🇹🇭 ไทย🇬🇧 English🇨🇳 中文🇯🇵 日本語 Home Hsinchu Attractions Food Guide About Us
Home  ›  Taiwan  ›  Hsinchu  ›  3-Day Itinerary
🏭 3-Day Itinerary · 2026

Hsinchu in
3 Days 2 Nights

Taiwan's Wind City packs a world-class semiconductor museum, an ancient Hakka hillside village, and a slow rural branch-line train into one trip — further from the tourist trail than you would expect, and far more rewarding.

📅 Updated May 2026
About This Trip

A tech city with deep Hakka roots most visitors never discover

Hsinchu is more than the address of TSMC. This Wind City has rice noodles that taste genuinely better because of the wind, a City God Temple evening market that runs every single day, and a Science Park that opens its museum free of charge. Day 2 takes you just one hour outside the city to Beipu, an ancient Hakka village where people still grind fresh lei cha by hand. If you visit in autumn, rows of golden persimmons dry in the sun at Weiweijia Farm. Day 3 adds a dimension few foreign visitors ever find: the Neiwan branch-line train rattles through rice paddies and bamboo groves into a quiet mountain valley, while the afternoon brings the 1936 Japanese-era Glass Museum and one last bowl of Michelin-listed rice noodles before the HSR home. It is a three-day trip that surprisingly few travellers have discovered, and it is worth every hour.

Short on time? See the 2-Day 1-Night plan covering Days 1 and 2 in a tighter format.

TRIP IN PICTURES

Highlights you’ll see with your own eyes

Yingxi East Gate — Hsinchu, Taiwan
Yingxi East Gate
Hsinchu City God Temple — Hsinchu, Taiwan
Hsinchu City God Temple
Neiwan Old Street — Hsinchu, Taiwan
Neiwan Old Street
Beipu Old Street — Hsinchu, Taiwan
Beipu Old Street
Green Grass Lake — Hsinchu, Taiwan
Green Grass Lake
Nanliao Fishing Harbour — Hsinchu, Taiwan
Nanliao Fishing Harbour
Daily Schedule

