The Lunar New Year is just around the corner — in two weeks! If you’re still planning where to go for the holidays, I sincerely recommend a trip to Fuxing District in Taoyuan. It’s a place blessed with mountains, rivers, and mouthwatering Atayal cuisine! Just a two-hour drive from downtown Taoyuan, you can explore thrilling attractions like the Xiao Wulai Skywalk and Sky Rope Bridge, enjoy both family-friendly and professional hiking trails at Dongyanshan, and savor authentic indigenous dishes at the Cihu Tourist Shopping District. This trip left a deep impression on me — I can’t recommend it enough!
Contents
◦ Taoyuan Travel Guide
01｜Transportation in Taoyuan
🚄 Taiwan High Speed Rail
🚗 Cross-city Chartered One-day Tour From Taipei
02｜Popular Attractions in Taoyuan
🎫 XPark Taiwan Aquarium Ticket
🎫 Window on World Theme Park Ticket
🎫 Dongyanshan Forest Recreation Area Ticket
🎫 Lalashan National Forest Recreation Area Ticket
🎫 Pushin Ranch Tickets in Taoyuan
🎫 Simbalion Art Studio Admission Ticket in Taoyuan
🎫 Saw Seen Woo Ying Cheng Admission Ticket
🎫 Taoyuan Mountain Foot Deer Farm Sambar House Admission Ticket
03｜Things To Do in Taoyuan
🏕️ Glamping in Taoyuan by Orchard Villa
◦ The History of Fuxing
Fuxing District was originally the Atayal settlement of “Pyasan,” meaning “a place for trading goods.” In 1886, during the 12th year of the Qing Guangxu reign, Governor Liu Mingchuan visited the area and noticed that the river terraces on both sides of the Dahan River resembled a set square, so he named the place “Jiaobanshan” (literally “Set Square Mountain”). In 1954, Jiaoban Township was renamed Fuxing Township. According to newspaper reports at the time, the change was made to celebrate President Chiang Kai-shek’s birthday and symbolized the nation’s hope for rejuvenation.
◦ Attractions in Fuxing
01｜Xiao Wulai Skywalk
After riding into the Xiao Wulai, follow the parking staff’s directions and you’ll soon arrive at the most popular attraction — the Xiao Wulai Skywalk. The Skywalk is built directly above the waterfall. Standing on this transparent glass platform, which extends 11 meters out into the air and is suspended about 70 meters above the base of the falls, you can take in breathtaking views of the Xiao Wulai Valley below.
When I captured the scene with a drone from below, the powerful rush of the waterfall was truly awe-inspiring. Interestingly, once you’re up on the Skywalk, the waterfall fades into the background, giving way to a magnificent panorama where the valley and surrounding mountains intertwine. Keep in mind that the Skywalk closes for an hour at noon, so it’s best to plan your visit accordingly to avoid waiting around!
Xiao Wulai Skywalk Opening Hours: 0800-1200, 1300-1700, closed on Tuesday. No. 4-6, Fuxing Dist., Taoyuan
02｜Xiao Wulai Sky Rope Bridge
For anyone afraid of heights, the Skywalk’s glass platform is just a warm-up — the Sky Rope Bridge is the real challenge! While I was on the bridge, I ran into a man who tried to show off his bravery by deliberately shaking the bridge as he walked. Naturally, this earned him a chorus of angry shouts from the people behind him. 😅
After leaving the Skywalk, remember to keep your ticket stub — you’ll need it again when heading to the Sky Rope Bridge. Just follow the riverside trail upward to reach it. This suspension bridge stretches 70 meters across a valley that plunges about 100 meters deep. If you happen to be there when a prankster decides to start rocking the bridge, it instantly turns into a real-life courage test!
Xiao Wulai Sky Rope Bridge Opening Hours: 0800-1200, 1300-1700, closed on Tuesday. No. 4-6, Fuxing Dist., Taoyuan
03｜Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area
Located at the southern end of the Xueshan Mountain Range, Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area covers over 300 hectares of lush Japanese cedar forest. The summit of Mount Dongyanshan stands at 1,212 meters above sea level, offering sweeping views of Sanxia, the Tamsui River, and—on clear days—even the sparkling nightscape of Taoyuan. The park features a wide variety of hiking trails with clearly marked levels of difficulty. Whether you’re looking for easy scenic walks suitable for families, educational forest trails that blend learning with leisure, or more challenging routes like the Self-guided Trail and Dongman Trail designed for serious hikers, there’s something here for everyone.
