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 "Jiufen Police Station" bus stop and walk a short distance to reach it. The governing authority of this visitor center is the New Taipei City Government's Tourism and Travel Department. The first floor serves as a visitor service area, while the upper floors are office spaces that are not open to the public. The architecture of the visitor center is quite modern, characterized by a simple and refreshing design, featuring glass walls interspersed with pillars that encourage travelers to step inside and browse. The flooring on the first floor is made of washed gravel, creating an illusion of being in a mining area. There are wooden benches outside the glass walls and inside the service area for visitors to take a rest. Behind the service desk is a large trilingual map that highlights some of the main attractions in the Shui-Jin-Jiu area and their relative locations. First-time visitors to the Shui-Jin-Jiu area are advised to start at the visitor center, as it can save a lot of unnecessary wandering and provide an overview of the area, along with valuable information. The staff is ready to assist with other inquiries, such as locating attractions, directions, bus schedules, park opening dates and times, and other issues. The indoor layout features several life-sized models of vintage lightweight vehicles, each displaying various minerals from the Shui-Jin-Jiu area and historical mining tools, resembling a mini museum. Posters on the walls use three languages to briefly outline the historical development of the Jiufen area. There is also a small service for stamping commemorative stamps. The brochures displayed here are printed in various languages and provide in-depth introductions to different attractions, often accompanied by beautifully printed maps, making them some of the most frequently used written materials by travelers. A large television hangs from the ceiling, continuously playing introductions to important attractions in the Shui-Jin-Jiu area. The newly installed large-screen Kiosk guide provides a highly interactive system with 3D visual effects, allowing users to quickly understand how to reach various key locations scattered throughout the Shui-Jin-Jiu area. Another important service is the on-site guide staff; some local residents volunteer to assist visitors by providing explanations, such as Japanese-speaking volunteers who are available on weekends.
