What To Do In Beipu (新竹北埔)
Capital of Hakka Culture
Throughout Hsinchu, Miaoli, and Taoyuan counties, Beipu (北埔) is regarded as the capital of Hakka culture in Northern Taiwan. Located a short drive up into the mountains from downtown Hsinchu, Beipu makes for a perfect day trip into rural Taiwan. But what exactly makes Beipu so unique?
The Hakka ethnic group is one shrouded in mystery. The origins of the Hakka point to Northern China. Over many years these people gradually migrated south, forming their own language and traditions. Today, they can be found all over the world, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan.
With such a unique history, Hakka culture can be found in all aspects of life. In Beipu, all of these customs are relatively well-preserved. The Hakka dialect, architecture, traditions, and cuisine are all on full display in this small mountain town.
If you’re wanting to explore Hakka culture closer to the city, be sure to check out the New Tile House Hakka Cultural District!
How To Get To Beipu
Beipu was formed as a center for Hakka immigrants coming from mainland China. The settling of the Hakka people in this region was encouraged by the Qing Dynasty in an effort to “reclaim land” from indigenous Taiwanese people. Due to attacks from indigenous Taiwanese tribes, the streets of Beipu were designed in such a way to defend its residents.
In order to get to Beipu from downtown Hsinchu, it is best to first get to the HSR station in Zhubei (竹北). From there you can take a bus from the station up into the mountains. Bus 5700 goes all the way up to Lion’s Head Mountain (獅頭山). The price of the bus ticket is 100 NT (3.25 USD) and the journey takes roughly 35 minutes.
If you need to stretch your legs, why not hike Lion’s Head Mountain before heading over to Beipu?
What To Do In Beipu
The Beipu Old Street (北埔老街) and most of the other main streets in the city converge on Citian Temple (慈天宮). Combining elements of Buddhism and Taiwanese folk religion, the temple is a good representation of Hakka beliefs. The temple is often busy on the weekends, but that is nothing compared to the crowds on the streets. With vendors, restaurants, and souvenir shops, people swarm to Beipu to explore the markets which take up nearly every corner of the downtown.
Being a small town, one can quickly check off all of the main sights in several hours. Jinguangfu Hall (金廣福公館), Tianshui Tang (天水堂), Jiangzhi Family Temple (姜氏家廟), and Zhongshu Tang (忠恕堂) are fine examples of traditional Hakka architecture. There are plenty of sanheyuan-style houses (三合院) throughout Beipu, but some are private residences. Made famous by the TV show Gold Leaf (茶金), Chiang A-Hsin Mansion (姜阿新洋樓) is another site you will not want to miss. Visits to the house are made by reservation only.
Out and around Beipu you’ll also find sites such as the Beipu Cold Spring (北埔冷泉) and the Liutang Bald Cypress Forest (落羽松步道).
Another spot to experience Hakka history is at the Zhubei Hakka Village!
Hakka Cuisine
It may just take a little over an hour to explore most of the historical sites around Beipu, but the real experience is in the food. Throughout the town, there are slews of Hakka restaurants serving up everything from Bantiao (粄條) to fried rice. What will really strike your eye is the ground tea or lei cha (擂茶). Many shops have their guests busy grinding their own tea at their tables before taking a sip of this Hakka specialty.
There are tons of places in Beipu where you can eat the best of Hakka cuisine. If you’re wanting a much more traditional experience in a historic house, be sure to check out Shuijing Tea Shop (水井茶堂). This famous yet tucked-away tea shop is a hidden gem you won’t want to miss. Even if you don’t spot it down the alleyway, there are tons of tea shops in Beipu where you can have a similar experience.
A short drive away from Beipu you can explore local religion at the Quanhua Temple by Lion’s Head Mountain!
Exploring Beipu
The mountains on the outskirts of Hsinchu make for the perfect escape from the city. Other than the natural beauty housed in these hills, tourists can also explore well-preserved Hakka culture in many of the many towns nestled into the mountainside. Beipu, however, sets the standard by literally checking off all of the boxes on the list of things you’d want to experience.
With delicious food, soothing tea, and a rich history, Beipu attracts busloads of tourists every year, and for a good reason. No matter which of the small villages you explore or mountain tops you conquer, you will find yourself time and time again wanting to finish each day in Beipu.
Wondering what is the best thing to do in Hsinchu? Check out our complete list of things here!
