Step off the train at Taoyuan and the first thing you notice is how quickly the city gives way to water and trees. A short ride from the centre brings you to Longtan's tourist pond, where a temple sits on its own island and locals nurse a coffee under the surrounding trees. Taoyuan rewards travellers who treat it as more than a stopover between the airport and Taipei.
This guide suits anyone with a spare day or two who wants old streets, reservoirs, forest trails and night markets without the crowds of the capital. It covers the sights named in the source material, grouped so you can plan a route rather than a checklist.
Top things to do in Taoyuan
1. Daxi Old Street
One of Taiwan's famous old streets, and the anchor of a day out in the Daxi area. Come here to walk the historic frontage and eat your way along it.
Pair it with Shihmen Reservoir nearby, which makes a natural half-day combination. Arrive with an appetite and leave time to wander rather than rush.
2. Shihmen Reservoir
One of Taiwan's major reservoirs, and the obvious companion to Daxi Old Street. The water and surrounding hills make it a calm counterpoint to the busy street.
Since it sits near Daxi Old Street, plan the two together rather than as separate trips. Give yourself a relaxed pace between them.
3. Cihu Mausoleum
The temporary resting place of former President Chiang Kai-shek, and one of the area's most visited sites. It is closed on Tuesdays, so build your itinerary around that.
Check the day of your visit before setting out, and treat Tuesday as a day for the old street or the reservoir instead.
4. Lala Shan Nature Reserve
A natural protection zone with divine trees aged between 500 and 2,800 years; the No. 5 divine tree is older than Confucius. It is open 08:00–17:00.
This is a full-day commitment, so start early and give the forest the time it deserves rather than squeezing it into an afternoon.
5. Xiao Wulai Scenic Area
A waterfall and ancient redwood forest in one stop. It suits travellers who want scenery without a long trek.
Combine it with other forest and mountain stops in the same part of the region if you have a car or a driver for the day.
6. Dongyan Shan National Forest Recreation Area
A popular hiking area for those who want a proper walk rather than a stroll. The trails are the point here.
Wear shoes you do not mind getting dirty and set aside a morning or afternoon rather than an hour.
7. Window on China Theme Park
One of Taiwan's earliest theme parks, with a small-scale replica of many famous landmarks, mostly Asian, plus a small amusement park. It is open 09:00–18:00.
It sits south of Longtan, next to Aspire Technology Park, so it works well as part of a Longtan day rather than a trip of its own.
8. Longtan's tourist pond
Longtan's main attraction: a former irrigation pond with a temple island at its centre, surrounded by trees. It is a good spot to people-watch, grab a coffee or a beer, and relax.
Longtan is a nice place to spend a Sunday escaping from Taipei, and you will not need more than five hours for it. While you are in the area, the Crazy House near the bus depot is worth a look — entry is not permitted, but see it if you visit. The day market is best from 10:00–14:00 and is the place to pick up food for a walking excursion.
9. Longtan biking trails
Longtan has developed a network of walking and cycling trails radiating out from the community, past streams filled with fish and turtles and across fields of terraced rice and taro. The trails are especially nice just prior to the rice ripening.
Rent a bike or walk, and meander rather than race. This pairs naturally with the tourist pond on the same visit.
10. Zhongli Xinming Night Market
One of the largest night markets in the Taoyuan area, open daily 17:30–00:00 between Xinming Rd and Zhongyang West Rd in Zhongli. It is possible to have a full dinner's worth of food on a very tight budget.
Beyond the food there are stalls selling trinkets and fairground-style amusement games. It is an ideal way to spend an evening and understand a key part of Taiwan culture.
11. Taoyuan Night Market
Open daily 17:30–00:00 at the intersection between Zhongzhen Rd and Beipu Rd. A convenient option if you are staying closer to the city centre.
Use it as your fallback evening plan when the other markets are out of reach.
12. Fugang Village
A Hakka village in Yangmei Township noted for its traditional dwellings. Come for the architecture and the slower pace.
It is a good daytime stop to pair with a market visit later the same evening.
13. Taoyuan Martyr's Shrine
Described as one of the best-kept Shinto shrines outside Japan. Worth the time if you have an interest in the period's architecture.
Slot it into a city day rather than a mountain day, and keep your expectations of scale modest.
14. Tigerhead mountain (Hu Tou Shan)
A popular spot for first dates, with well-maintained hiking trails and a few snack shops at the top. Watch out for snakes if you are hiking.
Go for the trails and the snacks at the summit, and keep an eye on the path underfoot.
15. Galehe
A wild hot spring, and a different kind of stop from the forest trails and old streets. It suits travellers who are comfortable with an undeveloped setting.
Treat it as a dedicated outing rather than something to tack onto a city day.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Daxi Old Street while it is still quiet, then continue to Shihmen Reservoir nearby for the rest of the morning. If your day falls on a Tuesday, skip Cihu Mausoleum, which is closed.
Afternoon: Move on to Longtan. Walk or rent a bike for the Longtan biking trails, then settle at the tourist pond to people-watch with a coffee. If you are there between 10:00 and 14:00, the day market is the place to pick up food for the excursion. Window on China Theme Park is south of Longtan if you have time and energy left.
Evening: Finish at Zhongli Xinming Night Market, open 17:30–00:00, where a full dinner is possible on a tight budget. Taoyuan Night Market is the alternative if it is closer to where you are staying.
Frequently asked questions
When is Cihu Mausoleum closed?
It is closed on Tuesdays. Plan another sight for that day, such as Daxi Old Street or Shihmen Reservoir.
How long do you need in Longtan?
You will not need more than five hours. It is a nice place to spend a Sunday escaping from Taipei.
What are the opening hours for Lala Shan Nature Reserve and Window on China Theme Park?
Lala Shan Nature Reserve is open 08:00–17:00, and Window on China Theme Park is open 09:00–18:00.
Which night markets are open, and when?
Zhongli Xinming Night Market and Taoyuan Night Market are both open daily 17:30–00:00. Dayuan Night Market runs Sunday and Friday 17:00–00:00, Dazhu Night Market Monday and Thursday 17:00–22:00, and Nankan Wufu Night Market Tuesday and Friday to Saturday 17:30–21:30.
Pick your dates around the Tuesday closure and the market schedules, and you can build a Taoyuan itinerary that fits a single free day or a long weekend.