Jhubei: Canal Park and Hakka History

Dongxing Canal Park in Zhubei offers an open canal landscape and ecological scenery. Another focus is cultural history: Xinwawu in the Liujia area represents the preservation of Hakka cultural heritage; Zhongxiaotang in Mangtoupu, Zhubei, represents the history of a public hall; and Wenli Hall tells the history of the Lin family. The themes are varied enough to help you plan a trip around your interests: scenery and recreation by the canal, preservation history at Xinwawu, or architectural and family history at the halls. If you are looking for a hotel in Jhubei, you can first consider which of these perspectives matters to your trip.

Dongxing Canal Park: Scenery and Recreation

Dongxing Canal Park is used for walks, relaxation, and family picnics. These activities offer different ways to enjoy the park: a walk combines exercise with views of the open canal landscape, while relaxing or having a picnic allows for a quieter break. The ecological scenery is also part of the park’s character. For your trip planning, it offers a scenic focus that differs from the historical themes of the halls and Hakka cultural heritage. You can consider whether a visit to the canal or an exploration of cultural history better suits your interests.

Xinwawu and the History of Preserving Hakka Cultural Heritage

The history of Xinwawu is closely tied to efforts to preserve the site. In 1990, it was included in a land expropriation project as preparations were made to build the high-speed rail line. History and culture researchers, as well as residents of Liujia, campaigned to preserve it. The site remained and became Taiwan’s first Hakka cultural heritage preservation area. This sequence links preparations for a construction project at the time with local engagement and the outcome: Xinwawu was preserved.

The later development can also be placed in chronological context. The Council for Hakka Affairs began operating at Xinwawu in 2006 and supported the restoration and renovation of the buildings. From 2011, the Hsinchu County Cultural Affairs Bureau took over the work on site. Supported activities included adapting the buildings for new uses, training tour guides, and organizing seasonal themed programs, small festival performances, and cultural events. This development adds cultural outreach and new uses to the story of preservation.

Rural Hakka Landscape

The rice fields and irrigation canals are also part of the cultural theme at Xinwawu. Different plants are grown according to the season in the northern rice-field ecology and education area, as well as along the northern and western canals. The aim is to make a rural Hakka landscape tangible to visitors. Seasonal planting gives this part of the area its own focus: it connects the rice-field area and the canals with the presentation of rural Hakka culture. Here, cultural preservation is reflected not only in the history of the buildings but also in the design of the landscape.

Historic Halls and Their Names

Zhongxiaotang was built as a public hall in Mangtoupu, Zhubei, during the Jiaqing period. It was built later than the nearby Lin Ancestral Hall in the Liuzhangli settlement and was therefore called Xinwawu. The history of the name thus records a comparison between two halls and explains what the name refers to.

Wenli Hall offers a different perspective. It was built in 1832, after Lin Shengbao (Qiuhua), son of Lin Guobao, passed the provincial military examination in 1831. A flagpole was erected in honor of the family name. Together with Dafu Di, the hall was known as the “North and South Halls”; it served as a meeting hall for the Lin family. The story of Wenli Hall thus centers on both an individual’s examination success and the hall’s communal role for a family. By comparison, the history of Zhongxiaotang points to a public hall and the origin of its name.

Discover more destinations: Emei Township, Hsinchu, Wufeng Township, Guanxi Township, Xinpu Township, Hengshan Township, Beipu Township, Jianshi Township

Return to the main travel overview: Hsinchu.