Daxi Old Street to Shihmen Reservoir — Top 10 Attractions in Taoyuan 2026

Taoyuan · Top 10 Attractions

Most travelers only know Taoyuan as the city with the international airport. But spend a day here and you'll find a completely different side — baroque-fronted old streets, open-air sculpture parks, a giant reservoir you can cycle around, night markets packed with locals, and even a chocolate theme park. Pair it with a morning flight and an afternoon of exploration — Taoyuan rewards the curious.

Daxi Old Street historic district, Taoyuan

1 Daxi District

Daxi Old Street (大溪老街)

🏛️ Heritage 🧀 Local food 🚌 ~40 min from Taipei

Daxi is the most characterful part of Taoyuan — a street lined with ornate Baroque-meets-Fujian shophouses built during the Japanese colonial era. Walk the flagstone lane, browse woodwork studios, and don't leave without trying the famous dried tofu (豆干) made to a recipe that hasn't changed in generations. The scent alone will pull you in.

💡 Buy dried tofu vacuum-packed as a souvenir — it travels well and tastes like nothing you've had before.

Cihu Memorial Sculpture Park, Daxi Taoyuan

2 Daxi District

Cihu Memorial Sculpture Park (慈湖陵寢雕塑公園)

🗿 Outdoor museum 🌿 Lake setting

Over 200 statues of Chiang Kai-shek, removed from public spaces across Taiwan over the decades, now share a lakeside park near his mausoleum. It's simultaneously a history lesson, a sculpture garden, and a quietly surreal stroll. The lake is genuinely beautiful, and the mausoleum grounds feel surprisingly peaceful.

💡 Combine with Daxi Old Street — they're just 5 minutes apart by car.

3 Wulai, New Taipei

Wulai Waterfall (烏來瀑布)

💧 Nature ♨️ Hot springs 🌿 Indigenous culture

Technically in New Taipei but easily paired with Taoyuan, Wulai offers a full day: a 20-meter waterfall accessible by miniature railway, hot spring footbaths along the river, and Atayal Indigenous food and crafts in the village. It's the kind of place that surprises people — "wait, this is only 40 minutes from Taipei?"

💡 Go on a weekday — Wulai gets crowded on weekends and the tiny railway fills up fast.

4 Longtan District

Luofuqiao Twin Bridges (羅浮橋)

🌉 Scenic bridge 📸 Photography

The twin suspension bridges over Shimen Reservoir's inlet are one of Taoyuan's most photogenic spots — elegant steel arches reflecting on still water, surrounded by forested hills. Especially atmospheric at golden hour. The area has quiet riverside walking paths and is perfect for a slow afternoon when you want to escape the city noise entirely.

💡 Best visited on clear days — rain obscures the reflections that make photos here special.

5 Zhongli District

Republic of Chocolate (巧克力共和國)

🍫 Theme attraction 👨‍👩‍👧 Family-friendly 🎁 Souvenir shopping

A chocolate-themed cultural park where you can watch artisans craft chocolate, try your hand at workshops, and browse a shop packed with creative cocoa creations. It's a bit kitschy in the best Taiwanese way — surprisingly fun for adults and genuinely delightful for kids. The chocolate ice cream alone justifies the stop.

💡 Book a chocolate-making workshop in advance on Klook — popular time slots sell out on weekends.

6 Zhongli District

Gloria Outlets (華泰名品城)

🛍️ Designer outlet 💳 Tax refund eligible 🚌 Shuttle from Zhongli station

Taiwan's largest outlet mall, with hundreds of international brands — Nike, Coach, Burberry, Polo Ralph Lauren — at 30–70% off. It's genuinely worth the 40-minute trip from Taipei if you're a shopper. The food court is also solid. Open daily, roughly 11:00–22:00, with free shuttle buses from Zhongli station.

💡 Bring your passport for tax refunds on eligible purchases over NT$2,000 per store.

7 Taoyuan District

Taoyuan Tourist Night Market (桃園觀光夜市)

🌙 Night market 🍢 Street food 🎮 Games & stalls

Less famous than Taipei's Shilin, more local and authentic because of it. The Taoyuan Tourist Night Market is where residents actually go — braised pork rice, oyster vermicelli, stinky tofu, grilled squid — all at prices that'll make your Taipei-calibrated wallet very happy. Arrive after 7pm when it properly comes alive.

