苗栗县

Why this place

Miaoli is Hakka country in the hills of the northwest, and its Sanyi town is the wood-carving centre of the island, with whole streets of carving workshops. It also has hot springs and the remains of the old camphor and timber trade.

What to see

• Sanyi's wood-carving streets and the wood-sculpture museum
• The old Shitan and Nanzhuang mining and timber towns
• The Taian hot springs, in the mountains east of the county

What to eat

• Hakka food: 'lei cha', preserved mustard greens, stuffed tofu and 'ban tiao' noodles
• Miaoli is known for its 'pao' tea and its strawberries in winter

Best time

October–April