{"id":8395,"date":"2025-12-31T17:00:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T09:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yuartheworld.com\/?p=8395"},"modified":"2025-12-23T18:46:19","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T10:46:19","slug":"daxi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yuartheworld.com\/en\/daxi\/","title":{"rendered":"Taoyuan \u25e6 Daxi | Besides Dried Tofu, There\u2019s Also A Rich Scent of Wood. | TAIWAN 368-61"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before visiting Daxi, my impression of this place was limited to its delicious dried tofu and bustling old street. It wasn\u2019t until I stepped into the open-air Wood Art Ecomuseum, starting from Hall No. 1 and strolling slowly along Puji Road, that I discovered how enchanting Daxi\u2019s wooden architecture and craftsmanship truly are.<\/p>\n

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\u25e6 Taoyuan Travel Guide<\/span><\/h6>\n

01\uff5cTransportation in Taoyuan<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83d\ude84 Taiwan High Speed Rail<\/a>
\n\ud83d\ude97 Cross-city Chartered One-day Tour From Taipei<\/a><\/p>\n

02\uff5cPopular Attractions in Taoyuan<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfab XPark Taiwan Aquarium Ticket<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Window on World Theme Park Ticket<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Dongyanshan Forest Recreation Area Ticket<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Lalashan National Forest Recreation Area Ticket<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Pushin Ranch Tickets in Taoyuan<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Simbalion Art Studio Admission Ticket in Taoyuan<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Saw Seen Woo Ying Cheng Admission Ticket<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Taoyuan Mountain Foot Deer Farm Sambar House Admission Ticket<\/a><\/p>\n

03\uff5cThings To Do in Taoyuan<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfd5\ufe0f Glamping in Taoyuan by Orchard Villa<\/a><\/p>\n

\u25e6 The History of Daxi<\/span><\/h6>\n

Daxi was originally home to the Pingpu (Plains Indigenous) Xiaoli community and the Atayal people. During the Qing dynasty, as Han Chinese immigrants settled in the area, Daxi gradually developed into a thriving town. In 1863, following the revision of the Treaty of Tientsin, the ports of Takao (today\u2019s Kaohsiung) and Tamsui were opened to foreign trade. Then known as Dakekan, Daxi became a busy inland port at the uppermost reaches of the Tamsui River system. At that time, agricultural products, daily goods, tea, timber, and camphor oil from the Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli regions were all transported through Daxi. From 1892 to 1897, river trade reached its peak, and the town flourished with hundreds of shops lining Heping Road, Zhongshan Road, and Zhongyang Road. Today, the old street still retains its classical architectural charm, standing as a witness to the prosperity of Daxi\u2019s past.<\/p>\n

\u25e6 Attractions in Daxi<\/span><\/h6>\n
01\uff5cDaxi Nanxing Bald Cypress Forest<\/h6>\n

Located in Nanxing Village, Daxi, this bald cypress forest is famous for its more than 3,000 neatly arranged trees set against a picturesque rural landscape. The view from above is truly spectacular. On weekday mornings, the area is relatively quiet \u2014 the soft light and peaceful atmosphere make it a perfect time for photography without much disturbance.<\/p>\n

