Top 5 Leisure Agriculture Areas in Hsinchu County: Explore Hidden Waterfalls & Savor Atayal Warrior Cuisine

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

To promote Hsinchu’s natural landscapes, agricultural products, and local cultural heritage, the Hsinchu County Government has specially designated five leisure agriculture zones. Whether you’re looking to enjoy an SPA, savor authentic indigenous cuisine, or take part in fun traditional games, these five zones offer it all. Visiting these areas in your free time not only provides a deep agricultural tourism experience but also helps you better understand Taiwan.

▲At the Heping Leisure Agriculture Area, you can participate in many indigenous-related activities. (Photo / Provided by Hsinchu County Government)

Heping Leisure Agriculture Area, Wufeng Township
Heping Community is the Maybalay Tribe, one of the four original Atayal settlements in Wufeng Township. Its most distinctive feature is the preservation of original Atayal culture. Using the local bamboo forest as a specialty, it features attractions such as bamboo torii gates, bamboo houses, and bamboo signs. In the tribe, you can also see bamboo-built granaries, which are simple structures used by indigenous people to store millet crops. The community also boasts over 10 natural waterfalls perfect for an SPA, as well as the Shangping River, Ghost Swamp Mountain Trail, Guyan Hiking Trail, and Maybalay Trail.

Featured Activities: Here you can enjoy indigenous-flavored meals, such as fried creek fish and shrimp, wild boar, fish mint omelet, and herb chicken soup.
Local Agricultural Products: Peaches, plums, and high-mountain vegetables
Phone: (03)585-1586
Transportation: Exit from Zhulin Interchange on National Freeway 3, then connect to County Highway 120, turn right onto Zhulin Bridge to reach Zhudong. From there, head toward Zhudong and connect to County Highway 122. About 50 meters in front of the Wufeng Township Office, enter the Maybalay Community. After crossing Heping Bridge, drive for about another 5 minutes to arrive.

▲Cycling around Egret Lake. (Photo / Taken from the Emei Township Office website)

Shierliao Leisure Agriculture Area, Emei Township
Shierliao is bordered by Dapu Reservoir and the Emei River to the west, while its eastern side features rolling hills and mountainous terrain. Within the three surrounding mountain ridges lies a flat plain dotted with ponds of various sizes—this is the unique landscape of Shierliao.

The Shierliao Leisure Farm is located within the Lion’s Head Mountain National Scenic Area. While enjoying farm life, you can rent a bicycle to explore nearby attractions such as the Maple Forest Trail, the shores of Egret Lake, and the Forest Essence Trail.

Featured Activities: Wood carving DIY, generational farms, Zhao Men play area, and pine nut-sakura fried rice.
Local Agricultural Products: The Shierliao Leisure Farm grows fruits such as pomelos, grapefruits, mulberries, and organic vegetables.
Phone: (03)760-2708
Transportation:
1. Exit from Toufen Interchange on National Freeway 1, connect to County Road 124, then merge onto Highway 3 and drive south to the 96K mark. Turn into the Shierliao Leisure Agriculture Area, then drive another 3 kilometers to arrive.
2. Exit from the Hsinchu Science Park or Baoshan Interchange on National Freeway 3, then drive toward Emei and connect to County Road 43. Around the 11.5K mark, head toward Dapu Reservoir. After entering the section marked by the big rock at Huguang Community, drive about 500 meters to reach the Shierliao Leisure Agriculture Area, then continue along the road to arrive.
3. From Highway 3 in Emei Township, Hsinchu County, enter at the 96K mark on Highway 3 toward Dapu Reservoir, then drive about another 3 kilometers to see the Huguang Community rock. Follow the signs for about 500 meters to enter the Shierliao Leisure Agriculture Area, then drive approximately 3 kilometers more to arrive.

