Hostels in Hsinchu, Taiwan

While Hsinchu is not the most exciting city in Taiwan, for many it offers a great location for living, teaching, or studying that is close enough to Taipei without the extravagant prices of living in the city. Hsinchu is about two hours west of Taipei by train or bus, with frequent departures from Taipei Main Station. The town has a large, science-based industrial park so it attracts workers in related fields as well as many students who come to study in the Universities. Hsinchu is a great option for many people to study, work and live, since it is much cheaper than Taipei and offers a small-town feel with the ocean and mountains in easy reach.

Since Hsinchu is not a popular tourist destination, your options for Hsinchu hostels are extremely limited, however there are options for budget travelers who wish to stay a night or two in the city. The accommodation in Hsinchu is cheaper than Taipei. There are also lots of local restaurants, food stalls, and coffee and tea shops with high quality offerings at a fraction of Taipei prices. The town is fairly small but offers plenty of modern supermarkets and shopping centers and it is manageable by walking or biking, since the traffic is more subdued than Taipei. Hsinchu also has a few nice temples to visit, a local market, a few museums, and a zoo.

Hsinchu is called “The Windy City” and you will notice this as the wind sweeps from the ocean and mountains, however, you shouldn’t let the wind stop you from exploring the outdoor opportunities nearby. Hsinchu offers a fairly extensive bike path near the ocean with many stops along the way. The town also borders the ocean, so you can explore many different stretches of beach in the city and further away. The hills nearby offer hiking trails and many opportunities to enjoy nature. Although Hsinchu isn’t a top tourist destination, it offers a cheaper, smaller, and more local option than Taipei for those who want a day or two out of the city or who are looking for a good alternative to living, working, or studying in the city.