Home to the region's main international airport, known for the romantic Daxi Old Street, Shihmen Reservoir, and the colorful annual Taoyuan Lantern Festival.
Taoyuan is a major city in the Taiwan region, best known as the home of the main international airport. Despite its reputation as an airport city, Taoyuan offers rich cultural and natural attractions. Daxi Old Street transports visitors back to the Qing dynasty with its Baroque-style architecture and traditional shops. Shihmen Reservoir provides a scenic escape with boating, hiking, and the famous "Shihmen Live Fish" cuisine. The city also has a strong Hakka heritage, with traditional festivals, cuisine, and cultural sites throughout the region. In recent years, Taoyuan has developed rapidly, with new cultural venues, shopping centers, and the annual Taoyuan Lantern Festival drawing visitors from across the island.
Taoyuan was originally a settlement of the Ketagalan indigenous people. Han Chinese began settling the area in the 18th century during the Qing dynasty. Daxi flourished as an important river port during the 19th century, serving as a trading hub for tea and camphor. During the Japanese colonial period (1895-1945), the area developed with modern infrastructure. Construction of the international airport began in 1974 and opened in 1979, transforming Taoyuan from an agricultural region into a transportation and logistics hub. In 2014, Taoyuan County was upgraded to a special municipality.
Taoyuan's economy is centered on logistics and aviation, anchored by the international airport which handles over 45 million passengers annually. The airport drives a vast logistics and cargo industry, with numerous warehouses, freight forwarders, and express delivery companies clustered around it. The city also hosts several industrial parks focused on high-tech manufacturing, including electronics, semiconductors, and biotechnology. Tourism contributes significantly, with Daxi Old Street, Shihmen Reservoir, and Lala Mountain drawing domestic and international visitors. The aviation industry alone employs over 50,000 people in the Greater Taoyuan area.
Discover the culinary treasures of Taoyuan, from traditional street food to imperial cuisine.
The main international airport (TPE) is located in Dayuan District. Connected to Taipei via Airport MRT (35 min) and to downtown Taoyuan by bus and taxi.
Mar - May
Mild temperatures (18-26°C) with blooming flowers. Great for outdoor activities and visiting Daxi Old Street.
Jun - Aug
Hot and humid (28-35°C) with occasional typhoons. Peak season for Lala Mountain peaches and water activities at Shihmen Reservoir.
Sep - Nov
Cool and dry with clear skies. Best season for hiking Lala Mountain and exploring outdoor attractions.
Dec - Feb
Cool and occasionally rainy (14-20°C). The Taoyuan Lantern Festival in February is a major highlight with spectacular displays.
Taoyuan has a subtropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. The best time to visit is autumn (September-November) for comfortable weather and clear skies.
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