Green Grass Lake (青草湖)

Qingcao Lake

Hsinchu’s Green Grass Lake (青草湖), also known as Qingcao Lake, is a popular local getaway. Those looking to leave the stress of the city behind hop on their motorcycles and head over to the banks of this tranquil pond. Located just 4km away from downtown Hsinchu, you’ll find many couples, families, and joggers circling the lake. With its newly renovated facilities, Green Grass Lake is one of the closest places to get in touch with nature and escape the bustling city.

If you don’t have your own transportation, the cheapest way to get to Green Grass Lake is to use public bikes. There is even a bike return station right by the boardwalk. If you’re looking to take the bus, you can always take routes 5602, 5603, 0r 5604 from Hsinchu Train Station. It takes about 24 minutes to get to Qingcao Lake and costs just 25 NT (0.80 USD).

If you’re looking to get deeper into Hsinchu’s mountains, check out this hike on Lion’s Head Mountain!

What To Do At Green Grass Lake

Green Grass Lake was built in 1956 as a reservoir for Hsinchu. Due to typhoon damage and neglect, the dam was eventually closed and Green Grass Lake became a marsh full of reeds. Hence, the reservoir was named “Green Grass Lake”.  Over time, the local government renovated the lake into the attraction that it is today. The walking path around the lake is 3.4km long. Walking around the entire lake takes under an hour to complete.

Other than the water itself, the Yingyue Bridge (映月橋) and Yufei Island (于飛島) are the pearls in the center of the lake. The Phoenix Bridge (鳳凰橋) is also a notable site among locals for its role in the 1963 film The Unforgettable Phoenix Bridge (難忘的鳳凰橋). If you’re wanting to get a closer look at the lake, there are also boat rentals available starting at 300 NT (9.60 USD).

Hsinchu is rich in local culture. You won’t want to miss visiting the New Tile Hakka Cultural District in Zhubei!

Green Grass Lake Night Market (青草湖夜市)

If you’re looking to get the most out of your trip to Hsinchu’s Qingcao Lake, you won’t want to miss out on the Green Grass Lake Night Market. Despite the name, the night market is actually a little down the road from the shores of the water. Located off of Minghu Road (明湖路) between the town of Baoshan (寶山) and the lake, this small night market is buzzing with people after dark. The night market is only held on Wednesdays after 6 pm, so plan accordingly.

Although the Green Grass Lake Night Market can’t hold a light to its competitors in Taipei, it does give travelers a taste of local flavor. With everything from Taiwanese-style steaks to fried noodles, there is no better way to end a day of hiking than by taking in the night sky at this lively market.

Like night markets? Be sure to head over to the Weekend Flower Market by Hsinchu Park!

Linyin Temple (靈隱寺) and Filial Son’s Gate (李錫金孝子坊)

After an hour of wandering around the lake, you might find yourself throwing up your hands wondering what to do next. There are actually several historic sites located around Green Grass Lake which are sure to tickle the fancy of any history buff. The first of which is Lingyin Temple. Lingyin Temple is a Buddhist nunnery located just a short walk away from the lake. What makes the temple particularly unique are the Japanese lanterns that were originally placed at the Hsinchu Shinto Shrine in 1918.

If you’re taking Minghu Road to Green Grass Lake from Hsinchu you’re bound to pass a tall stone arch on the right side of the road. This over-a-century-year-old arch dates back all the way to 1882. In honor of Li Xijin’s devotion to both his family and his country, a gate was erected in this spot. The arch was then called the Filial Son’s Gate (李錫金孝子坊).

Want to drink coffee at a temple? You can do just that at Fangwai Coffee!

Day Trips From Hsinchu

Traveling to Green Grass Lake is the perfect way to end a date or a day exploring downtown Hsinchu. As a solo traveler, there may not be much to keep you staring out over the placid waters. With friends or family, however, you could easily spend hours leisurely walking around the rim of Qingcao Lake.

Little do many travelers know, there is even more, to see just up the hill from Green Grass Lake. With massive temples such as Putian Temple (普天宮) and stunning views of the city just up the mountain, you can easily turn just an hour at the lake into an entire day trip!

What to do in Hsinchu you ask? You can find all the top places to visit in Hsinchu here!