Hsinchu City and Zhubei are built for people who live here, not for visitors. Errands are done by car or scooter, the supermarkets are big, the clinics are quick, and weekends mean a park, the coast or the hills half an hour east. From Jason's years in Zhubei, these are the pages we'd hand a friend in their first month: how to see a doctor, where to shop, what the weather really does, and what to do with the kids on Saturday.
- HealthHealthcareHospitals in Hsinchu City and Zhubei, how a clinic visit works, NHI basics, and where English help is confirmed.
- ErrandsGroceries and shoppingSupermarkets, hypermarkets, imported food, malls and traditional markets.
- WeatherThe wind, rain and typhoonsHsinchu's famous autumn wind, the summer heat and what each season means day to day.
- Daily lifeEveryday TaiwanConvenience stores, cash, the musical garbage truck, scooters, taxis, apps and customs: what surprises newcomers.
- FamiliesHsinchu with kidsThe zoo, the best playground parks, museums and libraries for rainy days, and holiday camps.
- SchoolsFamilies and schoolsPublic, bilingual, experimental and international schools, who can apply, and preschools.
- New hereYour first 30 daysARC, health insurance, a bank account, a phone and an address, in the order you'll need them.
→ Moving to Hsinchu · Getting around · Where to eat
Sources: each guide above lists its own. Checked November 2026.