From hidden tunnels to sky castles！ A complete guide to 20 popular and hidden gems in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli

▲ Dananwo Green Hills in Miaoli. (Photo provided by netizen shadow_air. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Whether it’s a rare consecutive holiday for office workers or the long-awaited winter and summer breaks for students, if you want to have a great time out, proper planning is a must！ If you don’t want to spend too much time on transportation, choose a convenient “all-in-one” travel route！ Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli in northern Taiwan—whether you’re heading from north to south or south to north—just follow this cheat sheet, and you won’t miss a single popular attraction！

Taoyuan

Futian Garden Farm

The farm features a Crystal Chapel made entirely of transparent glass, which is super dreamy. There are also colorful flower gardens where you can easily spend an afternoon！

Address: No. 22-8, Piwei, Fuan Village, Daxi District, Taoyuan City
Phone: 03-3872540

▲ A romantic floating crystal chapel. (Photo provided by netizen pinpin_chiu. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Daxi Cihu

Perfect for relaxation and fresh air, Cihu features the scenic front lake nestled against mountains and water, while the back lake is surrounded by hills, exuding a mysterious atmosphere.

No. 1097, Section 1, Fuxing Road, Daxi District, Taoyuan City
 

▲ Experience mental and physical purification at Cihu. (Photo / file photo)

Xiaowulai Skywalk

Located in the Fuxing District of Taoyuan City, the Xiaowulai Skywalk hangs above the Xiaowulai Waterfall, allowing visitors to fulfill their dream of walking on clouds. It was later voted by the public as the most romantic spot in Taiwan.

No. 42, Yisheng Village, Fuxing District, Taoyuan City
08:00-17:00 (Closed Tuesdays)

▲ The transparent skywalk is super thrilling. (Photo provided by Taoyuan City Government)

Kikuo Presbyterian Church

This church is the only one in Taiwan built entirely from stone. Half a century ago, overcoming numerous challenges, it was crafted by hand using natural materials to become the beautiful European-style old church it is today.

Address: No. 96-3, Lane 8, Sanmin Village, Fuxing Township, Taoyuan County
Phone: 03-3826218

▲ An ancient European-style church. (Photo provided by netizen oo_xx_peipei. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Taoyuan Fairy Valley

Known for planting vast fields of tulips, Taoyuan Fairy Valley in the mountainous region of Fuxing attracts many visitors every year from January to March during the tulip season to admire the sea of flowers reminiscent of Europe.

Address: No. 5-1, Lane 8, Shanggao?, Changxing Village, Fuxing Township, Taoyuan County
Phone: 03-3822661

▲ January to March is tulip blooming season. (Photo captured from the Taoyuan Fairy Valley fan page)

Daxi District Old Tea Factory

Nestled within the mountain forests of Taoyuan, the Daxi Old Tea Factory boasts spacious grounds and quaint tea-making tools—perfect for taking photos and admiring the historical artifacts inside.

Address: No. 80, Lane 732, Section 2, Fuxing Road, Daxi Township, Taoyuan County

▲ Enjoy a cup of tea in the factory. (Photo by reporter Chen Ruizhong)

Hsinchu

Shierliao Catholic Church

Located by the Ermei Lake in Hsinchu’s Emei, the Shierliao Catholic Church is hailed as “the most beautiful ruin church in Taiwan.” Though long abandoned and overgrown with weeds and trees, its striking red-tiled roof and cross still draw many netizens for pilgrimage.

Address: Shierliao, Huguang Village, Emei Township, Hsinchu County (next to the large wall of Shierliao, on Zhongshan Road, Hsinchu Rural Route 49)

▲ A church with a ruin-like feel. (Photo provided by Instagram user @hanhan0w0; no unauthorized screenshots, please avoid copyright infringement)

Tofu Rock

Recently popularized by rock photography trends, more and more young people come here to take beautiful photos, making Tofu Rock one of Hsinchu’s hottest recent attractions. By standing on rocks of various sizes and shooting at different times, you can capture your own unique style.

Address: Touqian River, East District, Hsinchu City

▲ Tofu Rock also exists in Hsinchu’s Touqian River. (Photo provided by netizen Shen Jiaxuan; no random screenshots, please avoid copyright infringement)

Buddha World

This pointed castle sits within Buddha World. Originally a fairy-tale-themed amusement park, it was later abandoned and left to stand as Taiwan’s most unique private meditation park.

Location: No. 23, Dazhukeng, Dongshan Li, Guanxi Township, Hsinchu County

▲ Buddha World resembling a princess castle. (Photo taken from the Facebook page of netizen Lin Ziying)

Dong’an Ancient Bridge

Located in Hsinchu, Dong’an Ancient Bridge is the only remaining historic stone bridge in Guanxi. Spanning both banks of the Niulanshui River, this old-style circular arch bridge, built from stone, has stood firm through the ages and remains today as a resilient cultural heritage site.

