Hsinchu Day Trip | 新竹一日遊

Even though most people have the misconception that Hsinchu is only known for its Science Park (aka the Silicon Valley of Taiwan), or amusement parks, it turns out that there's more to Hsinchu than meets the eye. There are a ton of historic sites in Hsinchu as it is the oldest city in Northern Taiwan. 

For this post, I'll focus on the historic monuments and temples near Hsinchu Train Station, which itself is a national heritage site. Let's start exploring:

The Hsinchu Confucius Temple has more than 200 years of history and dates back to the Qing Dynasty. There are Confucius Temples in every city in Taiwan. However, the one in Hsinchu is much quieter than the one in Taipei. There weren't as many people and its design seemed more simple than the one in Taipei. Originally, the temple was a place where Confucian education was taught to students. During the Japanese era, it was converted and used as a dormitory for Japanese soldiers. Eventually, in 1975, the temple was relocated close to the Hsinchu Train Station inside Hsinchu Park. 

If you're interested in Confucius Temples, make sure to check out the one in Taipei. Click here for more info. 

The Hsinchu Glass Museum commemorates the history of glass manufacturing in Hsinchu and is housed in a building that was built during the Japanese era. Taiwan's glass industry has more than a hundred years of history and has evolved over the years, from manufacturing industrial and medical equipment during the Japanese era to producing household items during the 1950s. Hsinchu Glass Museum explores how the glass manufacturing industry in Hsinchu has changed and developed its own unique style over the years. The museum also showcases modern art pieces that are made out of glass and also offers a DIY workshop for anyone interested in creating their own glass piece and taking it home. 

Hsinchu East Gate 迎曦門(東門城) was built in 1733 and is one of the only remaining gates from that era. It has now been transformed into a public space where people can go for walks, enjoy the scenery, and explore temples and eateries in the area! 

The Hsinchu State Library was built during the Japanese era in 1925 to commemorate the visit of then-Japanese prince regent Hirohito. The building's exterior is a mix of classical and Renaissance-style architecture. The library has since been renovated and reopened to the public in 2018. It is now a library and a cultural center all rolled into one. 

The Hsinchu City God Temple 新竹城隍廟 is very unique as it is right in the middle of a marketplace! The temple honors the City God, who takes care of the city, the God's wife, and a few other Buddhist deities. Couples visit the temple for blessings and single people also visit to find a good match. There are many City God Temples across Taiwan, click here to explore more!

Take a look at Hsinchu's First Street. This is the origins of the city, how it all began. There are many old streets near Hsinchu Train Station that are worth exploring. If you have time, it's nice to just walk around, enjoy the historic sites, and take pictures.

The Image Museum of Hsinchu City 新竹市影像博物館 was an actual movie theater from the 1930s that has now been converted into a museum. The architecture of the building itself is gorgeous, mixing the Roman style of architecture. Nowadays, it is a cultural activity center that promotes indie films, and domestic films. 

The Hsinchu Military Museum stands out as its exterior is filled with colorful drawings depicting the life of the family of military personnel back in the day. Inside, artifacts and exhibitions depict how life used to be inside a military village. Interested in exploring other military villages? Click here to learn more!

The Hsinchu Black Bat Squadron Memorial Hall memorializes members of the former secret squadron that was part of the ROC Air Force. These airmen used planes and equipment provided by the US CIA to fly secret missions to Indochina from the 1950s to the 1970s to help the US in southern Vietnam. Apparently, the CIA wanted to use Taiwanese airmen so that if they were captured, the US may be able to deny that they were involved.

It was super fascinating to read about this part of history, especially since it has only been declassified roughly 10-15 years ago. 

Hsinchu Tiangongtan 新竹天公壇 is a Taoist temple that was built during the 1800s and was rebuilt in the 1900s. The temple was made to honor the Jade Emperor, also known as the Heavenly Grandfather, hence its name. I was fascinated by its grand exterior. Once you enter inside, you'll see that it is a huge Taoist temple that houses many different deities. It is 2-3 stories high and interestingly, some of the alters were empty. 

Also, the temple has its own park with a carved totem pole right across the temple. Interested in Taiwan's temple culture? Then click here for more. 

Looking for inspiration for day trips? Then click here!

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