The Shitoushan Scenic Area originally referred to a traditional scenic zone in Taiwan, located around Shitoushan Mountain at the border between Sanwan Township and Nanzhuang Township in Miaoli County, near the boundary of Emei Township in Hsinchu County, and was known for its numerous Buddhist and Taoist temples. In March 2001, under the leadership of the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the scope of the Shitoushan Scenic Area was expanded to include many attractions in the aforementioned three townships as well as...
Emerald Lake is a high-altitude alpine lake located in the Snow Mountain Range of Taiwan. It has a cirque slope to the south and a terminal moraine ridge to the north, suggesting that it may have been formed by glacial erosion as a cirque lake. Situated within Shei-Pa National Park, in Tai’an Township, Miaoli County, it sits at an elevation of 3,520 meters, making it the highest natural lake in Taiwan. Emerald Lake…
West Lake Resort is located in Sanyi Township, Miaoli County, Taiwan. Established in 1989, it is a recreational area that emphasizes European-style garden landscapes and family-friendly amusement facilities, covering a total area of up to 100,000 square meters. Next to the resort lies a natural lake called “Dexing Pond,” which is comparable to China’s West Lake in Hangzhou. The locals in Sanyi also refer to it as...
Mingde Reservoir, located in Mingde Village, Touwu Township, covers an area of over 170 hectares. It is responsible for irrigating tens of thousands of hectares of farmland in the Houlong River basin. Next to the dam, there is an observation bridge, along with a spacious park. Both the northern and southern shores are surrounded by roads, and two suspension bridges span the lake, connecting to Rixin Island in the middle of the reservoir. The views are expansive, and there...
Flame Mountain is located at the border of Sanyi Township and Yuanli Town, with the Da’an River to its south. The entire mountain features loose soil that, over time, has been eroded by wind and rain, causing its steep cliffs to gradually wear away. When sunlight shines on the peaks, the view from afar resembles brilliant flames, exuding an awe-inspiring presence. Flame Mountain is famous for its barren yet striking landscape, and the Masson pine forests on the mountain represent a rare and unique…
Fayun Temple is located at the confluence of the Dahu and Wenshui rivers, surrounded by mountains and water, offering beautiful scenery. It is one of the four major Buddhist sacred sites in early Taiwan. The temple architecture is simple and elegant, with heavy glazed tiles paired with snow-white walls. Towering ancient pines and banyans stand around, adding to its serene and solemn atmosphere. Inside the main hall stands a 9-foot-tall white jade Buddha, which was donated by Venerable Hongzong from Singapore…
Jiuhua Mountain in Tongluo has long been a sacred Buddhist site. Along the rural roads stretching from here to nearby Jiulong Mountain, over 20 temples of various sizes are scattered, with worshippers coming up the mountain in an endless stream. Among them, Daxingshan Temple enjoys the most bustling incense offerings, with devotees spread across Taiwan. The widely renowned Daxingshan Temple does not have a grand Buddhist temple structure or a solemn...
Most of Nanzhuang Township is mountainous, with Mount Jiali standing at 2,220 meters above sea level, known as the "Mother Mountain of Miaoli County." Located in the border area of Miaoli County, Nanzhuang’s development began in the 23rd year of the Jiaqing reign during the Qing Dynasty. The town once experienced a “black gold” boom when the population reached nearly 30,000, with more than ten taverns and teahouses lining the streets and three movie theaters. However, after coal mining ceased—and when the forests also lost their economic value for logging—Nanzhuang fell into quiet decline. For over a decade, it seemed forgotten by the outside world, allowing its original resources to be well preserved. Nanzhuang is also home to a mix of Hakka people, Saisiyat, and Atayal tribes, making it a prime example of ethnic harmony. The area boasts abundant local produce, with bamboo shoots, trout, and shiitake mushrooms as its three most famous specialties. It is also one of the main production areas for Pleione and Lycoris aurea. In recent years, Nanzhuang has leveraged its natural landscape resources to develop leisure attractions, boosting the local economy. Additionally, Nanzhuang has been designated as part of a national scenic area, further elevating its tourism industry.
Zhunan Sports Park in Miaoli, referred to as Zhunan Sports Park, is a park located in Zhunan Township, Miaoli County, Taiwan, covering a total area of approximately 13.99 hectares. The park features numerous sports facilities, including four basketball courts, eleven tennis courts, four extreme sports fields, and venues designed for skateboarders and inline skaters...
The Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum is a museum located in Sanyi Township, Miaoli County, Taiwan. Formerly known as the "Sanyi Wood Sculpture Art Exhibition Hall," it opened on April 9, 1995, and is under the jurisdiction of Miaoli County Government's International Culture and Tourism Bureau. It focuses on promoting wood carving and also encompasses functions such as collecting, preserving, displaying, researching, promoting, and maintaining...
Yutengping Broken Bridge, also known as Longteng Broken Bridge, is located 80 meters upstream from the old Yutengping Railway Bridge on the former Mountain Line in Longteng Village, Sanyi Township, Miaoli County. It is a brick pier bridge constructed in Taiwan in 1907. This once-praised “masterpiece of Taiwanese railway architecture” – a brick arch railway bridge – survived two…
The farm grows temperate fruits such as Century Pears, kiwifruit, blueberries, peaches, California plums, and sweet persimmons. Thanks to the owner’s expertise in agricultural technology, they are able to produce rare highland fruits like blueberries. In addition, the end of each year is the kiwifruit harvest season on the farm. If you visit during this time, you can…
Qingquan Hot Spring is located by the Shangping Stream in Taoshan Village, Wufeng Township, Hsinchu County. It is home to the indigenous Atayal and Saisiyat communities. Developed in 1913 during the Japanese colonial period, it was originally a hot spring reserved for Japanese police stationed along the frontier defense line, hence its former name “Inoue Hot Spring.” It also enjoyed the reputation of “Qingquan Trial Bath” and was one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Hsinchu. Visitors coming to Qingquan…
Mount Dabaijian is part of Taiwan’s Snow Mountain Range. Among the renowned Taiwan Hundred Peaks, it is collectively known as one of the “Three Sharp Peaks” along with Central Peak and Dafen Peak. Currently, Mount Dabaijian and Snow Mountain are within Shei-Pa National Park. Taiwan’s indigenous Atayal and Saisiyat peoples firmly believe that Mount Dabaijian is the birthplace of their ancestors and have long revered it as a sacred mountain. Mount Dabaijian…
Old Hukou is centered around Sanyuan Temple and consists of three streets: "Street End," "Cross Street," and "New Street." Among them, Street End was the earliest to be established, while New Street was built latest, around 1920. New Street is what we now refer to as Hukou Old Street. The buildings on Hukou Old Street are all constructed from red bricks, and the architectural style of the old street is rather unique...
The unique hilly terrain of Xinpuyi Town, combined with its dry and low-rainfall climate as well as the prevailing "Cihang Wind" from September to December each year, provides ideal natural geographical and weather conditions that meet the key requirements of persimmon cake production—sun exposure, drying, and dehydration. As a result, the persimmon cakes produced in Xinpuyi Town are especially fragrant, chewy, and delicious, earning widespread fame. The Xinpuyi pears produced here...
Built in the winter of the 53rd year of the Qianlong Emperor’s reign during the Qing Dynasty (1788 AD), Fangliao Baozhong Temple of the Righteous People can be considered the principal shrine of all Righteous People temples across Taiwan. The temple enshrines the Three Mountain Kings, Shennong (the Divine Farmer) and the Yellow Emperor, as well as Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. The annual Righteous People Festival on the 20th day of the 7th lunar month sees local fifteen major villages take turns serving as ritual hosts. For over a century, it has become a major festival and center of faith for the Hakka people of Hsinchu...
The primary purpose of crossing over to Smangus is to visit Taiwan’s third-largest “sacred tree.” It is a red cypress, approximately 35 meters tall with a girth of about 20.5 meters. Its shape resembles a candlestick, and it would take around 20 people to encircle the tree. Estimated to be around 2,500 years old. To protect the roots of the sacred tree, a...
The clear waters of the Youluo River are about 100 metres wide. From the highway, the expansive riverbed, lush green forests, and charming scenery of the suspension bridges resemble a fairyland on earth. Five suspension bridges span the riverbed, making Neiwan famous for its bridges. In the shallow parts of the river beneath the Neiwan Suspension Bridge, you can catch shrimp and crabs, while the deeper sections are great for swimming. The sandy areas are perfect for…
Xiangshan Mother Holy Temple is located on the mountainside beside Provincial Highway No. 1 in Taiwan. It boasts a grand and imposing presence, offering views of trains running along the West Coast Main Line and the surrounding farmland from its vantage point. Further in the distance, the scenic beauty of the Taiwan Strait can be admired. Next to the temple, there are hiking trails for those who wish to explore on foot, making it a spiritual destination that also serves as an ideal spot for sightseeing. …