Address: Zhongshan Road, Beidou Li, Guanxi Township, Hsinchu County

▲ Dong’an Ancient Bridge is a cultural heritage landmark. (Photo provided by Instagram user @__sara.c__; no unauthorized screenshots, please avoid copyright infringement.)

Hongmaogang Mangrove

The “Hongmaogang Mangrove” in Xinfeng Township, Hsinchu, is the only place in northern Taiwan where mixed stands of Kandelia obovata and Sonneratia caseolaris mangroves grow. Covering 8.5 hectares, its lush “green tunnel” features tall Kandelia trees lining both sides of the boardwalk. Walking here feels like stepping into a mysterious scene from the movie My Neighbor Totoro.

Location: No. 93, Xinshi Road, Zhongxing Village, Xinfeng Township, Hsinchu County

▲ Hsinchu’s dense mangrove forest. (Photo provided by a netizen; no random screenshots, please avoid copyright infringement.)

No. 6 Garden

Located in the Laha Tribe of the mountainous Jianshi area in Hsinchu, No. 6 Garden is an open space featuring a landscape restaurant and campsite. The brick-built restaurant is surrounded by flowers and trees, standing elegantly and serenely in the mountains like a forgotten piece of the world.

Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County, Xinle Village, Laha Tribe
0932-178-177

▲ A secret garden in the mountains. (Photo provided by Instagram user @ivan_tsai88; no random screenshots, please avoid copyright infringement.)

Qingqing Grassland

With vast green lawns, Qingqing Grassland is perfect for a lazy, carefree afternoon in the sunshine. The Mosaic Slide at Qingqing Grassland in Hsinchu City is especially popular among visitors, offering fun for both adults and kids.

No. 1, Caodi Road, Xiangshan District, Hsinchu City

▲ The super-long slide at Qingqing Grassland. (Photo provided by Hsinchu City Government)

Green Light Elementary School

This forest elementary school is located within the Mawudu Exploration Forest in Hsinchu. After the idol drama "Green Light Forest" wrapped up filming, it was preserved and has since become a unique attraction alongside the forest trails.

No. 138-3, Lane 12, Jingshan Li, Guanxi Township, Hsinchu County (Mawudu Forest)

▲ The forest elementary school was a filming location for the drama. (Photo provided by netizen Denis Liang. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Miaoli

Sky Fortress

Nestled in the mountainous area of Dahu, Heaven Fortress resembles a medieval castle and even bears some resemblance to Western-style churches. Whichever corner you turn, you’ll find strong fantasy elements that make it a hotspot for stunning photos.

Location: No. 33, Shifen, Xin Kai Village, Dahu Township, Miaoli County
Phone: (037)951-815

▲ The fortress surrounded by vines. (Photo provided by netizen evachang03. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Qiding Mother-and-Son Tunnel

The Qiding Mother-and-Son Tunnel in Zhunan, Miaoli, a remnant from the Japanese colonial period, is surrounded by lush greenery along its forest path. Emerging at the tunnel entrance feels like stepping into a scene from the movie "Spirited Away."

Qiding Tunnel, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County

▲ The tunnel that looks like a movie scene. (Photo provided by netizen cutebee1303. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Dananwo Green Hill

The highly secluded "Dananwo Green Hill" is actually privately owned land, but the owner has generously opened it to the public. With flowers planted around the area, visitors can run freely and enjoy the space worry-free.

Location: Near the Salt-Carrying Ancient Trail, Miaoli 38 Township Road, Tongxiao Town, Miaoli County

▲ Endless green fields. (Photo provided by netizen bunny_vvv. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Cape Paradise

Located in Houlong, Miaoli, Cape Paradise is a moderately popular Instagram spot. With beautiful scenery, few crowds, and many nearby attractions, the entire area can be explored in just two hours. It also features well-planned bike trails, attracting visitors for cycling and photo ops on holidays.

Zhonghe Li, Houlong Township, Miaoli County

▲ The rainbow installation is super photogenic. (Photo from IG@yu_ting822)

Tongxiao Shrine

On Tiger Head Mountain in Tongxiao, Miaoli, stands the historic Tongxiao Shrine, built in the 12th year of the Showa era (1937) during the Japanese colonial period. This historical structure, weathered by time, emanates a serene and mysterious beauty.

Address: Hu tou Shan Park, Tongxiao Town, Miaoli County

▲ The shrine hidden in the mountains. (Photo from the Miaoli Play Thoroughly Facebook page)

Haowangjiao

At the scenic Cape Viewpoint in the Ban Tian Liao Leisure and Cultural Park, the elevation isn't particularly high, making it accessible by car or bicycle. Walking up the trail, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and can enjoy the fresh, tranquil sea breeze.

Address: No. 33, Houlong Township, Miaoli County 356, Taiwan

▲ Enjoying the sea view and breeze at Cape Viewpoint with friends. (Photo provided by netizen @eason_lin1223. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)