Overview
Hsinchu is the oldest city in northern Taiwan with nearly 400 years of history, yet it is best known today as the island's technology capital. The Science-based Industrial Park (founded 1980) hosts TSMC, UMC, and AU Optronics, making Hsinchu the highest-earning city in Taiwan by average wage.
Architecture · Day Trips · History · Museums · Nature
Before you go
Money
Local currency is New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels and restaurants but carry cash for local markets and smaller establishments.
Safety
Hsinchu is extremely safe with minimal street crime. Emergency: Police 110, Ambulance/Fire 119. Foreign affairs police: +886 3 524-2103.
Transport
Hsinchu has a local bus network but no cruising taxis; use taxi ranks at the train station or call ahead. The THSR station provides fast connections to Taipei and Taichung.
Weather
Known as the Windy City, Hsinchu experiences strong gusts from the Taiwan Strait. Winters are cold, especially around Lunar New Year. Summers are hot (up to 33°C) with typhoon risk.