Taoyuan Cihu & Daxi: Presidents & Old Streets
History and nature just outside the gateway. Feel the surreal atmosphere of Cihu Statue Park and taste dried tofu on Daxi Old Street.
TL;DR / Quick Summary
History and nature just outside the gateway. Feel the surreal atmosphere of Cihu Statue Park and taste dried tofu on Daxi Old Street.
For most travelers, Taoyuan is just synonymous with the airport. But if you head into the mountains, you will find that Daxi not only preserves Taiwan's most complete Baroque-style old street but also boasts a peculiar attraction full of historical tension—Cihu.
1. Cihu Memorial Sculpture Park: A Surreal Historical Site
This is a "surreal" scene you would expect to see on Instagram.
- Sculpture Park: This place gathers over 200 bronze statues of Chiang Kai-shek, which were removed from various places across Taiwan and relocated here. There are statues in standing postures, sitting postures, and even heroic horseback riding appearances. These bronze statues are scattered among the beautiful gardens and scenic lakes and mountains, creating a strong sense of spatial and temporal displacement.
- Changing of the Guard: Heading to the Cihu Mausoleum, the hourly changing of the guard ceremony remains solemn and awe-inspiring, attracting many tourists to stop and watch.
2. Daxi Old Street: A Museum of Baroque Architecture
Not far from Cihu is Daxi Old Street (Heping Road), which is one of the most completely preserved architectural complexes from the Japanese colonial period and Baroque styles in Taiwan.
The Beauty of Architecture
Look up, and you'll see the elaborate carvings on the facades (牌樓) on both sides of the old street, blending Greek pediments, Roman columns, and Chinese "carp jumping over the dragon gate" motifs. This bears witness to the golden age when Daxi flourished due to the Tamsui River transport.
Must-try Foods
- Daxi Dried Tofu (Dougan): The black dried tofu here has a firm texture and a unique caramel aroma. A must-visit is Old Uncle's Fresh Braised Dried Tofu (老阿伯現滷豆干), where you should order a full set (dried tofu, hundred-layer tofu, vegetarian chicken, golden egg) and top it with their special chili sauce.
- Moonlight Cake (月光餅): A traditional sweet potato cake with a soft and chewy outer crust and a dense, sweet but not cloying filling.
- Peanut Candy: Handmade peanut candy made on-site, offering a rich aroma without sticking to your teeth.
3. Daxi Tea Factory: Century-old Tea Charm
If you have enough time, visiting the Daxi Tea Factory is highly recommended. This green-building tea factory, which fuses Taiwanese, Japanese, and British styles, once produced the "Nitto Black Tea" that swept across Europe and America.
- Blue Window Lattices: The blue window lattices and natural light and shadows on the second floor make for an excellent photography corner.
- Tea Tasting Time: In this industrial-style space, enjoy a freshly brewed cup of organic honey-scented black tea.
Real User Insights
According to traveler reviews on Google Maps, here are some truthful insights you wouldn't know unless you visited:
- A unique historical attraction that gathers over two hundred dismantled Chiang Kai-shek statues from all over Taiwan.
- The Memorial Sculpture Park provides a surreal artistic experience amid beautiful gardens and scenic lakes and mountains.
4. Conclusion
Daxi and Cihu reveal the profound cultural heritage of Taoyuan. Here, you'll find the relics of political history, memories of commercial prosperity, and the lingering charm of tea aromas. The next time you transit through Taoyuan, don't rush to leave—save half a day for this mountain town.
Interested in historical relics? Read our Taiwan Historic Old Streets Tour or head north to explore the Keelung Historical Forts Guide.