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Daxi Nanxing Bald Cypress Forest<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0730-1730\nNo. 158-1, Fujian St., Daxi Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
02\uff5cCihu Mausoleum<\/h6>\n
Cihu Mausoleum is famous as the resting place of former President Chiang Kai-shek.\nThe area is divided into two sections, the Front Cihu and the Rear Cihu. It is said that Chiang chose this site because its scenery reminded him of his hometown, Fenghua in Zhejiang Province, and that he named it \u201cCihu,\u201d or \u201cMerciful Lake,\u201d in memory of his mother. The highlight of Cihu is the guard changing ceremony, a solemn and iconic ritual. Since there are only a few sessions each day, it\u2019s recommended to check the schedule at the Cihu Visitor Center upon arrival.<\/p>\n
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Before watching the ceremony, visitors can explore the Cihu Visitor Center, which features detailed exhibits about Chiang\u2019s life, historical photographs, and replicas of his attire.<\/p>\n
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Next to it lies the Cihu Memorial Sculpture Park, also well worth a visit \u2014 it houses nearly 300 statues of Chiang Kai-shek collected from all over Taiwan, displayed in a fascinating arrangement.<\/p>\n
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Cihu Mausoleum<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0900-1700, closed on Tuesday.\nNo. 1097, Sec. 1, Fuxing Rd., Daxi Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
03\uff5cDaxi Old Street<\/h6>\n
When it comes to old streets, Daxi Old Street is undoubtedly one of the most famous, stretching across Heping Road, Zhongshan Road, and Zhongyang Road. The most captivating feature is the architecture itself, especially the well-preserved paifang-style facades that adorn many of the buildings.<\/p>\n
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Around 1919, the Japanese colonial government implemented a city planning initiative known as the \u201cUrban Improvement Project,\u201d which involved demolishing certain structures and reorganizing the streets. Following this, local residents began decorating their storefronts with paifang-style facades, sparking a trend in ornamental architecture. Typical residences were built with red brick walls and paifang entrances, while more elaborate commercial buildings often used stone to carve European-style arches, columns, and intricate reliefs, giving the street its unique charm.<\/p>\n
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Daxi Old Street<\/strong>\r\n\r\nHeping Rd., Daxi Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
04\uff5cFuren Temple<\/h6>\n
At the end of Daxi Old Street stands Furen Temple, a century-old shrine built in 1813 (the 18th year of the Jiaqing reign in the Qing dynasty) by immigrants from Zhangzhou who pooled their resources to construct it. Back then, these immigrants had to cross the Dahan River during festivals to pay respects at the Kaizhang Shengwang Temple in Pudong \u2014 a journey that was both inconvenient and time-consuming. To create a local center for worship, they established Furen Temple, which has since become one of the most important temples in Daxi.<\/p>\n
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For an authentic experience of the temple\u2019s most representative festivities, visitors shouldn\u2019t miss the \u201cDivine Pig Contest\u201d held every year in the second lunar month to celebrate the birthday of Kaizhang Shengwang. Traditionally, the ten major local clans would take turns offering a ceremonial pig. Over time, this tradition has evolved into the creation of \u201ccreative divine pigs\u201d made from ingredients such as noodles and oranges. Despite this modernization, the festival still retains its lively atmosphere and cultural significance, making it one of Daxi\u2019s most anticipated annual events.<\/p>\n
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Furen Temple<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0400-2030\nNo. 100, Heping Rd., Daxi Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
05\uff5cDaxi Wood Art Ecomuseum<\/h6>\n
Thanks to its abundant forest resources, convenient river transport, and skilled craftsmen from Tangshan, Daxi has long been a hub for the woodcraft industry. After more than two centuries of development, the town still hosts numerous sawmills and woodworking shops, making it one of Taiwan\u2019s key centers for wooden crafts.<\/p>\n
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The Wood Art Ecomuseum embraces the philosophy of \u201cpreserving cultural heritage and connecting with the local community.\u201d By restoring and linking a cluster of Japanese-style dormitories, the museum has transformed Daxi into an open-air cultural museum without walls. The museum complex now consists of 12 main buildings, including Hall No. 1, Wude Hall, Daxi History Museum, Craftsman Hall, Li Tengfang Historic Residence, Daxi Guild Hall, Wood Life Hall, 624 Story Hall, Craft Exchange Hall, Feng Fei-fei Story Hall, Daxi Creation Hall, and the Japanese-style dormitories of Daxi Elementary School \u2014 all open to the public for free.<\/p>\n