💡 Cheaper and less crowded than Taipei night markets — a better deal if you're staying near the airport.

8 Zhongli District

Zhongli Night Market (中壢夜市)

🌙 Night market 🌏 Diverse cuisines

Zhongli has a large Southeast Asian migrant population, which means the night market here offers something genuinely unique: halal street food, Vietnamese pho stalls, Indonesian satay, and Burmese noodles alongside classic Taiwanese staples. It's one of the most multicultural food experiences in Taiwan — and most tourists never know it exists.

💡 Look for the row of Southeast Asian food stalls near the central section — that's where the hidden gems are.

Window on China Theme Park, Longtan Taoyuan

9 Longtan District

Window on China Theme Park (小人國主題樂園)

🎡 Theme park 🏛️ Scale models 👨‍👩‍👧 Family-friendly

Miniature replicas of famous world landmarks — the Eiffel Tower, Forbidden City, Egyptian pyramids — all scaled down across a large outdoor park. It sounds simple but actually charms most visitors. Kids love the amusement rides added in recent years. Adults tend to enjoy the scale model craftsmanship more than they expected to.

💡 Combine with nearby Luofuqiao bridges and Shihmen Reservoir for a full Longtan District day.

10 Daxi District

Shihmen Reservoir (石門水庫)

💧 Reservoir & park 🚴 Cycling 🌸 Seasonal scenery

One of Taiwan's largest reservoirs — a sprawling lake surrounded by forested ridges, with walking trails, viewpoints, and a surprisingly good fish restaurant scene (freshwater fish from the reservoir itself). Most beautiful in spring when the surrounding hills are green and misty, or in autumn when the reservoir levels drop to reveal dramatic rock formations.

💡 Rent a bicycle near the main entrance and ride the lakeside trail — about 15 km, flat, and gorgeous.

Book Taoyuan Activities on Klook

Day tours, chocolate workshops, theme park tickets — all in one place with easy mobile vouchers.

Browse Taoyuan on Klook

Where to stay near Taoyuan Airport?

If you have a long layover or early flight, staying in Taoyuan makes more sense than commuting from Taipei.

Search on Agoda Search on Booking Search on Trip.com

Taoyuan Travel — FAQ

What are the best things to do in Taoyuan?

Taoyuan's highlights include Daxi Old Street for Baroque-Chinese architecture and famous dried tofu, Cihu Memorial Sculpture Park with open-air Chiang Kai-shek statues, Shihmen Reservoir for scenic lakeside views, Gloria Outlets for designer shopping at discounts, and Republic of Chocolate for a sweet, Instagram-friendly experience.

How do I get from Taipei to Taoyuan?

Take the TRA or THSR train from Taipei to Taoyuan or Zhongli station — about 30–40 minutes. Taoyuan is also just 20–30 minutes from Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), making it a great stopover on the way to or from the airport.

What is Daxi Old Street known for?

Daxi Old Street is famous for its well-preserved Baroque-meets-Fujian colonial facades from the Japanese era. The street's signature snack is dried tofu (豆干), made to a generations-old recipe. You'll also find wooden handicrafts, traditional sweets, and a relaxed half-day atmosphere.

What are Gloria Outlets' opening hours?

Gloria Outlets is generally open daily from around 11:00 to 22:00 (hours may vary seasonally — check before you go). It houses hundreds of brand outlets covering fashion, sports, and home goods. From Taipei, take the TRA train to Zhongli station and then a shuttle bus.

How do I reach Shihmen Reservoir?

Shihmen Reservoir is in Daxi District. You can take a public bus from Daxi station, but renting a scooter or car is most convenient. It's open daily with a modest entry fee. The lakeside park has walking trails and scenic viewpoints, particularly beautiful in spring and autumn.

Explore more of Taiwan →

All Taiwan Attractions Taiwan Travel Guide Taipei Guide Top Hotels in Taipei

From Daxi Old Street to Shihmen Reservoir — 10 Must-See Attractions in Taoyuan