Day1: Atayal Tribe Culture, Xiuluan
Hsinchu HSR Station
This is Taiwan's most uniquely designed train station, which is a masterpiece by renowned architect Kris Yao and has even represented Taiwan to participate in the 2002 Venice Biennale of Architecture; in 2006, the station was also presented with Taiwan Residential Architecture Award – First Prize. Elements of wafers and glasses were applied for its interior and exterior designs; roof with streamlined circular arc, on the other hand, borrowed the characteristics of Hakka style architecture – Hakka walled village. All in all, a localized, modern, and high tech architecture structure and train station space was sculpted and created.
Neiwan Hexing Station
Hexing Station is a small train station on Neiwan Line with the original name of Shifenliao Station – the name change was due to Pingxi Line having a station of the same name. It was previously a "reversing station", but the function no longer exists. Hexing Station is currently a staff-less station, and Taiwan Railways had once almost abolished the station, but at the end a married couple stepped up and took the station under their care. Later, the story of this couple was published and put up at the station by Taiwan Railways, which therefore gave Hexing Station the romantic name of "Romance Station". Currently, the old platform at Hexing Station has been reconstructed as a small park – with its spacious area, it is now a great place for family outings and wedding photo shooting.
Yulao Lookout
At "Yulao Lookout", which is 13km away from Nalou, visitors would be able to spot in the east Yufeng Village and the rear mountains at bottom of the valley during the day; and the vast Nalou River Valley is right below the Lookout. At night, visitors can vaguely see the mountains far ahead, but overlooking the sparkling lights is also a scenery to enjoy. Yulao, located at an altitude of 1,450m, is the borderline for the front and the rear mountain areas in Jianshi Township. Lookouts were built at the two sides of Yulao Police Post, offering panoramic views of the front and the rear mountains. Towards the east, visitors can overlook Yufeng Village deep down in the valley as well as towering rear mountains in the distance; towards the west, there is the flat and vast Nalou River Valley of the front mountain right beneath. During clear nights, it is also the perfect spot to enjoy the night views.
Xiuluan (Junjianyan Hiking Trail, Tribe Guided Tour, Hot Spring)
Xiuluan Hot Spring has two sources – one is located beneath Xiuluan Checkpoint, and the other is by Junjianyan, but the water flow amounts at both sites are fairly moderate. Temperature of the weakly alkaline carbonated Hot Spring is about 45~55°C. In freezing winter, taking a hot spring bath while embraced by the green mountains and waters here – uninterrupted by any development plans with its rural location, would be a wonderful enjoyment of the ultimate primitive ambiance.
Day2: Xiakelo National Hiking Trail
Xiakelo National Hiking Trail Yanglao Hiking Starting Point, Baishih
Xiakelo Historic Trail extends across Wufeng, Jianshi in Hsinchu County. Along the Historic Trail, there are a large number of spots for observation of maple leaves, a major attraction in autumn.
Yulao Lookout
At "Yulao Lookout", which is 13km away from Nalou, visitors would be able to spot in the east Yufeng Village and the rear mountains at bottom of the valley during the day; and the vast Nalou River Valley is right below the Lookout. At night, visitors can vaguely see the mountains far ahead, but overlooking the sparkling lights is also a scenery to enjoy. Yulao, located at an altitude of 1,450m, is the borderline for the front and the rear mountain areas in Jianshi Township. Lookouts were built at the two sides of Yulao Police Post, offering panoramic views of the front and the rear mountains. Towards the east, visitors can overlook Yufeng Village deep down in the valley as well as towering rear mountains in the distance; towards the west, there is the flat and vast Nalou River Valley of the front mountain right beneath. During clear nights, it is also the perfect spot to enjoy the night views.
Hsinchu HSR Station
This is Taiwan's most uniquely designed train station, which is a masterpiece by renowned architect Kris Yao and has even represented Taiwan to participate in the 2002 Venice Biennale of Architecture; in 2006, the station was also presented with Taiwan Residential Architecture Award – First Prize. Elements of wafers and glasses were applied for its interior and exterior designs; roof with streamlined circular arc, on the other hand, borrowed the characteristics of Hakka style architecture – Hakka walled village. All in all, a localized, modern, and high tech architecture structure and train station space was sculpted and created.