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Voykit pocket guide · Taiwan
Zhunan
竹南
One day is enough for Zhunan: see the Matsu temples, stroll the beach, and visit a museum; add a night only if you plan a hike to Shitoushan.
Zhunan is a small urban township in Miaoli County, Taiwan, known for its Matsu temples, a beach suitable for surfing, and a few local museums. It is well‑connected by train (mountain and coastal lines) and road, making it easy to reach from Hsinchu or Miaoli in 10‑15 minutes. Most attractions are within walking distance of the station, so a single day covers the highlights; a night is optional for nearby hill‑trekking.
- Country
- Taiwan
- Local name
- 竹南
- Best months
- Oct–Dec, Feb–Apr
- Avoid
- Jun–Aug (typhoon risk)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- TWD
- Money
- Night markets, breakfast shops and many small restaurants take cash only; carry NT$1,000–2,000 in small notes.
- Daily spend
- Budget NT$600–900 excl. bed · Mid NT$900–1,300 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and FarEasTone sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at TPE and KHH arrivals; a passport plus a second photo ID is required (check).
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119 · Tourism helpline 0800-011-765
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 110 V · 60 Hz · US and Japanese plugs fit; European, UK and Australian plugs need an adapter, and 220 V-only appliances need a converter.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: No tip; a 10% service charge appears in many sit-down places and hotels.; Taxis: No tip; round up if you like.; Hotel porter: Not expected; NT$100 in luxury hotels if you want.; Private guide or driver: Not required; NT$200–500 a day or a meal is a thank-you.
- Water
- Treated at source, but locals boil or filter it. Filtered hot-and-cold dispensers are in stations, hotels and many public buildings; bottles cost NT$20–30.
- Toilets
- Free, clean toilets in every MRT station, convenience stores and department stores; paper goes in the toilet in most new buildings — follow the sign.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Street food snack | NT$30–80 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | NT$120–250 |
| Bicycle rental (half‑day) | NT$150–250 |
| Taxi (first 3 km (1.9 mi))Taxi (first 1.9 mi (3 km)) | NT$150–200 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TPE · Taoyuan International Airport
- Main international gateway, about 45 km (28 mi) north, reachable by bus or train to Hsinchu then local transport.Main international gateway, about 28 mi (45 km) north, reachable by bus or train to Hsinchu then local transport.
- HSZ · Hsinchu Airport
- Domestic flights only, ~20 km (12 mi) north, limited service.Domestic flights only, ~12 mi (20 km) north, limited service.
Typical fares
- Train Zhunan ↔ Hsinchu
- ≈ NT$120, 15 min (check)
- Shuttle bus to Shitoushan
- NT$100 round‑trip (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walking or taxi is easiest; the train station sits at the junction of the mountain and coastal lines. Rental scooter or bike works for nearby Shitoushan and Nanzhuang.
See and do
Known for
- Matsu temples
- Surf‑friendly beach
- Fourways Cheese Museum
- Northern Miaoli Art Center
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shitoushan (Lion's Head Mountain) | Shuttle bus from Zhunan east exit, about 1 h; also reachable by scooter via Hwy 124 | ≈1 h |
| Nanzhuang | Shuttle bus from east exit, hourly departures 08:30‑17:00Shuttle bus from east exit, hourly departures 8:30 AM‑5:00 PM | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- Hotel Zhu Feng
- Capsule dormitory, NT$500 per night; near Zhunan train station.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | 不好意思bù hǎo yì si |
| Thank you | 謝謝xiè xie |
| How much is it? | 多少錢？duō shǎo qián? |
| Where is the train station? | 火車站在哪裡？huǒ chē zhàn zài nǎ lǐ? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A nod or light handshake; 'nǐ hǎo'; avoid: Hugs with new acquaintances
- Handing things: Two hands for cards, gifts and money; avoid: Tossing money on the counter
- Gifts: Fruit or a boxed sweet for hosts; refuse once before accepting; avoid: Clocks, umbrellas, pears and anything in fours — they sound like death or parting
- MRT: Queue at the markings, give up priority seats; avoid: Eating, drinking or chewing gum past the gates
- Temples: Enter right, exit left; one or three sticks of incense; avoid: Stepping on thresholds; pointing at deities
- Home visit: Shoes off; slippers provided; avoid: Writing names in red ink
- Sensitive topics: Follow your host's lead; many people hold a range of views on identity and cross-strait ties; avoid: Assuming everyone thinks the same about China or the ROC's status
Scams and watch-outs
- Check train schedules for the Taroko Express, which does not stop at Zhunan.
- Surf conditions vary; ask locals before entering the water.
Zhunan is generally safe; stay alert near the beach during high tide and watch traffic on busy highways.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Zhunan yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Matsu temples
- Surf‑friendly beach
- Fourways Cheese Museum
- Northern Miaoli Art Center
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Zhunan travel info – local tourism: www.chunan.gov.tw/
- Wikidata – Zhunan: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Zhunan, revision 5239969 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5239969
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Zhunan竹南
請到這個地址
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Tourism helpline0800-011-765
US consulate in Taipei; check for local assistance.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/zhunan). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.