New Tile House Hakka Cultural District 新瓦屋客家文化保存區

Preserving Hakka Culture

If it wasn’t for a group of local Hakka activists, what we now know as the New Tile House Hakka Cultural District (新瓦屋客家文化保存區) could have been knocked down for a train station. In the downtown Hsinchu and Zhubei areas, there are only a few pockets left where visitors can step back into the past and learn more about the vibrant culture of the Hakka people. As the cities grew, so did the demand for land. Sadly, many of these historic homes have been demolished for highrise apartments.

Especially for minority groups such as the Hakka, preserving their unique history and culture is particularly important. Out of all of Taiwan; Taoyuan, Miaoli, and Hsinchu have the largest Hakka populations. Despite their large numbers, you still have to go out of your way to see examples of their distinctive architecture. Luckily, the New Tile House Hakka Cultural District is where you can dive deep into local history while enjoying all the comforts of modern living.

Want to head out to the countryside? Don’t miss the chance of hiking Lion’s Head Mountain!

The Heart of Zhubei

The New Tile House Hakka Cultural District is located right off of Section 1 Wenxing Road (文興路一段). If you’re in Hsinchu, there are several ways you can get to the cultural center. Your first option will be to take bus 182 for 15 NT to the cultural center in Zhubei. Another option is to take the local train to Liujia Station (六家車站) and then ride public bikes to the park.

Just south of the New Tile House Hakka Cultural District is another park that houses historic Hakka architecture. Belonging to the same family, the Liujia Historical Residences (六家古厝群) pairs perfectly with the cultural district. Located just 5 minutes down the road, off of Jiawu Road (嘉興路), this is another reflective site you won’t want to miss.

If you want to explore Hsinchu’s Japanese roots, be sure to check out the Linyin Temple!

Keeping It In The Family

Most of the remaining Hakka homes that still exist in Zhubei are connected to the prominent Lin Family (林). This is the very same surname that the Lin Family Mansion and Garden is associated with. Descendents of the Lin family moved to the area to begin cultivating the land. The place where the New Tile House Hakka Cultural District now stands was built as early as 1805. In 1990, the buildings were spared from the wrecking ball. It wasn’t until 2009 that many of the homes were restored to the condition that they are in today.

Among the buildings, one of the most important is the Zhongxiao Hall (忠孝堂) which serves as the heart of the entire complex. The museum also goes into great detail about the lives of the Lin Family and how they lived a quiet rural life in what is now considered the bustling downtown of Zhubei. Another bit of history attached to this community is the fact that the Flower Drum Team (新瓦屋花鼓隊) was established here in 1947. Dressing in drag and dancing with floral parasols, this musical troupe has become an important part of modern Hakka culture.

There are even more historical sites to check out in Hsinchu! Be sure to head over to the General Village next!

Coffee Break

With any renewed historical site in Taiwan, you have to invite the local hipsters to open coffee shops and artsy boutiques. The New Tile Hakka Cultural District houses many small cafes and coffee shops in its century-old houses. Of course, trendy storefronts are nothing new for revived historical centers. On the other hand, they do make for a great way to both support the park as a whole and soak in the atmosphere.

Other than eating and drinking, the cultural district often holds weekend markets hosted by 13 Good Persons (新竹縣13好市集) and the Collection Fair (藏物市集). These markets have stalls selling anything from local produce to handmade crafts. There is also a popular independent bookstore which is part of the larger organization known as OR (或者) that works with preserving and cultivating local culture.

If you want to see Hsinchu really come alive, be sure to arrive in time to see the City God Inspection!

Preserving Hsinchu

Any country that refuses to modernize is doomed to remain in the past. In recent years, Taiwan has taken great strides to balance both becoming a global innovative powerhouse and preserving its precious culture. Unfortunately, this realization has come too late for many sites around the country. Even with many places being left as rubble, Taiwan has even taken steps back to rebuild what was once lost.

Hakka culture in particular is a unique thread woven into the history of Taiwan. For many, this vibrant group of people goes unnoticed in the larger story of the country. Luckily, in places such as the New Tile House Hakka Cultural District, a spotlight is shown on the heritage of these people and the important part they play in making Taiwan such a special place to live.

If you want to check out all the best places to travel to in Hsinchu, you can find a complete list here!