What else can you do besides enjoying the lantern festival in Taoyuan? Top 10 must-visit nearby attractions

▲Shihmen Reservoir. (Photo / Reporter Lai Yuzhen)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The annual Taiwan Lantern Festival is being grandly held in Taoyuan this year. Coinciding with the Year of the Monkey, the theme of the festival is designed around the concept of “The Golden Monkey Offers a Peach,” incorporating various local features and cultural elements — definitely worth a visit.DailyView’s online thermometer has revealedthe top ten must-visit nearby attractions during the Taiwan Lantern Festival, so that apart from viewing the lanterns, visitors can also explore the beautiful city of Taoyuan.

1. Shihmen Reservoir
Taking the top spot is Shihmen Reservoir in Taoyuan, which serves functions such as irrigation, flood control, water storage, and leisure activities. With its picturesque landscapes of lake and mountain throughout all seasons, the area is beautifully scenic. The reservoir park is filled with lush greenery and parks, and is surrounded by cycling trails and lakeside boat rides, making it perfect for weekend outings. The vibrant autumn maple leaves are one of the most famous sights at Shihmen Reservoir.

Address: No. 68, Section 1, Huanhu Road, Fuxing Village, Daxi District, Taoyuan City
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 18:00

▲GLORIA OUTLETS Huatai Premium Outlets. (Photo / Provided by GLORIA OUTLETS Huatai Premium Outlets)

2. Huatai Premium Outlets
As Taiwan’s first open-air luxury outlet, featuring hundreds of international brands — many of which are making their debut in an outlet setting in Taiwan — the center boasts numerous unique advantages along with a wide selection of popular themed restaurants. It attracted huge crowds right after opening. How can you not visit here when traveling in Taoyuan?

Address: No. 189, Chunde Road, Zhongli District, Taoyuan City (next to Taoyuan HSR Station)
Phone: 03-2738333
Business Hours: 10:00 – 21:00

▲Miniature World Theme Park. (Photo / FromMiniature World Facebook Fan Page)

3. Miniature World Theme Park
Miniature World is a representative attraction in Taoyuan and a shared memory for locals. Why is it called Miniature World? Because the park features numerous miniature models of famous landscapes from both domestic and international locations, all meticulously crafted to scale, accurately recreating the appearance of each site — which is the park’s biggest highlight. There’s now also a water park added to the experience.

Address: No. 891, Gaoyuan Road, Gao Yuan Li, 7th Neighborhood, Longtan District, Taoyuan City
Phone: 03-4717211
Business Hours: Weekdays 09:00 – 16:30, Weekends 09:30 – 17:00

▲Houci Lake. (Photo / FromTaoyuan County Tourism Marketing Bureau)

4. Ci Lake
In its early days, Cihu Lake gained fame as the resting place of the late President Chiang Kai-shek. Nowadays, many visitors come here for its beautiful scenery. Cihu Lake is divided into Front Cihu and Back Cihu, and currently, entry to Back Cihu requires an application. The surrounding environment is incredibly picturesque, with green mountains and clear waters all around, making it a refreshing experience!

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

▲ TaiMall Shopping Center. (Photo / fromTaiMall Shopping Center’s official Facebook page)

5. TaiMall Shopping Center
Where is Taiwan’s first large-scale shopping mall? It’s TaiMall Shopping Center in Luzhu District. Opened in 1999, TaiMall brought significant commercial opportunities to the Taoyuan area. After a billion-dollar renovation in 2014, its overall quality was further enhanced. Like Dajiang, it also features a cinema, making it a comprehensive entertainment and leisure destination.

Address: No. 112, Section 1, Nanlu Road, Luzhu District, Taoyuan City
Phone: 0800-019-966
Business hours: Monday to Thursday 11:00–22:00 / Friday 11:00–22:30 /
Saturday 10:30–22:30 / Sunday 10:30–22:00

▲ Daxi Old Street. (Photo / provided by the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications)

6. Daxi Old Street
Daxi Old Street is definitely one of the must-visit spots in Taoyuan if you want to experience authentic Taiwanese flavor. With its classic Baroque-style archway architecture, the stunning Daxi Bridge both day and night, and the chance to sample traditional Taiwanese snacks and try nostalgic toys like spinning tops — especially Daxi tofu, moon cakes, peanut candy, and tofu pudding — it’s full of essential local delicacies not to be missed!

Address: Heping Road & Zhongshan Road, Daxi District, Taoyuan City

▲ Zhuwei Fishing Port. (Photo / fromTaoyuan Tourism Guide Network)

7. Zhuwei Fishing Port
Zhuwei Fishing Port is a historically significant fishing and supply hub that has, in recent years, evolved into a recreational fishing port. Sampling delicious seafood here is a must. At the northern entrance of the port stands the Rainbow Bridge, built using a Nelson steel arch structure, which has become a major landmark of the fishing port. The view becomes even more romantic after nightfall.

Address: No. 7, Gangkou, Li 1, Shali, Dayuan District, Taoyuan City
Opening hours: The harbor is open 24 hours; fish trading approximately 08:00–18:00

▲ Dajiang International Shopping Center. (Photo / fromDajiang International Shopping Center’s official Facebook page)

8. Dajiang International Shopping Center
Not far from the city center and located in Zhongli District, Dajiang International Shopping Center attracts crowds not only for its shopping options but also for its many international cuisine restaurants and the well-equipped Starlight Cinemas. Additionally, there are convenient shuttle buses from the city center!

Address: No. 501, Section 2, Zhongyuan Road, Zhongli District, Taoyuan City
Phone: 03-4680999 ext. 6666
Business hours: Weekdays 11:00–22:00 / Friday 11:00–22:30 /
Saturday 10:30–22:30 / Sunday 10:30–22:00

▲ Wei Chuan Puxin Ranch. (Photo / fromWei Chuan Puxin Ranch official Facebook page)

9. Wei Chuan Puxin Ranch
Wei Chuan Puxin Ranch is a long-established ranch located in Yangmei. Established in 1957 to support the government’s development of the dairy farming industry, it is the first ranch in northern Taiwan. Over time, it has transformed from a traditional ranch into a popular leisure and tourism destination. Visitors can get up close and personal with animals, enjoy beautiful garden landscapes, and take part in hands-on milk squeezing activities, which are especially loved by tourists.

Address: No. 439, Section 1, Youshi Road, Gaorong Li, Yangmei District, Taoyuan City
Phone: 03-4644132 ext. 123, 125, 127
Business hours: 09:00–17:00

▲ Chocolate Republic. (Photo / provided by Taoyuan City Government Tourism Bureau)

10. Chocolate Republic
This Chocolate Republic was established by Honya Foods, the creators of the well-known 77 chocolate confections. As Asia’s first chocolate museum, it’s a paradise for chocolate lovers where you can learn all about chocolate culture, knowledge, and history—and even make your own chocolate DIY style. It’s a perfect spot for family outings.

Address: End of Chocolate Street, Section 2, Jiashou Road, Bade City, Taoyuan County
Phone: 03-3656555#777
Business hours: Tuesday–Friday 09:30–17:00 (ticket sales until 15:30), Saturday–Sunday 09:30–18:00 (ticket sales until 16:30), closed on Mondays