During my visit, the main visitor center happened to be under renovation, but the park staff had thoughtfully set up an adorable temporary visitor center. They even gave me an exclusive postcard—the design was so cute that it made my trip feel full of unexpected delights!
Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area Opening Hours: 0800-1700 No. 600, Chengfu Rd., Fuxing Dist., Taoyuan
04｜Jiabanshan Commercial District
After completing the scenic and educational trails at Dongyanshan, hunger started to set in — so I headed down the mountain to explore the Jiabanshan Commercial District in search of food. Centered around Zhongzheng Road, Zhongxiao Road, and Zhongshan Road, the district is known for its restaurants specializing in authentic Atayal-style cuisine. Signature dishes include pan-fried marinated stream trout, bamboo tube rice, and sausages seasoned with maqaw (mountain pepper) — the rich aromas alone are enough to make your mouth water.
In addition to a wide variety of local mountain delicacies, peach smoothies are the signature treat here — you’ll see almost everyone walking around with one in hand. Peach smoothie stalls line the streets, each offering its own twist: some use fresh peaches blended on the spot, while others mix in peach chunks and jam for extra flavor. I ended up having three cups that day! Since I’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth, my personal favorite was the version made with peach jam — a tip for fellow dessert lovers out there!
Jiabanshan Commercial District Zhongzheng Rd., Fuxing Dist., Taoyuan
05｜Jiaobanshan Residence
The Jiaobanshan Residence complex includes several historical sites, such as a wartime tunnel, Chiang Kai-shek’s former residence, and the Camphor Storage Office. Inside the residence, the main exhibition focuses on the visits of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling to Jiaobanshan. It also showcases Soong Mei-ling’s artistic journey, including her experiences learning to paint, giving visitors a glimpse into a more personal and lesser-known side of the couple.
What impressed me most was the wartime tunnel located behind the residence. Built in 1963, the tunnel was designed to protect the President during times of war and serve as a command post for issuing military orders. Murals on the walls depict wartime briefings and ambush operations by underwater commandos, vividly recreating the tense atmosphere of the 1950s.
Jiaobanshan Residence Opening Hours: 0900-1700 No. 133-1, Zhongzheng Rd., Fuxing Dist., Taoyuan
◦ Restaurants and Snacks in Fuxing
01｜Yongzhen Peach Smoothie
Among the many peach smoothie stands in the Jiabanshan Commercial District, Yongzhen Peach Smoothie stands out as something special. The owner insists on using only natural ingredients — fresh peaches, honey, and milk — with no artificial flavoring or fruit syrup. The result is a rich, fragrant, and perfectly refreshing drink. It’s rare to find a shop that stays this true to quality — definitely one worth supporting!
Yongzhen Peach Smoothie Opening Hours: 0830-1700 No. 19, Zhongzheng Rd., Fuxing Dist., Taoyuan
02｜Xionglihai Noodle House
Also located in the Jiabanshan Commercial District, Xionglihai Noodle House was recommended to me by a local vendor. He told me that whenever he can’t decide what to eat, he comes here — and he’s been doing so for over a decade. Finding a place that’s affordable, generous in portion, and packed with ingredients at a tourist spot like this is rare. Their bowl of rice noodles in soup costs just NT$80 and comes loaded with sliced pork, bean sprouts, half a braised egg, and white radish — far more than I expected.
Xionglihai Noodle House No. 21, Zhongzheng Rd., Fuxing Dist., Taoyuan
◦ Flying Over Taiwan
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◦ Other Areas in Taoyuan
➤ Daxi | Besides Dried Tofu, There’s Also A Rich Scent of Wood
➤ Yangmei | The Bald Cypresses are Turning Colors!
➤ Dayuan | An Impressive Aerotropolis for Travelers