Taiwan Today

Hsinchu City and County in northern Taiwan boast booming cultural and creative sectors and an abundance of heritage sites.

Located in northern Taiwan’s Hsinchu County, A Space is a gathering place for creative minds and curious souls. The cafe and coworking venue brings together people of all ages and backgrounds through hosting events like business forums, open-mike sessions, and classes on everything from fabric dyeing to app development.

The light-filled collaborative space in Zhudong Township is the brainchild of electronics engineer-turned-film producer Jacky Huang (黃瑞仁). “It’s all about sharing. We welcome anyone who wants to showcase their talents, whether they’re into crafts, music, painting or photography,” he said.

About a decade ago, Huang gave up his job with a semiconductor firm at Hsinchu Science Park (HSP), Taiwan’s leading tech manufacturing hub, and moved to the comparatively quiet surroundings of Zhudong. “It’s a really relaxing, livable town with lots of multicultural charm,” he said. “The population is quite diverse, consisting of Holo, Hakka, indigenous peoples and new immigrants from around the world.”

Always on the lookout for ideas for his filmmaking projects, Huang was eager to establish a place where residents and visitors could share their insights and passions. After years of searching for the right location, he caught wind of a county government project to transform a complex of disused dormitories for railway workers into a cultural and creative hub.

A Space was among the first tenants at Zhudong Creative Park when it opened in late 2017. Today, the site hosts dozens of startups and regularly stages events like bazaars, concerts and exhibitions. “The park enables creative talents and entrepreneurs to work side by side, introducing fresh perspectives to artistic and business endeavors,” he said. “Plus, it provides an engaging destination for visitors to the area.”

Repurposing the Past

Adaptive reuse of heritage structures is a core component of Hsinchu’s economic and cultural development strategy, according to Lee Yu-lung (李猶龍), director-general of the county government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau. Giving new life to underutilized buildings helps spotlight local history and spur community revitalization, he said.

Zhudong aside, Lee pointed to New Tile House Hakka Cultural District in Zhubei City as a prominent example of county government efforts in this regard. With the highest proportion of Hakka residents of any region in Taiwan at 73.6 percent, Hsinchu County is a bastion of the ethnic group’s language and traditions, and is committed to showcasing this rich culture, he added.

New Tile House is a cluster of homes built by a noted landowning and merchant family starting in 1805. An exemplar of traditional Hakka architecture, the site was granted protected status by the Cabinet-level Hakka Affairs Council in 2006 before being renovated and reopened by the local government five years later. Today, it is a popular tourist destination, hosting a market for books, designer goods, produce and traditional handicrafts, and providing a venue for exhibitions, lectures and performances.

Other restoration projects have targeted some of the county’s 68 locally and nationally designated historic buildings and monuments. These include the former residence of the late Hakka tea merchant Chiang A-hsin (姜阿新), built in 1949 in Beipu Township, and Guanxi Township’s Dongan Bridge, constructed in 1933 during Japanese colonial rule (1895-1945).

To highlight its diverse cultural assets, the county government is working with travel agencies to offer guided tour packages. In addition to rejuvenated heritage structures, the trips explore traditional Hakka and indigenous villages, like those of the Atayal and Saisiyat tribes in Jianshi and Wufeng townships. “Hsinchu County has the natural and historical resources to support a vibrant tourism sector,” Lee said. “Our goal is to cultivate educational and engaging visitor experiences.”

Urban Appeal

In neighboring Hsinchu City, which is administered separately, spotlighting its 63 locally and nationally designated historic buildings and monuments is similarly top of the cultural promotion agenda. “Hsinchu City is blessed with a high concentration of cultural facilities spanning artist villages, libraries and museums, all within easy walking distance,” said Huang Ching-hui (黃竫蕙‬), director of the city’s Cultural Affairs Bureau.

The beating heart of the northern Taiwan municipality is Hsinchu Railway Station. Built in 1913, it is the oldest facility of its kind still in operation in the nation. Located just a 10-minute stroll away is the traditional city center. The neighborhood is a treasure trove of historical buildings and relics. Notable sites span the 270-year-old City God Temple and 190-year-old Yin Hsi East Gate, as well as numerous century-old shops selling traditional delicacies, handicrafts and medicines.

According to Huang, the city has launched a host of adaptive reuse projects in recent decades to transform neglected or underappreciated heritage structures into top-class visitor attractions. Results of these efforts comprise the Glass Museum of Hsinchu City, built in 1936 as a guesthouse for Japanese royalty and officials; Hsinchu City Art Gallery and Reclamation Hall, established in 1930 as the Hsinchu City Affairs Office; and the Image Museum of Hsinchu City, which opened in 1933 as the first air-conditioned theater in Taiwan.

Huang said that a key consideration in project selection and development is providing educational resources for children. Due in part to the abundance of employment opportunities for skilled workers at HSP, Hsinchu has the youngest population and one of the highest birthrates of any region in Taiwan. The median age in the city is 38, while 17 percent of the populace is under the age of 14, Ministry of the Interior statistics show. “So, a major focus of our cultural policies is nurturing a creative and positive environment for young people,” Huang said.

This priority is evident in the city’s year-round calendar of cultural activities. The program features a lively mix of arts, crafts, dance, food, games, music and theater from home and around the world, with major events including the Children’s Art Festival in April and Summer Art Cultural Festival in July and August.

A particular draw for local and foreign visitors is the biennial International Glass Art Festival, typically held in September and October. Launched in 1995, the event spotlights the city’s proud history as a glassmaking center. It features displays of award-winning works by Taiwan and foreign artisans as well as demonstrations of blowing and carving techniques. “Glass art is a key component of local culture and we want to help take this time-honored craft to new heights by providing a major platform for international exchanges,” Huang said.

Hsinchu’s long association with glassmaking dates back to 19th century. The first factories, founded in the Japanese colonial period, were drawn by the city’s ample supplies of raw materials like natural gas and silica sand. By the 1960s, Hsinchu was home to several major glassware exporters, and the industry remains a prominent contributor to the local economy.

The festival aside, visitors can explore this history year-round at the Glass Museum. Opened in 1999, it displays a broad range of artworks and organizes regular demonstrations and courses.

Creative Communities

In both Hsinchu City and County, civic organizations play a key role in supporting local government efforts to highlight cultural industries and heritage. Helping lead the charge in the county is Jiuzantou Cultural Association (JCA). Based in Hengshan Township, it hosts arts events, conducts historical surveys and nurtures cultural and creative startups.

According to JCA Chairman Wu Chieh (吳界), the association’s primary focus is fostering employment opportunities in the rural township. “A critical step in promoting community revitalization is creating more jobs so that locals, and especially youngsters, can stay in the area or return home.”

Part of the JCA’s approach involves cultivating specialty artisanal brands. It has launched three to date: Mountains Silver and Me Workshop, for silver ornaments; New Taiwan Vision Workshop, for handmade fabric goods; and Old and Crazy, a restaurant serving locally sourced seasonal food. The association also operates the New Hakka Cultural Park, an exhibition venue and market selling a host of designer products.

“Hengshan boasts a distinctive array of cultural attractions like the popular Neiwan branch railway line and Neiwan Old Street, where visitors can find many unique shops and sample local delicacies,” Wu said. “Our efforts to promote the cultural and creative industry have further enriched the township’s appeal.” 

Write to Kelly Her at kher@mofa.gov.tw