Things to do & places to visit in Hsinchu, Taiwan

The city of "New Bamboo," Hsinchu sways like a sturdy reed under the cooling breeze that rolls from the Taiwan Strait. Buzzing with the activity of numerous science and technology universities, Hsinchu is forward-thinking, attracting high-tech companies from around the world—a charming juxtaposition of modernity and antiquity for the oldest city in northern Taiwan. Hsinchu's historic moat flows through central parks and green spaces, and the scholarly carvings on the Guan Di Temple contribute to the city's intellectual sensibility. For a glimpse into traditional Taiwanese technologies, visit the Craft Glass Museum to learn about Hsinchu's signature product.

Hsinchu #16 destination in Taiwan 2023. The average rating score is 4.10 based on 2.186 traveler reviews, of 70 attractions. Timezone: Asia/Taipei, current date and time: Friday, May 10, 2024, 18:43.

Hsinchu Weather Statistics view more »

Top things to do (27)

• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Shopping Malls
• Bridges
• Hiking Trails
• Military Museums
• Speciality & Gift Shops
• Visitor Centers
• Game & Entertainment Centers
• Bodies of Water
• Universities & Schools
• Scenic Walking Areas
• Marinas
• Art Museums
• Department Stores
• Flea & Street Markets
• Parks
• Architectural Buildings
• Theaters
• Churches & Cathedrals
• Zoos
• Religious Sites
• Biking Trails
• Nature & Wildlife Areas
• Military Bases & Facilities
• Speciality Museums
• Beaches
• Gardens

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

1. 5.0 Dong Shan Wetland & Ecology Park (4 reviews)
   - 仲夏荷塘
   Parks
   
   
   6 .14日清晨六點，聽運動朋友說東山溼地公園荷花盛開，心想，糟了今天沒帶手機，回家路上滿腦子荷花，一進門，就立刻帶著手機騎上機車，時間是6:25...........
   
   年年碧荷盛夏約 獨獨菡萏情未歇
   
   若問人間愛荷說 東山幽塘最適偕 See more..
   
2. 4.5 Big City (326 reviews)
   - Many great memories here.
   Department Stores • Shopping Malls
   
   
   Our family has been coming here even before the renovation. Top notch movies, IMAX, 3D and more. Great food court and restaurants upstairs. They have every name brand you could ever imagine from all over the world. Happy Travels, ExploreTraveler See more..
   
3. 4.5 Eighteen Peaks (128 reviews)
   - Not a walk in a park...
   Hiking Trails
   
   
   Hiking Trail park in Hsinchu City, next to Ching Hua University. See more..
   
4. 4.5 17 Kilometers Hsinchu Coast Scenic Area (55 reviews)
   - Long but enjoyable
   Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 2-3 hours Marinas • Bodies of Water • Biking Trails
   
   
   You can rent bikes near the beginning of the trail, and it is winds along the coat with little tree cover. You should apply sunscreen before trekking on this adventure. The area is quite beautiful, and if you continue past the windmill, you'll travel into Miaoli County and have more forested area leading you to over 50 km roundtrip. The trail winds around and you encounter some hills, but the trail is nicely paved. Be sure to bring plenty of water and enjoy your travel. See more..
   
5. 4.5 National Tsing Hua University (43 reviews)
   - One of Taiwan's top engineering schools
   Spent 1-2 hours Universities & Schools
   
   
   Tsing Hua University was established in Beijing then transferred to Taiwan in 1949 with the retreating Nationalists. The college is set in a beautiful campus just outside of Hsinchu City. The lake is especially attractive, it is well supplied with large koi, which have marvelously varied colors. The gazebo on the tranquil lake which is very peaceful. It's easy to spend an hour of so just wandering around. By the way, the lake is deep and treacherous, swimming and fishing are forbidden. The campus has varied wildlife, including squirrels. Please do not feed the animals. Tsing Hua is best known for its engineering faculty, but it covers a wide range of academic disciplines. See more..
   
6. 4.5 The Residence of Principal Hsin Chih-Ping (40 reviews)
   - Principle Hsin’s residence
   Points of Interest & Landmarks
   
   
   Visiting Principle Hsin’s residence which reminds some of my Good old Senior High School era. The residence is a Japanese style house which is well maintained with a lot of Principle Hsin’s memories. He is indeed, a great educator who has led by examples. Back then, the college entrance exam was the most important task for any Senior a high School students. However, we still need to learn music, painting, swimming, and mountain running. My music was flunked and the music teacher was so talented to name many different eggs (score 0) for my classmates. The other teacher i still remembered is the “Old Flat” history teacher who was a philosopher. There were several “ great teachers” back then to guide my life. See more..
   
7. 4.5 Military Villages Museum (35 reviews)
   - Hipster
   Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums
   
   
   This village is very attractive, you can walk from MRT only 5 minutes and you can see Taipei 101 from this area. So nice. See more..
   
