Neiwan Old Street: A Nostalgic Trip in Hsinchu, Taiwan

Neiwan Old Street, located in Hsinchu County's Hengshan Township, is renowned for its rich Hakka culture, fascinating historical background, and charming railway atmosphere. It's not only a paradise for food lovers but also a great place to seek nostalgic memories and experience a slow-paced life. Whether it's savoring authentic Hakka cuisine, strolling through quaint streets, or taking the Neiwan Line train, you can feel the unique charm of Neiwan.

Neiwan's development is closely related to forestry and mining. It was initially reclaimed by Hakka immigrants and dates back to the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty (around 1820). It started as a small settlement for camphor production. During the Japanese colonial period, with the increasing demand for logging and mineral extraction, it became an important timber distribution center due to its abundant forest resources. Later, with the rise of the mining industry, it also became an important coal mining area. The opening of the Taiwan Railway Neiwan Line further boosted local prosperity. At that time, the old street was lined with theaters, bars, and tea houses, earning it the nickname "Little Shanghai." With the decline of industry, many residents have shifted to tourism and catering, and the development of comic culture (works by Liu Hsing-Chin, Ah San-Ko & Da Shen-Po) has become a new generation of features. Neiwan Old Street preserves many historical buildings from that time. Walking on the old street is like traveling through time, back to that prosperous era. The Neiwan Theater has witnessed the rise and fall of Neiwan and has now been converted into a restaurant, allowing visitors to savor delicious food while experiencing a rich historical atmosphere.

Neiwan Old Street offers a wide variety of delicacies, with Hakka cuisine and traditional snacks being the most famous. Hakka vegetable buns (菜包), with their chewy skin wrapped around a rich filling, are one of the signature foods of Neiwan Old Street. There are also wild ginger flower rice dumplings, with Neiwan's specialty wild ginger flower incorporated into the dumplings, emitting a faint fragrance. Wild ginger flower egg rolls and fried wild ginger flowers have a unique aroma and can be used as souvenirs or snacks to eat on the spot. Neiwan Meatballs (肉圓) are popular with tourists due to their special preparation method and unique sauce. Hakka flat noodles (粄條), Hakka stir-fry (客家小炒), and ginger shredded large intestine (薑絲炒大腸) are also very popular Hakka dishes.

The famous Neiwan Suspension Bridge spans the Youluo River and was originally an important transportation route connecting Neiwan Old Street and Nanping area. It was also the main bridge for residents to reach farmland and villages in the past. With the advancement of the times, the early wooden bridge was severely damaged, and after repeated repairs, it was still difficult to ensure safety. In 1998, the Hsinchu County Government launched the reconstruction project of Neiwan Suspension Bridge, which was completed in 2002. Modern materials were used to strengthen the structure of the suspension bridge, making it safer, more durable, and accessible to pedestrians and bicycles. It has now been transformed for tourism purposes. Neiwan Suspension Bridge has witnessed the historical development of the Neiwan area. It not only showcases local culture but also carries the memory of the transformation of mountain village transportation. Today, it is not only a historical building but also a landmark for tourism and photography enthusiasts in Hengshan Township.

Neiwan Suspension Bridge has been closed since July 14, 2025. Due to the lack of funds for the overall maintenance project, the bridge had to be closed first to ensure traffic safety, and the specific opening time has not yet been announced.

In addition to the suspension bridge and many traditional delicacies, Neiwan Old Street's Neiwan Station is one of the few terminal stations in Taiwan with a large turntable display. The turntable is not an original facility but was relocated here in 2017 after Taiwan Railways repaired the old turntable from the former Kaohsiung Depot. The main purpose was originally to turn single-direction locomotive trains, but now that two-way power cars are mainstream, the turntable is mainly used for display and interactive tourism facilities.

Neiwan Old Street is a charming place. Whether you want to taste delicious food, experience history and culture, or enjoy a leisurely time, you can find satisfaction here. Plan a trip to Neiwan and feel the unique charm of this land!

Nearby attractions/food/accommodations:
Hexing Station: A Romantic Love Story and Nostalgic Railway Journey

『Neiwan Old Street』

Address: Zhongzheng Road, Hengshan Township, Hsinchu County

Opening hours:

The business hours of the shops in Neiwan Old Street vary, but most shops are open from
Weekdays: Approximately 10 am to 6 pm, Weekends: Approximately 9 am to 8 pm

Transportation:

Public transportation: Take the Taiwan Railway Neiwan Line to Neiwan Station and walk to Neiwan Old Street.

Driving: Take National Highway No. 3 to Zhulin Interchange, then take County Road 120 towards Neiwan.