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Simple Travel in Taoyuan

Historical Streets, Food Culture and Mountain Scenery (II)

Historical Streets, Food Culture and Mountain Scenery (II)

Source:Tourism Bureau of the Taoyuan City Government

Houcihu, Daxi Tea Factory and Xiaowulai Waterfall, these are the spots you do not want to miss when visiting Taoyuan. With great tips from local travel expert Mu-chin Lee, these beautiful places are perfect last stops before taking off from Taoyuan International Airport.

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Historical Streets, Food Culture and Mountain Scenery (II)

By Shu-Mei Weng
Sponsored Content

Houcihu Presidential Secret Path

Following the guide, you enter Houcihu (後慈湖). This four-kilometer nature path was once the secret of Taiwan’s former President, Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石). Today, foreign visitors can admire the beauty of the surrounding hills and lake as they learn about Taiwan’s history.

Image: Tourism Bureau of the Taoyuan City Government

Houcihu was a vacation retreat of former President Chiang Kai-shek. This place resembled his hometown, which provided him solace.

Image: Tourism Bureau of the Taoyuan City Government

For foreign visitors, the Cihu Memorial Sculpture Park is very unique. It contains a collection of Chiang Kai-shek bronze statues from all over Taiwan. They are of different sizes and poses, including seated and riding a horse. This is a unique presentation of Taiwan’s history.

Image: Tourism Bureau of the Taoyuan City Government

Daxi Tea Factory – Experiencing Traditional Beverage

As the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle (台灣好行) begins its climb into the mountains, it passes through an area that was once filled with tea plantations. The tea produced along these winding mountain roads contributed to Daxi’s former economic prosperity. The Daxi Tea Factory (大溪老茶廠), surrounded by verdant hills, is decorated in blue including the window lattices. The second floor was for the withering of tea leaves following harvest. With each step there are contrasts of light and shadow. Captured in a camera lens, every corner of the Daxi Tea Factory is a beautiful scene.

Image: Tourism Bureau of the Taoyuan City Government

Image: Tourism Bureau of the Taoyuan City Government

There is no air conditioning. Only ceiling fans can be found in this tea factory. Even at the height of summer, cool breeze still flows through. Although constructed in the 1960s before green buildings became popular, its designer raised the ceilings to allow for good air flow, decreasing the room temperature and increasing the efficiency of tea production. For example, hot air from the steam machine in the courtyard on the first floor rose to the second floor withering area. This led to faster withering of the tea leaves. This was important as production of black tea once reached 600 tons annually. Make sure to view the 90 year old mass rolling machine, which is still operating.

Image: Tourism Bureau of the Taoyuan City Government

Image: Tourism Bureau of the Taoyuan City Government

Xiaowulai: The Waterfall Is Under Your Feet

The Xiaowulai Skywalk (小烏來天空步道) has been voted Taiwan’s most romantic spot. It is located above the Xiaowulai Waterfall. From this tempered glass platform is a bird’s-eye view of the waters flowing down from the cliff into the river below. Not far away is the 70 meter long sky rope bridge, which gently sways as you walk on it, adding to the excitement of crossing a river gorge.

Xiaowulai Skywalk (Image: Tourism Bureau of the Taoyuan City Government)

Sky Rope Bridge (Image: Tourism Bureau of the Taoyuan City Government)

The mountain scenery and old streets of Taoyuan will be a beautiful ending to your travels in Taiwan.

Sky Rope Bridge (Image: Tourism Bureau of the Taoyuan City Government)

Previous: Historical Streets, Food Culture and Mountain Scenery (I)

Translated from Chinese by Cheryl Robbins

Edited by Shawn Chou

This content is sponsored by Tourism Bureau of the Taoyuan City Government.


Small Tips: Make the Most of Your Travel Time

At the Taoyuan Airport MRT A1 Taipei Main Station, you can check in your luggage and head to the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle departure point next to the Taoyuan or Zhongli train station. By following these itineraries, visitors can experience various transportation systems and explore different areas of Taiwan in a short amount of time.

Based on her many years of experience, Mu-Chin Lee suggests that foreign visitors take the Cihu Route to Cihu. There, they can visit the vacation residence of Taiwan’s former President, then stroll along Daxi Old Street. If time permits, they can head to the Shimen Reservoir and try some of the many creative ways to eat fish. On the weekends, two Xiaowolai (小烏來) routes are available. The first takes visitors to the Daxi Tea Factory in the morning followed by a stroll along Daxi’s historic streets in the afternoon. Second, following a visit to Daxi Old Street to pick up Hakka rice snacks and dried tofu stewed in soy sauce, it is time to head into the mountains to the Xiaowulai Skywalk for views of the spectacular Xiaowulai Waterfall and a Taiwanese-style picnic.

Travel Expert Mu-chin Lee
Tour Manager, foreign language tour guide and a designated tour guide for international groups invited by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau. Lee loves to bring international and Taiwanese travelers on “lifestyle trips” in which they can experience and discover Taiwan’s advantages. She is the author of a book on the surprises that foreign travelers to Taiwan encounter.


Additional Reading

Bike Riding in Old Town Zhongli
♦ Suspending over the River Valley, Walking on the Cloud
Don’t Tell the Japanese to Visit Jiufen Anymore!

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