See it all without spending a penny！ Taoyuan’s “Hidden Free Attractions” Guide

▲ Bean and Wheat Pond is referred to by netizens as the “mini version of Yunshan Water” (Photo / provided by a netizen)miracle_steve_huang(Please do not take unauthorized photos to avoid copyright infringement.)

Travel Center / Compiled Report

Taoyuan — what comes to mind when you think of fun places to visit? Aside from the well-known Daxi Old Street and Shimen Reservoir, there are actually many lesser-known spots that are also full of stories. Whether you’re lingering in historical landmarks to witness the traces of time or unwinding in hidden lakeside gems, Taoyuan’s charm is worth exploring in depth.ETNEWS has compiledseven of Taoyuan’s hidden “free” attractions— plan your route in advance and visit them all together if you can.

▲ Zhongping Road Story House (Photo / provided by a netizen)barista_ann(Please do not take unauthorized photos to avoid copyright infringement.)

1. Zhongping Road Story House
The “Zhongping Road Story House” is tucked away in the bustling Zhongping commercial district of Zhongli. It reopened to the public in early May 2017. The Japanese-style duplex wooden building preserves the daily life details of the Liao and Wang families over nearly six decades, taking you back in time to the Japanese colonial period. Many areas such as the kitchen cabinets and cooking spaces are open to the public, and the outdoors still features remnants like old pigsties and wells, helping recreate the living scenes of that era. There are also irregular exhibitions and lectures where visitors can appreciate local stories at a leisurely pace.

Address: No. 99, Fuxing Road, Zhongli District, Taoyuan City

▲ Longgang Branch of Taoyuan Municipal Library (Photo / from Taoyuan News fan page)(Photo / from Taoyuan News fan page)2. Longgang Branch of Taoyuan Municipal Library

Claimed to be the most beautiful library in Taiwan, the “Longgang Branch of Taoyuan Municipal Library,” which opened in December 2015, was designed by the firm Lu Chun-ting Architects. Its exterior resembles an open giant book, while the interior makes extensive use of wood elements to create a simple yet serene reading environment. The entire building has four floors above ground and two below, covering nearly 2,000 pyeong. The side features floor-to-ceiling windows decorated with 45 book-shaped designs that open like unfolded books, blending the library’s identity with its architecture in a very unique way.
Address: No. 100, Taiguo 1st Street, Zhongli District, Taoyuan City

▲ Sanmin Bat Cave (Photo / provided by a netizen)

3. Sanmin Bat Cave & Kikuo Pai Old Churchhuang.h.cThe Sanmin Bat Cave in the Fuxing District is a naturally formed wonder, resembling a giant rock canopy. Its crescent-shaped cave, waterfall, and emerald-green stream are three standout features that inspire awe at nature’s craftsmanship. The bat cave is not only a nostalgic spot for the older generation but also attracts many young people who come to take picturesque photos.

▲ Kikuo Pai Old Church (Photo / provided by a netizen)
After visiting the bat cave, don’t miss the nearby Kikuo Pai Old Church. With its mosaic stone walls, the church may look rough at first glance, but its lines are exquisitely detailed. Having stood strong through 40–50 years of weather, it makes for a fantastic photo spot.

Sanmin Bat Caveoo_xx_peipeiAddress: Wuliao Stream Valley, east side of Sanmin Village, Fuxing District, Taoyuan City (GPS can be set to No. 101, Kikuo Pai, Fuxing District, Taoyuan City)

Kikuo Pai Old Church

Sanmin Bat Cave
Location: Gully of Wuliao Stream on the eastern side of Sanmin Village, Fuxing District, Taoyuan City (GPS can be set to No. 101, Kiguo Pai, Fuxing District, Taoyuan City)

Kiguo Pai Old Church
Address: No. 96-3, Lane 18, Sanmin Village, Fuxing District, Taoyuan City

▲Bean and Wheat Pond. (Photo / Provided by netizenjudychiaoPlease do not reproduce the photo without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

4. Daxi Bean and Wheat Pond
Taoyuan is famously known as the “Land of a Thousand Ponds.” This hidden pond lies along the way to Daxi Old Tea Factory and is next door to the Bean and Wheat Private Kitchen Restaurant, hence its name “Bean and Wheat Pond.” The breathtaking lake and mountain scenery has been dubbed by netizens as a “miniature version of Yunshan Water.” You can take a stroll along the lakeside path, and include a visit to Daxi as part of your side trip to enjoy a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle. Lastly, visitors are reminded to cherish the environment: do not pick the flowers or plants, and please take your trash with you to help preserve this beautiful spot for generations to come.

Location: No. 650, Section 2, Fuxing Road, Daxi District, Taoyuan City

▲%In the shadows, joy quietly blooms as the evening deepens (Image / strong>minnnhannnProvided, please do not reproduce the photo without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)