Every nation has one, that wonderful place that doesn’t appear to show up much on tourist itineraries, except for a few well known tourist spots. Growing up in Michigan in the 70s, it was the state’s Upper Peninsula, one of America’s best-kept secrets. In Taiwan, that seems to be Miaoli County.
The government markets Miaoli’s Hakka culture, and there are a few odd places, such as the Longteng Viaduct, wrecked in an earthquake, and the nearby Shengsing (勝興) Train Station, which are tourist meccas. Indeed, the old train station, the highest on the main north-south line until the bypass was