Hsinchu Emei and Beipu Countryside Route: Hakka Culture and Rolling Hills Cycling

Introduction

The southern hills of Hsinchu County—around Emei, Beipu, and Sanwan—are among the best-preserved rural Hakka cultural landscapes in Taiwan. Here you’ll find not only the largest Hakka settlement heritage in Taiwan (the historic street district around Beipu’s Citian Temple), but also the most renowned production area for Taiwan’s Pengfeng tea (Oriental Beauty tea), as well as Emei Lake, which combines scenic lake views with mountain scenery.

For cyclists who enjoy “rides with cultural depth,” Hsinchu’s Emei and Beipu are an easily overlooked yet deeply rewarding destination. The rolling terrain (mostly between 200-600 meters in elevation) offers enough climbing challenge without intimidating average riders—a classic “intermediate-friendly, advanced-comfortable” route.

Main Route Plan

Emei Lake Loop + Beipu Old Street Route (approx. 45km)

Emei Lake: Hsinchu’s Most Beautiful Cycling Secret

Emei Lake (Dapu Reservoir) is the largest agricultural reservoir in Hsinchu County, with a surface area spanning hundreds of hectares, surrounded by rolling tea-covered hills. The lakeside road hugs the shoreline almost the entire way around, and the water’s color shifts with the weather—emerald green on sunny days, deep and ink-wash-like when overcast.

What makes Emei Lake special is its near-complete lack of commercialization—there are almost no large amusement facilities or chain stores along the shore, only a few Hakka farmhouse eateries and natural lakeside woodlands. For riders tired of popular tourist spots, this is a true “hidden gem.”

Emei Lake riding tip: A section of the lakeside road is narrow with occasional fallen leaves; maintain a steady pace and proactively pull over when sightseeing vehicles approach.

Beipu Hakka Culture Cycling Experience

Beipu Township is one of the best-preserved Hakka cultural regions in Taiwan. The Beipu Old Street, Citian Temple, and numerous traditional sanheyuan courtyard houses within the township are still inhabited by Hakka families, preserving precious living culture.

After riding into Beipu, it’s recommended to park your bike and explore the old streets on foot:

• Citian Temple: A Qing-dynasty structure and second-class historic site; the temple square is the social heart of Beipu
• Jin Guang Fu Mansion: Taiwan’s most complete surviving settlement-development company headquarters building
• Lei cha experience: Beipu’s most iconic Hakka food culture—grinding tea leaves and nuts by hand to make a rich, fragrant lei cha

Pengfeng tea season: May to June each year is the harvest season for Oriental Beauty tea. During this time, Beipu tea farmers are busy picking, and tea shops fill the air with fragrance—the best time to visit.

Physical Preparation for Hill Riding

The Emei-Beipu route features mostly continuous small rolling hills—no long, steep climbs, but the constant undulation builds cumulative fatigue in the legs. Recommendations:

• Use lighter gearing for the hills; don’t force climbing on the big chainring
• Replenish fluids and carbohydrates appropriately at the top of each climb
• Watch for occasional potholes on descents; avoid high-speed sprints

Practical Tips

• Best riding seasons: March-May (rapeseed flowers, spring tea season) and September-November (autumn tea season, maple leaves)
• Zhudong Township has full commercial services; stock up on supplies there before departing
• Beipu Old Street draws heavy tourist crowds on weekends and holidays; visiting on weekdays offers a purer Hakka atmosphere
• TRA trains run from Hsinchu to Zhudong, and bicycles can be brought aboard, saving highway travel time
• Emei has several well-regarded Hakka restaurants; it’s recommended to enjoy Hakka stir-fry and ginger pork intestines there

Conclusion

Riding through Hsinchu’s Emei and Beipu reveals the warmest side of Taiwan’s countryside. When you ride along Emei Lake, the water reflects the contours of tea-covered hills; when you step into Beipu Old Street, an elderly woman in a sanheyuan courtyard hands you a freshly brewed cup of Oriental Beauty tea—these details form the most precious cultural memories of cycling in Taiwan, gifts that no fast-moving vehicle can ever provide.

Related Reading

• Hsinchu Emei to Beipu Hakka Route: The Complete Guide to Riding the Hakka Countryside Hills
• Hsinchu Emei Lake Lakeside Bike Path: Northern Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Lakeside Ride
• Taoyuan and Hsinchu Mountain Riding: High-Difficulty Climbing Routes in Northern Taiwan’s Suburbs
• Shiding and Pinglin Tea Country Riding: Mountain Road Experiences in Northern Taiwan’s Tea Culture