With its name translating as “Big River”, Daxi District sprawls along the Dahan River east of Taoyuan City. It has a rich history as a trade hub for tea and camphor and lies on the edge of a huge reservoir that was completed in 1964 to supply power, irrigation and drinking water to the region.
Things to do in Daxi District
You can spend an afternoon strolling Daxi Old Street, which was once bustling with traders in the camphor and tea industries. Admire the elegant façades built by merchants during the Japanese colonial era, combining Baroque architecture with traditional Southern Fujian elements. Souvenirs stores and eateries line the route, many of which sell the local specialty, dried tofu.
A short drive from Daxi Old Street takes you to the Cihu Mausoleum, the current resting place of former president Chiang Kai-shek. It lies adjacent to a picturesque lake, with the scenery said to remind Chiang Kai-shek of his hometown in Fenghua. The surrounding parkland is dotted with more than 200 statues of the former president that have been collected from across Taiwan.
Tea drinkers shouldn’t miss a visit to the Daxi Tea Factory, which was built by the Japanese in 1926. It occupies a pale blue building fusing Taiwanese and Japanese architectural styles and provides a setting for learning about tea cultivation and the art of tea making in Taiwan. You can sample a variety of tea (and purchase some to take home) or dine at the on-site restaurant.
Getting around Daxi District
Dasi District is a 40-minute drive from Taoyuan City and about an hour from New Taipei City. Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is 45 minutes away and regular buses connect to the Daxi Bus Station. Having your own vehicle gives you greater freedom to explore the district.