Neiwan 內灣

Once isolated backwater town 

We arrive Hsinchu town 新竹市 the night before from Kaohsiung 高雄. The journey from Kaohsiung by bus takes around 5 hours. There is no direct bus from Kaohsiung to Hsinchu so we have to transit at Taichung 臺中 train station. Kaohsiung to Taichung takes 3hours while Taichung to Hsinchu around 2hours.

Our journey start on 8 Dec 2011 morning. We start off with the buffet breakfast serve by the hotel then head off by bus to National Tsing Hua University 國立清華大學. This is one of the most prestigious university in Taiwan. It was ranked 107 in the World University Rankings by Times Higher Education.

 

University bicycle parking area and lake within campus

 Student accommodation 

 University cherry garden 

Replica of old gate in Beijing. 

After visiting the campus we left for Zhuzhong 竹中 train station by local bus and take train to our main destination, Neiwan 內灣. Neiwan line 內灣線 is rail line branch out from the main line which serve mainly tourist visiting the area.

The train will stop by Zhudong 竹東 station before heading east to Neiwan. This is one of the few rail line which the train still runs on diesel power. 

 Neiwan station and the old street of Neiwan.

The town is so small that able to finish walking within few hours. Across the bridge has many cafe and coffee house with laid back environment.  

  

Some area view of the town. 

Since the day we went is on weekdays so the town seems quiet without much activity going on. Even the streets and shops are almost empty. But during weekend the town will come out to life with buses and train full of tourist.

Neiwan has a special kind of zongzi sold at many shops in the main street. It is wrapped in Gingerleaves rather than in Palmleaves and gives it a special taste. 

After visiting Neiwan we head back to Hsinchu and take bus up to Taipei. 

Route : 

Neiwan 內灣 (A) - Zhudong 竹東 (B) - Hsinchu 新竹 (C) - Taipei 臺北 (D)

Total distance by train and bus 117KM.