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Just an hour’s drive from downtown Taipei, Taoyuan offers plenty of great travel spots to explore, with Longgang being one of the most popular recently. The Longgang area encompasses Zhongli, Pingzhen, and Bade districts, boasting a unique blend of cultures due to its special historical background. It’s famous for its rice noodles and other local delicacies from Zhongzhen Village, which recently hosted the lively Longgang Rice Noodle Festival. If you plan a one-day trip to Taoyuan, don’t miss the following recommendations!

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Taoyuan One-Day Trip: Discovering the History and Culture of Zhongzhen Village

The History of Zhongzhen Village 忠貞新村的歷史沿革

The history of Zhongzhen Village dates back over 60 years to when the Central Military of the Republic of China was stationed in Yunnan during the Chinese Civil War. After being chased by communist forces, they fled to the Yunnan-Myanmar border, where they were reduced to just 1,500 soldiers. In 1950, this small force launched an attack that defeated the Burmese military, drawing international attention. Due to pressure from the global community, soldiers and their families were repatriated to Taiwan in two waves, in 1953 and 1961, eventually resettling around Zhongzhen Village in Taoyuan, with over 10,000 people making the area their home.

Cultural Development of Zhongzhen Village 忠貞新村的文化發展

Since many of the soldiers’ families grew up in Thailand and Myanmar, the local culture in Zhongzhen Village has been heavily influenced by Yunnan, Thai, and Burmese customs, including cuisine, clothing, and traditions. In recent years, the Taoyuan government has actively promoted tourism in the area by building museums and organizing various cultural activities. The village is also known for preserving traditional foods, and wandering through the alleyways, you can catch glimpses of what Zhongzhen Village used to look like, making it an enticing tourist attraction.

• Address: No. 70, Zhongshan Road, Pingzhen District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
• Phone: +886 3-4161393
• Official Website: Zhongzhen Village Cultural Park

Taoyuan One-Day Trip: Authentic Yunnan Rice Noodles and Pea Jelly

Amei Rice Noodles 阿美米干

As mentioned, the food in Zhongzhen Village has a Yunnan influence, with rice noodles being one of the most iconic dishes. Numerous rice noodle shops exist in Taoyuan, but “Amei Rice Noodles” is the most popular due to its long history. The shop prides itself on using natural ingredients to make various traditional dishes such as dry rice noodles, wet rice noodles, Yunnan-style rice noodle soup, bridge-crossing noodles, and Yunnan hot pots. Don’t miss their rare delicacies like pea jelly, pork ear aspic, and pork slices.

• Address: No. 142, Zhongshan Road, Pingzhen District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
• Phone: +886 3-4567399
• Official Website: Amei Rice Noodles

Guoqi House Rice Noodle Shop 國旗屋米干店

Guoqi House is a must-visit spot in Zhongzhen Village. The owner is a descendant of the original soldiers and operates the rice noodle shop with a deep sense of patriotism, proudly displaying numerous flags of the Republic of China outside the store. On weekends, there is always a long queue in front of the shop, with hundreds of flags waving against the blue sky and white clouds, creating a unique scene.

• Address: No. 215, Longping Road, Zhongli District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
• Phone: +886 3-4666879

Taoyuan One-Day Trip: Zhongzhen Village Surrounding Attractions

Zhongzhen Village Cultural Park 忠貞新村文化園區

Don’t think that the cultural park is just about museums and information boards; Zhongshan Village’s cultural park offers food, drinks, entertainment, and performances! Behind the cultural center is a row of open-air bars and food stalls, as well as shops selling rice noodles, traditional clothing, and even a restaurant that used to be a church. The central square often hosts markets and traditional performances, and in April 2024, the area came alive with the grand Longgang Rice Noodle Festival.

• Address: No. 70, Zhongshan Road, Pingzhen District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
• Phone: +886 3-4161393
• Official Website: Zhongzhen Village Cultural Park

Foreign Story House 異域故事館

On the other side of the cultural park is the Foreign Story House, where visitors can dive deeper into the history of Zhongzhen Village. In addition to precious exhibitions and multimedia displays, the venue offers guided tours and DIY classes by appointment. There’s also a shooting range nearby, where both adults and kids can try being a soldier for a day!

• Address: No. 70, Zhongshan Road, Pingzhen District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
• Phone: +886 3-4650736
• Official Website: Foreign Story House

Taoyuan One-Day Trip: Transportation to Zhongzhen Village

For those driving, simply set the GPS to “Zhongzhen Village Cultural Park,” where there are eight parking lots available nearby. If you prefer public transportation, take Zhongli Bus, Taoyuan Bus, or UBus to the “Zhongzhen” stop, and then walk for about four minutes to reach Zhongzhen Village Cultural Park.

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