Hsinchu Day Trip Itinerary: Putian Temple

Day Trips From Hsinchu

With many small things to do in Hsinchu, new travelers to the city may find it difficult to string them all together. If you have checked all of the boxes of things to see in downtown Hsinchu, why not make a day trip into exploring the outskirts of the town? Taking you up mountains and through jungles, this is an adventure every tourist should experience in Hsinchu at least once.

Unlike other day trips from Hsinchu, this journey is easily accessible from downtown. Making a perfect loop, this day trip itinerary will take you through some of the best local hot spots in Hsinchu.:

1. Fangwai Coffee & Temple (方外珈琲 & 仁光寺)
2. Jiutian Xuannu Temple (九天玄女廟)
3. Fayuan Temple (法源寺)
4. Qingquan Temple (清泉寺) and Gaofeng Overlook (高峰社區觀景台)
5. Putian Temple (普天宮)
6. Green Grass Lake (青草湖)

Fangwai Coffee (方外珈琲)

If you’re starting your Hsinchu day trip up to Putian Temple in the morning, there is no better way to start your day than by grabbing a cup of coffee. Starting from the intersection of Shipin Road (食品路) and Xida Road (西大路), you’ll want to head right up Gaofeng Road (高峰路). This temple comes up quickly on the left, so be sure to keep your eyes open.

Fangwai Coffee (方外珈琲) is a quaint cafe located directly in front of Renguang Temple (仁光寺). While the sun is still settling into the sky, you can grab a quick cup of coffee outside as you watch the monks start their day. The coffee shop was established by the head monk to help encourage people to visit the temple and share Buddhism. Fangwai Coffee is open from 9:30 and is closed on Mondays.

If you want to read even more about Fangwai Coffee, you can find our complete article here!

Jiutian Xuannu Temple (九天玄女廟)

Continuing up Gaofeng Road, you’re sure to press the brakes once you pass this temple on your left. The eye-catching twin dragons cover the staircases leading up to the top of Jiutian Xuannu Temple (九天玄女廟). Much like the Dragon and Lion Pagodas in Kaohsiung, this temple’s ornate figures are just as whimsical. Each of the mouths of the dragons represents different blessings, so choose carefully.

The Jiutian Xuannu Temple is named after the goddess of the same name. The primary function of this goddess is to preside over war, sex, and longevity. Most worshipers visit this temple to pray for children, fertility, and for their families. Neighboring the Jiutian Xuannu Temple is the Caishen Temple (財神廟天王寺) which represents wealth.

If you want to dive deeper into local culture, make sure to visit the New Tile Hakka Cultural District!

Fayuan Temple (法源寺)

Continuing past the temple, you’ll be met with a fork in the road. Both of the roads lead to the top of the mountain and Putian Temple. The difference is that the left road (高峰路221巷) is much more of a gradual climb to the top while the right (高峰路) is much steeper. Although you might have to walk your bike up, the route to the right provides some impressive views of Hsinchu.

There are many Buddhist temples that have made this mountain their home. Some are quiet and often locked up tight like Gufeng Temple (古峰寺). While others such as Fayuan Temple (法源寺) have short hiking paths and even a meditation center. Although also very peaceful with few visitors, you will find trails leading up the mountain as well as decorative Buddhist statues throughout the grounds.

Another massive temple in Hsinchu you’ll want to be sure to check out is Tiangong Tan! Read more here!

Qingquan Temple (清泉寺) and Gaofeng Overlook (高峰社區觀景台)

The next stop on your Hsinchu day trip will be a little further up the steep Gaofeng Road. The Qingquan Temple (清泉寺) is another empty Buddhist temple but twice the size of its neighbors. The donations must be quite high to this temple because the facilities are top notch with even a small empty cafe devoid of all visitors and staff. The view and courtyards do make for the perfect spot to take pictures, despite the overall eerie air of the temple.

On the other side of the road, you’ll find some of the best viewpoints from the Gaofeng area. Known simply as the Gaofeng overlook, this wooden viewpoint was built by the local community center. There you’ll find benches and shade to catch your breath before you hike the last stretch to Putian Temple.

No trip to Hsinchu can be complete without visiting the City God Temple. Read more here!

Putian Temple (普天宮)

The main attraction on your Hsinchu day trip is the outlandish Putian Temple (普天宮). This unique temple is filled to the brim with tacky statues, intricate carvings, collapsing pavillions, and overgrown trails. The main courtyard in front of the 120-meter hight Guanyu statue is well-kept as well as the museum that showcases many cheap knock-off artifacts and wax statues. What will really spark your entrance is what lies deeper in the park.

Putian Temple was once meant to be some kind of Taoist amusement park. With concession stands, fountains, and an army of statues, one can easily imagine the buzz around this temple once it first opened. Time, however, has not been kind to the grounds. Nearly half of the facilities have been left abandoned. The concession stands and statues have been left to the weeds. The temple now attracts curious off-the-beaten-path travelers looking to explore the forgotten.

If you want to read more about Putian Temple you can check out our article here!

Green Grass Lake (青草湖)

Coming from Putian Temple, you’ll next want to take Qingfeng Road (青峰路) down the mountain to Green Grass Lake (青草湖). This winding road is incredibly steep. Although the thrill of flying down the mountain is refreshing, be careful of unaware cars turning the corner. As the road flattens out, you’ll then arrive at your last destination.

Green Grass Lake is a popular weekend destination for locals. With a traditional-style bridge leading to an island in the middle of the lake, you’ll find a lot to explore around the shore. Other than the lake itself, there is also a night market and the historic Lingyin Temple (靈隱寺) nearby.

Want to learn more about what to do at Green Grass Lake? You can read more here!

Loop Back To Hsinchu

The best thing about this Hsinchu day trip is that the route will take you in a circle right back to Hsinchu. From Green Grass Lake simply bike down Minghu Road (明湖路) to get back to the city. This will be on the main road with much more traffic compared to the mountain roads around Putian Temple.

This itinerary showcases many of the off-the-beaten-path gems that Hsinchu has to offer. From temples to natural beauty, the goal of this trip is to uncover a side of Taiwan not often seen by your average traveler. Let us know how your trip was in the comments below!

Wonder what to do in Hsinchu? You can find all of the best things to see in Hsinchu here!