Visit the hometown of red dates — a tour of Gongguan Golden Town

• Video: Falling in Love with Golden Town – A Miaoli Gongguan Self-Guided Trip

By Liao Jingqing

• Golden Town — Rich in Traditional Hakka Culture^?/li>

Miaoli Gongguan, a town built on agriculture, has always maintained the distinctive Hakka^?tradition, boasting fertile soil and favorable climatic advantages for growing crops. The area is renowned for its vibrant agricultural produce. The serene evening scenes, with the scent of rice fields and the golden hues of harvested crops blending together, present a poetic countryside ambiance. The chorus of frogs and the setting sun casting a golden glow create a peaceful rural idyll that captivates the heart.

Every early summer, along the section of Provincial Highway 6 between kilometers 17 and 19 in Gongguan Township, the bright yellow blossoms of the Golden Shower trees create a dazzling display. Coupled with the golden ears of rice in the fields, they form a spectacular golden landscape, which is how “Golden Town” got its name. The town connects four villages: Guannan, Fuxing, Fujhi, and Shiqiang. Within the town, visitors can enjoy traditional arts, homestays, specialty restaurants, cycling trails, and flower farms — each spot offering an unforgettable experience.

Summer in Miaoli is colorful and lively. In addition to bustling festivals, the red dates harvested in July and August have given rise to a rural health and wellness tourism boom. In recent years, with the rise of leisure agriculture, Golden Town has not only gained fame as Taiwan’s only region producing red dates but has also integrated local culture and community characteristics. Last year, it was officially designated as the “Golden Town Leisure Agriculture Area” by the Council of Agriculture. The “A Thousand-Mile Neighbor” initiative launched by the Golden Town Association brings together a variety of unique accommodations and recreational spots in the town. With the philosophy of “prosperous countryside, leisurely life,” it offers visitors a chance to experience the warm and rich Hakka^?village culture.

• “A Thousand-Mile Neighbor” — Plan Your Itinerary Around Farm Life

If you want to experience rural life, follow the farmers’ daily routines and taste the flavors of the season. The association currently offers one-day, two-day, and even long-stay accommodation experiences. Due to time constraints, this time we took a direct bus to Royal Leisure Homestay in Miaoli Gongguan right after work. In less than two hours, we found ourselves amidst the rural fields, falling asleep to the sound of frogs and getting ready to explore the countryside by bicycle the next morning.

Royal Leisure Homestay, located by the edge of the fields, boasts a vast space surrounded by lush greenery, showcasing the owner’s thoughtful design. The interior feels just like home, with minimal decoration. The first-floor lobby includes a coffee bar and karaoke facilities for various leisure activities. The rooms are elegantly furnished and offer medicinal bath SPA services for relaxation. The outdoor space feels like a paradise, featuring a courtyard, small wooden cabins, and a hillside adorned with flowers and walking paths. There is also a large orchard where guests can pick their own fruits and vegetables, as well as an open kitchen to cook meals and fully enjoy the pastoral experience.

• Golden Town Association of Gongguan Township
• Phone: (037)237698
• Fee: NT$1,600 for a one-day guided tour
• Address: No. 338-1, Guannan Village, Gongguan Township, Miaoli County


• Royal Leisure Homestay
• Phone: (037)238-995~6
• Mobile: 0928-331118
• Address: No. 265-1, Guannan, 10th Neighborhood, Guannan Village, Gongguan Township
• Website: http://www.royalhomestay.com.tw
• Room types: Double rooms, triple rooms, six-person rooms, three-person Japanese-style rooms, 12-person Japanese-style rooms, and 16-person Japanese-style rooms.



• Early Morning Bike Ride — Immerse Yourself in Rural Life

Although setting out by bike at around 6:30 a.m. may not sound like the most leisurely way to vacation, waking up early allows you to witness farmers diligently working their fields and to experience the meaning behind the saying “every grain is hard-earned.” Plus, an early start helps you avoid the scorching midday sun. So, even though you might still be a bit groggy, the sight of cycling through the fields under the blue sky is all the motivation you need to kick off your Golden Town adventure.