Home to the Baoshan Reservoirs that supply drinking water for the city of Hsinchu, Baoshan Township is a semi-rural district in the city’s south. Translating as “Treasure Mountain”, Baoshan Township has traditionally been populated by ethnic Hakka people.
Things to do in Baoshan Township
While the north of Baoshan Township is largely residential and blends with the suburbs of Hsinchu, the southern part is predominantly agricultural. The mountainous terrain is home to numerous orchards, renowned for its production of tangerines and lychees.
Interested in visiting the “Silicon Valley of Asia”? Then head to the Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park in the northeast of Baoshan. It was purposely built near the National Tsing Hua University and National Chiao Tung University, just as Silicon Valley is adjacent to Stanford University and the University of California’s Berkeley Campus, and is clustered with big-name IT businesses and high-tech start-ups.
A short drive from the Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park are the Baoshan Reservoirs where man-made feats of engineering meet the natural beauty of Taiwan. Hire a bicycle or scooter to explore their perimeters and soak up the views as you enjoy a picnic on the water’s edge.
You can travel south to the historic village of Beipu, designed to defend its Hakka residents from outside attack. Wander along Beipu Old Street to photograph its charming old houses and temples and sample traditional Hakka cuisine from the street-side vendors.
Getting around Baoshan Township
Public buses connect Baoshan Township to Hsinchu City, situated around 20 minutes’ drive to the north. To visit the Baoshan Reservoirs and Beipu, having your own vehicle is highly recommended.