Jiufen CHIPAO Cheongsam Experience

What it is

CHIPAO is a well-known qipao rental studio located just outside Jiufen's main pedestrian strip, easily reached on foot from the Old Street bus stop. Guests choose from a wide selection of long or short cheongsam styles in sizes ranging from S to 5XL (children's sizes available for heights 80–140 cm), and receive a complete outfit: embroidered shoes, a retro clutch bag, and vintage hair accessories. Basic hairstyling assistance is provided on-site. Once dressed, you're free to explore Jiufen's iconic scenery — the red-lantern-draped stairways of Shengping Road, the teahouse terraces overlooking the sea, and the moody stone alleys of the Old Street — for the full rental period. Men can rent Mandarin-collar shirts, kung fu jackets, or ma gua (traditional Chinese men's robes). Luggage storage is offered so you can roam freely without carrying bags.

Highlights

• Full cheongsam outfit included — rental covers a long or short qipao in silk-look fabric, embroidered shoes, vintage clutch bag, and retro hair accessories for a complete period look
• Sizes S to 5XL plus children's — one of the broadest size ranges available, making this suitable for solo travelers, couples, families, and group friends
• Men's and children's options — men can choose kung fu jackets, Mandarin-collar shirts, or ma gua robes; children's costumes available for kids aged roughly 2–8
• All-day rental with luggage storage — take your time wandering Jiufen without rushing; the store holds your bags while you explore
• Red-lantern alley photo backdrops — the Shengping Road stone staircase lined with red lanterns is steps away, offering some of the most photogenic scenery in Taiwan for qipao portraits
• Iconic teahouse scenery nearby — Amei Teahouse and other hillside tea houses overlooking the harbor serve as atmospheric backdrops reminiscent of classic Taiwan cinema

Good to know

• Typical duration is around 3–5 hours of free exploration; rental is usually charged by the day (return before closing), so arriving in the morning gives you the most time
• Operating hours are typically 11:00–19:00; CHIPAO is generally closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays, plus one additional day per month — check ahead before visiting
• Getting there: take Bus 1062 from Taipei's Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT station or from Ruifang Train Station; alight at the Jiufen Old Street stop and walk about 5 minutes across the road to find CHIPAO at around No. 34 Automobile Road (汽車路34號)
• No professional makeup service is offered, but basic hairstyling assistance is available on-site to help accessorize your look
• Jiufen's narrow stone paths can be steep and slippery in rain; the embroidered shoes have thin soles, so comfortable socks (a complimentary pair is usually included) and slow footwork are advised on wet days
• Weekends and holidays attract large crowds on the Old Street, especially in the late afternoon when the lanterns glow golden — arriving before noon typically means quieter alleys and better photos