8. 4.5 17 Km Bicycle Path (28 reviews)
   - Great escape
   Biking Trails
   
   
   I got an u-bike outside the hotel and spent a few hours riding on this well kept and well signalled path. The views are not amazing if not for the large amounts of birds and the tropical sounds. Quite hot at any time, bring plenty of waters as there are only few facilities See more..
   
9. 4.5 Siangshan Wetland (26 reviews)
   - Stunning sunset
   Nature & Wildlife Areas
   
   
   It’s an amazing place for everyone except it’s always very windy. Wetland and animals for kids, sunset and breeze for adults. Very good place for biking too. See more..
   
10. 4.5 Chenghuang Temple Night Market (16 reviews)
    - Famous for food
    Speciality & Gift Shops
    
    
    There's an old saying in Taiwan "Windy in Hsinchu, raining in Keelung and mosquitoes in Changhua." Hsinchu is well-known for its deliciously thin rice vermicelli noodles, which are naturally air-dried in Hsinchu's famous wind. The market also has another Hsinchu delicacy, pork meatball soup. You'll find many other famous foods at the night market. See more..
    
11. 4.5 Hsinchu Air Base (8 reviews)
    - 上空を戦闘機がよく飛んでいます。
    Military Bases & Facilities
    
    
    新竹には海側に空軍基地があるため、上空を爆音を響かせながら戦闘機がよく飛んでいます。基地近くは観光客が個人で行くには不便で、何もないので、行く必要はないと思います。 See more..
    
12. 4.5 Vie Show Cinemas (8 reviews)
    - Shiny New
    Theaters
    
    
    One thing that I thought was super cool about this theater is that after I was seated, I decided that I wanted some snacks. As I left the theater, one of the staff asked me what I was doing, then told me they would get my snacks for me. I gave them money, and they returned to my seat with my snacks, my change, and I didn't miss any of the movie. Super cool. Located just by the food court in Big City, at the top of the giant escalator that comes out the front in the courtyard, next to Coldstone Creamery. See more..
    
13. 4.5 One Bear Museum (7 reviews)
    - 一直是我的最愛泰迪熊
    Speciality Museums
    
    
    從小泰迪熊就是我的最愛，只要有牠的蹤影、廣告、活動及影片，總教我流連忘返，欲罷不能！
    如今新竹多了一處勝地，不必再出國，更值️推薦！ See more..
    
14. 4.5 Guo Yuan Yi Museum of Cake and Pastry Hsinchu (5 reviews)
    - Kids enjoy it!
    Speciality Museums
    We started off with a video to learn where and how does the flour, sugar, etc comes from before putting the ingredients together to make the dough. Then we had the cookie making session which the children had lots of fun with the dough provided, making different cookie shapes with the mould and finally decorating it. While waiting for the cookies to be baked, we had a tour around the museum with a guide. The guide will gather the children in front first before talking about the exhibits in the museum then she will ask the children questions. Those who answered correctly will be rewarded a candy. After the tour, we went back to pack the cookies in a box which we can bring back after that. Lunch was provided before we left. Overall a good experience for the kids. See more..
    
15. 4.5 12 Liao Bikeway (5 reviews)
    - 12 Liao Fishpond & Coffee
    Biking Trails
    
    
    A well kept fishpond which has a lot of coffee shops surrounding it to make a very unique scene. Been here few times. Always very busy during weekends or holidays. Thus we always come over here during weekdays which has very few people and quite. Grabbed a drink and sat by the pond, it’s nice and peaceful. Some fish & turtles were enjoying their daily life to swim from here to there, chasing fish food. In a way, pretty much mimic our life nowadays! See more..
    
16. 4.5 Second Run Movie Theater (3 reviews)
    - Two for One
    Theaters
    
    
    When you get a ticket at the Second Run Movie theater, located just near the Hsinchu Temple, and the Lionfish fountain, you get two movies for one. The posters for each movie are located on the first floor, and they come in sets of two. You can bring your own snacks (recommended). Take the elevator to the floor of your theater and enjoy your movies. See more..
    
17. 4.0 Hsinchu Cheng Huang Temple (373 reviews)
    - One of Taiwan's most interesting temples
    Religious Sites
    
    
    This is a fascinating temple. The entrance is not at all obvious but once you enter it is a cacophony of sounds and a medley of smells and colors. Cheng Huang Temple is one of the oldest temples on the island and is enduringly popular. The temple does not have magnificent statues, but it seems to gain its popularity by answering the prayers of the faithful. By the way, the temple's fish ball soup and vermicelli noodles are famous and many visitors visit mainly for the food. See more..
    
18. 4.0 Nanliao Port (215 reviews)
    - Great place to spend the day.
    Points of Interest & Landmarks
    
    
    The Nanliao port is very fun and has lots of food. The 1st floor of the market has sashimi, and other fish. Then on the second floor you can cook the fish or eat at small restaurant. At the other roofed market there are 53 stalls, which sell small snacks and lots of drinks. The area is also very windy, so there are a huge amount of kiters. Kites can be rented or bought near the market. There is also a very long beach where you can walk on, this is a great place to I highly recommend it. See more..
    
