Hsinchu zoo

Established in the Japanese colonization era around the same time as the neighboring glass museum buildings, the Hsinchu zoo is the oldest zoo in Taiwan. For only $10 for adults and free for kids, Hsinchu zoo is a nice budget activity. The zoo is well-shaded and has a relaxed park-like atmosphere and although it is small in size, it has more than 300 distinguished into 120 species which are mostly birds and primates, with crowd-pleasers such as bengal tigers, hippos, orangutangs, and crocodiles.

Cheerful music plays from speakers disguised as rocks throughout the zoo and animals are easily accessible, with one deer roaming freely amongst the visitors.

When we visited, the croc was in the pool right next to the pane of glass and the hippo was thrusting itself out of the water, mouth wide open (although this was probably because it used to getting fed by visitors but I’ll say no more on that subject). With Hsinchu’s cooling wind and the natural shade of the trees, Hsinchu zoo is a fun outside activity even on the hottest of days.

More info here.