Hsinchu Hotels

But in all fairness, the city isn’t without its charm. Hsinchu is worth visiting for its outskirts alone, where you’ll find a multitude of gorgeous traditional antiques in Guqifeng. The scenery is equally delightful when you’re among the lush surrounds of Green Grass Lake, and for a taste of history without the dust and dinginess there’s no better place than the Municipal Image Museum. Satisfy your materialistic side at the Garden Street Night Market or the Holiday Market, then after a steaming hot bowl of noodles it’s probably time to be on your way. Nightlife Mecca Hsinchu is not.

HSINCHU’S TOP 10

HSINCHU EVENTS

February’s Lantern Festival is a light-filled extravaganza. Get involved and learn how to make one. The accompanying parade features some seriously hi-tech boxes of light.

You don’t have to be a gardener or a granny to enjoy the March Flower Festival. It’s thick with camellias, azaleas, cherry blossoms and peach blossoms.

The attention-seeker in Hsinchu comes out for the Sightseeing Festival in August, which highlights the culture, history and food of the city.

Celebrate your love for noodles and big balls of meat at the Hsinchu City Rice Noodle and Meatball Festival in September. You’ll find loads of food stalls, a parade and plenty of dancing and traditional tunes.

October’s Hsinchu Glass Festival showcases one of the city’s specialities. Learn about the history of glasswork in Hsinchu, head over to a workshop and see how it’s done, and buy up big at the various market stalls.

WHEN TO GO

• Hsinchu gets a lot of rain from February to August, with the heaviest falls in May and June.
• The weather stays pretty mild in winter and doesn’t tend to dip below 14°C (57ºF)
• Hsinchu summers are hot and humid. We’re talking averages of 35°C (95ºF) and up to 90 per cent humidity.

GETTING AROUND

• Hsinchu has a bus service, but it’s pretty limited in terms of routes and stops.
• Taxis are handy (and cheap) but a little hard to find. Get your hotel to call one.
• If you’re feeling brave you can hire a scooter and make your own way around. Exercise extra caution in the city’s dodgy outskirts.

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