times, operating hours of various parks, and resolving any issues. The interior features several scale models of old light rail cars, with each displaying various minerals from the Shuinandong, Jinguashi, and Jiufen region and old mining tools, creating a mini-museum atmosphere. Posters on the walls summarize the development history of the Jiufen area in brief texts in three languages. There is also a small service that provides a commemorative stamp. The brochures on display are printed in various languages, offering in-depth and easy-to-understand introductions of different attractions, often including beautifully printed summary maps, making them one of the most commonly used printed materials by travelers. A large television is hung from the ceiling, continuously displaying introductions of important attractions in the Shuinandong, Jinguashi, and Jiufen area. The newly added Kiosk navigation machine features an interactive system with 3D visuals, allowing inquirers to quickly understand how to reach major locations scattered throughout the Shuinandong, Jinguashi, and Jiufen area. Another important service is the on-site guides, some of whom are local residents or nearby volunteers who provide explanations for travelers, such as Japanese-speaking volunteers who regularly check in on weekends.
