Beipu Old Street and Citian Temple | Hsinchu Attraction

Beipu Old Street preserves the architecture left behind when the Jiang family led Han settlers to open up Hsinchu's mountain areas during the Qing dynasty. Citian Temple was built in the 15th year of the Daoguang reign (1835) and is the spiritual center of the Beipu community. Within the street district, Tianshui Hall and the Jinguangfu Gong Guan are both designated municipal historic sites, making this one of the most intact Hakka pioneering settlements in Hsinchu County and an important place to taste traditional Hakka lei cha.

What to see at Beipu Old Street and Citian Temple

Beipu's settlement history dates to the Daoguang era, when Hokkien and Cantonese migrants advanced into the foothills along what is now Provincial Highway 3 under the Jinguangfu land reclamation organization. The Jinguangfu Gong Guan served as the administrative base of that organization; its architectural layout is relatively well preserved. The adjacent Tianshui Hall is the Jiang family ancestral residence. Both stand in front of Citian Temple. The main hall of Citian Temple enshrines Guanyin, and the temple's decorative work blends Hokkien and Hakka craftsmanship. The forecourt is the focal point for festivals and daily gatherings.

Traditional shophouses line both sides of the old street, with lei cha shops, Hakka pastries, and local specialties as the main businesses. Lei cha is a traditional Hakka drink-and-snack made by grinding tea leaves, sesame, peanuts, and other ingredients. Many shops offer a hands-on grinding experience, good for families with children. The old street is compact — a full loop on foot takes about 30 to 40 minutes at a relaxed pace.

Tips for getting the most out of your visit

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Link the three historic sitesCitian Temple, Jinguangfu Gong Guan, and Tianshui Hall are all within 100 meters of each other. Walk through each one, reading the architectural layouts and historical plaques — allow 30–45 minutes.

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Try grinding lei cha yourselfMaking lei cha requires grinding tea leaves, sesame, and peanuts by hand in a ceramic mortar — it takes both effort and patience. Most shops provide seating for a DIY session, and it's a hit with children.

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Hakka pastries and banThe old street sells traditional Hakka sweets and snacks such as mochi, grass rice cakes, and stir-fried pork intestines with ginger. Arriving before noon is best for freshness.

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Photograph the historic buildings in raking lightThe brick walls and bracket sets of the Jinguangfu Gong Guan and Tianshui Hall are richly layered in side light. Morning angles are best — ideal material for architectural photography.

Practical information

Getting there and timing

By car: Head from Zhudong or Neiwan following signs to Beipu. Parking is available near the old street entrance, though spaces are limited on weekends.
Old street shops generally open after 9:00 a.m. Historic site exteriors can be viewed at any time; check on-site notices for interior opening hours.

Nearby connections

Neiwan Old Street is about a 20-minute drive from Beipu — the two can be linked for a Hakka mountain day trip.
Emei Lake is south of Beipu, about 15 minutes away — a good afternoon extension.

Sources: The Wikipedia entry for Beipu Old Street and Hsinchu County Cultural Affairs Bureau municipal historic site records. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.

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