19. 4.0 Hsinchu Zoo (160 reviews)
    - Great value for money!
    Zoos
    
    
    It may be small but for the small entry fee its very good value for money. A nice half day activity, just takes a few hrs to go around it all. Good selection of animals that you can get up close to. Also a fun climbing net for kids. See more..
    
20. 4.0 Hsinchu Station (74 reviews)
    - Station is piece of railway history
    Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
    
    
    This piece of railway history dates from the Japanese colonial era (1895-1945). Travelers with long memories will notice a resemblance to the former Taipei Main Station, demolished many years ago. The Hsinchu Station is still useful for inter-city and local travel. The Taiwan High Speed Rail station is some distance away, and many travelers prefer to take the Taiwan Rail service. See more..
    
21. 4.0 Qing Cao Lake (39 reviews)
    - Beautiful scenery
    Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water
    
    
    Although this is not a very huge lake, the scenery is beautiful and very idyllic. There are also properly maintain walking trail where you can walk around the lake. The surrounding is clean and quiet. A good place to visit. See more..
    
22. 4.0 19 Hectares Grassland Hsin Chu City, Taiwan (36 reviews)
    - 好玩的溜滑梯 良善的步道
    Scenic Walking Areas
    
    
    週末到青青草原來，覺得還不錯，首先是有好幾座溜滑梯，大人小孩都愛玩。溜夠了，可以在園區步道走一走，步道的狀況很好，乾淨又好走，樹蔭下微風吹拂很舒服。還有就是大草原，可以在這邊放風箏，踢球或是就躺著休息，相當愜意。缺點是附近沒什麼商家，最好自備飲料食物。 See more..
    
23. 4.0 FE21 Mega (36 reviews)
    - It's All Here
    Department Stores
    
    
    Top floor has a formidable Vieshow movie theater featuring all the latest movies to Taiwan. They are relaxed about you bringing in snacks from McDonald's, Muji, and Hi-Life (which is across the street). There's a great all you can eat buffet restaurant called Wasabe opposite the food court. McDonald's, tappenyaki, Thai, Italian, Korean, and Taiwanese food stalls comprise the food court. Each floor has a separate theme of children's wear, electronics, mens, women's, and the ground floor has all the makeup showcases. B1 has Joseph's Supermarket where you can get a heap of foreign brand foods and ingredients. There are some restaurants and chocolate boutiques as well. See more..
    
24. 4.0 Riverside Park (29 reviews)
    - Very pleasant place to walk
    Parks
    
    
    Lovely place to enjoy a tranquil walk along the waterside. A lot of work has been done to reclaim the park along side the water and work continues on planting in and around the waterside - it is lovely. See more..
    
25. 4.0 The Canal Around (26 reviews)
    - Don't overlook the historic structure of this canal.
    Parks
    
    
    This canal runs the center of Hsinchu. Right off the main traffic circle. Its a good break from the constant hum of scooters and motorbikes. I nice walk thru the park that boarders the canal. Filled with fish (a couple large gold fish in there to make it pretty). See more..
    
26. 4.0 Hsinchu Guandi Temple (19 reviews)
    - Interesting and unusual temple
    Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
    
    
    Visitors with a knowledge of Chinese religion will find some unusual (i.e., interesting) features in this temple. It is dedicated to Guandi, but also has a special section for Wenchang, as well as shrines for the Tai sui deity and for the "Red Rabbit Horse (it sounds better in Chinese - 赤兔马 - as in fast as a rabbit - like Guandi himself, the horse appears in the story Romance of the Three Kingdoms)." We were there near the end of the lunar year, so there was a giant paper horse, which we assume will be burned at some point - as well as decoration on stone statues of a man leading a horse. Not something you would normally see. For those who don't know temples as well, you can go on a weekend to see people coming in to burn incense and ask the deity questions. It's a very active place, and somehow more welcoming than the Chenghuang temple. See more..
    
27. 4.0 Hsinchu Art Gallery and Reclamation Hall (16 reviews)
    - The night view is especially stunning
    Art Museums
    
    
    886 3 531 9756 See more..
    
28. 4.0 Hsinchu Jingsin Lake (14 reviews)
    - Pretty spot for a walk
    Bodies of Water
    
    
    This is a very pretty spot to enjoy a nice walk. Very peaceful and relaxing. A little area to get away from the crazy traffic of scooters and crowds. See more..
    
29. 4.0 Hai Tian Yi Sian Scenic Area (12 reviews)
    - nice hang-out place.
    Points of Interest & Landmarks • Beaches
    
    
    enjoy the scenery while riding on your bikes or have a barbeque party by the cottages located just near the shore. See more..
    
30. 4.0 Putian Temple (10 reviews)
    - Hidden gem
    Points of Interest & Landmarks
    
    
    On weekends this temple has a hidden museum that is infrequently open. Here you will find all kinds of Chinese treasures rivaling the National palace museum. Notable are the jade bed and the wooden sculptures. The grounds are full of bizarre statues ranging from Venus to other Western art. Worth half a day at least. See more..