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Things to Do in Xinpu (2026)
Xinpu Old Street (Xinpu Jie) is the historic heart of the town, lined with traditional red-brick shophouses and temples. Spend an hour walking from the Cihui Temple at o… 🏛️ Start at the Old Street
Xinpu Old Street (Xinpu Jie) is the historic heart of the town, lined with traditional red-brick shophouses and temples. Spend an hour walking from the Cihui Temple at one end to the Xinpu Theater at the other, popping into local tea shops and bakeries. Most shops open around 9 AM and close by 6 PM, so arrive early to avoid the midday heat.
🍜 Taste Local Specialties
Don't miss the famous Xinpu mochi (rice cakes) at Jiang Ji Mochi, located at No. 53 Xinpu Street. For a savory bite, try the Hakka-style stir-fried noodles at Hakka Mama's Eatery near the Old Street entrance. Prices are very reasonable: a plate of noodles costs around NT$80, and a box of mochi is about NT$150.
🚲 Cycle the Countryside
Rent a bicycle from Xinpu Bike Rental (No. 12, Lane 200, Zhongzheng Road) for NT$200 per day and explore the surrounding rice paddies and lotus ponds. A popular route follows the Fengshan River Greenway, a flat 8-kilometer path that passes through small farming villages. Stop at the Lotus Flower Viewing Platform in July and August for stunning blooms.
🏯 Visit Historic Temples
Xinpu is home to several beautifully preserved temples. The Cihui Temple (No. 1 Xinpu Street), built in 1815, is dedicated to the goddess Mazu and features intricate wood carvings. Another must-see is the Baoshan Temple (No. 200 Baoshan Road), which offers panoramic views of the town from its hilltop location. Both are free to enter and open daily from 6 AM to 6 PM.
🎨 Explore Art Studios
In recent years, Xinpu has attracted a small community of artists who have set up studios in renovated old houses. The Xinpu Art Space (No. 88 Zhongzheng Road) hosts rotating exhibitions of contemporary Taiwanese art and is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Entry is free, and the owner often gives a quick tour if you ask.
🌿 Hike the Hiking Trails
For nature lovers, the Xinpu Hiking Trail (trailhead at the end of Lane 100, Guangfu Road) is a 2-kilometer loop through bamboo groves and camphor forests. The trail is well-marked and takes about 45 minutes to complete. Bring water and insect repellent, as mosquitoes can be persistent in the summer months.
🛍️ Shop at the Morning Market
The Xinpu Morning Market (off Zhongzheng Road, near the Old Street) operates from 6 AM to noon every day. Here you'll find fresh produce, dried herbs, and handmade crafts. Look for the stall selling Hakka lei cha (pounded tea) mix, a local specialty that makes a great souvenir. Prices are negotiable, so don't hesitate to haggle politely.
🌅 Watch Sunset from the Dam
End your day at the Xinpu Dam (Fengshan River, south of town), a quiet spot popular with locals for evening strolls. The dam's walkway offers unobstructed views of the sunset over the mountains, and the reflection on the water is particularly beautiful. It's free and accessible 24/7, but the best time is about 30 minutes before sunset.
that cycling route tip about the noodle shack is gold, i've been past it a dozen times and never noticed the red lantern. one thing i'd add for anyone doing the greenway is to take the little detour at the 3k mark where the path forks left toward the old irrigation canal. it adds maybe 15 minutes but the water buffalo are usually grazing there in the late afternoon and it's a nice quiet spot away from the main path. also the bike rental place mentioned is solid but they only have about 20 bikes so on weekends you might want to call ahead or show up right when they open at 8
The guide's spot on about Jiang Ji Mochi, but I'd add that the peanut-flavored ones sell out fastest, so get there before 10 AM if you want them. For a change of pace from the Old Street, walk five minutes to the Xinpu Theater on the north end. They restored it a few years back and sometimes screen old Taiwanese films on weekends, though the schedule is irregular. You can usually peek inside the lobby even when it's closed.
Good to see the guide mention the lotus viewing platform. I went in late July last year and the blooms were incredible, but the real surprise was the little food stall set up right there on weekends. A local family sells fresh lotus root soup and fried lotus chips for like NT$50 each, and they're both fantastic on a hot day.
One thing the guide doesn't mention is the old flour mill at No. 15 Xinpu Street, just past the theater. It's not really open to the public, but if you peek through the gate you can see the original wooden machinery still standing. The owner lives upstairs and doesn't mind if you take a quick look from the doorway.