Hour-by-hour plan for all three days

DAY
1
Wind Noodles · City God Temple · Science Park
09:00 AM
Take the HSR from Taipei to HsinchuJust 35 minutes, NT$300. Buy an Early Bird ticket in advance for a 35% discount. The HSR station is outside the city centre — allow 20 minutes by bus or taxi to reach downtown.
10:30 AM
Check in and drop bags at your hotelRecommended hotels are near East Gate Circle or Zhongzheng Road, within walking distance of City God Temple and close to the TRA station for Day 3. If early check-in is not available, leave your bags and head straight out.
12:00 PM
Lunch: wind-dried rice noodles + Hai Jui pork balls at City God Temple marketHsinchu rice noodles (新竹米粉) are famous because the strong seasonal winds dry them perfectly — chewy and never soggy. Pair with Hai Jui pork balls, a recipe passed down for generations. NT$60–100 per bowl.
02:00 PM
Stroll around City God Temple market and the temple itselfCity God Temple was built in 1748 and is the most revered temple in Hsinchu. The surrounding lanes are lined with traditional pastry shops, herbal teas, and street snacks. Come hungry.
03:30 PM
Hsinchu Science Park — museum and outdoor plazaThe Science Park Museum is open Tuesday–Sunday. Free or very low entry. Exhibits cover the history of semiconductors and chip technology — engaging for all ages. The outdoor tech-themed plaza is great for photos.
06:30 PM
Dinner and City God Temple Night MarketThe evening market opens daily from around 17:00. Oysters, fried noodles, mountain chicken rice. Busiest 19:00–21:00. Easy to walk back if you are staying in this neighbourhood.
DAY
2
Beipu Hakka · Lei Cha DIY · Persimmon Farm
08:30 AM
Light breakfast, then head to BeipuHave congee or noodles before a full day out. Take bus 5625 or 5626 from Hsinchu TRA Station or the main bus terminal to Beipu — about 45–60 minutes, NT$50–80.
09:30 AM
Walk Beipu Old Street and visit a traditional tea houseBeipu (北埔) is one of Taiwan's best-preserved Hakka districts. Stone-paved lanes, centuries-old timber buildings, and tea houses serving Oriental Beauty — an oolong grown here for over 100 years. Taste before you buy.
10:30 AM
Lei cha DIY workshop — grind fresh tea by handLei cha (擂茶) is the defining Hakka drink: green tea leaves, sesame, peanuts, and herbs ground in a large clay mortar until they form a fragrant paste, then mixed with hot water. About NT$150–200 per person, 45 minutes. Book ahead on weekends — popular shops fill up before noon.
12:30 PM
Authentic Hakka lunchHakka cooking features preserved vegetables, braised pork belly (梅干扣肉), and the signature stir-fry Ke Jia Xiao Chao (pork belly, dried tofu, salted squid and scallions over high heat). NT$150–250 per person at a local restaurant — genuinely hard to find in Taipei.
02:00 PM
Weiweijia Persimmon Farm (best October–December)Rows of persimmons (柿子) hung out to sun-dry glow golden orange from October to December — one of the most photogenic sights in northern Taiwan. NT$80–150 a box for dried persimmon to take home. Outside this season the farm is still open but the drying display will not be there.
04:00 PM
Return to Hsinchu + East Gate at duskBus back to Hsinchu takes 45–60 minutes. Stop at East Gate Circle (迎曦門) for photos at dusk — floodlit from around 18:00, it is most atmospheric as the sky goes dark. Light dinner nearby before bed.
DAY
3
Neiwan Branch Train · Glass Museum · East Gate Farewell
08:00 AM
Board the Neiwan Branch Line from Hsinchu TRA StationTake the TRA Neiwan Branch Line (內灣支線) from Hsinchu TRA Station, transfer at Jhudong, and arrive at Neiwan in about one hour. Fare NT$40–80 per person — no advance booking needed. Sit on the right side of the train for river views on the way in.
09:30 AM
Explore Neiwan Old Street + try the wild boar sausageNeiwan (內灣) is a quieter Hakka mountain village than Beipu — fewer tourists, cooler air, and a stream running alongside the old street. The must-try here is wild boar sausage (野豬香腸) grilled fresh outside each stall — smoky, coarser-textured, and unlike anything in a city.
11:00 AM
Train back to Hsinchu + hotel check-outThe return journey follows the same route in about one hour. Check out of your hotel and leave bags at the front desk while you enjoy the afternoon. The TRA station is a short walk from City God Temple and the Glass Museum area.
12:30 PM
Final meal: Dongmen rice noodles + squid thick soupDongmen Rice Noodle Soup (東門米粉) holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand: thin wind-dried noodles in clear pork-bone broth, NT$70–100. Add a bowl of squid thick soup (魷魚羹) from a nearby stall — pour on the dark vinegar before eating. This legendary shop often sells out by early afternoon, so arrive promptly.
02:00 PM
Glass Museum + Hsinchu ParkThe Glass Museum (玻璃工藝博物館) occupies an elegant 1936 Japanese colonial-era government building. NT$30 adults (children and seniors free). The gift shop sells quality handmade glassware at reasonable prices. The museum sits inside Hsinchu Park, which also contains the oldest zoo in Taiwan (1936). Allow 1–1.5 hours. Closed Mondays.
03:30 PM
East Gate photos + souvenir shopping, then HSR homeEast Gate (迎曦門, built 1827) is a five-minute walk and free to see at any hour. Pick up Hsinchu glass art gifts and a packet of wind-dried rice noodles at shops around the circle. The HSR back to Taipei takes just 35 minutes — no rush.
Trip Budget

Estimated costs for 3 days 2 nights (per person)

TransportNT$1,300
Accommodation (2 nights)NT$5,000
FoodNT$2,000
Activities & TicketsNT$800
TotalNT$9,100
Estimated per person: HSR round-trip NT$600 + Beipu bus NT$160 + Neiwan train NT$160 + lei cha workshop NT$200 + Glass Museum NT$30 + 2 nights mid-range downtown hotel + 6–7 meals. Does not include persimmon gifts, Oriental Beauty tea, or Hsinchu glass art souvenirs.
Tips for This Trip

