Hakkaness culture (客家文化) has had a resurgence in recent years and a lot of effort has been made to preserve the language and educate people about one of Taiwan's largest ethnic minorities.
There are many 'Hakka Villages' all over Taiwan, but Beipu(北埔) is known as one of the most important and most successful in preserving the heritage of the Hakka people.
Beipu old street (北埔老街) is a well-known attraction in Hinshu with its Hakkaness culture atmosphere.
There are historic sites can be traced from 1835, including Ci-Tian Temple (慈天宮), Tianshuei Hall (天水堂) and the grade one cultural relic - Jinguangfu House (金廣福)
The streets and stores were surrounded by those historic buildings.
Beipu is deemed as the capital for Hakkanese when they migrated from China and settled this lands (Hinshu & Miaoli County) during the late Qing Dynasty.
To ensure the safty from the confrontation with indigenous, Hakkaness had aligned with Southern Fujianese & Cantonese and call Jinguangfu Mansion (金廣福大隘 or 金廣福墾號)
The Jin-guangfu Mansion served as the command post for the armed organization and an administration center for collecting rent from farmers.
It was not easy or even impossible for such collaboration to happened during that period of time since different ethnics from China also fought each other.
For security purpose, many defensible designs among the constructions are still noticeable.
They were made to block enemies from within the village.
Most of the original villages are still around today. A typical village consists of complicated narrow alleys that become somewhat a maze to strangers.
Ci-Tian Temple (慈天宮) is a charming traditional temple dedicated to the Bodhisattva Guanyin (觀音菩薩).
As it is somewhat became the central point of town, people always meet here since it's a significant goal.
The temple which was reconstructed in wood in 1846 (a level three cultural relic in Taiwan).
It was originally a small temple built in 1835 by farmers and developers in the area.
Beipu old street is also a good place for a taste of Hakkanese cuisine, such as Fried shredded pork with cuttlefish (客家小炒), Large intestine with ginger slices (薑絲大腸), Bitter melon with salted egg (鹹蛋苦瓜)...etc.
As Hakkanese are good at using natural resources from land, mountain and forest, Hakka food had been developed in a wide variety.
The dishes are usually salty and greasy. Most of them taste strong so you can go with several bowls of rice.
Hakka is also famous for grinded tea - Lei cha (客家擂茶).
Lai-cha was meant to taste a bit salty. One first has to put the ingredients into a specially-made mortar, then grinds the ingredients into powder by a pestle.
Hot water should be added constantly during the process to make the pulverized tea.
There are many stores in the street where they offer Lai-cha DIY experience. You will appreciate the fun and the drink made by yourself.
An assortment of tea leaves (usually green tea), peanuts, mint leaves, sesame seeds, mung beans and other herbs) are pounded or grinded into a fine powder.
If you don't like traditional hot tea, Lei-cha smoothie can also be a popular option in summer.
Some stores also sell the Lei-cha podwer package and you can make the tea at home by yourself.
There are many attractions are quite close to Beipu Old Street.
It's easier to access them via car by the way.
By public transportation
Hsinchu Bus Co.: Shishan Line- Take the bus from Zhudong (竹東) toward Beipu to Shanzhu Lake and alight at Beipu Station.
Outward Journey：Zhubei Station(臺鐵竹北站) >> Lion's Head Mountain Visitor Center(獅山遊客中心)
https://www.taiwantrip.com.tw/line/4?x=1&y=6
- Zhubei Station(臺鐵竹北站)
- Zhubei Entrance(竹北口)
- Hsinchu County Government(新竹縣政府)
- Sheraton hotel-Hsinchu(喜來登飯店)
- HSR Hsinchu Station(高鐵新竹站)
- Wunlinge Temple(文林閣站)
- Jhudong tourist Info. center(竹東遊客中心)
- Green world ecological farm(綠世界生態農場)
- Beipu traditional street(北埔老街)
- Emei Station(峨眉站)
- Lion's Head Mountain Visitor Center(獅山遊客中心)
By driving
Enter Beipu from Zhudong (竹東) or Ermei via Tai 3 (台三) Expressway, turn to Zhongzheng Road (at the foot of Xiuruanshan) from Beipu Railway Station and go straight down.
GPS：(N)24°41’59.4”/(E)121°03’29.6”
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