Daxi in Taoyuan: A Hidden Gem Next to Taipei
I think Daxi in Taoyuan City deserves to be called a hidden gem. I know that these days travel bloggers label almost everything as a secret treasure. Some even call Nami Island in Korea a hidden gem, despite receiving more than 3 million visitors per year. But Daxi is different, and let me tell you why it is still flying under the radar.
This article covers the best attractions in Daxi, Taoyuan, including Cihu Mausoleum, Daxi Old Street, and the giant suspension bridge. If you arre looking for more general information about traveling in Taiwan, I have created plenty of content to help you plan your trip as well.
How to Get to Daxi in Taiwan
Daxi District is now part of Taoyuan City, but it used to be an independent township. And you can still feel that, because Daxi has its own character. It takes around 40 minutes by car from Taoyuan Airport or Taipei to get here. There are also direct buses that take about 60 minutes. No reservation is needed; just use your EasyCard.
I only used a car to go to Daxi from Taipei one time. And I can confirm it was the fastest option. There were no traffic jams, but I am not sure if that is always the case.
There is no train connection, but Daxi is still popular with Taiwanese tourists. No surprise: in March 2012, it was named one of Taiwan’s Top 10 Small Tourist Destinations by the Tourism Bureau. However, I feel Daxi is still relatively unknown among international tourists. So let us talk about the best attractions in Daxi.
Daxi in Taoyuan is full of Tourist attractions
Daxi is closely linked to the history and legacy of Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo, former presidents of the ROC. In fact, the Cihu Mausoleum is the resting place of Chiang Kai-shek. And it comes with a rather unusual story.
Chiang Kai-shek died in 1975, still obsessed with the idea of the KMT reclaiming Mainland China. I talk more about this in my podcast on Kinmen’s recent history
Instead of being buried in a traditional Chinese manner, Chiang was entombed in a black marble sarcophagus. He ordered that the KMT should first retake Mainland China and then bury him in his hometown of Fenghua in Zhejiang Province. Of course, that never happened. Today, he rests in Daxi.
I visited the Cihu Mausoleum and included some footage in my travel video about Daxi. There is also a museum near the tomb. This lakeside area was originally part of Chiang’s residence, and today his body lies in the main hall of the former estate.
Visit the Daxi Old Street and Try the Tofu
You can still feel the atmosphere of the past when walking along Daxi Old Street. The street was once a hub for the camphor and tea trades. Both are important products of the region. Tea farms still exist in the surrounding area. However, I have not managed to visit them yet.
Today, the street is lined with specialty shops, snack bars, and stores selling wooden goods. I remember finding several shops offering tofu products, including tofu jerky. I did not realize it at the time, but after asking my Taiwanese friends, they confirmed that Daxi is indeed known as “Tofu Town.”
There are more tourist attractions in Daxi, such as several nice temples and tea farms in the mountains. It is worth leaving Taoyuan for Daxi Old Street, and there is even more to discover outside of the town. However, note that Daxi is a small place. It is not wort staying over night.
Daxi Suspension Bridge and Touliao Mausoleum in Taoyuan
The Daxi Suspension Bridge is another must-visit attraction and is within walking distance from Daxi Old Street. Also known as the Lover’s Bridge, it was originally made of bamboo. During the Japanese colonial era, it was rebuilt into a dual-bored cable suspension bridge. By today, it has been reconstructed twice due to typhoon damage, and in 2001, it underwent another major renovation. All of that extended its length to 330 meters.
I really enjoy the beautiful views from the bridge and have visited it several times. However, I have never been to the Touliao Mausoleum. Still, I feel it is worth mentioning that the tomb of former President Chiang Ching-kuo is also located in Daxi District, Taoyuan City. Chiang Ching-kuo was the son of Chiang Kai-shek. Besides that, I cannot tell you much about this place. Perhaps I should visit next time when I travel to Daxi.
Last Thoughts about Daxi in Taoyuan
I really like Daxi and visit this place at least once a year. It is no coincidence that I even spent Chinese New Year at the Lian Zuo Shan Guan Yin Temple. It is a bit outside the town center, but I had a great experience there.
Daxi is ideal for a day trip from Taipei or Taoyuan, so I hope this blog encourages you to explore this part of Taoyuan City. Thanks for reading, and feel free to check out my Taiwan Travel Vlog or my other blog posts.
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