7-Must-Visit Spots for a One-Day New Year Prayer Road Trip

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
 
A New Year prayer road trip to kick off the Year of the Dog—make wishes at the legendary Stone Goddess of Mercy, stroll through the Melaleuca Tunnel said to bless couples with everlasting youth, visit a row of white windmills straight out of an idol drama, and feast on hearty freshly harvested rice meals. Play, snap photos, and cover all the popular check-in spots along Routes 61 and 15 for a spontaneous one-day mini adventure.
 
1. Ganquan Temple
Legend has it that during the Qing Dynasty, someone found a stone statue resembling the Goddess of Mercy in the river, leading to the construction of this temple. With over 150 years of history, Ganquan Temple features a grand five-mountain, three-mountain, three-tier, three-section palatial architectural layout. The temple walls are adorned with intricate and exquisite stone carvings. The nearby Ganquan Well is said to have cool, sweet water with healing properties. It’s a spiritual hub for locals and a famous landmark dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy.
Address: No. 1, Ganquan St., Guanyin District, Taoyuan City
Opening Hours: 06:00–18:00

2. Baishajiao Lighthouse
This is the only lighthouse in Taiwan built with red bricks and stones, unlike others made of concrete. It still preserves a sundial from the Japanese colonial period, which can tell time, direction, and latitude based on the shadows cast by sunlight. It has also been selected as one of the “Top 100 Historical Buildings in Taiwan.” Surrounding the lighthouse is a circular trail along the Guanyin River, lined with rice fields, small bridges, and flowing water—a picturesque scene that has become a must-visit photo spot for wedding shoots.
Address: No. 16, Xinpoxia, Guanyin District, Taoyuan City
Opening Hours: 06:00–18:00

3. Guanyin Coastal Windmills
“White windmills, quietly turning, a real feeling, dreamlike and far away”—these are the lyrics written by the famed singer Jay Chou. Along the Western Coastal Expressway stands a row of white windmills that keep spinning against the sea breeze, standing tall rain or shine like silent guardians. With such a dreamy ambiance, it’s no wonder they’ve also become a backdrop for idol dramas.
Address: KM 38 on Highway 61

4. Rice Story Museum
This well-preserved wooden building from the Japanese colonial era features walls coated with yellow mud mixed with bran powder or cement mortar, and wooden beams constructed with io suspension. Inside, the museum displays large wooden rice milling machines and farming tools, taking visitors back in time to experience rural life.
Address: No. 242, Zhonghua Rd., Xinyi District, Taoyuan City
Phone: 03-477-2124 ext. 202 (by appointment only)