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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 befβ¦ πΊοΈ 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).
ποΈ 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.
πΏ 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.
π 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).
π² 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).
π 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.
π 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.
π° 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
What to eat in Xinpu next month?
if you're around in the morning, the soy milk shop on minquan road is worth waking up for. they do a thick, slightly burnt version that's hard to find outside xinpu, and the youtiao there is always fresh out of the fryer. for lunch, the old school wonton noodles at the corner of zhongzheng and heping have this super peppery broth that's perfect when it's chilly. just don't expect any english menus, point at what the old guys are eating
definitely hit up the old market on zhongzheng road, the little alley stalls are where it's at. try the dried persimmon rolls if they're still in season, locals buy them by the bag. for something savory, the braised pork rice at the stall near the temple entrance is way better than the touristy places on the main street. grab a bowl and walk over to the park behind the market to eat
fwiw the xinpu rice crackers are kind of a sleeper hit, the ones with peanuts and sesame from the little shop on zhonghua road. they're not sweet like the ones you see everywhere, more savory and crunchy, great with beer. also check out the stinky tofu stall near the old theater, it's got this fermented cabbage topping that's super tangy, way better than the standard version