One day in Hsinchu: a walking itinerary of the old city

Hsinchu’s old city is small, flat and full of food. The main sights are a few minutes apart, between the railway station and the City God Temple, and you can end the day by the sea. This route takes a full day at an easy pace, with one short taxi or bus ride to the coast.

The plan at a glance

• 9:00: Hsinchu Station and breakfast
• 10:00: The East Gate and the moat park
• 11:30: The City God Temple
• 12:30: Lunch at the temple snack stalls
• 14:30: Hsinchu Park, the zoo and the Glass Museum
• 16:30: Nanliao Harbour and the sunset
• 19:30: Dinner at a night market

Morning: the station and the East Gate

Start at Hsinchu Railway Station, opened in 1913 and the oldest station building still in use in Taiwan. Its stone front and clock tower look more European than Asian. Have breakfast nearby: a Taiwanese breakfast shop will serve soy milk, egg pancakes and fried dough sticks.

Walk five minutes up the main road to the East Gate, finished in 1829 and the last surviving gate of the old city walls. Walk through its stone archway and down into the sunken plaza around it.

From the gate, follow the moat park, a green ribbon of water and paths along the line of the old walls. It is the most peaceful walk in the city centre.

Late morning: the City God Temple

Walk west to the City God Temple, founded in 1748 and home to the highest-ranking City God in Taiwan. Step inside to see the main hall through the incense, the carved beams and the two tall and short generals who guard the god.

Lunch: rice noodles and meatballs

The temple forecourt is a covered food court of old stalls, and this is where Hsinchu eats its two most famous foods: rice noodles, thin and springy, served dry with minced pork or in soup, and gongwan, bouncy pork meatballs. Add a runbing spring roll or a plate of duck. Read our guide to what to eat in Hsinchu before you order.

Afternoon: Hsinchu Park

Walk back past the station to Hsinchu Park. The Hsinchu Zoo, opened in 1936, is the oldest in Taiwan, and it was rebuilt in 2019 with more space for the animals. Nearby, the Glass Museum shows the work of the glass industry that once made Hsinchu famous, in a building from the Japanese era. The lake and its wooden teahouse are a pleasant place to rest.

Late afternoon: Nanliao Harbour

Take a bus or a 20-minute taxi to Nanliao Harbour. Hire a bike and ride a stretch of the coastline cycle path, or join the families flying kites on the waterfront lawn. Stay for the sunset over the Taiwan Strait.

Evening: a night market

Head back into the city for dinner at a night market, or return to the streets around the City God Temple, which stay busy into the evening. The East Gate is floodlit after dark and worth one last look.

Tips for the day

• Avoid Monday if you can: the zoo and the Glass Museum are usually closed.
• Bring cash: most temple stalls and night market vendors do not take cards.
• Bring a jacket: from October to March the wind on the coast is strong and cold.
• Use an EasyCard: it works on city buses and YouBike bikes.

Want a second day? Head into the hills with our guide to Neiwan and Beipu.