We started our day early, waking at 6:45 a.m. to get ready for a day full of travel and sight seeing. Before boarding the train to Hsinchu, we had breakfast at the Plaza International Hotel, which was quiet and softly lit in the early morning. I kept it simple just got a buttery croissant with strong black coffee that was enough to wake me up fully without needing sugar. It was a really good and dainty meal and surprisingly refined for a hotel breakfast.
There’s something grounding about those quiet morning moments before a full travel day. The hotel had a nice selection of fruit, congee, and Taiwanese-style breakfast foods too, but the classic French-style croissant and coffee combo was all I needed to feel both nourished and ready.
We then met in the lobby and got on the bus. Then boarded the train to Hsinchu, often referred to as Taiwan’s “Silicon Valley.” On the ride, Mali a tour guide, shared reflections on the evolution of technology how Taiwan went from assembling basic motherboards in the ’80s to now being a leader in AI-driven systems used in hospitals, universities, and finance. It gave our visit a kind of narrative arc an awareness that we were stepping into a place where the future is literally being built.
Our first stop was the Science Exploration Museum, where we got hands-on with displays that highlighted the scientific breakthroughs powering everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. Then came a presentation at Hsinchu Science Park (HSP), the beating heart of Taiwan’s tech economy. Mali described it as a “diamond-level ecosystem,” a tightly integrated network of R&D, advanced manufacturing, and academic collaboration. I was struck by how organized and future-focused the whole region is tailored not just to profitability, but also to sustainable innovation.
Hsinchu is also a city of remarkable contrasts. Despite its high-tech identity, we visited the City God Temple, a site that honors multiple forms of the deity responsible for justice and protection. Inside the incense-filled hall, we took part in a brief ritual lighting incense, making wishes, and in my case, casting a quiet little love spell for my boyfriend. It was a personal moment woven into an ancient tradition, reminding me that no matter how futuristic a place may be, human longing, hope, and connection remain constant.
Afterward, we continued to Taichung, stopping along the way at the Rainbow Village. Though tiny, this former military settlement turned public art space bursts with creativity. Every inch is painted with murals animals, people, Chinese characters, and color. It felt deeply human, like an open-air journal written in paint.
We ended the day checking back into the Plaza International Hotel it felt like we’d traveled across time, culture, and everyone was so tired from all the walking we did we went right to sleep.