It’s not just about Shimen Reservoir — there are also ten must-visit attractions.

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team     Photo Source / Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications

Taoyuan City has developed rapidly in recent years, boasting not only a diverse and rich cultural landscape but also abundant natural scenery and ecology. The opening of the Taoyuan Airport MRT has further established Taoyuan as part of the capital’s metropolitan area. And besides Shimen Reservoir and Daxi Old Street, Taoyuan has many hidden gems and fun attractions worth visiting. With the convenience brought by the Airport MRT, more off-the-beaten-path spots have begun to be discovered. Below, we have selected ten top-quality attractions that visitors can use as a reference for an in-depth exploration of Taoyuan.

Lalashan Sacred Tree Group
 
Lalashan is home to a vast area of red cypress sacred trees, whose scenery rivals that of Alishan’s sacred trees, making Lalashan widely renowned and attracting visitors from all over. The Lalashan Nature Reserve covers various mountainous areas near Shangbaling on the Northern Cross-Island Highway. In addition to towering red cypress and Hinoki sacred trees that reach the clouds, the area also features deciduous trees such as green maple and beech that change colors in the fall, including some with tree ages of up to 2,800 years.

Hutou Mountain Park Trail
 
Known as the “Back Garden of Taoyuan,” Hutou Mountain Park is the largest ecological park in the urban area of Taoyuan. Many residents come here daily for exercise and morning workouts, and the park sees even larger crowds on holidays. The park features multiple trail systems, including Taiwan’s longest forest skywalk. In addition to general pedestrian pathways, it also offers seven well-planned hiking trails: the Scenic Health Trail, Cherry Blossom Trail, Forest Experience Trail, Sun Pavilion Trail, Plum Garden Trail, Eco-Interpretation Trail, and Martyrs’ Shrine Trail, making it easier for visitors to explore the full beauty of Hutou Mountain.

Zhubei Fishing Port
 
Zhubei Fishing Port is a leisure-oriented tourist fishing harbor in northern Taoyuan. The port has a direct seafood market and is ranked among the top three major fishing supply hubs in northern Taiwan, alongside Bitou Fishing Port in Keelung City and Fugui Fishing Port in Shimen District, New Taipei City. At the northern entrance stands a rainbow bridge built using the Nelson steel arch bridge design, serving as a major landmark of Zhubei Fishing Port and looking especially romantic at night.