▲Naluowan Leisure Agriculture Area. (Photo / Taken from the Hsinchu County Indigenous Ethnic Education Resource Center website)

Naluowan Leisure Agriculture Area, Jianshi Township
Located in Jinping Village, Jianshi Township, Hsinchu, the Naluowan Leisure Agriculture Area sits at an altitude of about 600 meters. It features terraced fields, a moso bamboo forest, and an organic vegetable zone, as well as a literary trail, a water-friendly park, an agricultural experience area, a creek fish farm, and a natural ecological reserve.

Some parts of the park retain the appearance of pristine forests and remain undeveloped. There are also many Atayal cultural statues that tell various stories, such as the Atayal hero shooting down the sun and Atayal spiritual leaders—perfect spots to pause, admire, and learn.

Featured Activities: Bamboo (dreamcatcher) weaving, Naluowan rosemary interpretation, pruning, soil cultivation, etc. After playing, you can also enjoy the Nalu Leisure Set Meal.
Phone: (03)584-1702
Transportation:
1. Exit from Zhulin Interchange on National Freeway 2 and drive east along County Highway 120 through Hengshan and Jianshi. Turn right at Jianshi Bridge and continue straight to arrive.
2. From the Kansai Interchange, take Prefectural Highway 118 to Kansai, then head south along Provincial Highway 3 to Hexing. Turn onto Prefectural Highway 120 to Jianshi, make a right at Jianshi Bridge and continue straight to reach the destination.

▲The wooden bridge at the entrance of Qilong Ancient Trail. (Photo / Courtesy of Qilong Ancient Trail website)

Hengshan Township Dashanbei Leisure Agriculture Area
The Dashanbei Leisure Agriculture Area is centered around Dashanbei in Hengshan Village, with Leshantang as its focal point. It mainly follows Youluo Creek, encircling the Dashanbei Mountain area. Every early summer, a large number of fireflies gather here, making it the most famous firefly-watching spot in Hsinchu County. In addition, visitors can explore Leshantang, Daqidong Trail, Chating Ancient Trail, and Qilong Ancient Trail to experience the mysteries of this ancient hidden gem.

Featured activities: Experience operating farm machinery, taste Auntie’s secret recipe dishes, and more.
Local specialties: The area is abundant in citrus fruits, including Mouguang oranges and Hairi oranges, with the peak season from December to March each year.
Phone: (03)593-1558
Transportation:
1. From the Beixin Expressway Kansai Interchange, pass through Kansai and head toward Zhudong (Provincial Highway 3). After 16 kilometers, reach Hengshan, then turn left and drive about six kilometers toward Wanrui Forest Recreation Area. There is a parking lot in front of Leshantang. Walk 300 meters from the parking lot to reach the orchard, or drive directly to the farm in a small car.
2. From the Beixin Expressway Xionglin Interchange, head toward Zhudong, cross Zhulin Bridge, pass through Zhudong City and Xiagongguan, then go toward Kansai. Take Provincial Highway 3 to Hengshan, turn right and drive six kilometers. Park in front of Leshantang, where route guidance is available upon disembarking.

▲The beauty of Zhaomen Leisure Agriculture Area. (Photo / Courtesy of the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan / Photo by Li Xinrong)

Xinpu Township Zhaomen Leisure Agriculture Area
Once selected as one of the “Top 10 Classic Farming and Fishing Villages” in 2007 under the name “Beautiful Xin Zhaomen,” the Jiuliu Lake Zhaomen Leisure Agriculture Area features nine trails, most of which have now been transformed into natural ecological trails. Among them, Guannan Trail, Jiyue Trail, and Feifeng Trail are the most well-known. Due to minimal disruption to the surrounding natural ecology, visitors can spot small animals such as stag beetles, butterflies, and fairy pittas along the trails. Nearby, there are also many popular tourist attractions, such as Nanyuan, Yimin Temple, and Leofoo Village Theme Park.

Featured dishes: BBQ preserved mustard greens | ? (text unclear) Local specialties: Fruits (such as pears), dried persimmons
Phone: (03)588-1311
Transportation: Exit the Beixin Expressway at Kansai Interchange, take Prefectural Highway 118 toward Xinpu, and turn left at the 27K mark on Prefectural Highway 115.