population: 0.56 million

extension: 1822.00 square kilometers

Museums

If you're in Miaoli and interested in visiting museums, one option is the Miaoli Museum. It features exhibits on various aspects of local culture and history, including artifacts from Taiwan's indigenous peoples and displays on traditional crafts like weaving and bamboo craft. Other nearby museums that may be of interest include the Hakka Cultural Museum in Zhunan and the National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung.

Food

Some popular and typical dishes to try in Miaoli according to local people include:

1. Hakka Lei Cha (Hakka Thunder Tea): A traditional Hakka dish made with ground tea leaves, herbs, and various nuts and seeds, served with rice and a variety of vegetables.

2. Noodles with Sesame Oil Chicken: A simple but delicious dish of thin noodles topped with shredded chicken cooked in sesame oil and soy sauce.

3. Miaoli Rice Noodles: A famous local specialty, these noodles are made from a mixture of rice and sweet potato starch, giving them a chewy texture. They're typically served in a flavorful broth with sliced pork and vegetables.

4. Yimin Cake: Similar to a savory pancake, this dish is made from a mixture of flour and water, then filled with ingredients like diced vegetables, meat, and egg before being pan-fried until crispy.

5. Hakka Stuffed Tofu: Tofu pockets filled with a mixture of seasoned ground pork and mushrooms, then simmered in a savory broth.

These are just a few examples of the many delicious dishes you can try in Miaoli!

Activities

Here are some fun activities that locals in Miaoli enjoy:

1. Visiting the Flying Cow Ranch - a popular family-friendly attraction with farm animals, pony rides, and other outdoor activities.
2. Exploring Shengxing Station - a historic train station that has been converted into a cultural center with art exhibitions and workshops.
3. Hiking in Caiguangshan - a scenic mountain range with multiple trails of varying difficulty levels.
4. Soaking in hot springs - there are several hot spring resorts in the Miaoli area, such as the Tang Spa Hot Spring Resort and Lishan Hot Springs.
5. Trying local delicacies - Miaoli is known for its Hakka-style cuisine, which features dishes like lei cha (pounded tea) and taro balls.