Hsinchu City

Hsinchu City is located in the northwestern part of Hsinchu County. The town was first developed in 1723, and first gained the name Hsinchu in 1875. In 1982, the town was upgraded to a provincial city.

The highest point of Hsinchu City is about 120 meters above sea level. The Hsinchu plain, where the city is located, slopes upward to the east and merges into Tapachienshan (Tapachien Mountain or the "Wine Bucket", as called by the locals) and Nioupushan (Nioupu Mountain). Most of the eastern part of Hsinchu County is covered with foothills and small mountains.

Hsinchu City covers an area of about 104 square kilometers. The city has gained considerable prosperity and an international reputation since the creation of the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park.

Famous scenic spots in Hsinchu City include the Hsinchu Zoo, the Confucius Temple and the Chenghuang Temple. There are also two national universitites in Hsinchu City, specialising in science and technology. They are Tsinghua University and Chiaotung University. Visitors can check out their bookshops and perhaps talk to some students.