Fireworks over Hsinchu Beach & A Mediterranean-Themed Day Trip

By MOOK Travel Life Net / Chen Guanxin | Compiled & Reported

 

This year’s National Day fireworks will be launched offshore at Hsinchu’s Nanliao Fishing Harbor, but traveling all the way to Hsinchu and heading back home after just one fireworks show would be a bit of a waste. On the holiday, why not head out early to fully enjoy the Mediterranean-style architecture along Hsinchu’s coastal area, explore the secret mangrove world, enjoy a relaxing bike ride with the sea breeze, and feast on the delicious local cuisine nearby as well?

This stretch of mangrove forest is located on the marshland in front of the estuary of the Hongmao River, where Kandelia candel and Sonneratia mixed forests thrive. Walking along the elevated wooden boardwalk allows you to venture deep into the mangroves, closely observing the flowers, fruits, and leaves of the mangrove plants, as well as the fiddler crabs foraging back and forth in the marsh. It’s a great place to gain an in-depth understanding of wetland ecology. On the marshland outside the mangroves, there’s a large patch of white dots that seem to float with the wind, but upon closer inspection, it’s actually an illusion created by tiny crabs constantly entering and exiting their holes.

 

[Info]

Address: Turn into Chi Fu Wang Ye Temple at the 66-kilometer mark of the West Coast Highway, then follow the small path along the embankment to reach the site.

Although it’s a common noodle shop, its exterior, pieced together with natural wood panels, gives off a modern Japanese vibe. Inside, the spacious area features wooden tables and benches as the main furnishings, while the walls and shelves are adorned with traditional farming baskets, old electric fans, telephones, and other items. On the far wall near the corner, there’s even a mural painted to resemble an old street scene—clear evidence of the owner’s thoughtful touches. Owner Mr. Zhang, who has a strong interest in cooking, trained at a five-star hotel after his military service and also ran a Chinese restaurant in the U.S. for nearly six years. Realizing the economic downturn, he opened this affordable noodle house with the concept of “enjoying noodles for just 50 NT dollars,” and within the seemingly ordinary menu lies his years of accumulated, unique culinary skills.

 

[Info]

Address: No. 150, Wenchang Street, Xinfeng Township, Hsinchu County

Phone: 03-557-3241

Along the 17-kilometer coastal area, starting from Hsinchu Fishing Harbor in the north and moving south through Sea View Park, the Ocean Horizon Viewing Area, Gangnan Canal, Mangrove Park, Style Coast, Haishan Fishing Harbor Observation Deck, and more, the entire route ingeniously incorporates fishing harbor scenery, ocean and sky vistas, and natural ecology. Paired with a dedicated cycling path, the experience of riding with the wind and taking in the sea views is absolutely top-notch.

Rice noodles are a specialty of Hsinchu, and if you want to experience the joy of making them yourself, Laoguo Leisure Farm is the place to go. Producing rice noodles since 1854, the tradition has been passed down to the sixth generation. To preserve the heritage of this craft, the farm established the first rice noodle museum, showcasing ancient tools and utensils used in rice noodle production, along with pictorial and textual introductions to the history and making process of rice noodles.

 

[Info]

Address: No. 102-1, Nan’gang Street, Hsinchu City (at the 85-kilometer mark of Provincial Highway 61 / West Coast Expressway)

Phone: 03-537-3075