6 things to know before you go

🚄
HSR Early Bird saves 35%
Book at THSRC.com.tw. The Early Bird discount is genuine — NT$300 drops to about NT$195. Faster than the bus and worth booking a day or two ahead.
🚂
Neiwan train: sit on the right side
The Neiwan Branch Line passes river gorges and bamboo groves. Sit on the right-hand side of the carriage on the way in for the best river views. Weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends. Check the TRA timetable at railway.hinet.net.
🏮
City God Temple Night Market is open every day
Unlike many night markets that close mid-week, this one runs daily from around 17:00. You can safely plan your Day 1 dinner here without worrying about closing days.
🍵
Lei cha only makes sense if you grind it yourself
Ordering a cup to drink is fine; making it yourself in the mortar is a completely different experience. The 45-minute workshop costs NT$150–200 and includes mochi and snacks. Reserve ahead on weekends — popular shops in Beipu Old Street fill up before noon.
🟠
Persimmon season is October–December
Weiweijia Farm hangs persimmons in long sunny rows that glow golden in the autumn light. Outside this window the farm is open but there will be no drying display. If you are visiting at another time, spend the extra time exploring Beipu Old Street instead.
🔮
Glass Museum and Zoo are closed on Mondays
Both are open Tuesday–Sunday only. If Day 3 falls on a Monday, swap in a walk around Hsinchu Park and Green Grass Lake instead — both are free and well worth the afternoon.
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ · Common questions answered

What is the best way to get from Taipei to Hsinchu?
HSR is the fastest option — 35 minutes, NT$300 (Early Bird brings it to NT$195). Note the HSR station is outside the city centre; add a 20-minute bus or taxi into town. Alternatively, the TRA train goes directly to Hsinchu city station but takes 1.5–2 hours.
Do I need to book the Neiwan branch-line train in advance?
No reservation needed. The TRA Neiwan Branch Line (內灣支線) tickets are purchased at the station. Fare is approximately NT$40–80 per person. Depart from Hsinchu TRA Station, transfer at Jhudong, and arrive at Neiwan in about one hour. Check the TRA timetable at railway.hinet.net before you go.
What is lei cha?
Lei cha (擂茶) means "ground tea" — a traditional Hakka drink made by grinding green tea leaves, sesame, peanuts, and herbs together in a large wooden mortar until they form a paste, then adding hot water. Rich and nutty in flavour. It can be served as a drink or eaten as a snack with puffed rice. The DIY workshop is the best way to truly understand Hakka food culture.
Which neighbourhood in Hsinchu is best to stay in?
East Gate Circle / City God Temple area is best for tourists — walk to the night market, convenient bus connections, and close to the TRA station for the Neiwan train on Day 3. Zhubei district near the Science Park and TSMC suits business travellers. See the top 10 recommended hotels
How much does a 3-day 2-night Hsinchu trip cost?
Roughly NT$7,500–10,500 per person: HSR round-trip NT$600 + local buses and trains NT$400 + 2 nights mid-range accommodation NT$4,000–7,000 + 6–7 meals NT$1,500–2,000 + activities NT$600–800. Considerably cheaper than Sun Moon Lake or Alishan.
What are the must-eat foods in Hsinchu?
Top five: rice noodles (米粉) · Hai Jui pork balls · Oriental Beauty tea from Beipu · Hakka cuisine (braised pork belly / pickled vegetables) · wild boar sausage at Neiwan Old Street · See the full Hsinchu food guide
Hsinchu Travel Guide
Everything you need — Science Park, Beipu, Neiwan, and the evening market
View →
Hsinchu Attractions
City God Temple · Science Park · Beipu Old Street · Neiwan · East Gate
View →
Hsinchu Food Highlights
Rice noodles · Pork balls · Lei cha · Oriental Beauty tea
View →
10 Best Hotels in Hsinchu
EPISODE Hyatt · Sheraton · Lakeshore · budget picks near HSR
View →
Less time? The 2-Day 1-Night Plan
Wind noodles + City God Temple + Beipu — everything essential in two days, ideal for a weekend.
View →