I began my visit at Hall No. 1, which preserves the traditional wooden Japanese-style architecture. Just standing at the entrance gives you a sense of Daxi\u2019s unique woodcraft heritage. Inside, the exhibitions cover a wide range of topics, from woodworking techniques and culinary culture to religious beliefs, and showcase numerous lively, imaginative, and intricately carved wooden artworks.<\/p>\n
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Daxi Wood Art Ecomuseum<\/strong> Hall No. 1<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0930-1700, closed on Monday.\nNo. 68, Zhongzheng Rd., Daxi Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
06\uff5cDaxi Wude Hall<\/h6>\n
Before World War II, Japan promoted militarism and the Bushido spirit, leading to the construction of Wude Halls across Taiwan as training centers for police and youth to practice judo and kendo. Daxi Wude Hall was built in 1935 (the 10th year of the Showa era) in response to this movement. After the war, the hall was temporarily used as offices for the military police. Over time, it underwent extensive restoration and now faithfully reflects its appearance during the Japanese colonial period, while serving as a space for arts and cultural exhibitions. The hall\u2019s tall wooden architecture makes it an excellent exhibition venue, giving every displayed work a distinctive atmosphere.<\/p>\n
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However, don\u2019t rush to leave after viewing the exhibitions. Open the side door and walk along the wooden corridor to the other end, and you can truly appreciate the serene passage of time embedded in this historic building.<\/p>\n
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Daxi Wude Hall<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0930-1700, closed on Monday.\nNo. 33-3, Puji Rd., Daxi Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
07\uff5cDaxi History Hall<\/h6>\n
The Daxi History Hall was originally built during the Japanese colonial period as an official residence, part of a cluster of police housing. The building not only bears witness to nearly a century of Daxi\u2019s police and administrative history but also quietly preserves traces of everyday life. After being registered as a historical building in 2012, the museum was restored and became one of the halls within the Wood Art Ecomuseum.<\/p>\n
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Stepping inside, looking at the old photographs and documents, it\u2019s easy to imagine the bustling scenes of Daxi\u2019s river trade at its peak, with streets filled with merchants.\nThe town\u2019s former prosperity gives this space, which displays historical artifacts, an added sense of narrative, making it one of the few history museums that genuinely feels engaging rather than dull.<\/p>\n
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Daxi History Hall<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0930-1700, closed on Monday.\nNo. 23, Puji Rd., Daxi Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Restaurants and Snacks in Daxi<\/span><\/h6>\n
01\uff5cOld Uncle's Braised Tofu<\/h6>\n
A friend who grew up in Daxi told me that if you want to try Old Uncle's Braised Tofu, you have to go right when the shop opens \u2014 otherwise, the line gets long fast. Sure enough, as soon as I finished ordering, more people started arriving, including a group of moms who had come all the way from Taipei, carefully managing a long list of online group orders on their phones.<\/p>\n
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I personally love their Orchid Tofu and regular braised tofu. Sprinkled with green onions and soaked in rich braising sauce, the Orchid Tofu releases an irresistible aroma. Dip it in the punchy chili sauce, and it\u2019s a flavor explosion for fans of bold tastes! Delicious, affordable, and generously portioned \u2014 this is likely the biggest reason so many people are willing to travel from far and wide just to try it.<\/p>\n
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Old Uncle's Braised Tofu<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0900-1800\nNo. 37, Zhongzheng Rd., Daxi Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
02\uff5cXiaozhen Tofu Pudding<\/h6>\n
While wandering through Daxi Old Street, I happened to notice an elderly man sitting inside, staring off into space. Feeling a bit thirsty, I decided to go in and try a bowl of douhua (tofu pudding). After just a few bites, a stream of people walked by, specifically asking for this shop \u2014 that\u2019s when I realized it\u2019s one of Daxi\u2019s local favorites. Xiaozhen Tofu Pudding prides itself on generous, high-quality toppings. The tofu pudding is silky and smooth, and the portions are hearty enough that a single bowl can easily satisfy a woman\u2019s entire meal.<\/p>\n
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Xiaozhen Tofu Pudding<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 1100-1830\nNo. 34-2, Heping Rd., Daxi Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Flying Over Taiwan<\/span><\/h6>\n