I wish I could just say, “I went to Taoyuan, and the rest is history,” but that wouldn’t do my Taiwan experience justice. This island holds stories too rich to be left untold, waiting to be discovered by travelers of all kinds.
While my first adventure revolved around the city of Taoyuan, this time, I discovered another
side of Taiwan, one that proudly preserves its history, culture and deeply rooted Hakka heritage.
A forgotten trail from the Japanese colonial time could have easily vanished with time, but Taiwan refuses to let its past fade. Here, history is something you see, feel and live.
If you want to experience Taiwan beyond the usual tourist spots, these places should be at the top of your list, especially if you’re a history buff or just someone who loves a good story:
New Tile Hakka Cultural District
Address: Zhubei City, Hsinchu County
Back home, we often talk about cultural preservation, how to protect indigenous communities without uprooting them from their lands. Taiwan offers a compelling example of how this can be done, and the New Tile Hakka Cultural District is a prime showcase.
The Hakkas form a significant minority in Taiwan, having migrated from northern China centuries ago. This district honors their legacy with a passionate regard for history and innovation.
The first thing that caught my eye was the long, snake-like installation outside the ancestral home that seemed to pay homage to the Year of the Dragon. It wasn’t just for show though. Attached to it were music boxes, and we were given perforated paper sheets to punch holes into. Once inserted, our patterns turned into melodies, a very clever homage to Hakka’s deep musical roots. Who knew history could sound so good?
We then stepped into what was once the Lin family’s living room, dating back as early as 1752, when they first began working the land. Over generations, the family grew, expanding their village, now transformed into an interactive learning space. At its center stood a child-friendly, glass-encased map with buttons that illuminated key locations while a narrator shared their history.
Young people are often the hardest to engage in history, but here century-old houses that speak of Hakka’s way of life are surrounded by trendy cafes, bookstores and artisan fairs. One highlight of learning for me was the Flower Drum Team, a fascinating tradition dating back to 1947, where men dress in women’s attire, paint their faces and twirl floral parasols while dancing.
Old Mountain Line Railbike Day
Address: Sanyi Township, Miaoli County
Some railways fade into history, their tracks swallowed by time. Cebu once had its own railway system, but war and neglect erased it from existence. Taiwan, however, had different plans for its Old Mountain Line. Instead of letting it become a relic, they turned it into something better, a rail bike adventure where you pedal through history itself.
I wasn’t expecting a workout, but the four-seat, pedal-powered rail bike was part of the charm. Designed to resemble an old steam train, it rolled gently along the historic 15.9-km track, where coal, timber and fruit were once transported. The moment we set off, I felt like we had slipped into a time machine, swapping modern chaos for misty mountains, tunnels and towering bridges.
One of the most haunting sights was the Yutengping Bridge. Once an architectural marvel, its brick arches crumbled in a 1935 earthquake, leaving behind only its skeletal red pylons, a ghostly reminder of what once was.
Then came Shengxing Station. Built in 1906, it stands 402 meters above sea level, the highest wooden station in Taiwan. It has survived wars, earthquakes and the test of time. Stepping onto its platform, I swear I could hear the echoes of old train whistles.
Jinliangxing Brick Factory
Address: Yuanli Township, Miaoli County
Bricks. You don’t really think about them until you step into a place like Jinliangxing Brick Factory. What was once a thriving industry in the ‘70s, one that built Taiwan’s cities, has now become a carefully preserved piece of history.
Inside the factory at the Wan Li Brick Museum, we traced brick-making back to the Qing Dynasty, admired beautiful brickwork and learned about the industry’s peak years. But stepping inside the old kiln was something else. In its dimly lit space, it wasn’t hard to picture the roaring fires and the hands that once shaped Taiwan, brick by brick.
Then we met Yi Rongchang, the man behind the factory’s transformation. When the industry’s decline seemed inevitable in the early 2000s, Yi Rongchang didn’t let it disappear. Instead, he turned it into a hub for events like the Brick Sculpture Art Season and Brick Kiln Tour, keeping the tradition alive.
Before leaving, we took home DIY lanterns, a little keepsake from a place where history still burns bright.
Fuxing Old Tea Factory
Address: Emei Township, Hsinchu County
I used to think I knew tea. Then Taiwan humbled me. The 100-year-old Fuxing Old Tea Factory is a masterclass in the art of tea-making. We met a tea master who made us rethink our rushed tea-drinking habits back home. Every brew here is a labor of love, with some teas, like the popular Oriental Beauty, getting their distinct honey-like flavor from tiny leafhoppers nibbling on the buds.
Walking past decades old balancing, drying and processing machines, I didn’t just see metal and gears but a legacy in motion.
Leofoo Village
Address: Guanxi Township, Hsinchu County
Leofoo Village is where we had our first real taste of Hakka cuisine — one big bowl of herbal beef noodles later, I was a changed person. That serving could’ve fed an entire family, but it was so good that I somehow finished it all. The broth wasn’t too salty, just the right balance to let the beef flavors shine through.
After that hearty meal, we took an unexpected turn and straight into the wild! Leofoo Village is the first safari amusement park in Asia. It’s massive, both in size and in history. We toured around the hotel and staying there would be part of my bucket list someday. Imagine waking up to capybaras munching just outside your window and lemurs bouncing around like they owned the place.
Next thing I knew, I was giggling and screaming alongside the students in our group as the safari bus rolled through. We came face-to-face with lions, tigers and buffalos, and the thrill didn’t stop there. The park’s four themed areas — African Safari, Wild West, South Pacific and Arabian Kingdom, kept us on our toes the entire time.
Beipu Old Street
Address: Beipu Township, Hsinchu County
Beipu is a pocket of history where Hakka traditions thrive. Here, we tried our hand at making Lei Cha, grinding tea leaves, rice and nuts into a paste for a surprisingly refreshing drink. Let’s just say after all that pounding, we understood why farmers used to drink this for energy. It’s just so packed with nutrients and fills the stomach truly.
The food crawl that followed was every Taiwan traveler’s dream. Hakka are known for creative cuisines, and mochi so soft it felt illegal not to buy some, dried persimmons tasting like sunshine and taro cakes gone too soon. Beipu may be small, but it packs a punch in culture and flavor.
Travel to Taiwan
Taiwan has extended its visa-free entry program for Philippine passport holders until July 31, 2025, and I was fortunate enough to be invited by the Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) for a media tour. Funny enough, I had written about this before — back in July 2024, when the 2024 Taiwan Tourism Workshop brought the spirit of Taiwanese tourism to Cebu.
The event, held at Radisson Blu Cebu, featured top travel partners and operators, strengthening tourism ties between Taiwan and the Philippines through presentations, product showcases and cultural performances. Little did I know that a year later, I’d actually be setting foot in Taiwan myself. The stars truly aligned.
Five days weren’t enough, and honestly, I don’t think any amount of time would be. Taiwan has a way of drawing you in, making you want to return, to dig deeper and to experience more than what a single trip can offer.
If it weren’t for the carefully curated tours by the TTA, I don’t think I’d be bringing home such meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime memories. The newly opened Taiwan Tourism Information Center (TTIC) in the City of Makati serves as a dedicated hub for Filipino travelers, offering guidance on itineraries, must-visit attractions and unique experiences that Taiwan has to offer. S