parks and scenic sites
The central reservations of Wenhua, Xinyi and Sanmin roads have been converted into parks. These stretches of green are great for taking a leisurely stroll on a sultry summer day or escaping from the office during lunch break. The parks along Wenhua and Xinyi streets are especially pleasant--and quite romantic at night--as they have incorporated the city's historic moat into their design.
Eighteen Peaks Mountain
drive along Guang Fu Road, turning left onto Nanda Road, and then onto Baoshan Rd is best described as a large hill or small mountainous area circling the eastern and southern suburbs of Hsinchu. The highest of the eighteen peaks is 131.79m and the lowest 50m. It has a large number well maintained stepways, concrete paths and Tarmac pathways, making it ideal for walks in the forest without the hardships of true country hiking. It can get very crowded at weekends or in the early morning, and some may find the canned music a little unnatural. If you do not mind crowds the best time to visit is during a flower festival, at this time you may be lucky enough to be able to visit the Japanese underground shelters that are sometimes opened on these occasions. From some locations you are able to enjoy views of Hsinchu, but generally there are limited views of the city due to heavy tree cover.Hsinchu Botanical Garden
Baoshan Road near the Tsing-hua University has some great hiking trails and provides the opportunity to become acquainted with more than 300 varieties of Taiwan's indigeneous flora.Green Grass Lake
Qing-cao Hu off Ming-hu Road is a parkland surrounding a lake - a great place to relax and watch water fowl gliding with the clouds.Hsinchu Zoo
279 Kungyung Road. (http://zoo.e-tobe.com/eng...) This is the oldest and smallest zoo in Taiwan, founded by the Japanese in 1936. The zoo is recently and very tastefully renovated and proudly displays 250 animals and 70 species, including tigers, crocodiles, monkeys, bears and all kinds of birds. The grounds are lovely and garden like and the animals seem to be having a good time. A great place to bring children. Entrance is only 10 NT. Open 8.30 to 5.00 all year, but not Mondays and Chinese New Year's Eve.
museums and galleries
The Craft Glass Museum, 2 Dongda Road, sec 1. Tel:+886 3 562-6091 (http://www.hcgm.gov.tw/en...) A gallery dedicated to Hsinchu's long association with the craft of glass making. It is in the park directly behind the railway station. Open: Wed to Sun 9AM-5PM ticket office closes at 4:30PM
The Municipal Image Museum, 65 Zhongzheng Road. Tel:+886 3 528-5840~2 (http://www.hmim.gov.tw/en...) The museum is in the renovated former movie theater building, and in addition to images and documents of film and theater in Taiwan, the museum also has an auditorium where movies and plays are performed. Open: From Wed to Sun 9:30AM-12 noon, 1:30-5PM, 6:30-9PM. Production times: Wed to Fri 7:10~9PM, Sat and Sun 10AM, 2PM and 7:10PM.
Space
warehouses 3, 4 and 5 Hsinchu Railway Station - a space for art workshops and exhibitions. Also includes a humanistic recreation area with restaurant.Hsinchu City Art Gallery & Reclaimation Hall
Hsinchu City Black Bat Squadron Memorial Hall
The Residence of Hsin Chih-Ping
Hsinchu City Military Dependent's Villages Museum