3 Days in Xinpu: Itinerary 2026
Begin your trip at Xinpu Old Street (Xinpu Street, Xinfeng Township), the historic heart of the area. Arrive early around 9:00 AM to explore the traditional shops and temples bef… 🗺️ Where to Start
Begin your trip at Xinpu Old Street (Xinpu Street, Xinfeng Township), the historic heart of the area. Arrive early around 9:00 AM to explore the traditional shops and temples before the crowds. The street is easily reachable by train from Hsinchu Station (20 minutes) or by bus from Taipei (90 minutes).
🏛️ Day 1: Old Street and Temples
Spend the morning wandering Xinpu Old Street, visiting the century-old Xinpu Temple (No. 1, Xinpu Street) dedicated to the Earth God. For lunch, try the famous Hakka stir-fried rice cakes at Old Street Hakka Restaurant (No. 55, Xinpu Street, around NT$150). In the afternoon, walk to the nearby Xinpu Catholic Church (No. 2, Zhongzheng Road) for a glimpse of colonial architecture.
🌿 Day 2: Nature and Tea Plantations
Take a 15-minute taxi ride to the Erzhongpu Tea Plantation (Xinfeng Township) for a morning tea-tasting session (NT$200 per person). Afterward, hike the gentle trails of the nearby Fenghuang Mountain (free entry), which offer panoramic views of the countryside. Pack a picnic lunch from the Old Street bakeries before heading out.
🍜 Day 2 Evening: Local Eats
Return to Xinpu Old Street for dinner at Grandma's Hakka Kitchen (No. 88, Xinpu Street, open 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM). Try the lei cha (pounded tea rice) and stuffed tofu, both local specialties. After dinner, stroll the lantern-lit street and pick up handmade mochi from Xinpu Mochi Shop (No. 12, Xinpu Street, NT$50 per pack).
🚲 Day 3: Cycling and Riverside
Rent a bicycle from Xinpu Bike Rental (near the train station, NT$200 per day) and cycle along the Fengshan River Greenway (10 km round trip). Stop at the Xinpu Wetlands (free) for birdwatching around 10:00 AM. For lunch, visit Riverside Cafe (No. 200, Fengshan Road) for a set meal with river views (NT$250).
🎭 Day 3 Afternoon: Cultural Sites
Visit the Xinpu Hakka Culture Museum (No. 1, Wenhua Road, open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, free) to learn about local traditions. Then walk to the historic Pan's Ancestral Hall (No. 30, Zhongzheng Road), a beautifully preserved Qing-era building. End your trip with a cup of bubble tea at Tea Time Cafe (No. 5, Xinpu Street) before catching the train.
🚌 Getting Around Xinpu
Xinpu is compact enough to explore on foot, but for outlying attractions, take the local bus (route 5608, NT$30 per ride) or hire a taxi (NT$100-150 per short trip). The train station connects to Hsinchu and Taipei, with departures every 30 minutes. Plan for 10-15 minutes walking between Old Street sites.
💰 Budget and Tips
A 3-day trip costs around NT$3,000-4,000 per person including meals, transport, and activities. Most temples and museums are free or charge a small donation. Bring cash, as many small shops do not accept credit cards. Visit on weekdays to avoid crowds, especially at the tea plantation.
honestly this is a solid itinerary, i've done almost exactly this route before. one thing i'd add is that the Hakka stir-fried rice cakes at Old Street Hakka are great but if you want something cheaper and just as good, there's a tiny stall two doors down called A-Mei's that does them for NT$100 and they're a bit more charred which i prefer.
also the bike rental near the train station is fine but they close at 5pm sharp, so if you wanna cycle the greenway at sunset like i did you gotta bring your own or rent from the shop on Zhongzheng Road which is open until 7. the wetlands are nice but honestly not much bird activity in the afternoon, early morning is way better.
one spot the guide missed is the old fire station on Zhongzheng Road, it's just a building but the facade is gorgeous and nobody ever stops there. takes two minutes.
This guide is really thorough, and I've used a similar plan myself. One thing I'd mention is that the Fengshan River Greenway is lovely, but if you want a shorter ride with more shade, head toward the old rice mills on the eastern edge of town. It's about a 5km loop, and you get to see some abandoned industrial buildings that are kind of haunting.
Also, if you're into photography, the tea plantation is much better around 4pm when the light gets golden. Morning sessions are fine but the lighting's a bit flat. And the Riverside Cafe's set meal is decent, but their coffee is mediocre, so grab a drink at Tea Time Cafe after instead.
nice writeup, covers all the main spots. one thing i'd mention is that the walk from the old street to the catholic church is uphill and the pavement's uneven in places, so wear proper shoes not sandals. also if you're into photography, the tea plantation is way more photogenic around 4pm when the light gets golden, morning sessions are fine but the lighting's a bit flat