Hsinchu City Guide

Hsinchu is unlike any other district within Taiwan due to it age; whilst it only contains a few historical and cultural spots, the coastal and mountainous landscape means that many people flock to the city to enjoy the scenery on offer. Many people tend to visit Hsinchu on a day trip from a much larger city as you can visit the major sites during a jam-packed day out.

Tourist Sights

Whilst the city has developed and expanded over the years, resulting in a multitude of high rise buildings and industrial advances, there are still a number of ancient structures that are intact. Most can be found within the central areas, which means that you can visit the main sites on day trip to the city. East Gate is the city’s most notorious landmark and is a Class 2 historical site. It was originally built out of bamboo poles and granite but was renovated in 1826 and is now built out of concrete.

The Cheng Huang Temple is another great site to visit as the 18^th Century temple is guarded by two exquisite stone lions. This is a great way to learn about the religion and culture within Hsinchu and it also offers tourists the ability to observe traditional Taiwanese architecture.

Things To Do

The Hsinchu Zoo is well worth a visit as it is famed for being the smallest and oldest zoo within all of Taiwan. The zoo is home to over 300 animals and over 100 species – there are also 23 species of protected animals. This is one the most visited sites within Hsinchu City and is the perfect way to keep you family and friends entertained for a day.

The Municipal Glass Arts and Crafts Museum is one of the newest tourist attractions within Hsinchu as it was built in 1999. The building displays how glass making has been an integral part of the city throughout the years; the interior of the museum is also spectacular as it was used as a Japanese royalty residence and banquet hall until 1936.

Natural Wonders

Alongside the few historical and cultural sites which are dotted around the city, Hsinchu is surrounded by stunning scenery which attracts visitors to the city each year.  The Eighteen Peaks Mountain is a crescent shaped mountain which has numerous peaks and troughs along its front. If you are able to climb the mountain, you will enjoy exquisite scenes of the city below. This is also perfect for people who want a lively activity as you can hike and trek along its paths.

The Green Grass Lake is famous throughout all of Taiwan as it is considered to be the best as well as the oldest scenic spot within the entire country. The lake also functions as a reservoir and stores water from the Yaker River for a multitude of uses. The relaxing atmosphere which surrounds the tranquil waters makes this the perfect space for laying back and enjoying picnics with family and friends.

 

5 Day Weather Forecast for Hsinchu