Zhudong (竹東, also spelt Chutung, Jhudong, or Judong) is a township of 96,000 people (2014) near Hsinchu City in Taiwan. It's quite a dingy run-down place, but has a nice view of the mountains and a friendly Taiwanese feel.

Understand

Literally, Zhudong means "bamboo east" but in this context, zhu is short for "Hsinchu". Thus, Zhudong lies east of Hsinchu.

If you need any further information about the attractions in the area, you can visit the Tourist Service Center:

• 1 Zhudong Tourist Service Center (竹東旅遊服務中心), ☏ +886 3 5943926. 09:00-15:00. (updated Aug 2020)

Get in

By rail

The township is connected to the TRA network and is accessible via the following stations:

• 1 Ronghua station (榮華車站). (updated Aug 2019)
• 2 Shangyuan station (上員車站). (updated Aug 2019)
• 3 Zhudong station (竹東車站). (updated Aug 2019)
• 4 Zhuzhong station (竹中車站). (updated Aug 2019)

By bus

• 5 Xiagongguan Bus Station (新竹客運下公館站), No. 135, Section 3, Dongning Road. +886 3 5962018. This depot connects Zhudong with busses between here and Hsinchu. (updated Aug 2020)

Get around

The main town is walkable, but you will need a scooter if you want to visit the more far-flung areas of Zhudong.

See

History and culture

• 1 Shang Ping Old Street (上坪老街). A somewhat run-down street of historic brick buildings that give some idea of what the area looked like in a by-gone era. (updated Aug 2020)
• 2 Wu Tien Yow Memorial (吳天祐紀念碑), No. 1, Kangning Street. A monument erected to a Confuician scholar who ran a medicine shop in the area and later donated the land for a school to be built. (updated Aug 2020)
• 3 Xiao Ru-Song Art Park (蕭如松藝術園區), No. 60, Sanmin Street, ☏ +886 3 5956009. W-M 10:00-18:00. An exhibition of art from the area housed in historic, Japanese-era buildings. (updated Aug 2020)
• 4 Zhudong Timber Industry Exhibition Hall, No. 141, Donglin Road, ☏ +886 3 5952012. W-Su 09:00-17:00. The exhibition hall features the history of timber industry in Taiwan and traditional logging equipment. Entry to the hall is free. (updated Aug 2020)

Temples

• 5 Hwei Chang Temple (惠昌宮). The San Shan Kuo Wan Temple, means the Temple worship three kings from mountain. The Temple was established by Hakka cultivators on 1810. Mr. Pon Chin Ho rebuilt it on 1821. At the same year, the Dan Shwei Governor(Northern Taiwan), Mr. Lee gave the Temple an honorable name "Kins of Justice". After few years, Mr. Pon Tian Lai and the other twelve members utilize wooden constructional to renew the Temple on 1917. The temple's name was changed to Hwei Chang Koon on 1920, means the Kings has bestowed us so much favor. After so many years past by, the Temple ruined seriously, therefore the local people rebuilt it on 1971. At this time, they used the concrete and steel, and made the Temple so strong and splendid until now. (updated Dec 2015)

Do

Museums and galleries

• 1 Zhudong Animation and Comic Creative Park (竹東動漫園區). (updated Aug 2019)
• 2 Zhudong Timber Industry Exhibition Hall (竹東林業展示館). 09:00-17:00. A museum focused on the timber industry in the area. (updated Aug 2019)

Sports and nature

• 3 Zhudong Ecological Riverside Park (竹東生態河濱公園). A pleasant riverside park that contains a number of historic structures and old, disused water wheels. There is also a cycle path. (updated Aug 2020)

Buy

• 1 Zhongyang Market (中央市場). 06:00-21:00. A varied market selling a variety of snacks, homewares, and other items. (updated Aug 2020)

Night market

• 2 Zhudong Night Market (竹東夜市), No. 56, Donglin Road. Sa 18:00-11:00. A typical Taiwanese night market with all manner of local snacks, games, and bric-a-brac. (updated Aug 2020)

Eat

Chinese

• 1 Northern Noodles (北方麵館), No. 20, Section 3, Beixing Road, ☏ +886 3 5104490. 09:00-20:45. A reasonably-priced restaurant specialising in 'northern-style noodles'. (updated Aug 2020)
• 2 Bao Sir (包Sir), No. 160, Section 3, Beixing Road, ☏ +886 3 5110088. 10:30-21:00. A noodle and dumpling shop that is popular with locals and often has a long line. (updated Aug 2020)

Vegetarian

• 3 Empty Sheng Vegetarian Family Health (空笙庭健康蔬食), No. 374, Section 3, Zhangchun Road, ☏ +886 3 5950533. M-W 11:30-14:00, F Sa 11:30-21:00. A vegetarian restaurant that offers a buffet-style lunch. (updated Aug 2020)
• 4 Hidden Garden Elemental Soup Noodles (潛園五行湯麵), No. 143, Wenlin Road, ☏ +886 3 5951197. 11:00-20:30. A home-style vegetarian restaurant decorated with caligraphy that also has its own snack shop. (updated Aug 2020)

Breakfast

• 5 Yuquan Breakfast Restaurant (玉泉早餐店), No. 50, Section 3, Dongning Road, ☏ +886 3 5947660. 05:00-10:30. A typical Taiwan-style breakfast restaurant service local fare. (updated Aug 2020)
• 6 A Pang's Soy Milk (阿胖豆漿), No. 56, Section 3, Dongning Road, ☏ +886 3 5952757. 05:30-10:30. A popular spot for Taiwanese-style breakfast. Expect long lines. (updated Aug 2020)

Dessert

• 7 Mango House (芒果遇到冰), No. 2, Section 3, Zhangchun Road. 13:00-20:00. A take-away dessert place; most options are a combination of fruit, ice, and ice-cream but there is also a variety of other options. (updated Aug 2020)